How do you keep your units filled in the winter?

Question

Winter’s around the corner, and I know the rental market slows down in a lot of places.

I’m curious how everyone handles vacancies this time of year — do you offer move-in specials, flexible lease terms, or just ride it out until spring?

I manage 400+ units, and I’m testing out a few strategies but would love to hear what’s worked for you all.

- Srinivasa Subramanian

Srinivasa Subramanian · Answer

Thank you all for your responses and some of things that we do are:

1. 50% off or 100% off on rent for the first month rent only

2. To prevent this from happening again, we do a six month lease during winter and re-sign a new one-year lease by mid next year so that we don't have this issue in the future.

3. As @Patrick O'Sullivan mentioned, we relist our listings every week to be on top of the list.

4. We use Appfolio and use their paid listing feature, which helps to list in more places.

5. Run targeted Facebook ads for the listing to be noticed more.

6. We try to emphasize on what is included and what is not.

7. The most important that I have my team to do is respond to all queries immediately. The thing I have learnt most is that if i miss to answer a call or text, I have already lost that lead.

David Peschio · Answer

Exactly what @Mike Dymski posted - only new owners that we take on will be marketed during these times and we quickly try to get out of that date range.

Mike Dymski · Answer

Cycle leases not to end Nov-Jan.

Eric Gerakos · Answer

I buy in desirable areas where there is no winter.

Srinivasa Subramanian · Answer

Another thing that we are experimenting with is to connect with local stores or other businesses to advertise in their store. For Ex, we have a local business in our area and we give employee-based discounts. I'm yet to see the fruitfulness of this, but would definitely keep this thread posted if I get good results.

Peter Mckernan · Answer

If you can extend the lease from 12months if it is ending in December to a 14 or 15 month lease to avoid this issue. If this is not possible, try to see if tenants will allow showings prior to them vacating if they leave December 1, can you do showings starting November 10th to start working on filling the spot. If there is no way around this then I would suggest a little bit of a price break compared to rents, offer some luxuries (I.e. fridge/w/d with the unit if this is possible). You can also allow earlier move in if the place is vacate with a smaller prorated rent (get money and lease before move in always). The last thing you can do is offer lower security deposit/rent if you get it filled instead of waiting till spring.

Srinivasa Subramanian · Answer

@Joseph Coleman thank you for the suggestion and in fact I have not tried it at all. I will definitely explore that idea as well. In the past, one of my failed experiments was using furnished finder to explore options with traveling nurses as there are couple of hospitals around our town but it did not materialize in a way I expected.

Patrick O'Sullivan · Answer

Great question, @Srinivasa Subramanian. Winter definitely slows things down in many markets, especially in colder regions.

A few strategies that have worked for me during the off-season include:

• Offering slightly reduced rent for longer lease terms (like 15 or 18 months) to avoid winter lease ends in the future
• Providing flexible move-in dates or short-term leases that end in spring or summer
• Including small move-in perks like a rent credit or gift card to boost interest without reducing rent across the board
• Increasing marketing efforts and refreshing listings on listing platforms more frequently to stay visible

Offering slightly reduced rent for longer lease terms (like 15 or 18 months) to avoid winter lease ends in the future

Providing flexible move-in dates or short-term leases that end in spring or summer

Including small move-in perks like a rent credit or gift card to boost interest without reducing rent across the board

Increasing marketing efforts and refreshing listings on listing platforms more frequently to stay visible

It’s all about staying proactive and making your units stand out. Curious to hear which strategies you're testing out across your portfolio.

Ricardo R. · Answer

Srinivasa, what strategies do you use?

How do you keep your units filled in the winter?

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