The nationwide market watcher, based in Dallas, says job growthand interest rates have catapulted the multifamily industry intostrong performers from coast to coast. Greg Willett, MPF'seditorial director and 16-year analyst, says that 2000 has been alandlord's gold mine as rents and demand go up - a trend beingbolstered by construction cuts in many parts of the southwesternUS.

Austin's 98% occupancy makes it one of the strongest markets inthe nation, Willett told GlobeSt.com. "There's a lot underconstruction and a lot to be completed, but the delivery's not beenthat much," he says of year 2000. Construction's up 11.3% over theprior year, but only 7,746 permits had been executed betweenNovember 1999 and October 2000. And while more will come to marketthis year, Willett says demand could fall short and cause asoftening in rents in the state capital. Austin had experienced an8% rent growth in 2000 while Dallas was slightly over 3% andHouston, slightly under 3%.

Dallas had 6,078 permits issued in 2000, a 56% drop from theprevious year. Houston's total had dipped 35% and San Antonio, 30%.The third quarter in Denver had been marked by developers pullingpermits for 3,364 units out of concern that a no-growthconstitutional amendment would be passed by November voters. Inthird quarter 1999, there had been applications for 2,235 units inDenver, according to a report by Hendricks & Partners.