BOSTON, Jan. 25, 2006 -  Real Estate Investment Brokerage Company, the nation's largest real estate investment brokerage firm, recently released its National Apartment Research Report for 2006, which indicates the Boston apartment market will benefit from increased employment opportunities and steady rent growth.

Also included in the report is the firm's annual National Apartment Index (NAI), a snapshot analysis that ranks 42 apartment markets based on a series of 12-month forward-looking supply and demand indicators. Boston falls nine places this year to No. 16.

"Employment growth will lead to an influx of residents to the Boston metro area this year, which will support expansion of the local renter pool," comments Gary R. Lucas, managing director of and regional manager of the Boston office. "In the coming year, the greatest improvement is expected in the close-in Brookline submarket, where vacancy is forecast to fall to a low 4.2 percent."

Following are some of the most significant aspects of the Boston Apartment Research Report:

• Asking rents rose 2.7 percent in 2005 to $1,595 per month and are forecast to gain 2.5 percent in 2006 to $1,635 per month.
  
  Concessions are beginning to burn off, a trend we expect will continue through 2006. Effective rents are forecast to rise 3 percent this year to an average of $1,546 per month.
   

• Vacancy is projected to fall 20 basis points this year to 4.8 percent.
  
  Most submarkets will post a decline in vacancy in 2006, though the South Shore submarket is expected to post a 60 basis point increase to 5.7 percent as almost one-third of new construction is focused in this area.
   

• Employers are forecast to add 39,000 jobs this year, a 1.7 percent increase.
  
  The two sectors that will contribute the most new positions are educational and health services, with over 11,000 jobs, and professional and business services, which will add over 7,000 new positions.
   

• The completion of 2,900 units is projected in 2006, up from 2,200 units in 2005.
  
  Inventory reductions due to condo conversion activity will continue, which could more than offset additions to supply.