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Freedom Investing Insights
December 2025 – Real Experience. Real Results.
Actionable insights. Real-world investing. Delivered.
A Note from the Team
“We are all better when we’re together.” — Fred Rogers
As we close out 2025, one theme stands out across the Pittsburgh rental market: this was the year that rewarded preparation, pricing discipline, and consistency.
Leasing velocity slowed for many operators across the country, days-on-market stretched, and tenants became more selective. But what we saw at Freedom Property Advantage was clear — investors who priced accurately, responded quickly, and leveraged data over emotion won big.
This December, we’re thinking about what it really means to be prepared for 2026: sharper analysis, stronger tenant experiences, and smarter systems. But we’re also thinking about something equally important — the people. The investors, partners, contractors, and team members who make this work meaningful every day.
It’s been a year of growth, learning, and refinement. Thank you for trusting us with your investments, your homes, and your peace of mind. We’re heading into 2026 with momentum — and with you right beside us.
— The Freedom Property Advantage Team
Market Pulse
Leasing Slowed in 2025, but the Market Showed Its Hand
Two industry reports — ShowMojo’s Q2 Data Talk and RentEngine’s Q3 Scattered-Site Leasing Report — gave us the clearest picture yet of how renter demand shifted this year.
Leasing Momentum Softened Nationally
79% of property managers reported slower summer leasing activity in 2025 compared to the year prior (ShowMojo Data Talk).
ShowMojo data showed average days-on-market was 37 days in Q2 and 39 days in Q3, both the highest since 2018 (ShowMojo Data Talk).
Rent growth has stalled - nationally rents were up just 0.31% y/y in Q3 (ShowMojo Data Talk).
The First 7 Days Are Everything
Across all markets studied:
40% of all leads came in the first week after a listing was posted.
Properties requiring price cuts spend 30 extra days on the market compared to correctly priced listings
Renter Behavior Shifted — Convenience Won
50% of all showings were self-guided.
60% of lead inquiries occurred after business hours.
Renters continue to shift toward flexibility, automation, and on-demand touring.
Freedom’s Take:
2025 showed us that the market isn’t slowing permanently — it’s maturing. Renters are more educated, pricing must be precise, and responsiveness now requires automation, not just manpower.
Those who adapt will thrive in 2026. Those who rely on old leasing habits will fall behind.
Investor’s Edge
Price Smart, Market Fast: What the Data Really Says About Your Bottom Line
RentEngine’s Q3 leasing performance report gave investors one of the clearest lessons of the year: optimistic pricing costs more than strategic pricing.
Overpricing by Just 5% Has Real Costs
From the report:
Properties that launched 5% over market rent typically required
2+ price drops, and
11.2 extra days of vacancy,
translating to $750–$760 in lost rent per unit.
When margins matter, that’s a painful mistake — and a completely avoidable one.
Section 8 Does Not Increase Days-on-Market
One surprising finding:
“Section 8 has no measurable impact on leasing speed.”
This contradicts a long-held industry assumption and reinforces what we’ve seen in Pittsburgh firsthand:
Voucher holders tour just as quickly
Apply just as quickly
Lease just as quickly when units are priced properly and pass inspection
Self-Guided Tours Aren’t a Trend — They’re the New Normal
With half of all showings self-guided, and the majority of leads contacting after hours, the most successful investors in 2025 did three things consistently:
Priced competitively from Day 1
Enabled instant or flexible touring
Responded automatically, not manually
Freedom’s Take:
Heading into 2026, the winning formula is clear:
Accurate pricing + fast access + professional presentation = stronger leasing and higher annual returns.
This is the standard we’re building for our clients — and the results speak for themselves.
Health, Wealth & Life
The ROI of Time With the People Who Matter Most
December tends to pull investors into year-end numbers, tax prep, and planning—but the most valuable investment you can make this month isn’t financial. It’s personal.
Research continues to show that time spent with family and friends improves mental health, reduces stress, strengthens emotional resilience, and even improves long-term physical health. In a business where decisions carry weight and risk, a clear and grounded mind is one of your best tools.
This season, carve out time for the people who recharge you—whether that’s a family dinner, catching up with an old friend, or simply unplugging for a night. The returns aren’t measured in dollars, but they absolutely impact your capacity to make better decisions, lead more effectively, and start 2026 with clarity.
A Freedom Favorite: Four Thousand Weeks
If there’s one book that captures the heart of this message, it’s Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman—one of our team’s all-time favorites. The premise is simple but profound: if we’re lucky, we get about 4,000 weeks on this planet. Rather than trying to maximize productivity at all costs, Burkeman challenges us to be intentional with our time and deliberate about who we spend it with.
His perspective aligns perfectly with this season’s theme: meaningful connection isn’t a distraction from success—it’s the fuel that sharpens your mind, strengthens your leadership, and improves your decision-making. For anyone looking to enter 2026 grounded, clear, and focused, this is a powerful read.
Our Take: Consider time with people that matter the most important investment you’ll make this month!
Freedom in Action
As we close out 2025, our team has been busy across the Pittsburgh region — visiting properties, meeting with owners, and ensuring every unit is positioned for success heading into the winter leasing season.
Over the past several weeks, our team has been:
Walking properties with owners to provide clear guidance on what’s needed to get units rent-ready.
Assessing repair, safety, and compliance needs before they impact leasing timelines.
Providing transparent, data-backed quotes for turn work so owners know what to expect and how long it will take.
Winterizing vacant units to protect pipes, prevent heat issues, and avoid the unexpected maintenance costs that colder months often bring.
This is the part of property management that doesn’t show up in dashboards — the boots-on-the-ground work that keeps portfolios healthy, protects long-term value, and ensures owners aren’t blindsided by winter surprises.
Why it matters: Great outcomes in January and February start with preparation in December. Our team is committed to keeping your properties safe, compliant, and ready to lease with confidence.
Start 2026 with a data-driven pricing strategy.
Using insights from ShowMojo, RentEngine, and our own leasing performance across Pittsburgh, we’re offering a free rental pricing & comp analysis to help you enter the new year with clarity and confidence.
Whether you're curious about optimal rent pricing, vacancy risk, or how your unit compares to similar listings in the region, we’ll run the numbers for you — grounded in the same data behind this month’s Market Pulse and Investor’s Edge sections.
Request your free rental comp analysis here.
https://www.freedompropertyadvantage.com/
No obligations. Just real numbers to power better decisions.
Thanks for reading.
Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay free.
— The Freedom Property Advantage Team