The slow-yet-steady profile of Lower Midwest markets like Kansas City, St. Louis and Omaha served operators and investors well during the pandemic-driven downturn as many of these regional metros were spared rent cuts and occupancy loss.
Positive influences that helped insulate the markets from the downturn include minimal supply pressure and less reliance on the hardest-hit economic sectors, such as tourism.
Today, the national marketplace continues to show strength. However, the low-risk profile of the Lower Midwest markets often limits the potential reward. As a result, there are questions about whether these characteristically slow-growth metros can capitalize on the broader upswing.
Markets covered in this new-and-improved, interactive webcast include:
- Kansas City
- St. Louis
- Oklahoma City
- Des Moines
- Omaha
- Little Rock
- Tulsa
- Davenport
- Lincoln
- Springfield
- Wichita
- Fayetteville
Adam Couch is a Market Analyst for RealPage, Inc. He is the co-host of RealPage’s weekly market webcasts that feature analysis and insights on macro and micro level trends shaping national and local apartment performance. Adam also has been a featured speaker at several multifamily housing industry conferences and regularly provides commentary for national and local business media. Prior to joining Realpage, Adam worked in the foreign exchange and futures industry where he focused specifically in capital markets.
He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of North Texas. Adam was also a part of the Student Investment Group and travelled extensively throughout China, where he studied international policy and its impact on macroeconomics.
Arben Skivjani
Deputy Chief Economist and Director of Forecasting, RealPage, Inc.Arben Skivjani serves as a Deputy Chief Economist and Data Scientist for RealPage, Inc. His primary focus is on forecasting and econometric modeling, economic impact studies, reporting and analysis of macroeconomic trends that affect the multifamily industry. Prior to joining RealPage, Arben worked for several government and private sector entities, including the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, Center for Business and Economic Development at the University of Alabama and Camoin Associates in Upstate New York.
Arben is heavily involved in the Dallas/Fort Worth Association for Business Economics where he currently serves as Vice President and is a member the National Association for Business Economics.
Arben holds a master’s degree in economics from The University of Alabama.
