Nine Things Renters in their Late 30's and 40's Want

Renters in their late 30s to 40s likely have careers, families and responsibilities. These things are all taken into consideration when they look for a new apartment. What are these renters looking for? Click to read more at the Multi-Housing News blog.

Following two strong years for the U.S. apartment market, what should we expect to see in 2012? Jay Parsons and Greg Willett discuss in this video from Apartment Market Dynamics.

Multifamily's Future for 2012

Multi-Housing News reports that thanks to a favorable combination of limited supply and demand edging up, market conditions for the multifamily sector are likely to be favorable in 2012.  Although multifamily market observers expect that the economy will merely plod along in 2012, not improving much from 2011 levels, they still expect somewhat higher vacancies and effective rents. Read the full story.

Demand for Rentals Drives Jump in Home Building

Construction of residential housing surged last month, leading to increased optimism that the U.S. housing market is gaining steam. The uptick was the highest level in 19 months, the Commerce Department reports.  Click here to read the story in the Wall Street Journal.

Wall Street Journal: Big Developers Dabbling in Apartments

The Wall Street Journal reports some of the major developers of malls and office properties are now moving into the apartment development sector -- where the money is.  Read the full story.

Two Reports Released Yesterday: Portland Metro Area's Economy Recovering

The Portland Tribune offers insight into two reports released yesterday indicating the Portland/Vancouver metro area is starting to recover from the worst recession in 50 years -- but it will take time. Read the full story.

Is Portland A Renter's Hell?

In this week's cover story Willamette Week's banner headline is "Renter's Hell: Portlanders pay a steep price in the nation's toughest rental market."

The report cites statistics from the US Bureau of Labor  and Metro Multifamily Housing Association that average Portland area rents have increased 8% this year, 16.9% in the last five years.  It reports that rents in downtown and the Pearl District have increased 15.8% this year and 36% over the last five years. Read the full story online. 

Developer Announces 177-Unit Project in the Pearl

Developer Robert Ball has announced that his company, Astor Construction, will construct a privately funded 6-story 177-unit luxury apartment complex at NW 12th between Pettygrove and Quimby. Amenities include 181 parking spaces, a workout facility, coffee bar, 180 bicycle stalls, a dog-washing area and a bicycle repair station.

Read the Oregonian Report
Read the Business Journal Report