Buying home to start rent at certain time?

[Zach Adams]

I am currently in the market for a home to rent to my friends or other college students. The area I am located in has most leases beginning June 1st and most students begin to look for homes starting in December. I am wondering if I should focus on getting a house soon so I can guarantee the lease to start June 1st or if it doesn't matter at all? I currently have a feeling that I wouldn't want to pay the mortgage with it unoccupied, but I also want to find quality tenants instead of college students rushing to find a home before the first semester. Any thoughts?