Leasing Season around the corner in Aggieland

The College Station leasing season is just around the corner. It is beginning to ramp up now because the spring semester begins in less than two weeks. Transfer students, visiting professors and exchange program participants are trickling into our city to attend Texas A&M University or Blinn College. There is a challenge to find a lease that will last less than 12 months for these renters, but many landlords are happy if the lease can be written so their properties are vacant by September so they can find a new tenant for the entire next school year. 

February is when it really starts to take off. The pre-leasing season goes into full swing. Everyone hits the ground seeking an apartment to lease for the upcoming semester. Wait too long and the rentals closest to campus with the best amenities at the best prices have been snapped up. This will last until May, when all focus turns to final exams and graduation. The summer heats up with new students and out-of-area people making quick trips to town to do a marathon of showings in a day or two. Then, the last two weeks before school begins are crazy. I can expect dozens of phone calls a day and a really limited inventory to show people. This is when I wish I had a dozen vacant units of my own to work through! I could get them all leased in a day and have a dozen happy & relieved tenants on my hands!

The summer, of course, is also when new investors snap up condos and other investment properties so they can make improvements in time for rental for the upcoming academic year. It is an incredibly hot time weather-wise and transaction-wise!

I love to list and sell homes but I love to lease, too. Leasing is fast and satisfying. It is fun to show a few apartments and duplexes to someone and have a deal signed and sealed within a week. Sales can take much longer. Yes, the commissions are smaller, but rental locating is a service that so many people need in Aggieland. Plus, I get to build relationships with people who will buy homes and will turn to me for help. Another surprising thing: since I started doing leasing two years ago I have noticed that a lot of my tenants send me referral business for more leasing. Getting a referral really is the best compliment a Realtor can receive! It lights up my entire week!