National buyers are focusing on Central Florida where propertyappreciation and reasonable deals abound, the report states. Butprices for the properties are inching upwards.

"The median sales price is on track to increase by more than 20%before year end, to more than $52,000 per unit," says Steven M.Ekovich, first vice president and regional manager of the firm'slocal office. "Many of the trends contributing to this increaseappear to be capable of lasting for at least the next 12 to 18months."

He says "national and local apartment investors have noticed theimprovement in fundamentals, and strong demand is driving prices tonew heights." The $5-million-and-up segment of the market isaccounting for more activity than usual, Ekovich says. "Nationalbuyers are concentrating on the Orlando region due to upsidepotential and affordability," he adds. "As a result, sellers areputting together portfolios that are attracting strong interestfrom out-of-state buyers."