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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By Dustin Edwards • May 17, 2025
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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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