Some use expensive paid services, they call property managers and owners in the market and research apartment listings to determine vacancies and demand.

When I run those numbers real quick, you can probably drop vacancy to 2.5%, repairs and maintenance may look different with you living on-site as well. 

When I run the numbers, using 5% for repairs and 1 month of vacancy, I have cash on cash return at 11.4%.

You might make less cash flow but you will have less vacancy, and the tenants are better.

.- Vacancy insurance for homes you are holding Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

We never worry about vacancy because we look at this as an acceleration in raising the rents to market, or better. 

@Jeremy HuaWe invested $50,000 to purchase the property, the rest is a commercial loan.After all expenses, vacancies and repairs the property cash flows $800/ month ($9,600/ year).$9,600 against a $50,000 investment is a 19% cap rate...

I would also begin to show their unit in December / January for them to move in in February, that way you minimize your vacancy.For my campus rentals, Ill do showings 8 months in advance to lock up a 0% vacancy. 

(Having one less month of vacancy makes up for the lower rent price).

Early on I started using Beyond Pricing to help maximize revenue and for the first few months it was great (averaged 90%+ vacancy) but now we're starting to see more vacancies.