Can I Raise the Rent? Rental Market Predictions for 2012

by | Dec 26, 2011 | Rental Property Management Tips

Axiometrics Inc., a provider of data and analysis on the apartment market, reports that rent growth was lower than expected during November, with effective rents declining 0.47% between October and November. This marked the lowest sequential growth rate of any month for the past two years.

However, factors indicate those numbers will climb in 2012.

“The national growth numbers, particularly on the rent side, were more negative than expected, but the fourth quarter should finish stronger than what we’ve typically seen over the past decade,” said Ron Johnsey, president of Axiometrics Inc. “Strong renter household formation and the declining homeownership rate will continue to benefit the apartment market, and will help contribute to our forecasted effective rent growth of 5.5% nationally for 2012.”

Asset Class Differences in Effective Rent Growth

Though they have consistently improved throughout the year, C-class properties have weighed down the national effective rent growth rate. Class A and B properties hit a plateau in March of this year of approximately 5.5% annual growth, but began to trail off after July. Class A properties have increased rents the most this year, on both a relative and absolute basis. For example, a renter shopping an A-class building in 2010, and then again in 2011, could have expected on average to see close to a $70 increase in effective rent. Class B properties have increased $40 to $50 over the past year, while Class C rents are up just $17.

2012 Outlook

Despite the recent slowdown, Axiometrics’ research indicates 2012 should be a strong year in terms of effective rent growth, with improving job creation and new apartment supplies being the key factors in its forecasted growth rate of 5.5%.

With permitting and new construction not slated to really ramp up until 2013, occupancy and pricing power for landlords will continue to improve. Class C properties, which have lagged Class A and B properties in terms of occupancy and rent growth, may see the most growth in 2012 as renters in lower tier B properties move down to upper tier C properties in order to stabilize their housing costs.

Most of the top performing markets from 2011 are expected to slow down in 2012, though overall growth should remain strong historically. San Jose, San Francisco, and Austin are all expected to remain among the Top 10 in effective rent growth in 2012, and in a big change from recent years, Las Vegas is expected to finally turn positive and become one of the most improved markets in 2012.

This post is provided by Tenant Verification Service, Inc., helping landlords reduce the risks of renting with fraud prevention tools that include Tenant Screening, Tenant Background Checks, (U.S. and Canada), as well as Criminal Background Checks, and Eviction Reports (U.S. only).

Click Here to Receive Landlord Credit Reports.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual legal counsel or consulting your local, state, federal or provincial tenancy laws.

shiftsuite
Property management software for Canadian Condos.

Property Boss

Property management software for single family, multifamily, and student housing.

TVS

Screening services for property managers and landlords. Select a market below.

USA

Canada