. >> reporter: marcus dunn is chasing the american dream. but the transplant found buying a home in the bay area too expensive. >> having that much liquid without cashing out your 401k is pretty much impossible i think. >> reporter: for now he's paying around $2,000 a month to live in this san jose apartment complex. >> we renewed our lease once and it went, 10 or 12%. >> reporter: according to the research group real fax rent in the san jose metro area jumped 12.6% from a year ago and has the highest average rent. this mother paying $2,700 a month for a two bedroom apartment is debating a room. >> we're considering renting a condo or buying a place of our own. >> what we have right now is a perfect imbalance of supply and demand. there are more rentals looking for housing than there are rental units. >> reporter: the demand is fueled by foreclosures and people ditching roommates for mom and dad. >> we're starting to see a turn around in the bay area economy and employers are hiring. >> reporter: until construction is completed on the 2,000