When to Start Listing Your Rental

[Simone Koga]

We'll be closing on our first STR in Hawaii early in May. I'm wanting to get my ducks in a row so that as soon as the keys are mine, I'm getting the prep started and opening up for business. My question is, when do I start actually advertising? I had assumed I would wait until the property was actually mine, but of course that means I'll have quite a bit of down time before we start getting bookings. A property manager I had spoken with had mentioned that they actually list homes for their clients before they've even closed escrow. They start booking out a few weeks post the scheduled close to give themselves time to prep and in case there are any extensions.

I'm wondering if anyone here has experience with this? Obviously I want to minimize the time the condo sits vacant.  Upsides, downsides?  I won't have primo photos right off the bat, but I think I can convince the current listing agent to allow me the use of the listing photos in the meantime.  Would love to hear any thoughts!