What’s the Best Time of Year to Search for an Apartment?

t Rent.com, we often get asked the question, “What is the best time of year to rent an apartment?” It’s a tough question because there are a lot of factors that come into play. However, there are some general rules to follow.

Assuming you have the flexibility to pick a time of the year to move, the first thing you need to decide is what is more important to you: saving as much money as possible or having a lot of options to choose from.

Looking for Options: May – September

Most Americans move between May and September. This is not surprising when you think about the fact that young people start or graduate from college during this time, younger kids are out of school on summer break, and the weather is generally more accommodating to moving your household from one location to another.

Because of this, there is more turnover in rental units during this time of the year as compared to most any other time of the year–which means you may have a wider selection of units to choose from than at other times of the year.

The flip side is that there may also be greater demand from renters vying for those rental units during the summer than at other times of the year. This may mean that you have to act more quickly in making a decision about a rental so as not to lose it to another interested renter.

Looking to Save Money: October – April

If you’re looking for a deal on an apartment, winter is generally the best time to find a new placeto live. Apartment turnover is much slower during the winter months, so while you may have fewer units to choose from, property managers may be more likely to cut you a deal to fill their vacancies.

In addition to doing your apartment search during the off-season, you’ll generally get a better deal on an apartment in markets that have greater supply than demand. Try to get a feel for the vacancy rates in the area and look for neighborhoods with new apartment construction. Neighborhoods with higher vacancy rates and new supply are a good place to start looking for an apartment for rent.