Just the thought of needing to hire a contractor for repairs or renovations can cause headaches. The larger the region your home is in, the longer the list of potential contractors you have to search through. Sites like Yelp and Google can make searching overwhelming since they flood you with a ton of businesses, many of which aren’t a good fit for the job. Fortunately, there are a number of sites and apps that make finding, hiring, scheduling, and paying contractors substantially easier. Here are a few of those companies: 

Angi

Angi, formerly known as Angie’s List, was one of the first websites to connect contractors with customers and eliminate the guesswork from searching. Customers are able to search for contractors based on the job as well as receive quotes and estimates for how much it will cost. Unlike searching through Google or going through a phone book, Agi gives the customer access to reviews which means there is more certainty you are hiring a qualified and reliable contractor for the job. 

Taskrabbit 

Taskrabbit connects customers with workers for any job, small or large, and handles the payment process as well. The site and app are easy and frictionless. In order to find the right person for the job, just search based on the task, find the right person and price, schedule the job, then process the payment. 

Taskrabbit is great for both landlords and tenants. Tenants can use it for simple jobs like mounting a TV, or hiring a cleaning service, while landlords can use it for bigger jobs like electrical and plumbing. 

Thumbtack

Thumbtack is a San Francisco-based company that was founded in 2008. It provides a similar service to Taskrabbit in providing a database that links service providers with customers. While Taskrabbit is geared more towards the odd jobs for those who are short on time and need assistance, Thumbtack is geared more towards jobs requiring experts. The site and app allow for customer reviews so users can feel confident about who they hire. 

Porch

Porch is a site that is specifically geared to serve homeowners. It allows homeowners to search for licensed contractors in the area and hire based on customer reviews. There is a wide range of contractors to hire from and it can be anything from plumbing, to home security systems. If you’re looking for a reliable contractor for home repairs or renovations, Porch is one of the better options. 

Houzz

While most options when it comes to repairs and renovations are geared towards hiring contractors for manual labor, Houzz is unique because it is focused on the design and the decor of your home. If you’re looking to modernize your home or rental property, Houzz can connect you with professionals to assist you in that process. This will help take the guesswork when it comes to the actual design and decor of your home.

Portland has long been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. It’s attracted a young and eccentric population with interests in the arts, food, and culture, as well as young professionals in growing industries like tech and healthcare. The growth of the young and ambitious population has created a wide variety of great neighborhoods to choose from. 

There are far more than five great neighborhoods in Portland and locals can argue until they are blue in the face about which neighborhoods are the best; but when it comes to choosing a place to live, personal preference is most important. Here are just a few of the great neighborhoods to choose from. 

Pearl District

Pearl District is the heart of the urban center in Portland. It’s the most densely populated and walkable part of the city with very few single-family homes. It’s mostly made up of condos, lofts, and a small number of townhomes. This allows for a large number of unique businesses and restaurants to thrive within the neighborhood. A great example is Powell’s City of Books which is the world’s largest independent bookstore. 

The Pearl District is mostly made up of young professionals and those who are attracted to the variety of restaurants, cafes, bars, and car-free lifestyle the transit-rich area provides. Some of the best restaurants in Portland can be found in the Pearl District and they range from casual to fine-dining. It’s not all food and drinks in the area either. There are a number of galleries and boutiques for art and fashion enthusiasts. 

Nob Hill

Nob Hill possesses more variety when it comes to housing than the Pearl District. It does have detached single-family homes to go along with apartments, condos, and townhomes. Despite the presence of single-family homes, it is still a densely populated neighborhood with 14,000 residents. 

The combination of high-density housing and access to the Portland Streetcar is what allows Nob Hill to be an extremely walkable neighborhood. The streetcar gives easy access to the rest of Portland for those who want a car-free lifestyle. For those who like to stay close o home, there is no shortage of restaurants and cafes. There are also plenty of retail and unique boutiques for those with the itch to splurge. 

West End

West End is a smaller neighborhood that isn’t really a district. It’s a trendy, densely populated area of downtown and is the nightlife and entertainment center of the city. The neighborhood is mostly made up of apartments, condos, townhomes, and a few historic single-family homes. For those who enjoy the nightlife, art, fashion, and creativity in general, this is the place for you. It’s highly walkable with access to the rest of Portland through public transit. 

Arlington Heights

Unlike some of the other neighborhoods on this list, Arlington Heights is more of a family-friendly neighborhood. The housing in the area is mostly made up of historic single-family homes that were built before the 1960s as well as some modern homes. It’s home to Washington Park which is one of the most popular parks in the city. 

All the parks and open public spaces are what make this area a popular place for families. There are over 10 miles of trails creating a great environment for those who enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. 

Laurelhurst

Just 10 minutes from Downtown Portland, Laurelhurst is a centrally located neighborhood making it a convenient choice for those who want easy access to the Pearl District but want to live and a more quiet neighborhood. While there are some apartments and condos in the neighborhood, it’s mostly vintage single-family homes. 

It’s still a walkable community with shops, restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes sprinkles throughout the community. For those who like to enjoy the outdoors, there is Laurelhurst park which has a spring-fed pond, a soccer field, basketball and volleyball courts, lighted tennis courts, playgrounds for the kids, and walking paths for those who want to get their steps in.

Oregon has long been one of the fastest-growing states in the country. Check out the fastest growing cities in Oregon. With this, the popularity of Portland, the largest Oregon city, has been one of the main drivers when it comes to the state’s population growth. This is what has caused rent in the Portland metro area to increase faster than in any other metro area in the country. 

The rapid rent increase combined with the strained housing supply lead to a state-wide rent control law that is now in place. Every year the state sets a maximum amount of rent increase allowed which is 7% plus inflation which is based on the consumer price index. In 2022, the state authorized a maximum rent increase of 9.9 percent. Here are five cities with the fastest-growing rent in Oregon. 

Springfield

Just outside Eugene Oregon is Springfield, a city of just under 65k residents. As high-density urban centers have become more expensive, residents have looked to smaller cities for more affordable housing. This has caused cities like Springfield to see significant increases in rent. In 2020, the percentage of average rent increase went up by 9.63 percent. Housing construction in smaller cities is often slower than in major urban centers and an influx of new residents can strain the current supply. 

Beaverton

Beaverton is the 6th most populous city in Oregon and is most known for where the Nike headquarters is located. While Nike is the largest employer in the city, there are a number of great jobs in the tech and IT industry. The economic opportunity has driven a population increase which caused the average rent to boom by 9.8 percent in 2020. As remote work in the tech industry and other sectors becomes more popular, Beaverton could continue to see rent increases. 

Oregon City

Oregon City is a commuter town and satellite city of Portland and became an increasingly popular place to live during the crafter brewery boom in the region. Its proximity to Portland as well as being a desirable and safe city to live in caused Oregon City to see one of the largest rent increases in Oregon during 2020. Average rent increased by a whopping 12.23 percent. If the Portland region struggles to build more homes in the future, rent increases could continue to increase at a rapid pace. 

Hillsboro

Hillsboro attracts everybody from tech workers to wine-lovers as it has both booming tech and wine industries. Even though the city has agricultural roots with its wine country, has seen a big population boom and rapid rent increases to go with it. In 2020, the average rent increased by 21.17 percent. Rapid rent increases like this are part of the reason why there was a statewide rent-control law put in place.

Salem

When it comes to average rent increases in Oregon, Salem was second to none. In 2020, the rent went up by 29.98 percent. It saw huge population growth over the last decade with those in the Portland area looking for places to live outside the city. Since it is only an hour away from Portland it’s at the very edge of commuter distance. As work from home became more prevalent and people were spending less time in the office, Salem became a more viable place to live for many in the Portland area.

Over the last decade, Oregon has been the 13th fastest-growing state in the county. This is been driven in large by both affordability as well as employment opportunity. While other states have struggled with housing shortages, Oregon has been able to provide a better supply of housing. The state is popular for those who enjoy the outdoors for recreational activities as well as those who enjoy more urban settings for the arts, food, and culture. Here are the five fastest-growing cities in Oregon:

Portland

Portland is the largest city in Oregon and the 15h largest in the country and over the last decade, it has seen the largest population growth in raw numbers in the state. Since 2010, the city’s population has increased by 85,817 making it the 24th fastest growing city in the country. Beyond the city’s reputation for food, art, and entertainment are the economic opportunities for young professionals. Portland is also one of the more affordable major cities with inclusive zoning laws allowing for the construction of more affordable new homes. It has become an attractive city for young professionals who want to eventually own a home. 

Bend

While Bend is mostly a tourist city, it has managed to become the second-fastest-growing city in Oregon. Since 2010, its population has increased by 24,851bringing the total population to just over 99k. It is now the 6th largest city in Oregon and the 140th fastest-growing city nationwide. Bend has become an attractive place to live with its focus on the arts and community. It is host to a film festival and in recent years has improved public transit making the city accessible for everyone. 

Salem

Salem, the capital of Oregon, is the 3rd fastest growing as well as the 3rd largest city in Oregon. Since 2010 the population has grown by 23,726 residents making it the 155th fastest growing city nationwide. The largest job sector in the city is the government making it a popular place to live for those working in the public sector. This gives the city a stable job market and local economy with room to grow more in the future. 

Eugene

In the last decade, Eugene’s population is grown by 23,666 making it the 160th fastest-growing city in the country. It’s also the 2nd largest city in the country and it is most well known for being home to the University of Oregon and where Nike first started. It’s also known for being where the movie Animal House was filmed. Education and healthcare are the largest industries in the city but there’s also a growing industry of breweries and agriculture which has been a driver in the population growth over the last decade. 

Hillsboro

Hillsboro is a large suburb of Portland and the 5th fastest growing city in Oregon. Since 2010, the population has increased by 18,222 making it the 242nd fastest-growing city nationwide. Because of its proximity to Portland as well as the growing tech industry within the city, Hillsboro has been able to grow its population to just over 100 thousand residents.    

Over the last decade, Texas has been the third fastest-growing state in the entire county. In the ten years between 2010 and 2020, Texas has seen its population grow by 15.91% to reach a total population of just under 30 million. Colleges and universities, economic opportunities, and a more affordable housing market are all factors that play into Texas’s big population boom. 

While the housing market is more affordable than in states like California, the population increase has been steadily outpacing new housing construction which is creating more competition when it comes to residents looking for housing. Here are some of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. 

Dallas

Dallas may be the most famous and well-known city in the state of Texas, but it isn’t the biggest. However, it has seen some of the fastest population growth in the entire state over the last decade. Since 2010, it has seen its population grow by a whopping  131 thousand residents. This has caused rent in the city to jump by 13% from 2021 to 2022 as housing becomes more scarce. 

Leander

Austin has long been one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas so it makes sense one of its suburbs, Leander would make the list of fastest-growing cities in Texas. It’s located just 30 minutes from Austin offering a reasonable commute for those who work in the city as well as a short drive for those looking to enjoy its entertainment. While the rent in Leander generally has kept pace with the national average, it has increased sharply between 2021 and 2022 outpacing it. 

Frisco 

The population boom in Dallas has also seen a big boom in growth within its suburbs as well. This has helped make Frisco one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas with a population growth of 71% over the last nine years. As the population growth has continued to outpace new construction on housing, it has seen a sharp increase in rent as well. In the last year from 2021 to 2022, rent has spiked by 14%. 

New Braunfels

New Braunfels is a suburb of San Antonio with plenty of economic opportunity making it a popular place to live. The city has a low unemployment percentage of just 3% and has plenty of employers nearby from large corporations to the US military. Over the last decade, the population has jumped just over 56% and local rent has increased as well. In the last year, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment has jumped by 9%. 

McKinney

Like Leander, McKinney is another fast-growing suburb of Dallas. Over the last ten years, it has seen its population grow by just under 52%. For years McKinney has been one of the more affordable places to rent keeping just under the national average. However, in the last year, due to demand outpacing the supply of housing, the average rent in McKinney shot up and now outpaces the national average.

Washington is one of the fastest-growing states in the country and it is attracting new residents from all over the country and the world for good reason. There’s plenty of economic opportunity in the state, but there’s more than that. There’s something for everybody, whether it is enjoying the outdoors, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, or just staying local and going out to dinner. There’s a lot to offer for those who enjoy the arts, from theater to live music. There are many places in Washington to enjoy and here are some of the best places to live: 

Redmond

Redmond is most known and recognized as the home of Microsoft which is the city’s largest employer, but that is only one reason it is one of the best places to live in Washinton. The location makes driving to Seattle convenient as it is just a short drive away allowing for locals to experience the big city without actually having to live there. 

While the location and employment opportunities are great, the main attraction is Marymoor Park which is 640 acres of public space which allows for residents to go on picnics, partake in sporting events, festivals, concerts and ride on the biking trails. For those looking for a great place to live with great public schools outside of Seattle, Redmond is a great option. 

Sammamish

Like the rest of Washington and King County, Sammamish is growing rapidly and now has a population of over 50,000. That population is continuing to grow and for good reason. The city is only 25 miles away from Seattle making a trip to the big city a reasonable commute for those who work in or enjoy the city but enjoy living in a city with more lush open space. 

The main draw to Sammamish is the fact it borders Sammamish Lake and provides a plethora of outdoor activities for local residents. The city has hiking trails, wetlands, a Shakespeare in the Park festival, and golf courses. The city has grown rapidly from a small rural town to a bustling suburb and is a great place to live for those who enjoy the outdoors. 

Kirkland

Kirkland is the 12th largest city in the state of Washington with a population of 85,0000 residents and growing. It’s in a great location right next to Lake Washington and offers plenty of outdoor activities for the locals with a vibrant community of restaurants, retail, bars, and entertainment. Accessing all of this is made easy through a wide network of bike paths, bike lanes, and public transit. The city allows residents to live happy and healthy lives by making it pedestrian and bike-friendly while providing plenty of social activities. 

Bellevue

Bellevue is a fast-growing city on its way to becoming a major US city with an urban center. There are a ton of economic opportunities with major corporations like T-Mobile which has its headquarters located there as well as those who want to work for tech start-ups. The city has a population of 135,000 and is located between two lakes and a short drive away from Seattle making it an ideal place for those who want to easily enjoy everything the urban center of King County has to offer. 

Seattle

Last but definitely not least in Seattle. No list of great places to live in Washington or even the country can be complete without including Seattle, It’s a gem of a city with postcard views and a unique and recognizable skyline. 

The city boasts some of the best restaurants in the world along with one of the best live music scenes in the world. It’s the city that produced grunge and continues to leave a large, outsized cultural impact on the world. For those who are looking to live in a big city that is growing rapidly and also looking to advance their careers, Seattle is the place to be.

Washington is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. With a population increasing at such a rate, the housing supply can struggle to keep up over time. While Seattle may be the most popular destination and the most well-known city in the state, that doesn’t mean rents are increasing the fastest. The national average for rent increase over the last year was roughly 15% and many of the cities in Washington increased faster than the national average Here’s a list of the cities where rent is increasing the fastest:

Tacoma

 Over the last year, rent in Tacoma increased by 18.9%. That puts it well over the national average of 15% much higher than the state average of 14.2%. With remote work becoming increasingly common, places like Tacoma have become more desirable. While rent is increasing the fastest, the median price of a two-bedroom is only $1,680 compared to $2,170 in Seattle making it a much less expensive option. 

Bellevue

Coming in just below Tacoma is Bellevue at 18.7% rent growth. Bellevue is a city with plenty of employment opportunities and close proximity to Seattle making it a desirable place to live for a multitude of reasons. 

Bothell 

Bothell is a smaller city with just under 50K residents but it has seen rapid growth in recent. Over the last year, it increased 16.8%, significantly over the national and state averages. Bothell is mostly a commuter city but also has plenty of employment opportunities in the biotech and engineering industries which means many workers with high-paying jobs in the city might be seeking residence within the city. 

Everett

Everett is the largest city in Snohomish Couty and just like Tacoma, rent in the city is growing well over the national average at 16.7%. Remote work has created more opportunities for residents to choose less expensive options farther away from their employers. Landlords in a city like Everett have benefited from remote work with rents increasing rapidly. 

Redmond

Rent in Redmond is increasing slightly slower than Evertt but again, still well above the national and state averages. Over the last year, rent has gone up 16.3% in the city. Redmond is still close to Seattle making it easy for commuters but also creating an opportunity for a little change of pace for those who want to work remotely and leave the urban center of Seattle. 

Between 2010 and 2020 the state of Washington has been one of the fastest-growing states in the country. The demand for housing in the state’s most populated city has and will only continue to increase as the population grows. 

When owning a rental property, you want to know what the general outlook and future are in the region and how that can impact the future value of your property. The city is a desirable place for young professionals and young couples to raise a family. There are plenty of job opportunities from older industries to tech startups. So how is rent trending in Seattle? Here is a quick look: 

Average rent by the number of bedrooms

• Studio apartment: $1,754
• 1 bedroom apartment: $2,325
• 2 bedroom apartment: $3,437
• 3 bedroom apartment: $3,927
• Single-family home: $2,833 (up 7.7 percent)

Housing construction in the region

While rent has slightly decreased recently, it is up 22.48% over the last year. During the pandemic, housing construction decreased. It also decreased dramatically during the great recession despite the fact the population in the region was increasing at a fast pace. It took almost a decade for construction to recover. The question is will the fast growth outpace the construction of more homes. If that happens, rents will continue to increase at a rapid pace. 

There is also the question of supply on the size of homes. Only 3% of the apartments are 3 bedroom apartments compared to 56% being 1 bedroom. This means those looking for more space will need to opt for single-family homes or townhomes and condos. With the construction of new homes falling way behind after the recession, it could take a long time for new homes to match the demand for housing. When it comes to getting the most out of your property, Ziprent is a useful tool and can provide plenty of data and reports to assist you in both finding the right rent, and tenant placement. 

There are a lot of aspects of being a landlord that can be both costly and time-consuming. This can range from routine maintenance to the time spent trying to place tenants in your property. Some of the issues around maintenance and tenant placement can depend on how outdated your rental property is.

There are other factors that impact this as well like the supply of housing in your region. If the supply is low and renters are competing for housing, this may not be a big concern unless you want to get the market rate for your property. Here are some ways to save you time and increase the appeal of your rental property:

Replace the carpets

Carpets can be a nightmare for both regular maintenance and tenant placement. It needs to be ripped up and replaced often during turnover as well as requires regular deep cleaning. Wood floors can be expensive, but for rental properties, laminate floors are a better option than real wood. They are more scratch-resistant, hold up against water damage better, parts of the floor can be easily replaced, and they are much cheaper. This can also save you time in the future when it comes to turnaround and filling your rental with a new tenant. 

Paint the rental unit

After a tenant moves out, give the interior a fresh coat of paint. This is a cheap and effective way to increase the appeal of the rental unit. Be sure to paint the home the same way you would your own. Some landlords just try to paint the interior quickly and don’t bother removing screws from the wall or taping up windows and outlets.

This leads to paint on light switches and outlets as well as on windows and can make your rental property less appealing. While you’re painting the interior, this might be a good time to replace your outlets and light switches as well. If your exterior is looking out of date, one way to improve the curb appeal is to give a quick paint job. 

Update appliances

Energy costs are high and when it comes to picking a home to rent, tenants may opt to lease a home with newer and more energy-efficient appliances. These costs can be considerable so you’ll need to consider the specifics of your property before replacing them. IF your appliances are more than 10 years old, you might want to consider replacing them. If you do, this will help fill your property faster and decrease the amount of time your property is vacant in between tenants. It can also help with the retention of long-term tenants. 

Upgrade the windows

One of the easiest ways to spot an outdated rental home is to look at the windows. If it is a single pane window with a metal frame, it may be time to upgrade the windows. A new double-pane window will improve the insulation, helping your tenant save money on energy as well as reduce street noise. This can be costly, but if you want to get top dollar in your market, this will help. 

Install low flow water features

If you cover the costs of water on your property, installing low-flow water features can save you a lot of money. With a family of four, these upgrades could save up to 20,000 gallons of water over the course of a year. That’s a lot of money, especially considering a rental property is a long-term investment where you’re expecting returns for over 20 years. 

Upgrade kitchen and bathroom

This can be costly so you’ll have to consider how competitive you want to be for market-rate and how difficult it is to fill your rental property with outdated features. All things being equal, a tenant is going to opt for an updated kitchen and bathroom. It doesn’t need to be top of the line, but if you haven’t updated anything since the 70s or 80s, it might be time to upgrade the cabinets and the vanity.