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.