Affluent renters are increasingly investing their own money in rental homes, customizing everything from lighting and closets to home-office layouts and wall finishes. The Wall Street Journal identified this trend in December 2025, noting that those families paying $20,000 or more per month in rent are not only making these upgrades, they’re being encouraged by landlords, especially as the changes increase the property's value (1). Must Read For investor-owners, the math can be straightforward: improve ...

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Quick Summary Rental real estate can deliver steady income and long-term appreciation, but owning and managing property has become impractical for many investors. Arrived offers a way to earn real estate income without being a landlord by letting investors buy fractional shares of rental homes starting at $100. With over 940,000 registered investors and more than $63 million already distributed, Arrived ...

Core Insights - New York City's rental market is experiencing significant immobility, with nearly 90% of renters remaining in the same unit for over a year, which is higher than the national average of 78.4% [2][3] - The median asking rent in NYC reached $3,585 in Q4 2025, reflecting a 6.6% increase from the previous year, with the most substantial rise occurring in Manhattan [3][4] - Mayor Mamdani's proposed rent freeze on stabilized units could further restrict mobility in the rental market, potentially leading to higher market-rate rents as available inventory decreases [3][7] Rental Market Overview - The median rent in Manhattan is $4,886, requiring an annual income of $195,440 to stay below the 30% affordability threshold [4] - Brooklyn's median rent is $3,943, Queens at $3,355, and The Bronx at $3,094, with respective annual income requirements of $157,720, $134,200, and $123,756 [4] - The overall stay-in-place renter percentage in NYC is 89.3%, with the Bronx having the highest at 93.7% [4][5] Factors Influencing Immobility - Approximately 40% of NYC's rental stock is rent-stabilized, contributing to a low vacancy rate of 0.98% for these units compared to 1.84% for market-rate units [5] - Overcrowding is more prevalent in rent-stabilized units, with 13.1% of these units housing more than two persons per bedroom, compared to 6.7% in market rentals [6] Future Implications - The impending rent freeze could lead to a further decline in turnover rates, making it more challenging for new residents to find housing [7] - The lack of mobility may hinder economic activities, as renters delay significant life changes due to the high costs associated with moving and limited housing options [7]

Core Insights - The article highlights the challenges faced by landlords in Massachusetts due to a rise in fraudulent tenant activities, exemplified by the case of Bryan Coombes and Nicole Inserra, who have a history of evictions and bankruptcy filings [1][2][3][27]. Group 1: Tenant Fraud and Its Impact - A significant number of landlords (93.3%) reported experiencing fraud in the past year, with 70.7% noting an increase in fraudulent applications and payments, averaging a 40% rise compared to the previous year [6]. - Common fraudulent tactics include falsifying pay stubs (84.3%), misrepresenting information on applications (80%), and identity theft (70%) [7]. - The financial repercussions are severe, with landlords writing off an average of nearly $4.2 million in bad debt, with about a quarter attributed to fraud-related nonpayment [8]. Group 2: Eviction Costs and Legal Challenges - Eviction costs for landlords typically range from $3,500 to $10,000, factoring in legal fees, court costs, and lost rent, with costs potentially higher in tenant-friendly states [9][10]. - The case of the Burlington landlord illustrates the extensive financial burden, which included legal fees and moving expenses, leading to significant debt [10][27]. Group 3: State Assistance and Regulatory Concerns - The article raises concerns about how tenants with multiple prior evictions qualified for $23,000 in state rental assistance, highlighting potential gaps in oversight [10][11]. - Emergency rental assistance programs, which expanded during COVID-19, have faced issues with fraudulent claims, further complicating the landscape for landlords [11][12]. Group 4: Recommendations for Landlords - Landlords are advised to implement rigorous screening processes, including independent verification of employment and background checks, to mitigate risks associated with fraudulent tenants [13][14][28]. - Awareness of legal challenges in tenant-friendly states is crucial for landlords to navigate potential disputes effectively [28].

Core Insights - The Garbers have specific cash flow and ROI goals for their rental properties, aiming for immediate cash flow and a payback period of three to six years for their initial investment [1][2] Investment Strategy - The couple began investing in rental properties in 2020 to create an additional revenue stream and achieve financial independence, currently owning 28 units across 15 properties as of 2025, with an average cash-on-cash return exceeding 20% [2][7] - Their investment criteria, or "buy box," includes properties located close to their home in Brevard County, Florida, which is experiencing appreciation and high demand [3][4] - They focus on affordable housing, preferring to rent at or below market rates to attract a larger pool of tenants and ensure tenant satisfaction, which in turn helps maintain the properties [5] - The Garbers seek undervalued properties, adhering to the principle that "you make money on the buy," and look for properties that have been on the market for a while or require cosmetic renovations [5][6]

Core Insights - The U.S. rental market has experienced a decline in rent prices for 24 consecutive months, indicating a significant easing of rental pressure [2][4] - A notable pullback in multifamily development is occurring due to rising construction costs and new tariffs on materials, which may lead to future rental supply issues [2][4][6] Rental Price Trends - The median asking rent for 0–2 bedroom properties in the 50 largest metros decreased to $1,712 in July, reflecting a $43 (-2.5%) drop year-over-year [3][12] - Although rent prices are $254 (17.4%) higher than pre-pandemic levels, they are $47 (-2.7%) below the peak reached in August 2022 [3][12] Multifamily Development - Multifamily completions for buildings with two or more units fell 38.1% year-over-year in June 2025, from an annual rate of 656,000 units to 406,000 [4][11] - The Midwest experienced the steepest annual drop in completions at -55.7%, followed by the South (-33.5%), Northeast (-33.0%), and West (-28.9%) [5][11] Permitting Trends - Local permitting trends indicate that developers are responding to increased construction costs and reduced profit margins by scaling back new project plans, signaling potential future supply constraints [6][8] - Significant declines in permitting were noted in various markets, including Orlando (-54.9%), Philadelphia (-28.1%), and San Antonio (-27.3%) [7][8] Future Market Dynamics - The current renter-friendly market may shift to a tighter, more competitive landscape if construction pullbacks continue [4][11] - Realtor.com® will monitor construction trends and policy changes to assess the evolving landscape for renters and developers [11]