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
