How early do you list a rental unit ad?

[Melanie Trombley]

We bought a nicely updated 2 flat last fall (3 BR/2 full baths, in unit laundry, yard, garage), which came with tenants. One unit is staying on a new lease starting Sept 1, but the other let us know they will be moving out when the lease is up Aug 31. The previous owner must have done move in fees, so we have no deposits unfortunately, and we will need to do a few small repairs to wrecked doorway moldings due to their cats scratching and repaint the entire unit, since they lived there for about 5 years. 

We could list it for starting as early as Sept 15, or Oct 1, with earlier move in dates possible on a prorated basis.

It's in a great area- edge of Logan Square and Avondale, super close to Blue Line and highway.

Thoughts? I'm just wondering if we list it too early it may somehow be off putting to potential tenants as the date draws closer to the unit being open.

[Brian Medansky]

You can/should also look into potentially allowing/advertising/negotiating a shorter lease term so that the lease ends in the better renting season (April-July). 

But yes, as early as possible.