(To read more on the multifamily market, click here.)

NEW ORLEANS-While the multifamily asset class continues toattract its share of national and international investment, thecondominium craze that was so hot even a year ago is officiallyover. Experts predict that, over the long term, demand willincrease for rentals, spurring more construction and investmentnationwide.

M/PF YieldStar Inc., based in Carrollton, TX, recently hostedits first US multifamily markets conference, picking New Orleans asthe host city so industry leaders could see first hand the workthat's under way and still to be done. "We thought people would beinterested in seeing New Orleans," Greg Willett, M/PF's vicepresident of research, tells GlobeSt.com. Part of the roundtableconference was devoted to Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts, but moreso to provide a look at the big picture for M/PF's 57-marketnetwork.