According to James Wiedle, Research Analyst for AHFC, the drop in vacancy rates was principally due to tightening of the rental market in the Anchorage Borough. The 1998 Annual Rental Market Survey asked landlords in nine areas of the state to provide information on rental cost, utility type, and vacancy status of more than 22,000 single-family and apartment units. The survey reported substantial easing of the rental markets in the City and Borough of Juneau and Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area. The increase in statewide average rent remains low.
Renters continue to pay a premium for single-family homes.