Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Rent fluctuations?

  1. #1
    God/dess
    Joined
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Temporary Lurkmode...
    Posts
    12,609
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 79 Times in 35 Posts

    Default Rent fluctuations?

    I found my current apartment on Craigslist and I was browsing today seeing how much apartments were currently. There are alot of apartments available for much less than the apartments I saw in October (right before I moved into my place now). Why does this happen or is it just me?
    you live like an ivy vine
    you can only survive by clinging onto trees
    that's your flaw
    put down some roots so you can stand on your own
    -Kenpachi



  2. #2
    Banned Melonie's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2002
    Location
    way south of the border
    Posts
    25,932
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked 10,563 Times in 4,646 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    My Mood
    Cynical

    Default Re: Rent fluctuations?

    lots of potential reasons ...

    - apartment moves are usually seasonal to at least some degree, with most people not wanting to move during the winter or while the school year is in session - thus a landlord who seriously wants to attract new tenants in February needs to sweeten the deal somehow.

    - if a large business has recently laid off a number of employees, those living in apartments are usually able to hit the road for a different city faster than those who are homeowners, with no new employees being hired thus seeking apartments.

    - on the positive side, some new rental apartment complex may just have opened up and is trying to attract tenants ... which forces other landlords to lower their rents vs losing good tenants

    - if you live near a military base, and if troops normally stationed there have just been sent on active duty to the middle east for the next 12 months, many family members currently renting apartments near the base may decide to 'move back home' creating a sudden rash of apartment vacancies.

    - again on the positive side, every would-be homeowner whose first mortgage is approved means one more vacant apartment

  3. #3
    God/dess montythegeek's Avatar
    Joined
    Oct 2003
    Posts
    2,103
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts

    Default Re: Rent fluctuations?

    Everything Melonie said is true and more.
    One aspect of an apartment is that all the characheristics do not neatly fit in an ad and some dimensions which may not be of value to you, may be to someone else. Take location--if you have a car being near a bus stop is not of great value, but to someone else not having to walk an extra quarter mile in the rain and snow may be worth money. Second there is how the price is negotiated. If youappeaed anxious or rented close to the end of the month, the landloard may have sensed a desperation. they also may have been blessed by an almost full occupancy rate and been holding out for big fish at the higher price. Then there is always the theoretical other tenant who might have looked at it half hour before you qere quoteed a price and was real interested. You also need to know the condition of the properties at the places you saw in the ad--an add can always lie about condition, or building age. Then there is heat--if the tenant pays heat, with high gas and electric prices a place with crap heat/leaky windows etc. would have to rent at a discount/
    There are always the temporal factors, like landlord a just had two renters buy homes and is facing a cash squeeze unless he gets something, or even a landlord who is over extended being desperate. Too many unknowns here for a quick answer.

  4. #4
    madmaxine
    Guest

    Default Re: Rent fluctuations?

    I've noticed Tax Return time is a local fave with car dealers & landlords (this region has the lowest income-per-family rate in an high-cost-of-living state, SO a lump of cash for a depsoit is most likely available in Spring.)
    & I guess landlords can afford cheaper renovations over the winter, where many people (contractors) are scrounging for work. Hence a selling point to prospective renters.

Similar Threads

  1. If you rent, how much do you pay in rent?
    By TinkyWinky in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 150
    Last Post: 12-27-2019, 12:46 AM
  2. Weight Fluctuations
    By Breona in forum Body Business
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 10-13-2011, 12:45 AM
  3. Rent
    By PookaShell in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 24
    Last Post: 04-16-2007, 06:44 PM
  4. rent to own?
    By Lola Rose in forum Dollar Den
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 03-18-2007, 09:25 PM
  5. Own or Rent
    By MojoJojo in forum The Lounge
    Replies: 19
    Last Post: 07-20-2004, 09:04 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •