Jonathon Lansner was quoting the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Saturday, March 19 when he stated that local rents in the southern California region were rising at an annual 1.3% rate. Although this is a nominal amount it sure beats a sharp stick in the eye for all you landlords out there. I am a landlord 4 times over and although this will hardly impact my rental rates, I find it interesting to compare housing costs with other costs of living indicators. For example, Lansner states that last month household energy expenses moved up 4.9/%, electricity moved up 9.5%, but thank you natural gas, it actually went down 7.6%. Where is the real money being made in the housing sector, you ask? Those of you who have an investment strategy that includes buying real estate, make sure you have an immediate cashflow with your investment because if you are just breaking even on you investment, it will require an extended holding period before you start cash flowing.