Area rental market strong; Average monthly apartment rate sought by landlords is up 4.4 percent over last year.(Business)

Byline: CHRIS CHURCHILL - Business writer

The average monthly rent sought this spring by Capital Region apartment complexes was $852, a 4.4 percent jump from the $816 quoted a year ago, according to a survey released Thursday.

Sunrise Management and Consulting in Latham contacted 120 rental properties to compile the report and came to this conclusion: The region's rental market is strong.

"It's a very healthy increase," said Jesse Holland, president of the property manager, which specializes in large multifamily projects.

Sunrise conducts the survey every six months. Last fall, the average rent sought in the region was $838.

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