Tips for Finding a Rental in the Winter Market 

Wintertime is one of the most difficult times to find a rental unit and move. Starting early in the season, such as before the holidays, is recommended. Once the small influx of rentals dies down right before Christmas, likely, there will not be many options until closer to the spring when everyone is ready for a change. This is largely because no one wants to move in the cold and typically at the end of the year everyone is already settled in for the year and will not want to make any moves physically or financially until the weather starts to warm up. 

Be on the Look Out for Winter Specials 

With a market that is moving a bit slower than in the warmer months, watch out for deals that property managers may be offering. Deals offering the first month of rent for free or a percentage of money off when signing during a certain period will give potential renters an incentive to move during the cold months. You may even be able to score a deal on your moving expenses, such as moving trucks, movers and supplies that you may need. 

Don’t Forget to Reach out to Local Property Management Companies 

Sure, the easiest way to search for apartments is to do a quick look online and you will be able to pull up available apartments that are listed on Zillow, Apartments.com or Trulia. These are great sites to check out but be sure to call around to your local property management companies because they may have insight to apartments that will soon be available. Some even have the option to place you on a waiting list, so that when something does come available, you can be the first to be notified before it is even listed! 

Searching in Winter Gives You a Better Idea of How the Property Is 

One of the biggest things about a property that can raise red flags or concerns is how the property is in the winter. Are the roads bad, would there be a lot of snow removal that would need to be done and who’s responsible for it? These are items that you simply probably would not think about if you’re rental searching in the summertime. Having that piece of mind will give you one less thing to worry about. You must keep in mind the size of the yard for when summer comes and if you are responsible for the lawn care. 

Check on Heating and Insulation while on your Showing 

Another important thing about seeing a unit in the winter, if you will be able to feel how well the home is insulated when you go in for your showing. Even though it is likely a vacant unit, the heat will need to be on even if it’s kept very low, to avoid the pipes freezing. Because of this, you should be able to feel if there are any cold drafts coming in and if there will need to be any weatherproofing to be done to prevent an outrageous bill. 

 

Searching for a rental home during any time of the year can have its ups and its downs. If you are prepared with what you are searching for and with the knowledge of the type of property that you are looking for, searching will be a breeze. If you are searching in the St. Clairsville, Ohio, or surrounding area for a rental, reach out to our team at Goodman Properties! With over 250 properties in the Ohio Valley, we are sure that we have a property that suits your needs perfectly.  

Call 740-695-3131 today to see what options we have!