Worst month to find renters

[Joe M.]

A couple questions.

In your experience when is the worst time to have a vacancy? My guess is around the holiday season.

Second question is from a risk perspective. I have an opportunity to purchase a house that is next to one I already own. I like the idea of having two places close to each other from a logistics perspective. However should I be concerned about risk factors such as a neighborhood fire, giant crime spree the drags the area down etc. Just concerned about risk exposure with two houses next to each other.