For landlords in Buffalo over the recent past, leasing had been pretty simple: A good unit with a competitive price would be scooped up quickly.
In recent months, leasing your apartment might have gotten more difficult. That’s not a problem that’s unique to Buffalo, either — nationally, the average for the time a vacant unit spends on market is the highest it’s been (41 days, in April 2025, according to a ShowMojo report) since 2019. Simultaneously, the average number of leads per on-market period is at an extremely low level.
By going back to basics — and not compromising on rental criteria — it’s possible to adapt to this changing market and get your apartment rented to a good tenant.
Ensure a Move-In Ready Unit
Before you start showing a unit, make sure it is move-in ready — meaning that repairs and upgrades have been made to ensure that the unit is in good condition, both cosmetically and functionally.
Don’t Compromise Your Standards
While the pressure to fill units as fast as possible can be very strong — especially in the current environment — sticking to the rental criteria and standards that have worked for you in the past is important. Cutting corners and making exceptions (for example, by accepting a lower credit score to fill a vacancy) can result in tenants that aren’t reliable or aren’t a good fit, leaving you facing a lengthy and difficult eviction proceeding — and a unit that’s vacant again.
Be Strategic With Your Listing
Property owners should list their unit where it’s going to get the most visibility. In our experience, over 90% of our prospects come from Zillow, Trulia or HotPads. However you market your unit, make sure you’re using those tools.
Listing your unit for the appropriate price, too, is critical. Not pricing your unit well from the beginning can hurt you in the long run: The data show that when a unit’s price is reduced, it tends to spend much longer on the market — right now, over 60 days — compared to units with no price reduction.
Final Thoughts
Rents have been rising consistently over the last few years. But those increases are starting to flatten — and, in some cases, reverse — in metro areas around the country. This June, Redfin reported falling asking rents in 28 out of 44 major U.S. metro areas, including Austin, Minneapolis, Columbus, Nashville, and Portland. It’s important to consider these changing market conditions when you set a price for your rental to avoid longer vacancy periods.
In summary: Be patient, and be confident in your pricing and your unit’s quality. If you can list a well-maintained unit and stick to your tried-and-true rental criteria, you can minimize your days spent on-market and find the right prospect, even in today’s challenging environment.
