Another Question About Increasing Rents

[Jennifer A.]

I've own a small handful of rental properties.  I have one single family house that I bought in 2012 and another bought in 2014 among other properties.

I've been increasing rents on the properties I mentioned above to keep up with the rental market. 

However, now looking this spring at Craigslist, Rentometer, Zillow, etc. it appear the market may have increased dramatically in the year.  Current rent at our properties is $1,325 for a 3 bed house and comps are at about $1,500 right now.  That would be a huge increase in one year. 

First, I really have a hard time believing that rental rates have increased that much over the last several months even though that is what all the evidence is telling me.

Second, I'm debating jumping it up all in one year or doing something modified.

I know that single family homes for rent are quite difficult to find in our area and in high demand (we get contacts regularly looking for something like this).  That said, we have great tenants that pay on time every month without fail, almost zero maintenance (I know that it isn't because they aren't reporting, they just take good care of our property) and that and the lack of turnover (they've been with us since we bought) are worth something to us as well as everyone knows how much money can go into those things.

Just looking for thoughts and suggestions.