How To Attract New Tenants During The Holiday Months

Dustin Edwards • November 25, 2024

It's well established that the summer months are when people tend to move and find new rentals. Unfortunately, during the holiday months, it can be challenging to fill a vacancy. However, winter does provide the opportunity to attract high-quality, long-term tenants by taking strategic steps during these months. 


In this article, we’ll go over the difficulties of finding new tenants during the holidays and how to stand out against the competition.


Optimize Online Listings

Although winter is considerably slower than summer for finding new tenants, a helpful way to attract tenants can be to optimize your online listings. Update property descriptions to include seasonal-appropriate benefits. This can include using trending terminology like cozy interiors, energy-efficient features, or local holiday events. Emphasize features such as patios and decks and other areas where friends and family can gather.


Consider having seasonal photos with holiday decorations to intrigue prospective tenants. Seasonal photos can show off your property’s practicality and adaptability even though Long Beach has great weather year-round. By offering a variety of pictures, you may attract prospective tenants who might not have considered your listing at first glance. Although we don't get snow, the changing colors of leaves can add warmth to your rental that could otherwise be lost if you only have photos during bright summer days.


Holiday Incentives 

Since there are fewer tenants looking for rentals during the holiday season, you can attract attention by lowering upfront costs to prospective tenants. This can not only help new renters who may be struggling with holiday expenses, but it's also a great way to garner goodwill and begin a positive relationship with incoming tenants. 


You can do this by offering move-in specials such as a discounted month of rent, offering a month or two rent-free with the sign of the lease, or Gift Cards as a welcome package. By offering these move-in incentives, you can help your tenants financially during the holidays while filling in a vacancy during the slow season. At first, this may seem like an expensive investment to fill in vacancies. However, consider the favor you’ll have gained from the tenant. As we know a happy tenant will likely stay in your rental for a longer period of time. Which in the long term can be beneficial to your bottom line.


Upgrade Vacant Rentals

A great marketing tool is to promote upgraded features to your rental listing. While stating your rental is equipped with a washer and dryer is good, showing a brand-new washer and dryer can incentivize a tenant to consider your rental as a possible option. While not a cheap endeavor, it can pay off in the long run, especially if you’re dealing with a vacant rental for an extended period of time. 


Upgrading items in the kitchen and bathroom are oftentimes more desirable by prospective tenants. This is because while a tenant is free to arrange, furnish, and decorate bedrooms and living rooms, the bathroom and kitchen are usually left as is. This means that an emphasis on upgrades in these rooms should result in more interest from potential tenants.


It's important for you to be proactive in marketing during the holidays, as there are fewer eyes looking for rentals. While it may be a higher upfront cost to find a tenant during the winter, it can be seen as an investment for high-quality, long-term tenants. If you need help managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online.

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If You Have These 3 Things, Consider Putting Solar Panels

By Dustin Edwards • May 22, 2025
As California becomes more and more electric, the idea of installing solar panels becomes more enticing for many landlords. While the initial investment may be quite expensive, there are a few things to consider before making the decision. By keeping these factors in mind, you can greatly reduce the overall cost of installation as well as reduce your operational costs throughout the lifespan of the solar panels. Below, we’ve compiled three considerations you should keep in mind before making your decision to install solar panels on your rental property. Long Term Ownership For landlords whose plan is to own their rental property for a long period of time, a solar energy system can be a strategic investment with long-term benefits. The longer you own a solar panel system, the lower the operational costs can be for your rental property. Unlike a homeowner, who sees their return through their energy bill. A landlord sees their return through lower vacancy rates and higher lease renewals. The initial expense associated with installing solar panels can be offset over time through reduced energy costs, improved property efficiency, and adjusting your property’s rent accordingly. Tenants are quite receptive to features that lower recurring expenses, such as their electricity bill. With so many people working from home, a lower energy bill can result in an improvement in tenant satisfaction , as well as reduced vacancy and turnover rates. The use of solar panels fits well in a long-term investment strategy that focuses on keeping operational costs low and reliable while improving your rental property’s value . Stand Out From the Competition In a competitive rental market, such as in Long Beach, CA. Features such as solar panels can help your property stand out to prospective tenants. Features such as solar panels can increase a rental property’s attractiveness to many tenants, though, specifically environmentally conscious individuals and younger tenants tend to gravitate towards rentals with solar panels more. Properties that are energy efficient appeal to renters who prioritize lower utility bills and more sustainable living conditions. These features may influence a prospective tenant’s decision when choosing between rentals of similar characteristics and space. Additionally, tenants who are interested in sustainability often care for the rental and follow the rules better than others. They are also more likely to opt into lease renewals. This means that solar panels can improve your bottom line through a more consistent monthly rental income due to the reduced vacancy and turnover rates. Your Roof is in Good Shape It goes without saying that your roof needs to be in a structurally sound condition in order to install solar panels. In general, a roof is expected to have a lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years, If your roof still has over fifteen years of proper functionality, it's ideal for installing solar panels without requiring additional costs for repair. If your roof is in good condition and won't require repairs in the foreseeable future, you’re far less likely to face problems that would require you to remove the solar panels temporarily. This can be expensive, which is why it's important you don't properly inspect your roof before making the decision to install solar panels. Installing a solar system on your rental property offers measurable benefits to your bottom line in reducing your vacancies and turnover rates, as well as keeping your rental property competitive in the market. If you’re unsure if your roof is structurally sound to install solar panels or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .

When To Include Utilities in Your Monthly Rent

By Dustin Edwards • May 17, 2025
Have you considered including utilities in your rent? Here are some of the most common utilities that help tenants see a greater value on renting your property

5 Signs It's Time To Replace Your Rental's Roof

By Dustin Edwards • May 8, 2025
Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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