Rental Articles > General News

General News

Nationally-applicable news about Investors Real Estate Trust, IRET Properties, and the 10,000 apartments we lease to renters across the Midwest.

• New construction starts dip

  5/23/2013
  According to the Associated Press, construction starts slumped this month after hitting the 1 million mark in March as multi-family and apartment construction starts declined 37.8 percent.

• New data: Does buying beat renting?

  5/23/2013
  According to first quarter analysis from Zillow, buying a home is more financially intelligent than renting for homebuyers who intend to remain in their residence for three or more years. in 64 percent of the metropolitan areas of the U.S.

• Apartment vacancy rates still low in Midwest

  5/16/2013
  As the Midwest continues to reap economic success from the oil boom prompted by the Bakken formation, apartment vacancy rates are at an all time low as demand for housing has far exceeded supply.

• Apartment pet-friendliness survey released

  4/30/2013
  Many renters have pets, and finding an apartment or home to rent that allows them to keep their pets with them is a paramount requirement in many cases.

• Apartment decoration tips from the experts

  4/30/2013
  Renters across the country are constantly looking for innovative new ways to make their rentals feel more like home.

• Renting vs. buying: The tax difference

  4/26/2013
  The middle class is a crucial contributor to the rental market, and are expected to continue to contribute to its growth despite the push for sustained tax incentives for homeowners.

• Rising home prices equal increased rental demand

  4/26/2013
  The rental market is benefiting from the recent surge in investor interest in properties across the United States.

• Rentals benefiting from investor influence

  4/26/2013
  Real estate investment in the rental market is growing in popularity, which is leading to increased rental opportunities for Americans everywhere.

• Decorating your first apartment

  4/24/2013
  Decorating your first apartment might seem like a daunting task, but a recent list of tips offered by Zillow could take some much needed stress out of the situation.

• Green leasing good for tenants, landlords

  4/23/2013
  The green initiative has transformed the real estate and rental industries with more landlords, tenants and real estate agents of both commercial and residential properties.

• Rental vacancy rates down

  4/18/2013
  Rental vacancy rates continue to drop on a nationwide basis, but the fluctuations differ from metro area to metro area.

• Rental markets' pet-friendliness explained

  4/17/2013
  Renters across the country have a number of demands and criteria that need to be met in order to find the apartment or house that best suits their needs.

• Inventory drops significant amount in 2012

  4/17/2013
  Although most experts agree that overall the housing market is recovering, there are still some outlier factors that are contributing to more individuals wanting to rent instead of owning a home.

• Builder confidence down

  4/16/2013
  Renting and buying are constantly intertwined with both industries ebbing and flowing on a constant basis.

• Real estate capital markets to continue to grow

  4/12/2013
  The real estate market continues to grow and is expected to see further growth over the next several years.

• Search for roommate of the year underway

  4/10/2013
  Apartment living can be an exciting time in anyone's life.

• Investor demand for rentals peaking

  4/8/2013
  The housing market has been in a vicious cycle since it initially crashed in the mid-2000s.

• Real estate agents should focus on renting

  4/8/2013
  Real estate agents have endless opportunities to not only benefit from the housing and rental market but also to help those in need find the home or apartment of their dreams.

• Midwest economy registers measurable improvements in January

  2/11/2013
  At a national level, economic sentiment hasn't been operating at a healthy pace. According to the latest data from Consumer Reports, economic optimism among Americans dropped from 51.2 in January to 48.9 in February, based on its Consumer Reports Index.

• New internet privacy protections on tap for Kansas employees

  2/8/2013
  In Kansas, State Rep. Gail Finney and Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau have drafted a bill that, if signed into law, would forbid employers from being able to ask for applicants' passwords to websites like Facebook and Twitter.

• Americans willing to endure adverse conditions in lieu of moving

  2/7/2013
  According to a new survey performed by moving company Unpakt, which was conducted by Harris Interactive, one in every four Americans say they would be willing to do several typically unpleasant experiences before they moved to a new residence.

• More Americans cite affordability as reason for switching to renting

  2/6/2013
  Contrary to what many reports and analyses have suggested, more former homeowners are opting to rent because of the affordability and security that comes with it.

• Rental rate increases slowed in 2012

  2/6/2013
  There has been considerable discussion about rental rates trending northward, largely because demand has outstripped supply. But based on newly released data, rent prices aren't increasing at the rate many people have claimed.

• Home values can weaken with unruly neighbors

  2/5/2013
  According to advice from the Appraisal Institute, obnoxious pets, untidy yards, loud music, shrubbery overgrowth and poorly maintained properties all have a significant impact on a prospective homeowner's property value.

• Poll Breaking terms of lease agreement main reason for not receiving security deposit

  2/4/2013
  A new poll indicates that approximately one in every four renters don't get their security deposits back from their landlord once they've decided to move out.

• People love it in Lincoln

  1/28/2013
  Whether wanting a change of scenery or a new job, many people may be interested in living in a new part of the country this year. However, given the rocky state of the economy, it's often difficult to determine where the best place is, as numerous factors play a role in how states perform.

• Some of world's most unaffordable housing markets in Western U.S.

  1/25/2013
  According to strategy research firm New Geography, many of the world's least affordable real estate markets reside in the U.S.

• Tourism chief contributor to Montana's economic dynamism

  1/18/2013
  The beauty and desirability of Big Sky Country are some of the main reasons why tourists come to Montana and the money they spend in the state has done wonders for its economy, new research finds.

• More rental units accommodating cyclists' spatial needs

  1/17/2013
  According to The Washington Post, studies show that bike commuting is on the rise, and apartment units have made note of this, offering roomier units and garages on top of what already comes with a rented apartment.

• Americans more itinerant in 2011

  1/15/2013
  Whether a home or an IRET Properties unit is the destination for Americans, one thing is certain: People are picking up their belongings and moving to another part of the country at a heightened pace.

• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently released a new rule that could make it more difficult for prospective homebuyers to obtain a mortgage.

  1/14/2013
  The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently released a new rule that could make it more difficult for prospective homebuyers to obtain a mortgage.

• Some Londoners devote 90 percent of income toward rent

  1/10/2013
  Tenants choose IRET Properties to rent a unit because they know the prices are commensurate with the market and are competitive. They also know that, based on industry data, the Midwest is one of the best parts of the country to live in for renters.

• Prospective homeowners look to the Midwest for possibilities

  1/9/2013
  According to a new study from the National Association of Realtors, which was done in conjunction with Google, real estate searches on online search engines have soared 253 percent since 2009.

• Study says demand for rental units to remain elevated for foreseeable future

  1/7/2013
  While high rental unit demand may seem like a flash in the pan to some, a recent report suggests that it's anything but a passing fad and will likely remain in place for a considerable amount of time.

• Interactive tool shows why many aspects of Midwest are too good to pass up

  12/21/2012
  There are a number of online tools that prospective homeowners or renters can use that can help them determine which part of the country is best to live in

• How a price-to-rent ratio can help you decide to lease or buy

  12/19/2012
  No matter how the economy or state of housing may be, recent college grads or newly formed families have a question that they will almost assuredly asking themselves at one point or another: "Should I rent or buy?"

• Midwesterners confidence seen as improving, survey finds

  12/18/2012
  Midwestern consumers are bullish about the state of the economy.

• Homeownership may sometimes be imprudent, banking official states

  12/17/2012
  When people pursue homeownership, they often do so for the emotional benefit, not taking into account whether its feasible from a financial perspective.

• NAHB: Apartment market sentiment remains high

  12/13/2012
  Recent statistics indicate that IRET Properties and its competitors are running full steam ahead.

• Rental demand projected to remain strong in 2013

  12/7/2012
  In 2012, IRET Properties as well as other rental units around the country witnessed a boom in demand, as vacancy rates remained low throughout much of the year. And as a new study indicates, the market may play out much the same way in 2013.

• Most affordable homes predominantly within Midwest, report finds

  12/5/2012
  As many recent reports have shown, home purchases can often be cost-prohibitive for many Americans today. This may partially explain why IRET Properties and other rental units are highly sought after, as vacancy rates are quite low.

• First-time homebuyers priced out of housing comeback

  12/4/2012
  The younger generation hasn't been buying quite as much as real estate observers might expect.

• Younger buyers often priced out of residential market

  11/26/2012
  Though many real estate observers say now's the time to buy a house, a new report indicates that owning a home can be quite cost prohibitive for a considerable number of Americans.

• Midwestern living equals high affordability

  11/19/2012
  The advantages far outweigh the drawbacks when it comes to moving to the Midwest.

• Renting often makes more sense than buying

  11/16/2012
  According to a November 2012 issue of Housing Insights, Fannie Mae notes that homeownership rates have diminished, particularly among those who are young or who have just recently graduated from college.

• Why it's often better to rent than buy

  11/14/2012
  As recent numbers have shown, renting remains a convenient alternative to buying, mainly because renting carries a number of advantages that owning a home doesn't.

• Hurricane Sandy puts skids on mortgage activity

  11/9/2012
  As several recent reports have indicated, homeownership has diminished considerably. While much of this has derived from housing costs that price some people out of the market, it's also because of weak consumer sentiment.

• Surge in values may price many out of homebuying market

  11/8/2012
  Though housing experts say that now is a good time to buy a home, that may not be the case for many, as the homeownership rate has slipped. And though mortgage rates may be at record lows, asking prices have risen considerably.

• Rental market expected to thrive through 2015

  11/7/2012
  While complexes like IRET Apartments may be in high demand today, some question whether the rental market will be as popular several years from now, as habitation trends have a tendency to change rather frequently.

• Homeownership rate falls in third quarter

  11/6/2012
  Many real estate market experts say now is the time to buy a house. But as recent evidence makes increasingly clear, many people aren't buying what some are selling.

• Poll shows many believe homeownership to be overrated

  11/1/2012
  A considerable number of Americans say it's far better to rent than it is to buy.

• Economic conditions jump appreciably in Midwest

  10/22/2012
  People who may have been considering renting out an IRET Properties unit may have yet another reason to do so.

• Rental averages often misleading

  10/19/2012
  A new study suggests that there may be a significant gap between perception and reality as it pertains to rental costs.

• Study says only half of major metro areas have 'truly' affordable home prices

  10/18/2012
  Recent statistics indicate that household earning income is down considerably from previous years, and this appears to be having an impact on the variety of cities in which Americans can afford to purchase a home.

• Cost-benefit analysis essential in determining whether to buy or rent

  10/17/2012
  Housing conditions are such that many real estate experts say now is the time to buy. However, there are a variety of situations in which some people purchase a home when they would have been better off renting.

• Brochure details extent of manufacturing's entrenchment in Midwest

  10/10/2012
  "America's Smartland: Growing Our Advanced Manufacturing," focuses not only on the state of the sector in the nation's heartland but why the region is an ideal place to live, whether it's buying a home or renting with IRET Properties.

• Midwest dotted with America's finest universities

  10/5/2012
  One-quarter of the top 115 undergraduate institutions are located within Midwestern borders.

• Better to buy than rent? Not always

  10/4/2012
  With mortgage rates at historic lows and sellers slashing their asking prices, many real estate experts say now is the time to buy a house. However, a recent article from the Seattle Times says that renting is often the better option.

• Manufacturing a central component of Midwestern living

  10/3/2012
  Due to the slow pace of the economic recovery, manufacturing is one of many sectors that has taken a hit throughout the country. But recent evidence suggests the industry is primed for growth.

• Manufacturing growth boiling over in Midwest

  9/24/2012
  IRET Apartment tenants may have relocated to the Midwest for a variety of reasons one of which may have been work-related. And if they work in manufacturing, it may have been the smartest move possible.

• Home values diminish in August

  9/20/2012
  It's little wonder IRET Apartments and other complexes are increasingly popular, as a new study suggests buying a home may not be the best idea for people hoping their property values will rise.

• Renters say cellular signal strength is important

  9/13/2012
  Renters nationwide - including those considering IRET Properties - typically like to have certain amenities in the units they occupy. And as a recent survey suggests, one of these conveniences they value is a strong cellular signal.

• Rental rate hikes slow while home prices rise

  9/6/2012
  Americans may have an even greater incentive to rent at places like IRET Properties after a new report shows that rate increases have moderated significantly.

• Transitioning to renting may increase as people age

  9/4/2012
  By the time homeowners turn 85, transitioning to renting tends to increase.

• 'Real' homeownership rate at record-low levels

  8/31/2012
  As vacancy rates have lowered and rental applications risen at many multi-family units, IRET Properties among them, the "real" rate of homeownership has fallen rather considerably.

• Report: Apartments, condos to represent one-quarter of residential stock by 2021

  8/29/2012
  While homeownership may be something that some people think is the ideal form of living, recent statistics suggest that some Americans are more than satisfied with apartment dwelling in places like IRET Properties.

• Apartment firms hike staffing levels

  8/20/2012
  A new report suggests that renters may have more help to turn to when it comes to finding assistance from real estate professionals at places like IRET Properties.

• Vacancy rates fall in the second quarter

  8/10/2012
  It appears more Americans are taking advantage of the benefits that renting provides at units like IRET Properties, as a recent report indicates residential vacancy rates have dipped.

• Housing, rental markets showing marked improvement

  8/9/2012
  Two new reports indicates that the typical consumer is bullish about the state of the housing and rental market - news that may mean a rise in occupancy at IRET apartments.

• To buy or rent? Study reveals what factors are often at play

  8/6/2012
  A new report indicates Americans take several things into consideration before deciding to purchase a home or rent an apartment at places like IRET Properties.

• Poll: Pets a top consideration for where renters live

  8/2/2012
  While location, job availability and recreation may be among things renters take into consideration before deciding on where they'll live, they're also often swayed by how friendly their landlords are to pets.

• Apartment rental units highly sought after

  8/1/2012
  A recent analysis indicates that housing units like IRET Apartments are hot commodities in the real estate market.

• Business conditions solid in many Midwestern markets, report notes

  7/18/2012
  Many of the states IRET Apartments are located in had business conditions in positive territory in the month of June, a recent report indicates.

• Construction activity expected to finish 2012 in positive territory

  7/2/2012
  By year's end, there will likely be more multifamily housing units throughout the U.S., as new construction starts are projected to rise when compared to 2011.

• Measure to eliminate property taxes fails in North Dakota

  6/28/2012
  Residents of North Dakota recently voted not to abolish property taxes in the state.

• NAA program now available for North and South Dakota

  6/25/2012
  North and South Dakota have now been added to the states included in the National Apartment Association (NAA) National Lease Program.

• Housing outlook favorable due to strong rental market

  6/25/2012
  About 1.5 million households moved into rental housing during the 12-month period ending in March, according to Freddie Mac's June 2012 Economic Outlook.

• HESS and IRET: a letter to our Plaza Apartments Residents

  10/25/2011
  A letter written to our Plaza Apartment Residents regarding rumors of Hess and IRET.

• IMPORTANT NOTICE: For Cottonwood Residents

  6/3/2011
  As the Missouri River levels rise, we want our Apartment Residents to be safe and know that we are here to help them.

• More people choosing to rent, not buy, their home

  2/8/2011
  Homeownership rates are falling as number of renters rises

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