For some folks, renting an apartment might be a way to save money. For others, a rented apartment could be a stepping stone to their dream home.

With the real estate market being so cutthroat right now, it’s no wonder that most renters are choosing to go apartment hunting. Some property owners might even be wondering whether they should sell their house and rent an apartment instead.

What to Consider Before Renting an Apartment

Before you rent an apartment or even start looking at rental properties, there are several factors to keep in mind. Your dream apartment might be just a few clicks away, but you should start your apartment hunt on an informed level.

For this, make sure you have the following details:

• The ongoing rental trends in your desired area
• The rental prices in the regions and how they fluctuate according to the peak season – this includes the holiday season, the summer season, or the season when all the college students are moving back in

Other Factors

• Your intended move-in date and whether it’s the best time to rent or not
• The lease term, security deposit, requirements of first month’s rent, and so on
• The types of apartment communities available, their policies, and reputation

This list of considerations is not exhaustive by any means, but it may help you find that near-perfect living space. If you can figure out the best time to rent an apartment as well, your situation can get even better.

When is the Best Time to Rent an Apartment?

Whether you are renting a new apartment or an old one, there are certain peak months and various rent prices to account for. Most renters will probably agree, though, that the foremost consideration is that of rental rates.

The lower the average rental rates, the better a deal you can expect on most available apartments. While there are other factors to take into account during an apartment search, lower rent is a major consideration.

The Short Answer

The shortest answer to the question of the best time to rent an apartment is: winter.

Yes, the winter months, especially if they are harsh and snowy, are usually the best time to go on an apartment search.

There is less demand at this point, so the rent is usually lower where winters are more difficult. This is the time of year when college students are usually well settled into their respective areas and families are too busy or careful to venture out much.

In short, if you are looking forward to budget rental rates, wait for the winter months.

Why Summer is the Most Expensive Time for Renting Apartments

The summer months are usually the most popular ones for getting new apartments and moving in. The weather is usually great, kids are off from school or college, and it’s the perfect time to transition to new instructions if necessary. This way, the kids can start their new school at the beginning of the school year instead of trying to fit in drawing a school session. The admission process will also be smoother, which is beneficial for all concerned.

Get Real Bargains in Winters

Searching for apartments in the summer does mean that apartments are fairly expensive at this time of the year. However, during the winter, you will be more likely to find some real bargains. Plus, any new apartments that were constructed during the summer season will hopefully be available during the winter.

Other Reasons for Higher Rent Rates During the Summer

There is high demand for housing during these months; this trend usually boils down to two main reasons.

One of these is that a lot of college students come in as renters during this time. If you are checking out a college town for renting an apartment, this factor is especially important.

The other factor is that of turnover, or people switching jobs and moving to another area. The summer also marks the end of the fiscal year, which is usually the best time for employees to leave old jobs for new ones.

Options for Sizes and Styles of Apartments

Since there is usually a lower demand for all kinds of apartments during the winter, we may also hope for more choices. For instance, you may find 2-bedroom apartments for rent for a rate that is closer to 1-bedroom apartments for rent during the summer.

However, do remember that the rent for an apartment is just one of its costs. Before moving in or signing anywhere, it’s a good idea to read up on what bills come with an apartment.

Movers Available

Since everyone seems to be moving in and out of rental properties during the summer months and early spring, moving companies are all booked up around that time, too. This can be a real hassle, as renters have to coordinate their move-in and move-out dates with these companies. With the increased demand, the availability of professional movers goes down while their pieces go up.

Booking Movers According to Your Timetable

If you are moving during the winter, though, it will probably be easier to book the movers of your choice. There should be fewer waiting days, which is good for your work schedule as well as your mental health.

On the other hand, a harsh winter may also mean slower transport and a higher chance of accidents.

What is Your Highest Priority?

When looking for an apartment to rent, your biggest priority might be a low rent. However, you won’t go for an apartment with low rent, but with no amenities or other facilities, right? Amenities and facilities are equally important. Renters also seek apartments in a certain location, with lease flexibility and other perks.

Make a List of Priorities

If you want to decide upon the best time for renting, start by making a list of priorities. The winter is best for those who want the most economical rates. On the other hand, those who want a decent amount of options may want to wait until the market has a peak inventory. This usually occurs during the early fall and summer.

Diversify the Search

If you want the best shot at a great apartment, it may help to diversify the way you’re hunting for a living space. Shortlist a few websites instead of sticking to just one. Not every site has every real estate listing in every region that matches your requirements. Even if they do, the details provided on each platform might be different. You may also want to check out our 5 ways to find apartments for rent before continuing your search.

Act as Quickly as Possible

While it is important to sort out your priorities beforehand, this should not take up too much time. With the housing market the way it is now, any halfway decent apartment might get tenants pretty quickly.

It should not take long to conduct an apartment tour. So, take out some time and check out a few likely units at a time. If you can find something within your budget that also fits most other requirements, apply for that unit before it is too late. Let’s be blunt here; this is not the time to wait around for something better.

The Takeaway

Whether you are in search of renovated 2-bedroom apartments or some other floor plan, saving money is one of the top priorities. If the situation is clear-cut, then going for the low rental rates of the winter months makes a lot of sense. However, a peak season is there for a reason. If you are in the rental market for a new apartment, your other requirements might overcome the necessity of saving money.

No matter where you are in your apartment therapy or search, make sure to know a bit about the real estate market. Read up on the Fair Housing Act, check out the renal market trends, and start looking around at the end of the summer months. Along with all these practices, here are 25 apartment hunting tips you should know!