Steve Welty

Issue# 64

August 2025

Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes,

I’ve been keeping a close eye on the rental market and this summer has me noticing something interesting.

Usually, summer is our busiest season - phones ringing nonstop, applications pouring in, and homes getting snatched up in days.

But this year? It feels like things have slowed just a touch.

What We’re Seeing

At Good Life, we’ve got 77 properties on the market right now.

And here’s the surprising part: more than 15 of them have been sitting vacant for over 30 days.

That’s unusual for us. Earlier this year, only a handful of homes took that long. It’s not a crisis, it just tells me renters suddenly have a few more choices, and they’re taking their time.

A Look at the Numbers

Here’s how our average days on market have been trending this year:

January: 29.35
February: 26.69
March: 23.83
April: 15.00
May: 17.00
June: 16.00
July: 12.62
August*: 30+ (for 15+ homes)

It’s a small sample size, but enough to show that momentum isn’t as frenzied as it was in early summer.

What the California Data Tells Us

More competition

ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are booming - permits jumped from fewer than 10,000 in 2017 to over 83,000 by 2022, nearly 1 in 5 new housing units statewide. In San Diego County alone, ADU completions rose 480% from 2020–2024 (UCSD CHPD).

What We’re Doing About It

None of this is doom and gloom, it just means we need to be thoughtful. Here’s how we’re adjusting:

Pricing with Precision: Instead of making changes after 7 days, we’re waiting 10–14 depending on the owner’s comfort level. (Curious where your rent should be today? Try our Instant Rental Estimate Calculator to get a quick, data-backed idea.)

Condition Matters: Small upgrades - paint, landscaping, maybe even A/C can make a huge difference, and they’re tax-deductible.

Flexibility Helps: Allowing pets, adjusting deposits, or offering shorter lease terms can give a listing the edge.

Marketing Counts: Great photos, 3D tours, and premium placements on Zillow aren’t extras anymore, they’re must-haves.

And don’t forget, we don’t charge a management fee until your property is rented. While your home is vacant, you’re not paying us a dime.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t the end of the world. It’s not even bad news... it’s just different. California’s rental market is shifting back toward balance, and that means renters have a little more say.

Great homes still rent quickly. Others just need a little more strategy.

So now I’m curious…

Have you noticed your rentals sitting longer this summer? What adjustments have you made - pricing tweaks, upgrades, or maybe changing lease terms?

Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear what you’re seeing out there.

And if you’re a Good Life client, I’d also love your feedback. How’s our leasing process felt to you? What’s working, and what could be better? Your perspective helps us keep improving.

Hit reply and let me know. I’d love to hear what you’re seeing out there.

How to Price Your Rental: What To Charge In Today’s Market

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