6 Tips to Help Landlords Avoid Off-Season Vacancy

As a rental property owner in an area like San Diego, it’s your goal to keep each of your units occupied for as long as possible. A vacant unit represents a loss for your rental property business, which can be especially problematic during the off-season, as fewer renters will browse the market in the fall and winter.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to fill a vacancy during these slower periods. Consider these six tips:

1. Keep Your Rates Competitive

When you first started your rental business, you conducted market research to determine a competitive rental rate. Keep in mind that factors like the off-season, inflation, and renter interest all affect the market. You might end up losing money if you’re not keeping up with market fluctuations.

Conversely, you’ll lose money by not lowering the rent during slower periods. If you don’t make use of the best property management in San Diego, you’ll have to keep up with research yourself. Frequent market analysis will tell you the best times to lower or raise the rent.

2. Use Professional Property Management in San Diego

Your rentals will need the increased visibility that comes with effective marketing practices, but as a novice, you may not have the prowess or time for such an endeavor. And as you try to learn how to use digital marketing to increase visibility for your rentals, you’ll lose hundreds or thousands of your marketing dollars.

Property management companies already have the infrastructure in place to handle your marketing needs. In addition, they have their own experienced digital marketers who already know what does and doesn’t appeal to renters. They’ll fill those off-season vacancies faster and provide year-round marketing that delivers.

3. Offer a Variety of Rental Options

Keep in mind that each prospective renter is bound to have different needs. Each of them will look for rental terms that align with their future plans. Some people may just want long-term accommodations; others might want a nice rental as they save for their home purchases. And established families might want to have larger apartments for their growing families.

A variety of options will attract more renters regardless of the season. Instead of requiring a multi-year lease, create shorter lease terms. In addition to attracting couples and families, you can cater to single professionals and other adults who don’t fit that one demographic.

4. Consider Going Pet-Friendly

Many property owners employ strict no-pet rules. Prohibiting pets spares property owners the damage that sometimes results from active and rambunctious animals in the rental. It’s not uncommon to view such things as easily preventable headaches.

Before you make a final decision about allowing or prohibiting pets, though, consider the consequences. A large number of renters have at least one pet, be it a cat or dog. And renters who don’t have pets may want them in the future.

In the end, allowing pets can help you fill your rentals more quickly; you can address the potential property damage with additional security deposits and monthly pet rent.

5. Partner With Area Businesses

Try offering more than a basic rental when the off-season rolls around. Reach out to area business owners to see if they will contribute discounts, free gifts, and other incentives. In addition to attracting more renters to your properties, you’ll help those businesses market their products and services.

Follow the lead set by those that offer professional property management in San Diego. Organize incentives in a gift basket for new renters. Include snacks, beverages, high-end toiletries, and other small gifts as well. Above all, make sure to mention the gift baskets in your promotional materials, as they can push renters to commit to the buyer’s choice.

6. Use Multiple Marketing Tools

Even if you have a massive following on social media, that’s not the only place you should be marketing your rentals. By the same token, you need to avoid restricting your efforts to digital or print marketing. The use of multiple marketing resources will help you reach more renters.

A property manager has digital marketers on staff to access multiple advertising tools. From posters and banners to mobile and SMS marketing, professionals can help you reach more people. They can even use geotagging to ensure you reach more renters in your geographic region.

Consistency Is the Key to Off-Season Success

Many of the suggestions offered above require constant attention. A one-and-done marketing campaign won’t provide the results you expect. Keep employing these tips throughout the year to keep renters eager for your next vacancy.