The vacancy rate for U.S. apartments rose to 7.5 percent in the second quarter, the highest rate since 1987, according to a report from researcher Reis Inc.

Second-quarter asking rent fell 0.7 percent compared to the same quarter a year ago to $1,040 a month. Including incentives, effective rent was down 1.9 percent from the prior year and 0.9 percent from the first quarter to $975, Reis said.

In some areas, including Las Vegas, San Francisco and San Jose, Calif., effective rents were down 2 percent from the first quarter.

“With general expectations of an economic recovery pushed back to early 2010 at the earliest, it seems likely that apartments will have to endure a few more quarters of distress, lower rents and higher vacancies,” said Victor Calanog, Reis director of research.

Source: Reuters News, Ilaina Jonas (07/08/2009)