Looking Back at Q3 and Preparing for Q4 and Beyond

As we step into the fourth quarter of 2023, it's time to take a look of what's happening in the world of leasing. We'll dig into some intriguing data that reveals a leasing market grappling with challenges and heading in unexpected directions. 

In real estate, the old adage "time is money" holds true. Right now, properties are spending more time on the market than they have in years. While it's true we've seen worse times, like the infamous 2008 housing crisis, the current scenario doesn't offer much comfort, especially when we remember how vibrant the market was in 2021. In August 2023, time on market was 26% longer than in the same month of 2022 and a staggering 40% longer than in August 2021. 

Another important metric is the number of leads generated per on-market period, and here's where things get interesting. In August 2023, there was a 10% drop in leads compared to the previous year and a significant 22% decrease compared to August 2021. The trend has been consistently downward since November 2022 when examining month-over-month year-over-year data. 

Now, let's address the elephant in the room. Rent reductions have hit an all-time high. In August 2023, rent reductions were a staggering 45% higher than in August 2022 and a whopping 88% higher than in August 2021. For a lot of property managers, we saw this coming a year ago and started preparing owners.

While we're not looking at a catastrophic scenario, it's essential to brace for a challenging winter and beyond. We anticipate at least nine more months of uncertain market conditions. Unlike the swift recovery seen in August 2019, the current situation is different. The pandemic-era stimulus has ended, household debt is soaring, interest rates are climbing, student loan payments are back in action, and competition is intensifying with short-term rentals and second homes returning to the long-term rental market.

Our advice? Let's get back to basics. Revisit tried-and-true leasing practices, make the most of automation, and focus on compelling marketing content, prompt responses to inquiries, and nurturing potential renters into committed lease signers.

Source: ShowMojo