Long Winter Vacancies

[Noah McPherson]

Hello Everyone,

Currently, I am experiencing my longest vacancy yet. It's the middle of winter in a cold climate, so I understand not many people are moving. However, I don't find the long vacancy particularly enjoyable, and I'm hoping to gain some insight and grow from the experience.

Has anyone else experienced this, and what did you do to avoid it? Also, if a winter vacancy was inevitable, what would you do?

[Tim Delaney]

I'm in Buffalo. It happens this time of year. Especially with the way the holidays fell and at least for us some pretty heavy snow storms.

I try my best to have leases end between April and October. Preferably May-September. But occasionally we have issues and tenants need to be asked to leave or just decide to disappear in the middle of winter and it sucks.

The worst part is I find the quality of tenant interested or willing to move this time of year isn't the greatest either - often times there is a reason they have to move right now since most landlords don't like ending leases this time of year.

Either lower your rent or just hang in there.