According to Fitch Ratings’ annual U.S. CMBS loan default study, commercial mortgage backed securitization defaults fell for the fourth year in a row, decreasing to the lowest level seen in six years. The study found that apartment availability is also declining, causing rent to jump in many areas. The national apartment vacancy rate fell .03% from 2012, averaging 4.2%. A Fitch expert said, “significant amounts of new supply are beginning to come online in many markets, which could temper additional rent growth and drive up vacancy. Demographic trends continue to favor a strong rental housing market with a growing population of young Americans, who traditionally rent. Fitch expects multifamily defaults in legacy CMBS to stabilize near current levels.” More here