Mid-size players rise in slumping market

In an otherwise bleak housing market, some regional investors are coming out on top as the markets open up to midsize players. Pre-credit crunch, most multifamily properties were bought and sold by major real-estate investment trusts like Equity Residential. But now, with financing from government-sponsored giants like Fannie Mae, regional groups are stepping into the buyers market and finding less competition as national players step back.