As the great recession of the past few years comes to an end, Americans across the U.S are beginning to see their finances improve and with it, their hard-hit credit scores. 
Using data from the credit reporting agency Experian, Bankrate lists the top 10 cities in the U.S. where residents increased their credit scores the most from 2011 to 2012. 
- Phoenix
- Greenville, N.C
- Las Vegas
- Dallas
- Reno, NV
- Ft. Myers, FL
- Wichita Falls, TX
- Tyler, TX
- Sioux Falls, S.D
- Bakersfield, CA

For more detailed data, read the full story here

2012 was certainly a good year for landlords. The availability of low cost properties for purchase generated by foreclosures and short sales, the increased demand from potential tenants who were kicked out of the buyer’s market due to more stringent loan approval requirements, the low inventory of rental properties, and the rise of rental rates created a prime scenario for landlords. 2012 ended with a nationwide average vacancy rate of 4.5%, compared to 8% in 2009 (REIS, Inc). "The last time vacancy plunged to this low of a level was during the late 1990s when real GDP was growing substantially faster than the 2% growth rate that the economy is currently struggling to maintain," said Victor Calanog, vice president of research and economics for Reis, in a statement.

2013 has shown signs of being just as good a year, or even better, so if you are looking to acquire new properties, check out the cities expected to have the highest rise in rental rates:

San Jose, CA

• Rent increase from 2011: 5.4%
• Vacancy rate: 2.8%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 5.3%

San Francisco

• Rent increase from 2011: 5.7%
• Vacancy rate: 3.2%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 5.2%

Seattle

• Rent increase from 2011: 5.8%
• Vacancy rate: 3.8%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 5.2%

Minneapolis

• Rent increase from 2011: 4.2%
• Vacancy rate: 2.4%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 5%

Dallas

• Rent increase from 2011: 3.9%
• Vacancy rate: 5.4%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 5%

Denver

• Rent increase from 2011: 4.3%
• Vacancy rate: 3.9%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 4.9%

Portland, Ore.

• Rent increase from 2011: 4.9%
• Vacancy rate: 3.3%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 4.7%

Houston

• Rent increase from 2011: 5.5%
• Vacancy rate: 7.1%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 4.6%

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

• Rent increase from 2011: 3.8%
• Vacancy rate: 4.1%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 4.6%

Austin, Texas

• Rent increase from 2011: 3.8%
• Vacancy rate: 4%
• Forecasted effective rent growth in 2013: 4.6%

photo credit: © SuperStock RF/SuperStock
Data:  http://realestate.msn.com/the-10-cities-where-rents-will-rise-most-in-2013#5