Wednesday, the Census Bureau will release its March Retail Sales figures and the report is expected to show higher sales receipts for the 9th straight month. A strong reading like that should spell higher mortgage rates nationwide.
Friday, analysts expect to count another 190,000 jobs created. If the actual figure falls short, expect mortgage rates to ease. Otherwise, look for rates to rise. Probably by a lot.
The average apartment vacancy rate is 6.6% nationwide, down from 8.0% last year, and the number of occupied apartments rose by more during Q4 2010 than during any comparable period of the last 10 years. It's a major reason why rents are up 2.3%.