Winter 2025 Newsletter
For those exploring property management for the first time.
Your Property, Our Expertise
Managing a rental property can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to. At Maple Leaf Property Management, we handle the details so you can enjoy the benefits of ownership without the stress. This newsletter shares market insights, maintenance tips, and reasons why owners trust us to care for their investments.
Rental Market Snapshot
Our team monitors market data to price your property competitively and reduce vacancy time.
National Trend:
- Rents have stabilized after summer’s plateau, signaling a seasonal slowdown.
Seattle Area:
- Median rent remains steady around $2,400 for a 2-bedroom, with slight softening in northern suburbs.
What This Means for Owners:
- Winter is typically slower for leasing, so competitive pricing and property upgrades (like energy-efficient systems) help attract tenants.
- Demand remains strong for well-maintained homes with modern heating solutions.
Read the full Apartment List report
Energy Upgrades & Incentives
There are still many homes in our area that run on oil heat, and for owners thinking about renting out their property, this can quickly become a drawback. Older oil furnaces are often decades old, expensive (or even impossible) to repair, and they usually cost tenants significantly more to fuel.
Oil heat is also the most polluting option, which can make a home less appealing to today’s renters who value efficiency and lower utility bills. Seattle also plans to decommission all oil furnaces by 2030, which is another factor to consider if you’re preparing your home for the rental market.
Upgrading to electric heat, such as a heat pump, can make your property more competitive and reduce long-term maintenance headaches. And while removing an oil tank and installing new equipment can feel overwhelming, Seattle’s Clean Heat Program offers up to 8,000 dollars in rebates. Many nearby cities offer similar incentives.
If you’d like to learn more about Seattle’s program, you can visit:
https://www.seattle.gov/environment/climate-change/buildings-and-energy/seattles-clean-heat-program
Why Professional Management Pays Off
As we close out the year and look ahead to 2026, tax season is approaching. If you’re thinking about renting your home or already own an investment property, staying organized for filing can be overwhelming.
This is where professional property management really pays off. Maple Leaf Property Management provides everything you need: monthly Owner Statements, Income Statements, 12-month Cash Flow reports, Work Order records with attachments, and a full year-end summary. This saves time, reduces stress, and helps ensure nothing is missed.
There are additional deductible expenses to track, including:
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Mortgage interest – often the largest deduction
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Property taxes – state and local
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Depreciation – reported on Form 4562, typically over 27.5 years
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Insurance premiums – rental and liability coverage
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Professional fees – including management, accounting, or legal
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Home office – if used exclusively and regularly for your rental business
With a property manager handling the details, owners can focus on maximizing rental income while staying organized and compliant.
Check Out Our Availability Page!
When we list your property for rent, it appears on multiple platforms including (of course) our own website. Our availability page is a great way to see the huge variety of properties we represent, plus our system to provide on-demand tours, pet screening and pre-tenant screening: https://www.mapleleafmgt.com/availability
Our listings also appear on myriad other platforms including (this is a long list!): Apartment Advisor, Apartment Guide, Apartment List, ApartmentLove, Apartments.com; College Rentals (Uloop Network), CollegePads, CribWiz (Uloop Network), Dwellsy, Every Apartment, HotPads, Off Campus Partners, PadMapper, Realtor, Redfin, Rent College Pads, Rentable, Rental Beast, Rental Source, Rentals.com, Rentler, Show Me the Rent, Trulia, Uloop, Zillow and Zumper. Your listing will definitely be visible with Maple Leaf Property Management!
Maintenance Matters
Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to protect your investment and avoid costly repairs while keeping resident happy.
At Maple Leaf, we handle these seasonal tasks for our managed properties, ensuring homes stay safe, efficient, and tenant-ready. Here are the key winter tips we recommend for every property owner:
Winter Maintenance Checklist
- Keep Heat On During Absences
If your property will be vacant or you’ll be away for an extended period, maintain indoor heat at 55–60°F. Turning it off can lead to frozen or burst pipes, causing expensive damage. - Gutter and Outdoor Drain Maintenance
Clear gutters and downspouts to prevent water pooling and potential leaks. - Faucets and Hose Bib Covers
Disconnect hoses and cover outdoor faucets to prevent freezing and pipe bursts. - Prepare for Snow and Ice
Keep de-icing salt and a shovel handy for walkways and sidewalks. - Cement Walkways
Apply moss remover to prevent slippery surfaces during wet, icy conditions. - Heating Safety
When turning on heat, ensure furniture and fabrics are away from heat sources. Set thermostats to at least 60°F to prevent frozen pipes. - Furnace & Filter Care
Replace furnace filters quarterly for efficient heating. Ductless heat pumps also have filters that need cleaning. - Bathroom Fans
Clean fan covers to maintain airflow and reduce moisture buildup. - Dryer Vents
Check for lint buildup to prevent fire hazards and improve dryer performance.
When you partner with Maple Leaf, we take care of these details for you so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your investment is in expert hands.
Ready to simplify property ownership? Contact us today to learn how we manage seasonal maintenance and more.
Warm Holiday Wishes from All of Us at Maple Leaf
As the year ends, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a successful year ahead. If you’re ready to make 2026 the year you simplify property ownership, we’re here to help.
