Timing of End of Lease

[Amy H.]

My apologies in advance for what is likely an old subject; however, I can't seem to find this addressed in the forums anywhere:  

What are the best months in which to end a lease?  Also, we just purchased a property, so this will be the first lease:  If the best month in which to end the lease is several months off, what is the best way to approach it:  Make the first lease longer than one year or shorter?  Any ideas or old forums posts about this that anyone can point me to would be greatly appreciated!

[Dan Perrott]

@Amy H. - First, welcome to BP! 

I don't concentrate on the month of the lease.  I concentrate on the quality of tenant based on a tenant screening process (including rental criteria) developed over many years.  I start the lease on the first day I possibly can after I turn over the property (cleaning, painting, maintenance, etc).  Turnover is usually under 3 days.  I have very low vacancy with very low tenant turnover.  I have in most cases had the unit rented prior to the old tenants moving out.  In the winter months, I usually start the rental listing/application process a at 6 weeks lead time instead of 4 weeks out.