Fall 2026 Newsletter 

Supporting your clients with confidence and care

When Selling Isn’t the Only Option


Sometimes the best next step for a property owner isn’t selling. It may be renting.



A client might be reconsidering a sale, waiting for a better market, relocating temporarily, or deciding whether to hold the property as an investment. Understanding the property’s rental potential can help them evaluate their options.

 A few questions worth considering:

What could the property realistically rent for?

Current rental value is the starting point for determining whether renting makes financial sense.

What would it take to prepare the property?
Some homes may benefit from strategic improvements. Others may not need much at all. The right preparation depends on the property and its likely rental value.

What will it cost to hold the property?
Mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and management all factor into the economics of keeping a property as a rental.

Is renting a short-term solution or a long-term strategy?
That decision can affect everything from improvements and lease terms to tenant selection and ongoing management.


Maple Leaf specializes in managing unfurnished properties on longer-term leases. While that model works well for many owners, the right rental strategy ultimately depends on the property and the owner's goals.


A resource for your clients


If you have a client considering renting their property, we’re happy to be a resource, even if they’re still deciding what to do.


Maple Leaf exclusively manages unfurnished properties on longer-term leases, but we’re happy to help an owner understand their rental potential and what management would involve.


Sometimes having another option is exactly what an owner needs to make a confident decision.

Market & Regulatory Updates

Washington’s 2027 Rent Increase Cap


The maximum allowable rent increase for most qualifying rental properties will be 10% for 2027. For Seattle properties, the 180-day notice requirement still applies, and the cap is based on when the increase takes effect, not when the notice is served.


For brokers: If a client is considering holding a property as a rental, this is an important factor to keep in mind when discussing future rental income.


Seattle’s Junk Fee Legislation


Seattle’s new rental fee legislation will take effect July 1, 2027. Among the changes, the legislation prohibits certain rental fees, including administrative service charges, monthly pet rent, and package delivery fees, while other charges remain permitted.


Rental advertising will also require upfront total pricing. As the details continue to take shape, we’ll keep monitoring the changes and their impact on rental properties.

A Maple Leaf Milestone

We’re proud to share that Maple Leaf was named a Gold Award winner in Best in the Pacific Northwest.


We’re grateful to the owners, residents, vendors, and real estate professionals who have been part of our journey and continue to trust us with their properties and clients.


Thank you for being part of our community.

Supporting Home Together



This fall, we’re coming together for Oktoberfest to support Home Together.


Home Together provides affordable, furnished homes for families relocating to Seattle while their children receive care at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Today, Home Together has 15 homes and has supported more than 70 families.


There are many ways to get involved:


Interested in getting involved? Reach out to contactus@home-together.org

Interested in partnering with Maple Leaf Property Management?