ALN Monthly Market Stats September 2018 via ALN Apartment Data

ALN Data just released their August 2018 market stats on occupancy and rents for over 80 markets. In Texas, it includes DFW, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, Amarillo, Abilene, Corpus Christi and more. It is a must read from a great provider of apartment data.

Read more...ALN Monthly Market Stats September 2018 via ALN Apartment Data

The top five amenities coming to an apartment near you via The Washington Post

A personal sous chef, pet concierge services, Pilates classes and a voice-control system that will pay your rent: When it comes to apartment living, it’s all about the amenities.

Across the industry, we’re seeing continued innovation as community owners satisfy their residents’ specific needs. In addition to technological advances, increased service offerings that cater to the on-the-go lifestyle of the typical young professional or millennial renter are on the rise.

So what’s the latest in the amenities market?

Read more...The top five amenities coming to an apartment near you via The Washington Post

The Top Countries Investing in U.S. Commercial Real Estate via National Real Estate Investor

Although some cross-border investors have taken a step back from U.S. real estate, there remains strong interest from buyers around the globe.

Canadian investors have been the most active buyers of U.S. real estate in the last 12 months, securing $19.63 billion in assets, according to a recent report from Real Capital Analytics (RCA). It's a familiar spot for the Great White North, which was also the top source of capital into the U.S. in 2017 and number two in 2016.

Read more...The Top Countries Investing in U.S. Commercial Real Estate | National Real Estate Investor

Eleventh District Beige Book 9/12/18 via Dallas Fed

Solid expansion continued in the Eleventh District economy, although the pace eased slightly compared with the last report. Manufacturing output increased, and loan demand and retail spending accelerated. Broad-based expansion in the service sector continued. Home sales slowed, and drilling activity was flat. The ongoing drought dampened crop and grazing conditions. Employment increased, and widespread labor shortages continued to pressure wages. Price pressures stayed elevated largely due to increases in input costs. Although outlooks remained fairly optimistic, trade-related concerns have heightened uncertainty.

Read more...Eleventh District Beige Book 9/12/18 via Dallas Fed

Austin Economic Indicators September 2018 via Dallas Fed

Austin economic growth weakened in July. The Austin Business-Cycle Index performed well below its long-term trend. The unemployment rate dipped and job growth softened, but wages inched up. Housing permits expanded, while housing affordability declined.

Read more...Austin Economic Indicators - Dallasfed.org

Older DFW apartments are seeing the biggest run-up in rents via Dallas News

Dallas-Fort Worth renters are paying record monthly rates for apartments.

An average North Texas apartment will run you more than $1,100 a month, according to the latest data from RealPage. That's up 35 percent from 2010.

But if you want to see real rent hikes don't look to the fancy Uptown towers or those new digs up in Plano's new Legacy West. The biggest rent increases have come in older rental communities.

Read more... Older D-FW apartments are seeing the biggest run-up in rents via Dallas News

It's better to rent than to buy in today's housing market via CNBC

It is easily the question most asked by anyone moving into their first home or downsizing into retirement. Should I buy or should I rent? For nearly a decade the answer has been buy. The crash in home prices, combined with record-low mortgage rates made buying and owning a home both cheaper than renting one and a better investment.

Now, the tide has turned.

Fast-rising home prices and higher mortgage rates have shifted the calculation to rent.

Read more... It's better to rent than to buy in today's housing market via CNBC

Do Widespread Rent Concessions in the Apartment Sector Signal a Problem? via National Real Estate Investor

Property managers are offering more months of free apartment rent to attract new tenants in markets across the United States.

Concessions “are in every market (133) we track,” says Doug Ressler, director of business intelligence with research firm Yardi Matrix.

Apartment vacancy rates are creeping above 5.00 percent in many cities and towns as more developers offer deeper concessions at newly built projects. However, strong demand for apartments is likely to eventually fill the new units now opening and bring the apartment market back into equilibrium.

Read more...Do Widespread Rent Concessions in the Apartment Sector Signal a Problem? | National Real Estate Investor