Lease It Forward: Peak Leasing Season Has Already Begun

We’re a little over one month into 2021 and peak leasing season is beginning earlier than ever before! Did you know that more than 40 percent of renters delayed their moves last year? That means four million additional leases will be signed before spring. Renters are turning to Apartments.com more than any other source to find their new homes. The rental market is hot now, and the reasons people are moving, how they’re searching, and where they’re looking have changed. 

Your marketing plan needs to change just as quickly to capitalize on and adapt to these new dynamics. It’s more important than ever to reach the most renters, use the right imagery and tools to engage prospects remotely, market your best features correctly, and generate the highest quality leads to fill your vacancies.

Apartments.com can help make 2021 your community’s best year ever. Here’s how.

Capitalize on renter demand by reaching the most renters

Make sure your community is seen on the platform that renters turn to more than any other. The Apartments.com Network generated 1 billion renter visits in 2020, up 30 percent, and quality leads were up 36 percent. According to Anyone Home data, Apartments.com leads turn into leases two times more than any other site. 

Showcase your community virtually

With the flexibility offered by remote work, among other factors, more renters are searching beyond their local markets, so having a national marketing footprint is more important than ever before. In fact, 40 percent of Apartments.com searches are being conducted outside of the market in which the searcher currently lives. Renters engaging virtually with a community is the new normal, and according to Daryl Smith, senior vice president & chief marketing officer of Kettler, “83 percent of our customers want to self-serve.” Apartments.com has the tools you need to engage renters virtually: They can select apartments without ever leaving home via stunning virtual tours, HD video, hi-resolution photos, and a completely reimagined renter search experience.

Supercharge your digital marketing

Apartments.com can also fast-track your digital marketing. “I know that my ads are working for me even when I’m not working,” says Kate Good, partner & senior vice president of Hunington Properties. Apartments.com’s 2021 marketing plan delivers its second year of record investment, with 10 billion media impressions, 20,000 TV commercials, two times more streaming audio and video, community ads placed on Facebook, Instagram, and thousands of popular websites, and so much more to connect communities with in-market renters. 

Win in your local market

Apartments.com brings you the latest and most accurate insights on renter search behavior, industry trends, and competitive local market activity to increase your net operating income. “We trust Apartments.com to provide best-in-industry market data,” says Amber Huntley-Ruiz, vice president of Marketing at The Wolff Co.

Armed with robust local renter demographics and search behavior data, Apartments.com can help you market your community with what matters to renters. Additionally, you’ll gain insight into the competition as well as access to over 50 CoStar Market Analysts to guide you on local trends and their impact in your local market.

Whether you’re a leasing season veteran or just ramping up, Apartments.com has everything you need to take advantage of 2021’s peak leasing season. By investing record levels into marketing and innovations to capitalize on pent-up demand, Apartments.com is ready to help you maximize your digital presence for more exposure, leads, and leases at the greatest value.