rtb649

I will be moving near Alexandria, Va some time early 2017 and want to know the best month to get
a special on rent? any suggestions would be appreciated.

girlonthego

I would think Winter would be a great time. Avoid moving in May June July and August. All the kids graduating from college start working and the rents go high because of the need in housing. My daughter moved to Arlington in July last year so this is how I know! Good luck!

nytraveler

You might look for new developments being built - or rehabbed - they often provide special benefits - perhaps first month free.

girlonthego

Another suggestion would be to look to live near the Metro system. I do not know where you are working, but commuting in that area is horrendous. Rents are higher near the metro, but well worth it if you can take the train to work. I also don't know what age range you are in? The Arlington area is young (20s and 30s). My daughter lives in Ballston and it is an easy commute downtown DC or west into Tysons area. The area of Clarendon is a big hang out for young people with night life, pubs and such. Other areas are Virginia Square or Courthouse on the metro system in Arlington.

mrwunrfl

Just ask.

Just assume that you can get a rent concession or free month's rent anywhere, anytime, on a one year's lease. Even if it is not advertised. If you call and ask and they say no, but you are still interested in living there, then go and ask again when you are talking to the agent, especially after the conversation about your move establishes the fact that you are well qualified. Ask even if you are not well qualified. Ask again if/when you renew your lease a year later.

Ackislander

But it isn't like Chicago, for example, where a relative got two free months rent each of his two years at the University of Chicago. They only had to move a few blocks to get the concession.

Dukey1

I think you need to remember exactly where you are talking about. This is an area where people have high salaries in many instances and there can be an extreme degree of competition for various properties, especially close to Metro stations.

It might behoove you to at least consider using some kind of an agent but that's up to you. I would not count on getting any sort of "concession" either. Be nice if you did but an agent could tell you the likelihood of that.

sallytakemyhand

A lot of people will be moving in January to Washington because of the election. Not sure if you can get any type of deal.

NewbE

There are enough garden apartment complexes near Alexandria that there might be some rent specials offered. These won't be walking distance to a Metro station, but they will be on a bus line to the Metro, and for a break on rent, that would be OK, I would imagine.

Yes, early 2017 will be busy because a new administration will be moving in, literally, but I'd still say that February would be the best month to look for deals.

J62

A lot of people will be moving in January out of Washington because of the election. Maybe you can get a good deal.

rtb649

Thanks for all the great information...

IMDonehere

The best time to move is when the rent is due.