Final answer:
A 98% occupancy rate can indicate high demand for rentals, a potential for increased rents, no need for further marketing, and efficient property management.
Step-by-step explanation:
An occupancy rate of 98% at the Mountain View Apartments can indicate several things from the property manager's perspective. Firstly, it may signify a high demand for rental properties in the area, caused possibly by locally-based businesses expanding or changing tastes making the locality more desirable. Secondly, this scenario can represent an opportunity for increased rent prices, as evidenced by economic principles where a rightward shift in the demand curve, from Do to Dā due to factors such as higher incomes or changing preferences, can lead to higher equilibrium prices ā in this case, from $500 to $600. Lastly, given the high occupancy rate, there is likely no immediate need for additional marketing efforts, and it can be construed as a result of efficient management of the property. The interplay between demand and supply, the housing market, and rent control issues emphasize the complexities of managing rental properties effectively.