The extensive overbuilding and economic despair brought about by the upsurge of foreclosures in Atlanta, Georgia has inspired Wall Street to be a landlord of all times.

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/12/2014 -- Wall Street, along with the other housing investors are instrumental in the ricocheting of housing recoveries to 20% starting 2010.

According to CNN Money reports last month, the local rental market of Atlanta came to a point wherein it can no longer absorb all the displaced owners. Atlanta home prices rebounded from a 12.7% decline in 2009 to flat in 2010.

Realty Trac, a real estate information company and an online marketplace for foreclosed and defaulted properties in the United States, said that in January of this year, one in every four homes sold in Atlanta went to a large investor, four times the national average. Wall Street, the second wave of housing investors is spending billions to turn over foreclosures into single-family rentals.

Certainly, this buying binges, not just of Wall Street, but also of other housing investors like Blackstone (who spent $8 billion to buy 43,000 homes nationwide and American Homes (who spent $3.5 billion to purchase 21,700 homes) is now being converted to investments.

Four single-family home real estate asset trusts were sold to individual investors starting December 2012. This approach is similar to REITs (Real Estate Investment Trust) who own rental buildings or shopping centers. Waypoint united with the home division of Starwood Property to found Starwood Residential Trust (owning approximately 5,800 homes). And the largest investor since then is American Homes 4 Rent. Institutional investors like mutual funds of pension managers produce a new class of bonds which bundle rents from single-family homes. Blackstone, for instance, had a $479 million worth of bonds backed by 3,207 homes in five states. According to Deutsche Bank, there is an estimated $5 billion in home rental bonds that will hit the market this year.

However, this new business model is quite new, according to Brad Thomas, Editor of iREIT Investor. "So far investors have not been enthusiastic. Some of Blackstone's bonds are selling below the offer price, and most of the REITs have underperformed their index."

With the current state, Bank of America predicts that the biggest investors would generate 5% to 7% annually in return from rents. But the costs in maintaining far-flung homes must be lessened.

Neighbor states of Atlanta has also started to pick up on investing where foreclosures are still on the market.

About JAMCO Properties
Founded in 1992, JAMCO Properties, Inc. specializes in acquiring and renovating metro Atlanta apartment rental communities. Their multifamily apartment investment firm proudly offers affordable, clean, spacious rental homes in Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb and Clayton counties. Locally owned and operated, JAMCO Properties remains a long time member of the Atlanta Apartment Association and the Atlanta Business Chronicle recognizes JAMCO Properties in its annual list of "Top 20 Atlanta Apartment Property Management Companies."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The rise in apartment rental is said to be the affordability gap that may last for a while.

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/16/2014 -- With demand for apartments surging, rents are projected to rise for a fifth straight year. No progress in apartment construction is likely to free renters from this enduring challenge. That bodes well for building owners and their investors. These are good times for their business but on the renter's expense.

Rental Explosion

Landlord-friendly trends will likely further strain the finances of many renters according to forecasts. Rental upheaval in the United States sparked when housing market collapsed in 2007. A cascade of foreclosures forced many people out of their homes and into apartment leases. Simultaneously, construction of apartments was stalled until the last couple of years because many builders couldn't get loans during the credit crisis.

Add to that rising mortgage rates to stagnant pay which have combined to discourage many people from buying homes. All of these resulted in fewer places to lease and apartment rental inflation.

Rental Rates

The national vacancy rate for apartments fell short from 8 percent to 4.1 percent from 2009 to 2013, according to commercial real estate data provider Reis Inc. Correspondingly; landlords were able to raise rents in many markets. The average effective rent rose 12 percent to $1,083 during those years, according to Reis, which tracked data for apartments in buildings with 40 units or more. Effective rent is what a tenant pays after factoring in landlord concessions, such as a free month at move-in.

Over the same period, the median price of an existing U.S. home has risen about 14 percent, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.

Among major markets, rents rose the most in Seattle in 2013, up 7.1 percent from the year before, according to Reis. The second-biggest increase, 5.6 percent, was in San Francisco. Nationwide, effective rent rose 3.2 percent last year compared with 2012. Rents rose even as the nation added about 127,000 apartments, the most since 2009, according to Reis. The addition of those apartments hasn't been enough to absorb the surging demand for rentals.

Renter Options

Rising rents all over US is leaving renters to look for distant apartments with considerable rental fees. Some are shelling out half of their hard earned salary to pay for an apartment close by. "In a year or two, there would have been no money put away," says Caswell, who works for an environmental non-profit. Even with more buildings under construction, rising demand will push rents up in many markets. It is suggested to have a stronger job market to enable more people to start renting their own places instead of living with roommates or parents. With this on-going scenario, it is predicted that effective apartment rents will increase 3.3 percent this year to an average of $1,118 nationally.

The only way renters can beat this challenge is to establish their priorities in looking an apartment for rent that is liveable by their own standards but at the same time is within their budget.

About Jamco Properties Inc
JAMCO Properties, Inc. specializes in acquiring and renovating metro Atlanta apartment rental communities. Founded in 1992, JAMCO Properties, Inc. specializes in acquiring and renovating metro Atlanta apartment rental communities. Our multifamily apartment investment firm proudly offers affordable, clean, spacious rental homes in Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb and Clayton counties. Locally owned and operated, JAMCO Properties remains a long time member of the Atlanta Apartment Association and the Atlanta Business Chronicle recognizes JAMCO Properties in its annual list of "Top 20 Atlanta Apartment Property Management Companies."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

A study shows living in an apartment helps create a healthy work-life balance

Atlanta, GA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/24/2014 -- Today, many people are too busy making a living that they forget to make a life as well. Living in a big city causes stress most of the time, and 89% of Americans said work-life balance is a problem. About 53% of these people confessed that it affects their family life. A workaholic culture does not only yield poor health and family problems, but it can also make people less effective at work.

A study made by StrategyOne in 2010 suggested that living in an apartment promotes a healthy work-life balance. The research proved that living in a supportive apartment community helps alleviate stress. Aside from building possible friendships among neighbors, living in an apartment gives access to amenities which promote well-being. Such features offered in apartment communities are fitness centers, business centers, playgrounds and picnic areas, swimming pools, recreational activities, 24/7 security, 24/7 emergency maintenance, and convenience services – clothes care center, car wash, trash service.

Atlanta is a large metro area with lots of suburbs and traffic. It is known for long commutes, thus this should be a big factor in looking for apartments in the city. It is important to create a list of priorities and considerations necessary in order to choose a perfectly reasonable apartment.

Here are a few pointers in looking for an apartment in Atlanta:

1. Choose between ITP or OTP. ITP means inside the perimeter, where urban neighborhoods are. OTP means outside the perimeter where suburban areas are.

2. Look for a place near your job. Atlanta is known for bad traffic. Choose a strategic place where train and bus services are nearby. One may opt to live at a walking distance to work.

3. Research a prospect apartment well. Take photos of the place and consider the amenities present and unavailable. Using a checklist is very helpful.

4. Consider the budget. Look for an apartment which suits the budget and is cost-effective.

5. It is always an option to consult experts or brokers when time is very limited. Do your research online well, as some deals are available at times.

Looking for an apartment can be time consuming, but proper preparation helps prevent stress and yield a good decision.

About JAMCO Properties
Founded in 1992, JAMCO Properties, Inc. specializes in acquiring and renovating metro Atlanta apartment rental communities. Our multifamily apartment investment firm proudly offers affordable, clean, spacious rental homes in Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb and Clayton counties. Locally owned and operated, JAMCO Properties remains a long time member of the Atlanta Apartment Association and the Atlanta Business Chronicle recognizes JAMCO Properties in its annual list of "Top 20 Atlanta Apartment Property Management Companies."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm