With everything at our fingertips these days, the leasing market is one more space where life happens in an instant.

Homeowners expect it, and tenants demand it. And our inner-Sydney rental market has been fierier than ever in 2017. Vacancy rates are 0.38% at BresicWhitney. But with a market made up of people, the personal stories offer more clarity. Here’s some insight into looking after your investment, and your tenants.

Don’t come in too fast

We’re often assisting homeowners who previously advertised too early. With low days-on-market rates, wait to finish paint/carpets before photographing and listing. Remember, tenants see the worst of Sydney property and won’t trust or visualise your finished product, however good your intentions.

Don’t come in too hot

New listings see the most action in the initial days of listing. If a home is overpriced, tenants will sense it. Many of them have been passively browsing for weeks before inspecting. Any property sitting stagnant with an unrealistic price chews up income. Remember, $100 a week is around $5,000 a year. On a $1,000 listing, it takes just 5 weeks of inactivity to squash up your gains.

Homes in one inspection

Often, attention to marketing and strategy will see homes leased at the first inspection. This home at 33/259 Chalmers Street, Redfern leased immediately for $860 a week. An identical apartment leased with an agent across town for $80 less, at $780 a week, just one month earlier.

Or sometimes they don’t

We’re coming into a fickle time of year where tenant interest can be unpredictable. If it’s raining on your open day, only the most seasoned Sydney punters will be out hunting for homes.

Share & be merry

Three-bedders under $1,000 per week go instantly with the share house economy alive and well in Sydney. And it’s no longer just students. Young professionals, house-proud couples and self-employed all make up this bracket. With rental/sales prices expensive throughout Sydney, homeowners with an open mind are enjoying the easy and ongoing leases. We saw more than 50 groups at homes in Newtown, Redfern and Woolloomooloo.

Or go solo

Thanks to recent property price rises and healthy rent rates, studios have also experienced resurgence. They’re popular with casual workers, the self-employed and people pouring savings into their own businesses or start-ups. We’re seeing owners of studios being successful with tenants that don’t look good on paper, but are there for the long run.

How popular? We leased 51 studios (the entire building) at 9 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst in less than than 30 days.

A home not a house

The recent stream of modern apartments around inner Sydney has set new design benchmarks and tenant expectations. Remember… updates in older apartments mean peace of mind, not exorbitant prices. We’ll often advise to paint or update for a happier tenant relationship, longer leases and stress-free investing.

Established tenant rapport is gold in Sydney. If your residents love living there, they’ll stay.