Seeking College Town RE Investors, Landlords

[P M]

Greetings- I am beginning to develop a plan to acquire my first rental property. I plan to buy, hold, and rent.

I am in a college town and most of the properties I am looking at will likely have a relationship to people working or studying at the college.

To others investing in such areas, what are the peak periods for people seeking rentals? Do people sign leases in May that start in August, etc? Or do they show up mid summer and hang around for two months prior to the start of classes?

I am trying to time purchase/rehab/open for rental with minimum time having the unit unrented. My target is to have the unit (unfound as of yet) for the fall semester 2009. Any thoughts/advice are greatly appreciated!

Thanks.