All major indicator s point to a healthy market in LA, according to Hendricks-Berkadia senior director of research David Delich. The auspicious signs include LAs job growth, which outpaced the nation last year, and pent-up demand as college grads finally leave their parents basements. And David points to another potential boon: Just 42% of jobs lost in LA have been recovered vs. 66% nationally, leaving lots of positions ripe for rehiring. LA County's overall vacancy rate fell 70 bps to 4.1% last year with the biggest decline in West LA. Rents increased 4.9%above the historical averageand will continue to rise.

Construction fell during the recession but its catching up--5,300 units are slated to come online this year. David says supply will be a slight impediment short-term, and national issues will always pose some downside risk. That said, he believes consumers and businesses are getting used to the bumps in the road, and demand is hot on both the renter and investor sides. Reflecting the latter, Hendricks-Berkadias Dean Zander and Vince Norris recently listed the historic Gas Company Lofts (above), a 251-unit apartment building in Downtown LA. Its expected to be the largest single apartment loft conversion sale since the citys adaptive reuse ordinance was enacted in 1999.

We intend to live forever. So far, so good. Send your news to Catie Dixon (catie@bisnow.com) or Tonie Auer (tonie@bisnow.com).