Still, the state's economy is steadily growing and diversifying, according to Delores Conway, who oversees the Casden forecast at USC's Lusk Real Estate Center. That forecast is predicting a resilient rental market in Southern California this year, with average asking rents and occupancy rates in multifamily markets improving steadily. Average rent increases will range from 3.5 to almost 6 percent. I can only hope this increase only applies to Southern California, since I've had my heart set on renting in San Francisco. Not that I'm in much of a hurry. I've got 16 years to go till I crawl to the rocking chair.
