Strong Demand for Apartments Predicted to Increase

We’re excited to share some great news for the apartment industry, courtesy of information from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)! According to panelists at the NAHB’s recent International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, demand for apartments is expected to continue to increase over the next few years, strengthening an industry that has already been performing well in recent years. At Arcadia Run, we’re very happy to be a part of this incredible industry, and are proud to provide our residents with more features and finishes than they’d ever expect in such a spectacular location.

The multifamily housing market – which includes apartments and condominiums – has made significant improvements since 2009, when there were 82,000 multifamily housing starts. In 2013, that number jumped to an impressive 340,000 multifamily housing starts. The strength in the market is only expected to increase, with 363,000 multifamily housing starts being predicted for 2015.

According to Chief Economist at NAHB, David Crowe, theses impressive numbers come from three main sources:

·      The “echo-boom” generation – also known as millennials or generation Y – continues to increase in size and fuel the demand for apartments. Since this demographic will increase in the next few years, even more demand can be expected. Additionally, pent-up demand from this generation, who will be moving out of mom and dad’s house over the next few years, is expected to increase the need for more apartments.

·      Young adults continue to prefer renting to homeownership, a trend that’s increased since 2004 and is predicted to continue. Issues such as tight underwriting standards for mortgages, lower entry salaries and lower credit scores have led more young adults – as well as some older adults – to continue to prefer renting to owning a home.

·      Though the apartment rental industry has been performing strongly for the past several years, it was affected by the housing collapse and production of multifamily housing decreased significantly. When the apartment industry began to pick up speed in 2011, the increased performance was partly due to the market getting back to the normal flow.

Additional good news from the NAHB and the Census Bureau concerning the apartment industry is that rental vacancy was at a 12-year low in the fourth quarter of 2013, when the most recent data was available. NAHB points out that this tightening rental market reflects an improving economy, highlighting the importance of the apartment industry in not only the housing market but the overall economy as well.

Low rental vacancy rates and a continuing strong demand for multifamily housing are both excellent indicators of a healthy apartment industry, and at Arcadia Run, we certainly appreciate the benefits of being a part of this market. We look forward to being able to help sustain this projected increased in demand for apartment hunters in the Washington, D.C. metro region, which continues to be desirable area in which to live.

At Arcadia Run, we don’t just give our residents a place to rent, however – we offer exceptionally finished apartments, with nine-foot ceilings, extended windows and expansive kitchens with granite countertops, in an incredible location in Manassas, Virginia. And there’s even more to look forward to this year at Arcadia Run with the planned completion of amenities such as a swimming pool and fitness center in our community. Not only are we thrilled about the outlook for the apartment industry, but we are also thrilled for the future of Arcadia Run – and we can’t to show you what’s in store!

 

SOURCE: National Association of Home Builders, Business Insider

 

Fourth Quarter Highlights in the Apartment Industry

With the release of 2013’s fourth quarter results for the Washington D.C. metropolitan area’s apartment industry comes excitement and promise in the market.  It’s all good news for those who rent their space around the beltway!

According to reports published by MPF Research, one of the biggest standouts from last quarter was the marked increase in construction volumes.  In fact, this has been a highlight for this region for the past two years.  Since 2012, and through the last quarter of 2013, construction volumes remained above 20,000 units, a very comfortable amount.  Better yet, the delivery volume hit a 10-year high last year, ranking our metro with the largest completion volume in the nation.

The apartment industry is growing in the D.C. metro area, and Arcadia Run is no exception!  This year, we plan to bring a new clubhouse for residents to socialize, a fitness center, a swimming pool, ball courts, a playground and walking and jogging trails all to the Arcadia Run development.

So, what does this all mean for potential renters?  Rent!  As the industry continues to advance and flourish, more and more people will opt to rent apartments like the ones available at Arcadia Run.  The more people signing their lease, the more competition will increase, lowering overall supply and raising rents.  With so much activity in the multi-family housing sector, smart renters are moving into their new apartments as soon as they can.

If searching for the right apartment in the D.C. Metro area, the luxury apartments at Arcadia Run in Manassas are the only choice!  One of the hottest apartment communities on this side of the beltway, the spaces at Arcadia Run have everything renters look for.

Arcadia Run focuses on providing the most for tenants.  Our luxury apartments are truly some of the nicest and most extensive in the Manassas market.  Every unit features 9-foot ceilings, extended windows, patios or balconies, vinyl ‘hardwood’ flooring, and completely updated appliances.  With the option of one or two bedrooms, some apartments even have walk-in closets.

The close proximity to various dining and shopping venues, as well as Jiffy Lube Live, are both huge advantages to the active Arcadia Run resident.  And as mentioned, with new amenities, luxurious apartment features and a promising market, moving into Arcadia Run is one of the best decisions a renter can make!

Source: MPF Research

Rental Vacancy Rate Encourages Renters

Rental vacancies across the apartment industry hit a new high in the fourth quarter of last year. Then again, it’s more of a low!  Nationally, the average vacancy rate fell to just 4.1% during the last quarter 2013.  This is the lowest vacancy rate in over a decade and a new achievement for the multi-family housing market.

The impressive vacancy rate suggests that more people are finding apartments they love and are choosing to rent – certainly not a bad idea in today’s market.  As the overall economy continues to improve, more people will feel financially secure and rent that apartment they’ve been eyeing.  And, as more and more people move into an apartment they love, it’s possible rents will increase and supplies will decrease.  Simply put, this low rate means that those considering a new apartment in Arcadia Run should act fast.  Our newly built apartment community is growing in popularity and new tenants are quickly falling in love with their new space.  Who knows how long your dream apartment will be available?

The luxury apartments at Arcadia Run are unlike any in the Manassas area.  Built to the Arcadia Communities standard, these units are truly designed with residents’ lifestyles in mind.  Finally, an apartment that can keep up with you!

In all Arcadia Run apartments, residents will find 9-foot ceilings, extended windows, full-size washer and dryer, balconies or patios, granite countertops, designer cabinets and an intuitive layout.  With both one and two bedroom floor plans, any family will find a space that fits.

What could make these luxury apartments even better?  A community, of course!  In the future, Arcadia Run residents will have access to exclusive amenities.  This year, a new resort-style swimming pool, clubhouse, and fitness center will be added to our development.  Ball courts, a playground and a jogging trail will also be coming in 2014, offering even more for residents to enjoy.

Get used to getting even more with Arcadia Communities! As our Arcadia Run community grows, so will the amount of interested tenants, so don’t waste any time!  Contact us to speak with a leasing agent or schedule a tour.  You’ll be glad you did!

Source: Reuters

February Happenings in Manassas

February may be the shortest month of the year, but that doesn’t mean there’s less to do!  If you live in Arcadia Run, you know the Manassas area always has something fun going on.  Here’s what residents can look forward to this month:

2/8/14 – Reflections Exhibit & Reception, 6:00 pm

Celebrate internationally recognized African-American artists from the University of Maryland David C. Driskell Arts Center at the Reflections exhibit hosted in the Center for the Arts.  This remarkable event is free and open to the public.  During this showing, there will be a wine and cheese reception for guests.  For more information, visit www.pwcacdst.org.

2/8/14 – Imago Theatre – FROGZ, 2:00 pm

Performing at the Hylton Center, this popular dance troupe brings a truly unique performance to the area.  With circus inspired acts and a theatrical flair, this is a show the whole family can enjoy.  This troupe has even had two stints on Broadway – a must see if you live in Manassas! To buy tickets, visit the Hylton Center website.

2/18/14 – Matinee Idylls: Marcolivia, 12:30 pm

Head over to the Gregory Family Theater to catch a performance by the award-winning violin duo Marcolivia. Marcolivia brings a diverse set list of Baroque folk-dance tunes that inspire and entertain.  Attendees have the option of a buffet lunch catered by a local Manassas restaurant before the show, and afterwards, guests can enjoy a coffee and dessert reception with the artists.  This is a wonderful daytime outing!  More information about this event can be found on the Hylton Center event calendar.

2/22/14 – Silver Sparkles Family Fun Event, 2:00 pm

The Silver Sparkles event will be held at the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center and includes a day packed full of fun activities for everyone to enjoy. With balloon art, magic demonstrations, face painting and more, this event is the perfect weekend activity.  Best of all, proceeds benefit brain tumor research.  For ticket information and a list of participating businesses, visit their Eventbrite page.

2/26/14 – The Peking Acrobats, 7:30 pm

If you want to be shocked and awed, check out The Peking Acrobats show at Merchant Hall in late February.  Audiences will be “left speechless” after watching this extraordinary acrobatic performance.  This is bound to be a show you won’t forget!  Buy your tickets here!

 

What Do Apartment Tenants Really Want?

Finding the perfect apartment can certainly be an overwhelming task – there are many factors to consider, and the idea of the “perfect unit” varies from tenant to tenant. However, there are several factors that many apartment hunters look for in their future residence. The following are some of the most popular factors that future tenants strive to find in their new apartments:

· Location, location, location. You’ve likely heard all about the importance of location when looking for a real estate property. When searching for any type of property, location is often the biggest factor, and apartment hunting is no exception. At Arcadia Run, it’s no wonder tenants love where they live – located in Manassas, our location offers the perfect mix of urban convenience and historic charm. Proximity to Washington, D.C. allows for convenience to the best our nation’s capital has to offer, and being removed from the hustle and bustle of the city means that our residents can take full advantage of beautiful and historic Manassas.

· Ample closet space. Closet space is particularly important for apartment tenants since apartments usually don’t offer as much square footage as single-family detached homes. This means that a little extra closet space can go a long way. Thankfully for Arcadia Run residents, our units offer great closets, some of which are walk-in units.

·  Plenty of natural light. There’s no doubt that natural light can do wonders to brighten up a room, allowing it to feel warmer, inviting and spacious. The extended windows in our Arcadia Run apartments offer a great source of natural light, and this spacious feeling is further amplified by our high nine-foot ceilings and open floor plans.

·  Great kitchen. The kitchen is often the focal point of any residence – it’s where friends and family can meet to spend quality time together and where memories are often made. For many apartment tenants, the size and layout of the kitchen is vital to their decision of where to live, since they’ll want to make the most of this important space. In our Arcadia Run floor plans, we’ve carefully planned for the kitchen to open up to the living and dining space – ideal for entertaining and allowing friends and family to gather and spend time together. In our kitchens, you’ll find granite counters and 42” designer cabinets, which allows our tenants to spend time in this space with style.

·  On-site washer and dryer. The last thing that apartment tenants want to deal with is the inconvenience of dragging their laundry to an off-site laundromat. Even if there is a central laundry location on the site of an apartment complex, tenants who don’t live on the first floor are still inconvenienced. That’s why Arcadia Run offers full-size washers and dryers in all of our units – so that all of our residents can experience the convenience of doing their laundry in the privacy of their own units.

· Outdoor space. For those who aren’t interested in landscaping or lawn maintenance but still want to have some sort of outdoor space, an apartment with a balcony can be a perfect fit. Balconies allow tenants to enjoy nice weather and have an additional space for entertaining, but don’t require the upkeep that lawns do. At Arcadia Run, our units include balconies or patios so that our residents can enjoy the beautiful Manassas area within the convenience of their own units.

· Modern feel. When future tenants are searching for the perfect apartment, the overall look and feel of the unit and building is important. A modern feel to an apartment is understandably important for many tenants – who wants to live in a unit that feels old and outdated? All of the previously mentioned high-quality features of our Arcadia Run apartments give an overall impression of modernity and high style, a great feature to our beautiful units.

Arcadia Run apartments truly offer everything that apartment hunters in the Washington, D.C. metro area could hope to have in their new living arrangements – just ask our tenants! Everything we’ve done in our Arcadia Run apartments has been designed to maximize convenience with beautiful design, and we’re proud to offer brand new apartments that go above and beyond in satisfying our residents.

SOURCE: apartmenttherapy.com