Resources for Landlords & Rental Property Investors

If you’ve ever walked through a “tired landlord” rental, you know the vibe instantly. Paint on the door hinges. Paint on the doorknobs. Trim paint blended into wall paint. Wobbly floors. Random patches that have been patched again. It’s not even “bad style” — it’s “I’m done with this house. ”And honestly? That’s real life in rentals. But here’s the problem: when new investors see that kind of property, they usually swing too far in the other direction. They go full HGTV: custom light fixtures, trendy countertops, boutique finishes, gold chandeliers… and then they’re shocked when it doesn’t increase rent enough to justify the cost. So what renovations actually increase rent — and what’s just burning money?

If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’re probably familiar with the concept of the “landlord special.” Often featured in the before part of before-and-after videos, they include things like generations of cheap carpeting laid on top of each other, door knobs and light switches covered in layers of white paint, walls repaired with plaster that no one ever bothered to come back and sand, kitchens that would seem dated on the The Brady Bunch, and so on. Rentals with these kinds of features are mocked as the pinnacle of cheap, depressing housing and it’s generally assumed that landlords who own them couldn’t care less.

Every quarter, we dig into Evernest’s internal leasing data and compare it with what’s happening across the broader rental market. By analyzing current trends, we aim to piece together the narrative behind the numbers to prepare for what lies ahead and, just one month into the year, the numbers have some pretty interesting stories to tell. 

Section 8 investing is one of the most polarizing topics in real estate. Some investors swear it’s the easiest money they’ve ever made; others say they’ll never touch it again. In reality, Section 8 is a lot like any other type of real estate investment. It’s not a magic solution, nor is it a guaranteed nightmare. Like most things in real estate, the outcome depends on how you buy, who you rent to, and what expectations you bring to the table. In this article, we’ll walk through the basics of Section 8 investing. Read on to find out what Section 8 is, common myths and misconceptions, what to know about approval periods and inspections, and the most important make-or-break factors in finding success.