HOUSTON-By his own admission, Yamal Yidios Char president andCEO of Ytech International, had been studying the Houston area forawhile before entering the market though acquiring a 1,312-unit multifamily portfolioin a direct deal with a JV. That, plus the fact that prices weregoing up in Miami – where the company had been investing -- ledYidios Char to become a Texas commercial real estate owner.

"Rising investor interest here in Miami has driven upmultifamily prices significantly," comments Yidios Char. "That'sbeen happening for awhile."

Meanwhile, though investor interest in the Lone Star State isn'texactly keeping multifamily prices low, "Texas and Houston, inparticular, is a great place for multifamily investment," YidiosChar tells GlobeSt.com. He explains that his company employsthree main criteria when it comes to targeting an area forinvestment; employment, price strength and rent yields. "Houstonscored very high on all three points," he says.