Multifamily is the safestinvestment next year, particularly with rising fears of arecession. The asset class is more protected against downturns thanany other asset class, making it a safe investment as the cyclematures.

"Multifamily is definitely more protected against economicdownturns than any other type of property," NatKunes, SVP of investment management atAppFolio, tells GlobeSt.com. "A shift in theeconomy doesn't mean people will forgo homes. They might forgoretail experiences, which may force retailers to close upshop—literally—but people will always need homes. It's as simple asthat. Yes, the multifamily market might experiences subtle shifts,but those shifts are nothing in comparison to the impact felt byinvestors in other property types."

Kunes is continually bullish on the apartment market, largelybecause the asset class has proven to be a strong performer duringa downturn. "Multifamily is a safe bet in the real estateinvestment ecosystem because, historically, it's always been anin-demand asset class," he says. "Unlike retail property, the valueof which might shift dramatically depending on larger, economicfactors, multifamily is generally shielded from significant marketswings. People need housing, and as a number of potentialhomebuyers continue to get priced out of the market, multifamilyrenting remains a top choice for many Americans."