As the coldest season settles over Winnipeg, you\u2019ve made up your mind: it\u2019s time to move out! You might be tired of living in your parent\u2019s basement or dealing with your roommates. Whatever the reason might be, you\u2019re ready to start the search for a new apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just like the housing market<\/a>, there are peak seasons for renting. Winter happens to be the slowest one. You can leverage this during your apartment hunt in a few ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n No one wants to move in the cold\u2014however, there are certain advantages to doing so. For example, no one else <\/em>wants to move in the cold, either; this might make for less competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That being said, fewer people want to leave their current apartments during this season. They don\u2019t want to move when it\u2019s cold outside! This might make it harder to find available apartments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But looking for apartments in the winter has its pros and cons. You might have fewer suites to choose from, but thanks to a lack of competition, you could score one for a bargain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A landlord or property manager's worst nightmare is a vacant suite. Each month, they make $0 in income, all while paying utilities for the apartment. If no one\u2019s biting on their listing, they may be inclined to lower the monthly rent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you hunt for places in the winter, be on the lookout for deals or properties that have been vacant for some time. The owner might be eager to accept an offer for their vacant apartment, even if it\u2019s $100 or so below the regular rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can\u2019t negotiate the rent, try to target other areas. For example, the length of the lease or the utilities. Try to offer them a contingency\u2014you\u2019ll move in, but only if they upgrade the laundry machines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Natural light is more important to some of us than others. Research shows that natural light can improve depression, sleep, and seasonal affective disorder<\/a>. If windows are essential to you, make sure you visit potential apartments while the sun is up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the winter, our days are shorter, and the sun sets sooner. You won\u2019t get a clear picture of the natural lighting when you visit a suite at 6 PM. Try to schedule tours during the daytime instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the frigid cold of winter, the hot days of summer feel like a century away. But, when June sneaks up on you, the last thing you want is an apartment with insufficient air conditioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re searching for an apartment in the winter, your top priority might be the heating. But don\u2019t forget about the AC<\/a>, which is equally as important!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve got to be resourceful to find the perfect home. If you\u2019re used to checking one place (like the newspaper), remember that you\u2019re only seeing one section of the market. Broaden your horizons by searching in more places!<\/p>\n\n\n\nLess competition, but fewer available suites<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rent might be less expensive<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
View apartments during the day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Make <\/strong>sure to ask about air conditioning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Browse around<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n