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
