Higher rents open eyes to the value of owning
This article from RealtorMag, dated 04/05/12, talks about rent increasing by 2.7%, while vacancy fell 5% ……
Economists and real estate agents say entry-level home buyers are once again jumping into the market in time for the spring selling season, spurred by ongoing price declines and higher apartment rents.
Reis Inc., a real-estate research firm, reports in its quarterly survey that the average apartment rents rose by 2.7 percent in 2011, and vacancy rate fell below 5 percent nationwide for the first time since 2001 .
This year is poised to be the first since 2005 that the number of apartment renters buying homes rises year-over-year, according to Zelman & Associates. Moreover, Deutsche Bank housing analyst Nishu Sood says rental costs exceeded homeownership costs by 15 percent at the end of last year.
Source: “As Home Rents Head Higher, Owning Regains Its Appeal,” Wall Street Journal (04/04/12)
references: realtor magazine, daily real estate news, NAR, information inc