The summer is coming to an end, and you think maybe it's not the best time to move because temperatures are dropping around the country. Moving when it's cold isn't fun, and you've got a lot going on with work, family, and the change of seasons. Plus, you've really got to get a handle on your finances. The flipside of that, however, is that rental rates tend to drop when things get cooler. Yes, it really does happen because there are cycles in the real estate and rental market depending on the season. It might just be the best time for you to find a new place.
Summer Selection is the Best
If it's selection you're concerned about, then summer really is the best time to look. Kids graduate from school, workers are making job transitions, families have more time, and the market gets glutted with more rental choices, and that's a good thing. It's also a good time to move because the weather is warmer. Prices, however, also move in the same direction, which is up. Renting from May to September affords the best selection, but landlords and building owners know they can charge more during this time period.
But if you're driven largely by finances, the fall and winter are the best times to look because not as many folks are looking to make a transition. Typically, between October and April are the best months to look if you want to get the best price. If you plan on moving during this time period, it's best to start doing your homework now.
Should You Wait Until Winter?
You can find good prices during the fall, but if it's really about the money, then absolutely wait until winter because you can definitely find the best rates. As the temperature drops, so do prices because almost nobody is looking to move, and there are empty apartments that landlords are worried they can't fill. It's better for them to give you a low rental rate because it means money in their pocket now versus none at all.
Nobody wants to move during the winter, either, so that should mean you can negotiate. There's just not much activity at all when it comes to new leases being signed. It's not the best time to move because it's freezing, slippery, and kids are in school. But the time of year means you can save a ton of money on your new apartment. Also, consider the fact that you won't sweat much when you move. Win!
Plan For a Fall or Winter Move
Let's say you're determined to moving during the colder months because you want the savings. How should you go about things? Well, it's not that different from moving during the summer, but you have to start searching now because it could take a while before you find the right place. If you want to move in November, start in October. Give yourself at least a month. Also, if you're going to recruit friends to help you move or you want movers to do the job, you need to give them time. If you want a place that a renter is vacating, they typically move out in the last couple of weeks of the month. If you search at the beginning of that month, you should have the best selection.
Keep in mind that you have to decide when is the best time for you to move, and it's based on your own circumstances. If you have time off during the colder months, that might work best. If there's a lull at work during the fall, do it then. If you're driven to save as much as possible, then consider doing it during the coldest months of the year. Just be prepared mentally and physically, but the payoff in savings just might be worth it.
