Rent-control policies, while well-intentioned, are not a viable solution to the current affordable housing crisis. In fact, they can negatively affect both landlords and renters in the long run. First and foremost, studies have shown that rent-control policies can create a shortage of housing by reducing the number of available units and leading to long…

Columnist Lew Sichelman examines the effects of higher interest rates on the rent vs. buy debate. Just one year ago, home ownership was more affordable than renting in most places, according to a January 2022 report from ATTOM. Now, the Irvine Calif., company says just the opposite is true. My, how the tide has turned. In…

There aren’t many big cities where rent is cheap, even for a studio apartment. But if you’re single and don’t like roommates, online brokerage RentHop found the 15 U.S. cities where rent is most affordable. Out of 50 of the most populous cities, the following were ranked highest for affordability, as measured by median studio apartment costs…

From a military standpoint, repealing the statewide prohibition to rent control is a misguided policy that will have a detrimental effect on military personnel and their families. Rent control can limit the amount of housing available to military families, which can lead to inadequate housing and higher costs as landlords may increase other fees to…

SB 99, sponsored by Senator Linda Lopez (D-Bernalillo) and Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero (D-Bernalillo) sought to repeal a state law adopted some 30 years ago that precludes local governments from imposing rent control. The committee tabled the bill on a bipartisan vote of 6-2. The bill was brought in response to significant rent increases and…

Albuquerque City Councilor Tammy Fiebelkorn is behind two new proposals aimed at regulating Albuquerque’s rental market. She says the goal is to give city leaders a better idea about how many rental units are actually out there. But it also gives renters a better idea about how much their new home will cost them before…

There is a broad, national consensus that the United States has a housing shortage. For decades, housing production and preservation has fallen short of what is needed to keep housing affordable — particularly for low- and moderate-income renters and homebuyers. Yet this consensus masks a deeper truth: All housing is local, and, in attempting both…

Tenants maxed out on rental spending combined with new apartment supply are expected to moderate increases The pandemic-fueled boom for multifamily building owners is fading fast going into 2023. Apartment vacancies are piling up. The biggest wave of new rental buildings in nearly four decades is expected to cut the pace of rent growth across…

Speeding Rhiannon Samuel, the executive director of NAIOP NM, recently spoke with Albuquerque Business First about some of the organization’s priorities for the 2023 legislative session in Santa Fe. Read more

There are currently 30 communities under construction in Albuquerque, representing 4,274 new apartments. Market apartments make up 57.5% of the total, while affordable apartments account for 42.5% of the new units. There are more apartments currently being constructed in Albuquerque than any other time in history. Read more