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Freedom Investing Insights
August 2025 | From the team at Freedom Property Advantage
Actionable insights. Real-world investing. Delivered.
A Note from the Team
"The intelligent investor is a realist who sells to optimists and buys from pessimists."
— Benjamin Graham
As summer winds down, Pittsburgh’s market is sending mixed signals—seasonal slowdowns on one hand, federal housing uncertainty on the other. For investors, this is the moment when clarity, not speed, wins.
We’ve seen it before: Those who act decisively with good data and smart systems stay in control—regardless of the market mood. Whether you're navigating Section 8 changes, pricing a tough vacancy, or eyeing your next acquisition, we’re here to keep you focused and ahead of the curve.
Stay sharp,
– The Freedom Property Advantage Team
Market Pulse
Section 8 Freeze + Late-Summer Cooling
Big News: Section 8 rent increases are paused.
The Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (HACP) is responding to a proposed 43% federal HUD budget cut by halting rent increase approvals, new landlord incentives, and project-based voucher awards. The pause takes effect July 31, 2025, and applies to FY2026 requests.
Landlords: If you haven’t submitted rent increase requests for HCV tenants, you may be locked into current rates through 2026.
Leasing Activity: Slowing, but not stalled.
As the post-peak leasing season begins, we’re seeing reduced urgency from renters and slightly longer days on market—especially in neighborhoods like Bloomfield and North Side.
Where demand is holding steady:
East Liberty, Greenfield, and parts of Dormont continue to attract well-qualified tenants, especially where updated units are priced competitively.
Freedom’s Take: Prioritize tenant quality over top-dollar rent in this cycle. For HCV properties, revisit your operating expenses now—delays in future rent bumps may affect ROI.
Sources:
HACP Executive Office Letter, July 11, 2025
FY2026 HUD Budget Summary – hud.gov
Investor’s Edge – The Power of the Early Turn
Turns are where your profits can leak—or get locked in. And in August, timing is everything.
We see it every year: investors who wait until a tenant vacates to start planning the turn end up losing 6+ weeks (or more) of rental income. The vendors are booked, the paint is delayed, and your leasing window shrinks just as peak season wraps up.
Here’s what smart investors do now:
Pre-walk the unit: Schedule a walk-through 120 days before lease-end. Identify repairs, materials, and potential scope early.
Line up your vendors: Painters, cleaners, and maintenance techs are slammed mid-August. Secure your spot now or pay rush rates later.
Build a digital turn checklist: Standardizing your process reduces decision fatigue and gets your team or manager moving faster.
Pre-market, if possible: In hot neighborhoods, consider showing the unit even before it’s vacant. We’ve leased many properties off photos and solid systems.
The takeaway? Don’t wait for the move-out to start moving. A fast, efficient turn can mean the difference between 100% occupancy and unexpected vacancy costs.
Health, Wealth & Life
Mental Clarity for Messy Markets
As decision fatigue sets in mid-year, it’s easy to fall into “reactive mode.” Here’s what we’ve found helps:
Morning Planning Ritual: Even 10 minutes of clear, focused journaling or bullet-listing can center your brain before the day gets noisy.
Suggested podcast by Andy Friscella - 16. Throwback: Win The Day Ft. Ben Newman
Skip the Comparison Trap: In real estate investing, everyone has a different risk tolerance and timing. Stick to your lane, review your actuals, and execute your plan.
Suggested podcast by Morgan Housel - Everything You Can’t Have
Freedom In Action– Want to Know What Your Property Should Be Renting For?
We’ve built and refined rental comps across hundreds of units in Pittsburgh—by neighborhood, unit type, finish level, and more. If you’re wondering whether you’re leaving money on the table, we can help.
π Try our free Rental Comp Analysis Tool
No sales pitch. No strings. Just insights you can use right now to price smarter and plan better.
Thanks for reading.
Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay free.
— The Freedom Property Advantage Team