This approach lets you get closer to the market rate over time without shocking the tenant, especially since she’s been a good tenant.It’s also a good idea to explain to the tenant that you’re trying to bring the rent in line with current market conditions, and if she’s open to a longer-term lease, you could even keep the rent at the current level for another year.

This is new to me because I have had the same cell phone number since 2004 so it just always stuck with me as I was shocked.

Even if you could count on the 5% increase per year you mentioned, I would be shocked if your taxes and insurance increase per year was less than that.Roof 2 years old might need to be replaced within 10 years, water heater and HVAC may not need to be replaced, will sill surely need a number of maintenance events, ...all of which will increase your cash costs, and delay the cash return. 

I wouldn't be shocked if there's a political motive, but I definitely think it has to do with worries about the economy in general. 

Hell when you pull back the curtain most people would be shocked to realize that all those prim and proper super nice 50 year old lady Realtors that seem so nice; those ladies are some of the most cut throat sharks in the game.

I'm shocked to see $995. 

Our realtor said she was shocked and so was I.

You’d be shocked by how little actual screening many PMC’s do!

So until supply loosens buyers will be forced to get creative and pay up.I don’t think it’s the overall crazy demand like you’ve seen in single families driving up prices- there is just literally almost zero double inventory.I did three doubles last year and still shocked I picked them up at decent prices in Lakewood.

I'm not super familiar with TX, but an area of Louisiana that I work is currently in a reassessment year and a lot of people I know are getting sticker shock from tax increases.