Rental Vacancy Rate at 20-Year Low

Jan. 30, 2015

According to the NAHB, the national rental vacancy rate has dropped to a 20-year low. At the same time, the homeownership rate continues to fall.

First-time buyers currently make up only a 29 percent share of the market in general, well below the historical average of 40 percent. Despite rising rents caused by demand, tight lending conditions partially explain the steady decline of the homeownership rate.