Houston Rents Flat, Supply Rising - What This Means for You
The Houston rental market is shifting, and property owners need to understand both the risks and the opportunities. At Emerson Property Management, we track performance data and market trends closely so our clients can stay ahead. Here’s what’s happening in the market right now.
📊 Emerson Portfolio Performance at a Glance
Rent Collection Rate: 94.0% (vs. 95% national average)
Eviction Rate: 0.8% (vs. ~9% Houston average)
Occupancy Rate: 91.1% (slightly above Houston average)
Our rent collection continues to improve as we remove non-paying residents. While evictions are taking longer due to residents filing extensions or appeals, our overall eviction rate remains well below the market. Each case is reviewed as a risk-management exercise to ensure our screening standards remain effective.
Takeaway: Tenants are becoming more savvy at delaying evictions, which can increase lost income and risk. The best protection is strong upfront screening and being prepared for longer timelines if eviction becomes necessary.
📈 Houston Market Snapshot
New Listings (HAR): 5,764 → 7,869 (+36.5% YoY)
Average Rent: $2,430 → $2,424 (-0.2% YoY)
Average Days on Market: HAR – 34 days | Emerson – 31 days (8.8% faster)
Supply is climbing and rent growth is flat, but demand remains resilient. Houston continues to attract new residents and was recently ranked among the top U.S. cities where people want to live. Higher interest rates and affordability challenges are keeping many would-be buyers in the rental pool.
Builders are sustaining sales through aggressive financing incentives, but resale values are softening as price cuts hit their highest levels since the pandemic.
For long-term investors: This means strong rental demand, steady retention, and buying opportunities at better terms than we’ve seen in years.
For sellers and flippers: More competition, deeper concessions, and a higher likelihood of price cuts. If you can, waiting 2–3 years to sell may yield better results.
🛠️ Maintenance & Resident Satisfaction
Median Speed of Repair: 4.1 days (vs. national avg. 6–7 days)
Resident Satisfaction: 4.4/5.0
Lease Renewal Rate: 81.8% (vs. ~55–65% national average)
Fast repairs and proactive decisions are key to protecting properties while keeping residents satisfied. Last month, nearly 30% of work orders were resolved or appropriately declined — without sacrificing satisfaction.
Takeaway: Quick response times and smart repair decisions build resident trust, reduce turnover, and protect your bottom line.
📸 Value-Add Spotlight: Simple ROI Wins
Not every improvement requires a major renovation.
Example: 10918 Barker View Drive
Make-ready cost: $2,740 (HVAC service, rekey, code work, cleaning, touch-ups)
Result: Rent increased by $144/month = $1,728 more per year
ROI: 63% return on investment
Lesson: Small, cost-effective improvements can deliver outsized returns.
🧠 Owner Insight of the Month
Zillow confirms what we’ve long practiced: allowing pets reduces vacancy. Homes that allow pets lease an average of 8 days faster than those that don’t.
Tip: In today’s competitive market, pet-friendly policies are one of the simplest ways to keep properties occupied and cash flow steady.
✅ Final Takeaway for Owners
Rental demand in Houston remains strong, even as rents flatten.
Emerson continues to outperform the market in leasing speed, renewals, and resident satisfaction.
For long-term investors, this environment offers opportunities not seen in the past five years.
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More Listings, More Competition — Are You Ready?
Stay ahead of the market with our June portfolio performance recap, covering key stats, market trends, resident satisfaction insights, and a spotlight on real returns from a strategic upgrade.
📊 Portfolio Performance at a Glance
Rent Collection: 92.9% (vs. 95% national average)
Eviction Rate: 0.39% (vs. ~9% Houston average)
Occupancy: 95.7% (vs. 90.8% Houston average)
We’re outperforming the market in occupancy and eviction prevention. Rent collection dipped slightly due to a few delayed payments that were resolved after eviction filings — a reminder to always follow through on your lease enforcement process.
📈 Houston Market Snapshot
New Listings: 7,117 (+12.7% YoY)
Average Rent: $2,400 (+0.97% YoY)
Average DOM: HAR – 35 days | Emerson – 22 days (37% faster)
The Houston market is shifting. Supply is climbing, and while rent and DOM have remained stable so far, we expect more pressure in the coming months. Tenants are increasingly selective, making property condition a critical differentiator.
Tip: Now’s the time to address deferred maintenance or minor updates. Clean, well-maintained properties are winning in today’s leasing environment.
🛠️ Maintenance Update
Median Speed of Repair: 2.2 days
Resident Satisfaction: 4.8 out of 5
Fast, professional maintenance is one of the most underrated drivers of tenant retention and long-term ROI. Our median repair time last month was just 2.2 days — faster than many in-house teams — with nearly perfect resident satisfaction.
💬 Owner & Resident Satisfaction
Owner Retention: 96.8%
Lease Renewal Rate: 57%
Some owners chose to exit underperforming assets — a strategic move given that 32.9% of listings in Houston had price drops, the highest in 5 years. On the resident side, most move-outs were tied to life events or property sales, not dissatisfaction. July renewals are already rebounding.
Tip: Always ask why a resident is moving. It helps you identify (or rule out) problems worth fixing.
📸 Value-Add Spotlight: 27.6% ROI From One Turnover
At 12322 Wild Pine Dr, we invested ~$16,254 in strategic upgrades (paint, LVP, fixtures, curb appeal). The result?
Rent increased from $975 → $1,349/month
Annual income increased by $4,488
ROI: 27.6%
Before buying your next property, look within your current portfolio — value may already be sitting there.
🧠 Owner Insight of the Month: Pest Prevention
Houston heat = pest activity. Roaches, ants, and rodents love vacant units, and even a short vacancy can lead to a major infestation.
Tip: Treat proactively and schedule a quick walkthrough after any extended vacancy. It could save you thousands in damage and lost rent.
And no — those aren’t chocolate sprinkles on the floor…
Need a pest control referral? We've got you covered.
👋 Want Insights Like This Sent Monthly?
If you’re not already working with us, you can still get these performance reports, market updates, and investment tips — for free.
👉 Join Our Monthly Newsletter and stay ahead of the Houston rental market.
To your success,
Cam
Founder, Emerson Property Management
Houston’s Expert in High-Performance Rentals
How Emerson Clients Are Beating the Houston Rental Market in 2025
At Emerson Property Management, we believe that performance speaks louder than promises. While many landlords are struggling to navigate a shifting rental landscape, our clients are consistently outperforming the market — in rent collection, occupancy, and return on investment.
Here’s a quick look at how our portfolio stacked up in May 2025 — plus a few insights you can apply to your own rentals.
📊 Portfolio Performance at a Glance
Rent Collection Rate: 96.2% (vs. 95% national average)
Eviction Rate: 0.77% (vs. ~9% Houston average)
Occupancy Rate: 93.5% (vs. 90.8% Houston average)
Strong collection rates and minimal evictions aren’t luck — they’re the result of proactive tenant screening, disciplined lease enforcement, and clear communication. Our team’s systems are built to keep cash flow consistent and your risk minimized.
📈 Houston Market Snapshot: Resilient, but Competitive
Despite a 17.1% year-over-year increase in new rental listings, Houston’s rental prices have held steady:
New Listings (HAR): 5,699 → 6,672
Average Rent: $2,348 → $2,349 (0% YoY growth)
Average Days on Market: HAR – 39 days | Emerson – 21 days (46.1% faster)
Even with rising inventory, tenants are renting quickly — but they’re getting more selective. We’re seeing slower movement in multifamily units, properties with deferred maintenance, and less desirable locations. If you’re considering your next investment, ask yourself: Would a quality tenant want to live here?
💡 Investment Spotlight: 35.2% ROI on One Turnover
One of our recent projects at 20614 Park Row Dr shows how targeted improvements can unlock serious value:
Upgrades: Full repaint, new carpets, fixtures, deep cleaning (~$11,000)
Result: Rented in 10 days at $323/month more than prior lease
Annual Income Boost: $3,876
Return on Turnover Investment: 35.2%
You don’t always need to buy another property to grow your returns.
Sometimes, the opportunity is already sitting in your portfolio — it just needs the right improvements.
🛠 Maintenance Update: Fast Repairs, Happy Tenants
Median Speed of Repair: 3.7 days
Resident Satisfaction: 4.7 out of 5
Quick maintenance isn’t just about avoiding complaints — it directly impacts tenant retention and asset preservation. National data shows maintenance issues are the #1 reason tenants leave, and in today’s supply-rich market, renters have more choices than ever.
🧠 Owner Insight: Don’t Skip HVAC Maintenance
HVAC breakdowns spike every July — and cost landlords $1,500–$2,500 on average. But a $75–$150 preventative tune-up can catch issues like low refrigerant or worn parts before they become emergencies.
At Emerson, we schedule HVAC maintenance proactively before renewals, so our owners avoid the stress (and cost) of peak-season failures. If your system is over 10 years old or acting up, now’s the time to act.
👋 Want Insights Like This Sent Monthly?
If you’re not already working with us, you can still get these performance reports, market updates, and investment tips — for free.
👉 Join Our Monthly Newsletter and stay ahead of the Houston rental market.
To you success,
Cam
Founder, Emerson Property Management
Houston’s Expert in High-Performance Rentals
April 2025 Houston Rental Market Update: Performance, Trends & Owner Insights
Welcome to your monthly owner update, where we break down Houston rental market trends, Emerson’s portfolio performance, and key ownership insights to help you maximize returns. Whether you're self-managing or fully hands-off, the data this month speaks volumes.
📊 Portfolio Performance at a Glance – April 2025
April came with a few surprises. Here’s how our managed portfolio stacked up:
Rent Collection Rate: 91.1% (vs National Average of 95%)
Eviction Rate: 0.87% (vs Houston Average of ~9%)
Occupancy Rate: 93.8% (vs Houston Average of 90.8%)
Insight: The dip in rent collection? It stemmed from several evictions — all tied to tenants not placed by Emerson.
In fact, 93.5% of all evictions we handled last year were for tenants placed by the owner or an outside agent. That stat alone should raise eyebrows.
Takeaway: Tenant screening isn’t a formality — it’s an investment safeguard. If you're handling placements yourself or relying on third-party agents, make sure their screening process is air-tight. A bad tenant doesn’t just cost you rent — they cost you peace of mind.
📈 Houston Market Snapshot – April 2025
The broader Houston market remains steady, with signs of modest cooling as new listings rise. Here’s the latest:
Average Rent (HAR): $2,288 → $2,330 (+1.8% YoY)
Average Days on Market: HAR - 41 days | Emerson - 8 days
(That’s 80.5% faster.)
Slower rent growth and increased time on market are signs of a shifting climate — but our team is still leasing at high velocity.
Why Our Properties Lease Faster:
Professional photography + detailed floor plans for every listing
Real-time pricing adjustments based on hyperlocal data
A dedicated Leasing Specialist focused solely on converting leads
Spring and early summer are peak leasing seasons, and we're making sure your property doesn’t miss a beat.
🛠️ Maintenance Performance – April 2025
Average Work Order Cost: $317.44
Median Speed of Repair: 4.5 days
Issues Resolved Without Sending a Vendor: 54 (Est. $17,141 saved for owners)
While a few HVAC replacements bumped up our average costs, we’re continuing to hit our repair targets and minimize expenses by:
Avoiding unnecessary cosmetic work
Holding tenants accountable
Solving problems before dispatching vendors
Bottom line: Less spend. Faster results. More ROI.
💬 Owner & Resident Satisfaction – April 2025
Owner Retention Rate: 99.4%
Resident Satisfaction: 4.7/5.0
Lease Renewal Rate: 75%
Performance continues to exceed industry standards across the board.
Renewals dipped slightly last month, but not due to dissatisfaction — just typical life transitions like job relocations and upsizing.
Reminder: Happy residents renew. Fewer turnovers = more consistency = higher returns.
🧠 Owner Insight of the Month: Hurricane Prep
Hurricane season starts June 1st — here’s your quick prep checklist:
Review insurance coverage
Trim overhanging tree limbs
Clear gutters and inspect drainage
Secure outdoor items and check sump pumps
As a client, know that our team assesses storm risk during every turnover. But proactive prep today can prevent major headaches tomorrow.
📣 Let’s Hear From You
Which part of this update did you find most valuable? Want more charts? Less data? A corny landlord joke at the end?
Let’s connect on LinkedIn — I’d love your feedback and ideas for future updates.
To your success,
Cam
Broker/Owner, Emerson Property Management