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DENVER-The Denver metropolitan area apartment vacancy rate increased slightly to 7.9% for the fourth quarter of 2005, up from 7.7%, in the third quarter of last year. Typically, vacancy rates rise for seasonal reasons in the fourth quarter from the third quarter, notes Gordon Von Stroh the University of Denver business professor who compiles the report for the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.

Buildings with nine to 50 units had the highest vacancy at 10.1%, down from 10.3% for the third quarter. Buildings with 100 to 199 units had the lowest at 6.1 % vacant, down from 7.1 % vacant in the third quarter. Historically, larger buildings have the highest vacancy rates. Buildings constructed in 2005 had the highest vacancy at 24.8%. Buildings constructed from 1950 to 1959 had 11.4% vacancy, down from 11.7% for the third quarter of 2005. Those constructed from 1990 to 1999 had 7% vacancy, up from 5.9 % for the third quarter, while buildings constructed between 2000 and 2004 had 7.3% vacancy, up from 6.8%.

Buildings constructed between 1960 and 1969 had a vacancy rate of 8.3%; those constructed between 1980 and 1989 had 6.7% vacancy rate; and those built between 1970 and 1979 were 9.6% vacant. Apartment units with more than 1,000 sf had the highest vacancy at 8.9%. Those with 500 sf to 749 sf had 7.2 % vacancy, while units with 750 sf to 999 sf had 7.6 % vacancy, and those below 500 sf had 8.5 % vacancy.