The Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA) measures how soon privately financed, nonsubsidized, unfurnished units in buildings with  five or more  units are rented or sold (absorbed) after completion. In addition, the survey collects data on characteristics such as number o f bedrooms, asking  rent, and asking price.

The estimates in this report are based on responses from a sample of the population. As with all surveys, estimates may vary fr om actual values  because of sampling variation or other factors. All comparisons made in this report have undergone statistical testing and are  significant at the 90- percent confidence level.