For Immediate Release February 26th, 2008	CONTACT:  Tami Gross TMG/212.750.5755 Tami@TMGpr.com

Online and in print, consumers prefer Apartment Finder to locate their next apartment

(Lawrenceville, GA) February 26, 2008 - In today's fast-paced Internet world where consumers shop for so many things on the Web, how can property managers quickly and easily connect with the best rental prospects? Plus, what role does print play in your customers' search for an apartment? In an effort to answer these vital questions and continually study consumer behavior to help multifamily companies successfully market their properties, Apartment Finder today releases its proprietary national "Apartment Renters Survey" findings which feature the latest insights into everything from what sources apartment hunters use to what entices them to sign the lease. The key findings report that consumers use both rental publications and websites equally in their search, for a combined average of 16 hours, with more consumers preferring Apartment Finder over any other media online and in print.

"Our research confirms that consumers are, of course, tech-savvy and use the Internet as a key information source- but they also rely on print," says Marcia Bollinger, SVP, Apartment Finder. "In the case of apartment renters, targeted print drives the consumer to the Web to extend their search online, which then drives them into the leasing office as a more qualified prospect when they get there."

Bollinger continues, "Our integrated media business process is built around prospect-focused distribution and being out in front of our customers' most qualified prospects. So naturally, we are thrilled to have proof straight from consumers that they are engaged with our product, and prefer it over other sources online and in print. Our advertisers have come to rely on us as their preferred media solution, and now, with this independent study, we've learned consumers prefer us, too."

Conducted by fgi Research, Apartment Finder's national survey consisted of extensive telephone interviews with new renters of apartment homes as well as rental prospects currently looking for a new apartment. A key finding in the research is that consumers use print and the Internet equally in their search with 80% using the Internet, and 70% using rental publications to shop for their next apartment. In fact, more than 70% of the respondents either found their apartment in a rental publication or believed they would have if they were still in shopping mode.

Among respondents who use the Internet as a resource in their apartment search, ApartmentFinder.com is the most frequently mentioned specific website. Rent.com and ApartmentGuide.com are the second and third most commonly cited. The top search engine is Google, used by 72% of those who use a search engine to locate an apartment. Yahoo! came in second, used by 26% of shoppers.

Among respondents using rental publications, while Apartment Finder and Apartment Guide are the two most commonly used rental publications, more shoppers prefer Apartment Finder to compare community amenities and to identify specific communities to visit.

Other key survey findings include:

• The average apartment shopper is educated, mid-thirties, single, working full-time and earning a median income of approximately $38,000.
• The majority of respondents visited up to ten apartment communities in person. The average shopper visited four properties.
• When deciding which apartment to rent, the renters with higher incomes and more access to information consider the following essential features:
  • monthly rent
  • size of rooms
  • amount of closet space or storage
  • floor plan
  • cable or wireless-ready apartment
  • number of bathrooms
  • private patio/terrace
• Apartment shoppers have high demands and preferences. The top amenities they want are: swimming pools, fitness centers, private movie theaters, and valet garbage removal.
• The average apartment shopper lives within five miles of their workplace.

Apartment Finder's extensive consumer study also includes additional qualitative research. Advanced Insights conducted focus groups with apartment renters and shoppers in select markets to gain further insight into what drives consumer preference. The research revealed that Apartment Finder is preferred generally by consumers for its usefulness, content and quality, sophisticated features and functionality on the website, as well as the quality of its print magazines and clear photos. Like the telephone survey, ApartmentFinder.com was spontaneously mentioned by focus group participants and they consider it one of the best websites because of its relevant search tools, mapping functionality, high quality virtual tours, and extensive property listings.

For multifamily companies who want to enhance their marketing efforts, or get started with a new multi-media program, contact Apartment Finder at 1.800.822.4300. To schedule a media interview with Marcia Bollinger on the "Apartment Renters Survey," and key trends in the multifamily industry, please contact Tami McCarthy via email at tami@tmgpr.com or 212.750.5755.

Apartment Finder, published by Network Communications, Inc., which now serves 110 markets across the country, thanks largely to the company's brisk pace of acquisitions and launches. NCI has been most active in the multifamily category with the four acquisitions and seven titles in 2007, making Apartment Finder the fastest-growing media brand in the industry.

About Network Communications, Inc. Network Communications, Inc. is the leading publisher of printed and online real estate information in North America. The company was acquired by Court Square Capital Partners, L.P. in January of 2005. Its magazines are read by over 12 million readers in over 500 markets and deliver more than one million leads to advertisers each month. Network Communications' assets, The Real Estate Book , Apartment Finder / Blue Book , Mature Living Choices , Black's Guide , New Home Finder , Enclave , Unique Homes , Kansas City Homes & Gardens , Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Atlanta Home Improvement, At Home In Arkansas, Relocating in Las Vegas, Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, St. Louis Homes & Lifestyles, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles, and Mountain Living, include publications that millions of readers around the country turn to when looking for the latest information about the real estate and home design markets. Online magazine content can be accessed at www.livingchoices.com. More information about NCI can be found at www.nci.com.

If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview with an Apartment Finder executive, please contact Tami Gross at 212.750.5755.