When Is The Best Time To Look For A New Apartment?
A new year often means new goals, new changes, perhaps a new apartment. You may be ready for a change in your living situation, but when is the best time to move into your new pad? There are a lot of factors when it comes to looking for an apartment–price, inventory, and competition, for example. Despite claims, there is never a “perfect time” to move. Each season has its perks and drawbacks. Let’s take a look:
Fall and Winter
Many people are firm believers that the colder months are the best time to look for an apartment (Lifehacker says November is the sweet spot). During this time, competition to rent is low so you won’t be fighting hordes of people to turn in your lease application. As an added bonus, many apartment complexes have lower rent during the winter months since it takes more work to fill the units. However, it is important to keep in mind that even though the competition is low, inventory is most likely to be a lot less than in the summer. The bottom line, you’re likely to score a killer rate on a great apartment, but it may take you some searching to find it. According to Rent.com, October-April are considered “winter” months for rentals
Spring and Summer
The spring and summer months trigger a lot of turnover–usually, college kids leaving town for the summer, starting new jobs, etc. With the abundance of ending leases, there are usually loads of apartments up for grabs. Spring (beginning in May) and summer apartment hunting tends to have the opposite problem of looking in the winter–lots of apartments available, but also HIGH competition. Be prepared to look at a lot of places, and get passed over for someone else at least a few times.
No matter the time of year, apartment hunting can be quite a process. If you go into your search with these tips and tricks, it’ll be less of a battle and you’ll come out with a fabulous place to call your own! Need more apartment hunting advice? Check out this post!
And when you’re all settled in your new place, don’t forget about the furniture! Contact Fashion Furniture Rental to get your apartment set up with a Complete Home Package (furniture and housewares included!)
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Maria Lopaz
5:48 amMy friend looking for an apartment in winters. I think, this was the right time to relocate at new place. To locate at new place is not an easy task. Lots of problems there to shifting all the things from old to new apartment.
Ashley Maxwell
1:37 pmI had no idea that renting in the fall or winter was a good option because there aren’t as many people looking. I also like how you said that there could be many options in the warmer spring and summer months as well. My parents are looking to rent an apartment closer to us; thanks for the tips on when to look.
Mina Edinburgh
5:54 pmI appreciate it when you said that moving during the fall or winter is best because there won’t be much competition for the rent since people are busy with the holidays. I wonder if that is the same case if we ever decide to move internationally. My parents have decided to move to a different country, and they want to know when the best time to move is. Hopefully, the country we move in also celebrates Christmas.
Kit Hannigan
7:49 pmI really like what you said about how spring and summer months can get you a lot of turnovers since college kids are leaving town to start new jobs. My daughter is looking to relocate in the city to pursue a musical career. She recently quit her job and she seems to be serious enough that she plans to move out before next year hits. I’ll be happy to advise her to hold out a bit longer and wait for summer to begin her apartment hunting. Thanks!
Caden Dahl
8:16 pmI am actually looking for a new apartment as my current lease is up in two months. Since it’ll be almost winter, you are right that it is one of the better times to find a place. If anything, I might have to do some research and see what I can find for me.
Duncan Lance
1:59 pmWow, I did not realize that there was an actual time of the year where renting an apartment was better. However, you do make some pretty valid points in the article, especially about college kids leaving for the summer. After all, that opens a lot of apartments up for rent that you might not originally consider.
Larry Weaver
2:55 pmThanks for explaining that competition to rent is low during the fall and winter months. My wife and I would like to move into the city, and with our budget, an apartment rental is going to be the best option. We will certainly start looking into apartments while it is still the winter season in order to find a place in the city that meets our budget.
Millie Hue
10:34 pmThanks for pointing out that most apartments are offering lower rent during the winter months since the competition is low. With that in mind, I will be moving out of my parents’ house by that time now that I am already working. This will be a piece of very useful advice since I am on a limited budget due to buying my own car this year as well.