16 Days vs 43: How We’re Leasing Faster in Houston Right Now
The Houston rental market continues to shift as elevated inventory, flat rent growth, and increased competition put more pressure on execution. In environments like this, outcomes are less about optimism and more about disciplined operations.
Below is a snapshot of how our managed portfolio is performing alongside the broader Houston market, followed by practical insights for property owners navigating the months ahead.
Portfolio Performance at a Glance
Despite challenging market conditions, our portfolio continues to outperform key benchmarks.
Rent Collection Rate: 97.8%
Houston Average: 92.6%
Strong rent collection supports consistent cash flow and reduces the need for legal action or owner intervention.
Eviction Rate: 0.39%
Houston Average: ~9%
Lower eviction rates help limit vacancy, legal costs, and property damage, preserving long-term returns.
Occupancy Rate: 89.6%
Houston Average: 90.8%
Occupancy remains slightly below the market average, driven largely by intentional lease timing and rent discipline rather than reactive price reductions. Strategic vacancy management during winter months often protects long-term value.
Houston Market Snapshot
Houston rental inventory remains elevated compared to last year, increasing competition among available properties.
New Listings (HAR):
5,102 → 5,876 (+15.2% year over year)
Average Rent:
$2,235 → $2,244 (+0.4% year over year)
Average Days on Market:
Houston Average: 43 days
Our Portfolio: 16 days (62.8% faster)
Listings are up while rent growth remains flat. In this environment, pricing accuracy, marketing execution, and leasing speed matter more than ever. Leasing performance is no longer forgiving of delays or missteps.
Maintenance Performance Update
Operational efficiency continues to be a key differentiator.
Median Speed of Repair: 3.5 days
National Average: ~6–7 days
Faster repairs reduce resident disruption and help prevent secondary property damage.
Resident Satisfaction: 4.2 / 5.0
Overall satisfaction remains strong. Minor dips were largely driven by appliance-related repairs, which tend to carry higher friction due to parts availability and resident expectations.
Work Orders Cancelled: 15.9%
Cancellations typically reflect early issue resolution, duplicate submissions, or clarified resident requests rather than delayed service.
Owner Insight: Appliances remain one of the highest-cost and highest-friction components of rental housing. Where market conditions allow, limiting owner-provided appliances can reduce long-term repair costs. When appliances are necessary, proactive replacement planning often outperforms reactive repairs.
Owner and Resident Stability
Stability continues to be a strength of the portfolio.
Owner Retention Rate: 99.1%
Lease Renewal Rate: 78%
National Average Renewal Rate: ~55–65%
Higher renewal rates reduce vacancy exposure, leasing costs, and turnover risk. In a competitive market, renewals are one of the most effective levers for protecting cash flow and maintaining consistency.
Our focus going forward remains proactive renewal strategies that help owners minimize disruption during periods of elevated competition.
Value-Add Spotlight
809 Irish Maple St.
This property joined our portfolio last year at $2,950 per month. After a targeted $3,400 turn, the home leased in just six days at $3,249 per month.
Results:
+$299 per month in rent
+$3,588 annually
Turn cost recovered in under 12 months
Strategic improvements, combined with disciplined pricing and strong leasing execution, often deliver meaningful rent gains without over-improving the property.
Owner Insight of the Month
Markets like this reward preparation more than prediction.
Rather than relying on appreciation or rent growth to offset inefficiencies, successful property owners focus on what they can control: cash reserves, lease timing, realistic pricing, and minimizing unnecessary turnover.
Real estate continues to favor owners who can hold through slower periods without being forced into rushed decisions. Preserving flexibility today often creates the best opportunities tomorrow.
Thinking About Your Own Property?
Many owners reach out to us when they start asking:
Is my rent positioned correctly for today’s market?
Should I renew or re-lease this property?
Where am I exposed if conditions tighten further?
If you are evaluating your strategy for the year ahead, a thoughtful review now can prevent expensive decisions later.
Final Thoughts
The Houston rental market is competitive, evolving, and full of both challenges and opportunities. Whether it’s keeping properties rent-ready, troubleshooting maintenance to save money, or holding through a rebalancing housing cycle, the fundamentals remain the same:
👉 Protect your cash flow, manage vacancies aggressively, and look for hidden value in your current portfolio.
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