The end of the year is one of the most important times for Indianapolis real estate investors. While most people stuff themselves with turkey and hit Black Friday deals, smart investors are reviewing their portfolios, tightening expenses, planning upcoming renovations, and positioning themselves for a stronger 2026.

A solid year-end portfolio check-up doesn’t just protect your cash flow — it sharpens your long-term ROI, reduces risk, and helps you take advantage of tax strategies before the year closes.

Here’s your complete, Indy-focused guide to finishing 2025 strong.

Why Year-End Matters for Real Estate Investors

Indianapolis has remained one of the Midwest’s most stable and in-demand investment markets. But stability doesn’t mean you can hit cruise control.

Year-end is your chance to:

• Clarify which properties performed well

• Catch issues before winter hits hard

• Prep tax moves while you still have time

• Reassess rents and leases

• Evaluate insurance, maintenance, and operating costs

• Plan capital improvements for early 2026

Small adjustments now = better returns later.

For tax insights that pair with this guide, see:
Real Estate Investor Tax Strategies 2025: Indiana

Step 1: Review Operating Performance Property by Property

Start with a simple but powerful question:

Did each property hit your expected cash flow and ROI in 2025?

Check:

• Rental income collected vs. projected

• Vacancy periods

• Repairs + maintenance

• Capital expenditures (HVAC, roof, plumbing, electric)

• Insurance premium increases

• Property tax changes

• Utility expenses (especially multis)

• Management fees

Patterns will emerge fast — especially if certain units are consistently more expensive or turnover-heavy.

Step 2: Adjust Rents Based on 2025 Market Trends

Indianapolis rents have shown steady but modest growth, particularly in:

• Fountain Square

• Garfield Park

• Windsor Park

• Near Northside

• Irvington

• Warren and Wayne Township pockets

Compare your current rents to:

• Neighborhood comps

• Condition of your property

• Tenant quality and history

• Lease renewal dates

Most Indy landlords raise rent once per year at a reasonable, market-aligned rate.

Pro tip:
Send renewal notices early — January and February leases are especially valuable.

Step 3: Review Your Insurance Policies

Home and landlord insurance costs jumped significantly in Indianapolis in 2025.

Use year-end to:

• Re-shop policies

• Review deductibles

• Consider bundling

• Update coverage after renovations

• Add loss-of-rent coverage if missing

• Evaluate roof age requirements

A quick policy review could save you hundreds per door.

For deeper insight, revisit:
Rising Home Insurance Costs Indianapolis 2025

Step 4: Plan Preventative Maintenance for Winter and Spring

With winter settling in, now’s the time to make sure your rentals are ready.

Winter checklist includes:

• Furnace checks and filter changes

• Gutter cleaning

• Pipe insulation

• Sump pump testing

• Weatherstripping windows/doors

• Smoke & CO detector testing

• Driveway/sidewalk safety checks

Early spring is ideal for:

• Roof repairs

• Exterior painting

• Landscaping

• Siding and gutter replacement

• Foundation grading fixes

Preventative work protects your long-term property value.

Step 5: Evaluate Tenant Performance & Lease Terms

Good tenants are an investor’s greatest asset.
Review:

• On-time payment history

• Communication responsiveness

• Care of the unit

• Any lease violations

• Renewal likelihood

This helps you anticipate turnover — and turnover planning saves money.

Consider updating leases for:

• Utility responsibilities

• Late fee structure

• Pet policies

• Lawn/snow care

• Annual inspections

A stronger lease = fewer headaches.

Step 6: Review Your Property Management Strategy

If you self-manage:
Are you burned out? Are you missing documentation? Do you have reliable vendors?

If you're using a PM:
Did they communicate well? Did they control costs? Did tenants renew?

If something feels off, year-end is the perfect time to upgrade your systems or your team.

Step 7: Estimate 2026 Capital Expenditures

Big repairs hit hard. Planning them early eases the pain.

Update your 2026 CAPEX list:

• Roof replacements

• HVAC nearing end-of-life

• Water heaters

• Exterior paint

• Driveway repairs

• Appliance packages

Budgeting now helps avoid surprises — and avoids cash flow strain.

Step 8: Consider Expanding or Consolidating Your Portfolio

Year-end is the ideal moment to ask:

Does my portfolio match my long-term strategy?

Some investors choose to:

• Sell underperforming units

• Refi to access equity

• Trade up through a 1031 exchange

• Buy additional properties

• Pivot into BRRRR or small multis

• Move into emerging Indy neighborhoods

Leaning into opportunity — not stagnation — is what separates good investors from great ones.

Step 9: Update Your Bookkeeping & Gather Tax Documents

Make tax season easy for yourself (and your CPA).

Prepare:

• Income statements

• Expense logs

• 1099s

• Closing statements

• Depreciation schedules

• Insurance invoices

• Contractor receipts

Good bookkeeping now = fewer headaches in March and April.

Step 10: Strengthen Your 2026 Investment Game Plan

With your portfolio reviewed, it’s time to think ahead.

Map out:

• Acquisition targets

• Financing strategy

• Desired neighborhoods

• Renovation plan

• Long-term cash flow goals

• Partnerships or private lenders

• Exit strategies

A written plan makes you a more decisive investor.

Bonus: Avoid Rookie Mistakes Moving Into 2026

If you picked up your first rental this year, or you’re expanding into multi-units, you’ll want to review common pitfalls.

Check out:
5 Mistakes New Indianapolis Landlords Should Avoid
These errors drain cash flow fast — and are easy to fix early.

FAQs for Indy Investors

How often should I review my rental portfolio?
At least once a year — ideally every quarter.

Should I raise rent every year?
Most Indy investors increase rent annually based on market comps and tenant performance.

Is winter a good time to buy investment property?
Yes — less competition and more motivated sellers.

When should I plan renovations?
Winter for indoor projects, spring/summer for exterior work.

Final Thoughts

A year-end portfolio review is one of the highest-value activities an Indianapolis real estate investor can do. It keeps your rentals profitable, protects your properties, and positions you for smarter decisions in the year ahead.

If you want help analyzing your portfolio, planning upgrades, exploring new deals, or mapping out a 2026 investment plan, Roots Realty Co. is ready to partner with you.

Investor Resources: https://rootsrealty.co/invest/investor-resources
Join our newsletter: https://rootsrealty.co/join-roots-newsletter