For their relatively lower rent levels, small apartment properties are surprisingly well-rated by their occupants, both in terms of unit quality and the neighborhoods in which they are located.

We recently examined trends in how today’s renters are searching for apartments. Let’s now take a look a why renters decide to make the move — though it turns out they are choosing to do so less frequently.

Traditional word of mouth referrals and Internet searches are most popular among renters seeking small building rentals. But search modes vary with the end purpose of the move.

As apartment developments find new takers in the suburban areas of the largest US metros and regional transit connectivity continues to improve, more small building households are beginning to give up cars.

While Internet access makes steady inroads in small apartment buildings, renter preference for faster connectivity is shifting access to newer technologies.

From the fastest growing metro markets and the factors that determine rent growth to tech solutions and the future of amenity offerings, ALEX Chatter has been your go to source for multifamily news and information.