Across the nation, renting an apartment has gotten harder and more expensive. Vacancy rates for the second quarter were at 4.7%, which hasn't been the case since 2001. Of all the areas surveyed by Reis, none reported a decline in rental rates, and effective annual rates rose by 2.2% to an average of $1,091 across the US, the highest increase since 2007.

In other news, old Walmarts become new libraries, and check out some celeb vacation homes. See the headlines after the jump.

• Apartment rents rise at highest rate since 2007: Reis | Yahoo News
• What To Do With Old Walmarts? Turn Them Into Libraries | Co.Exist
• Inside The Celebrity Vacation Homes of George Clooney, Oprah, John Travolta, And More | Stylelist