Apartment Trends Magazine February 2019 | Page 29

ECON 2019 ECONOMY | COMMUNITY | OUTLOOK | NETWORK by Amy Evans, Simpson Property Group C ommittee Chair Judy Blaes, Senior Vice President for Echelon Property Group kicked off Econ 2019, followed by a diverse group of experts that presented data and analysis on the economy and the industry. OPERATING INCOME & EXPENSES RESULTS FROM THE NAA 2018 SURVEY Paula Munger, Director, Industry Research Analysis at the National Apartment Association reviewed operating income and expense trends on a national and local level as well as other revenue and expenses. NOI increased 5.8% in 2017, operating expenses had the slowest rate of growth since 2013. Turnover rates sank to lowest point on record at 46.8% and a historic low in renter mobility rate of 21.7%. Capital Expenditures are on the rise and hit the highest level since 2005 due to the competitive market with new Paula Munger www.aamdhq.org construction and amenity wars. Denver had a 40% turnover rate, which is lowest on record. Capital Expenditures were at a record level in Denver, approximately 50% spent on renovations. 8.6% growth in NOI in 2017 despite increase in operating expenses. Munger mentioned that there have been healthy increases in both rent and other revenue. METRO DENVER VACANCY & RENT REPORT Teo Nicolais, Chief Executive Officer, Nicolais, LLC reported on the 4th quarter Metro Denver vacancy and rent report. Rents decreased in the 4th quarter by 0.6% and vacancy increased by 0.3% which is a seasonality trend. Vacancy rate for 4th quarter was 5.8%. Submarkets that had the highest average rent were City Park at $1,958 and Wheatridge had the lowest average rent at $1,133, average rent for Metro Denver was $1,456. Denver had a 4% increase in absorption in 2018, with 3,876 new units reported in the 4th quarter. Nicolais reviewed the Teo Nicolais Construction Pipeline, there are 26, 916 units under construction and another 25,686 units planned, 25 new properties are currently under construction with an average construction time of 25 months. NEW CONSTRUCTION IN AURORA Jonathan Woodward, with Aurora Economic Development Council gave an update on new construction and growth in Aurora. Development is in strategic areas that include employment, entertainment and transit. Two new projects at Fitzsimons include Forum Fitzsimons Apartments transit oriented at the Colfax LightRail station and bus station. Aimco Fitz 1 broke ground in 4th quarter 2018 in between two transit stations, Colfax LightRail and Fitzsimons Parkway LightRail. Two new developments at I-225 and Iliff – Parq at Iliff Station – one train stop away from Medical Center of Aurora. Iliff Peak TOD by Grandpeak, steps away from the Iliff LightRail station with 12,000 square feet of retail in between Jonathan Jonathan Woodward Woodward FEBRUARY 2019 TRENDS | 27