Why Rent Prices Are Coming Down
Charles Phanumphai • September 4, 2025
Why Rent Prices Are Coming Down
1. New Construction = More Supply
Developers are finally delivering new apartment complexes, townhomes, and single-family homes that were planned years ago. According to [insert local or national data], thousands of new units have entered the market, increasing competition among landlords. When supply goes up faster than demand, prices naturally cool.
Visual idea: A bar chart showing rental unit supply growth year over year.
2. Short-Term Rentals Converting to Long-Term Rentals = More Supply
The short-term rental (STR) market—Airbnb, VRBO, and similar platforms—saw massive growth during the 2010-2020s. But rising operating costs, tighter city regulations, and shifting traveler behavior are causing many owners to pivot.
Properties that were once nightly rentals are being repositioned as long-term or seasonal rentals, adding to the housing pool for local residents. This creates additional downward pressure on rent.
3. The Homeowner Divide: Pre-2020 vs. Post-2020 Purchases
This is the “hidden factor” that many overlook. Not all rental property owners are operating with the same costs.
Pre-2020 Buyers: Purchased when home prices and interest rates were much lower. With smaller mortgages, lower property taxes, and less overhead, these landlords can profit while renting below current market averages.
Post-2020 Buyers: Entered the market after prices surged and interest rates doubled. Their monthly costs are significantly higher, creating a much steeper “expense floor.” To break even, they need higher rents—but competing against pre-2020 owners makes this challenging.
This dynamic means older homeowners can set the market at lower rental rates, while newer owners may struggle to compete.
The Bottom Line for Renters and Owners
For renters, this trend is good news: more choices, lower prices, and stronger negotiating power.
For landlords, however, the picture is more nuanced. Owners who purchased before 2020 are in a strong position to stay profitable even as rents dip. Owners who bought more recently may need to think differently about their strategy—whether that’s adjusting rental pricing, exploring seasonal rentals, or even considering a sale.
How Snow Capped Helps Homeowners Adapt
At Snow Capped Properties, we see these dynamics play out every day. With over 25 years of property management experience and 100+ doors managed, we help homeowners:
- Price competitively using real market data and tenant demand analysis
- Choose the right rental model (seasonal, long-term, or hybrid) to maximize returns
- Minimize costs through efficient management and strong local vendor relationships
- Plan exit strategies if selling becomes the smarter financial move
Whether you purchased your home prior to 2019 or after 2020, navigating today’s rental market requires strategy. Our role is to make sure you don’t just list your property, but position it for success.
👉 Curious what your property could rent for in today’s market? Contact Snow Capped Properties for a free rental analysis 970-725-6606
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Charles Phanumphai, owner of Snow Capped Properties in Grand County, Colorado, recently shared insights on burnout, entrepreneurship, and long-term success in real estate. Charles explained that avoiding burnout starts with finding work you genuinely enjoy, while also intentionally creating balance through family time, travel, fitness, and experiences outside of work. As a business owner and father, he prioritizes being present with his children and setting healthy boundaries around work in the evenings. Charles’ journey into real estate began in 2000 when he purchased his first “house hack” while attending college. At the same time, he built a 20+ year career in IT and workforce management. Over the years, he combined those two backgrounds to create Snow Capped Properties — a vertically integrated company focused on long-term and seasonal rentals, property management, and real estate sales throughout Grand County. He credits much of his success to three key principles: analyzing data, taking calculated risks, and trusting the process. His IT background helped shape a data-driven mindset that allows him to make strategic decisions based on market trends, rental performance, and long-term investment fundamentals rather than emotion. He also emphasized that success did not happen overnight, but instead came through years of consistent, disciplined progress. Charles also discussed the importance of adaptability in today’s evolving real estate market and the value of building long-term relationships rooted in professionalism, transparency, and trust.  For those interested in reading the full interview/article with Bold Journey, click HERE
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At Snow Capped Properties, we believe in fair, equal access to housing for everyone. Fair Housing laws are designed to ensure that all prospective tenants are treated equally—regardless of factors like age, family status, gender, religion, national origin, or disability. What does this mean for you? Simply put, rental listings and conversations should focus on the property itself—not the person applying. For example, you won’t see language like “perfect for families” or “ideal for professionals.” Instead, you’ll see descriptions such as “close to parks and amenities” or “easy access to commuter routes.” This ensures that no one feels excluded and that everyone has an equal opportunity to consider a home. You may also notice that accessibility is described in terms of features—like stairs or layout—rather than assumptions about who can or cannot live there. This approach keeps the process transparent and inclusive. Fair Housing standards apply everywhere, including online listings and social media. By focusing on facts, features, and location benefits, we help create a fair and consistent experience for all renters. At Snow Capped Properties, this isn’t just about compliance—it’s about doing what’s right. Our goal is to provide a respectful, transparent process and help you find a home that fits your needs. If you ever have questions, we’re here to help. Source: Based on educational material from The CE Shop Fair Housing Guide.
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Vertical Integration and Real Estate Resilience - I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Will Carr on his podcast to share more about my journey building Snow Capped Properties in Grand County, Colorado—and how adaptability has been the key to navigating a constantly changing real estate market. One of the biggest inflection points for our business came after the East Troublesome Fire. While it was a devastating event for the community, it also created an unexpected surge in demand for insurance-funded relocation housing. That moment reinforced something I’ve always believed: in real estate, challenges often create new opportunities—if you’re positioned to respond. Why We Focus on Midterm & Seasonal Rentals - At Snow Capped, we’ve intentionally leaned into 6–9 month rental strategies. This allows us to serve ski-season demand in the winter and what I call “heat refugees” in the summer—people escaping hotter climates. This niche has allowed us to remain stable while many traditional short-term rental (STR) models have struggled. The Reality of Today’s Market - We’re seeing significant shifts in Grand County. Short-term rentals are facing pressure from oversupply and changing travel behavior, with many owners experiencing notable year-over-year revenue declines. At the same time, high interest rates and elevated home prices are pushing more people into renting—what I refer to as the rise of a “renter nation.” The Power of Vertical Integration - One of the most important decisions I made was expanding beyond property management into buying and selling real estate. This vertical integration allows us to guide clients through the entire lifecycle—whether they’re renting, holding, or selling—without needing to leave our ecosystem. A Bigger Picture Approach - If there’s one perspective I always come back to, it’s this: real estate rewards those who think long-term. When you zoom out over a 10–30 year horizon, short-term market fluctuations become much less significant, especially if your properties are generating consistent income and building equity. What Really Drives Success - Success in this business isn’t just about capital—it’s about people. Having the right local knowledge and relationships makes all the difference. At the same time, I believe in staying curious. Even as you become an expert in your field, you have to be willing to challenge your own assumptions and adapt when the market shifts. The “Good Life” Philosophy - At the end of the day, real estate is just a vehicle. The goal is financial independence—not just for wealth, but for freedom. Freedom to be present with your family, your community, and the things that matter most. Living below your means and staying in “learn mode” are two principles I’ve tried to carry throughout my journey. And of course, we wrapped things up with some fun—talking about superpowers, time travel, and whether we might one day live to 250. If you’re interested in the full conversation, I’d encourage you to check it out. It’s a deeper dive into how we’re thinking about real estate today—and where we see opportunities moving forward. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLEcFg8_JxY