My biz partner & I just had 3 of our Chicago rental properties turn over tenants as their leases expired. Here are the results: Property #1 Previous rent: $3,500 New rent: $3,800 Term: 1yr Change: 🔼 8.5% Comments: 2 other potential tenants were willing to pay even more for the unit, and for a longer term. Ended up sticking with the current tenants because they are fantastic (clean, professional, communicative, pay on time) and because it saved a fee that we would have had to pay to an agent to fill the unit (one months rent is the typical fee). Property #2 Previous rent: $2,400 New rent: $3,000 Term: 1yr Change: 🔼 25% Comments: In 4 years we've barely raised rents for this unit, so this increase was well overdue. Super pumped about this. Property #3 Previous rent: $4,800 New rent: $4,900 Term: 1yr Change: 🔼 2% Comments: Also had 2 options with this unit. Ended up having them give a "best and final" and went with the tenant offering the ideal move-in date and higher rent. We also took into consideration their better credit and income situation. Overview The good: 💥 9.3% increase in rents across the three properties 💥 No holding costs (i.e. didn't pay a single mortgage payment out of pocket) 💥 Kept the expiration date of all three leases aligned with prime rental season The bad: 🔴 Paid over $5,500 in fees to an agent to get the units re-rented. 🔴 Only 1yr terms on all three units, which leaves us vulnerable to the same exercise this time next year 🔴 Tenant turnover is always a risk, no matter the diligence you put into vetting the new tenants. 🤞 More updates coming soon, for now just wanted to share what's happening on the ground for real estate investors! Cheers
I hate everything about this post, and I feel like I don’t need to elaborate as to why.
Yeesh. Rent keeps increasing in perpetuity, salaries stay stagnant or get lower.
Can you break down the unit descriptions? IE: 2 BR/ 2 Bath for example? This is awesome.
Damnnn let’s gooo! Buzzing for you. All the price raises are extremely fair too.
Ah the ole slimy landlord move of increasing rent by 25%. Solid. 'someone will eventually pay for it.'
This is awesome. Some friends and I are looking to get into the real estate game this year with a 6 unit building on the north side near Evanston, IL. Good to hear things are going well for you man, awesome moves.
Love the update. Real, concrete, with actionable insights. Thanks for sharing Ian!
How do you like owning rentals in a different state? Do you use a property management company/manage them yourself, etc?
Love it. An extra $1K in your pocket, every month, but it'll take almost half a year to break even after involving the listing agent. $5500 is wildly unreasonable.
Customer Success Manager @ LogRocket
2wRaises rent 20% and says “super pumped about this” ☠️