573 landlords share their perspectives on rising costs, market confidence, and acquisition plans for the year ahead
In Q2 2025, we conducted an Investor Sentiment Survey (May 10–25) to gauge how landlords are feeling about the current rental housing environment—the challenges they face, the opportunities they see, and their outlook for the market heading into the second half of the year.
Here’s what we learned from the 573 investors who participated.
Who We Heard From
Respondents were almost evenly split between investors with 1–5 units and those owning 6–50 units. Only 4% owned 51+ units, making the results closely aligned with the “mom-and-pop” segment of the market.
Higher Operating Costs Remain the Top Challenge
When asked to rank their biggest frustrations in owning rentals, investors once again put expenses at the top. For the second survey in a row, operating costs dominated the top three spots.
From rising insurance premiums to ongoing maintenance, landlords signaled that costs remain stubbornly high, with little expectation of relief ahead. Political and regulatory concerns ticked up slightly compared to late 2024, but not enough to shift overall sentiment.
Takeaway: Investors have adapted to higher operating costs, but most don’t expect conditions to improve in the near term.
Investor Sentiment: Signs of Stability
When asked to capture their outlook in a few words, investors highlighted familiar concerns—cash flow pressures and uncertainty around future deals.
Yet optimism is on the rise. Nearly 60% of investors now describe their outlook as positive, up from 37% just six months ago.
The paradox: confidence in the market overall is growing, but many investors remain cautious about making new acquisitions.
Acquisition Plans Pull Back
In late 2024, nearly 60% of owners said they planned to buy new property within a year. This quarter, the trend has reversed—55% now say they don’t expect to make a purchase in the next 12 months.
Lingering concerns over high interest rates, tighter cash flow, and rising expenses appear to be driving the slowdown. Confidence may be improving, but acquisition activity is cooling.
What It Means for Investors
Our survey suggests a market in transition. Investors are:
Adapting to higher costs but not expecting relief soon.
Less confident about falling rates or rising property values in the near term.
More optimistic about the future overall — even if they’re not ready to buy right now.
Final Word
This is a moment for investors to focus on efficiency, tenant retention, and protecting existing assets. While acquisition appetite has cooled, long-term confidence in the rental housing market remains intact.
Since late 2024, investor sentiment has shifted. Optimism is growing, but caution persists. For owners navigating today’s challenges, consistent operations and clear communication with tenants may matter more than chasing new deals.
The rental housing market is evolving—and investors are evolving with it. At Mynd, our role is to keep listening, supporting, and delivering solutions that help investors succeed in every stage of the market cycle.
