It cost me about 1 month of vacancy, but i do not want a tenant that lied to get the unit.  

However, you'll minimal capex/maintenance/vacancy and the overall return after 5 years could be very strong. 

This concerns me about the potential to maintain a solid tenant base and would likely cause a higher vacancy factor.

If we take that fact for granted -- that, for example, the average tenancy is 6 years -- then that means that some tenants stay 1 year and others stay 10 years, but when you're running numbers for a property as such then the realistic scenario is that you won't have any vacancies or turnover costs for about 6 years.

Look for markets with strong rental demand, low vacancy rates, and population/job growth.If possible, visit the area at least once before purchasing.

You'll need 20% down plus reserves for other costs as well as repairs and vacancies. 

Our portfolio is running around a 4% vacancy right now, but that's across 300+ units. 

Despite the extra requirements we had plenty of showing and very little vacancy. 

They use an economic vacancy figure instead of breaking out loss to lease, bad debt, and concessions so as to conceal their assumptions but a skilled operators can reverse calc it.

@Gash Nookala,Renting can indeed be slower in winter, but here are some tips to boost interest:Enhance Listing: Ensure your listing has detailed descriptions and high-quality photos—consider professional photography if needed.Competitive Pricing: Double-check local comps; even a slight price adjustment or incentives (like a reduced deposit) could attract more interest.Broaden Marketing: Beyond Zillow, Hemlane, and MLS, use social media, community boards, and local business connections to reach a wider audience.Flexible Lease Terms: Offering shorter or month-to-month leases might appeal to tenants during this slower season.Local Property Manager: A local pro can tap into their network and help fill the vacancy faster.These steps should help you find a tenant despite the seasonal slowdown.