The Last Winter Move: Why February Is Your Final Chance at a Decent Deal

Real talk: If you're thinking about moving in the next 60 days, you need to move NOW.

Not "soon." Not "spring." Now. Like, this week. Because in exactly 30 days, landlords are going to wake up, realize it's March, and start pricing like you're desperate. (You might be, but they don't need to know that.)

Here's the Math

Right now, in late February, landlords are in "winter mode." Apartment turnover is slow. They're not getting 40 calls a day from people who "just HAVE to move in April." They're sitting on empty units thinking, "Yeah, I'll take $1,400 for that 1-bedroom instead of $1,600."

In March? The market flips. Spring moving season officially starts. Every college student, every young professional, every person who "planned ahead" (lol) starts touring apartments. Landlords go from "okay, let's negotiate" to "I have 15 other applications by Friday."

By April, you're competing against 200 people for the same unit. By May, your rent is $300 higher than what someone locked in during February.

This is not a theory. This is market mechanics.

The "Spring Deal" Myth

You've probably heard that spring is a good time to negotiate. "Landlords will offer you a free month!" "You can get a discount!"

Here's the part they don't tell you: That advice is from 2014. It might work if you're moving to a rural area in Montana where there are literally more apartments than people. But if you're in literally any city? Spring is when landlords raise prices, not lower them.

The FREE MONTH offer you're hearing about? That's what happens when a landlord has had an empty unit for 90 days and is desperate. You're not going to be that lucky in March. You're going to be one of 50 applicants, and the landlord is going to take the person with the highest credit score and move on.

What Changes in 30 Days

Right now (late February):

• Landlords are willing to negotiate move-in costs
• You have actual leverage because they don't have 40 backup applicants
• Application fees are lower (some buildings waive them)
• You might actually get a response to your inquiry within 24 hours
• The unit you want is probably still available

In 30 days (late March):

• Move-in costs are locked in. No negotiation.
• Your leverage is gone. They have 15 other applications.
• Application fees are full price, and they're charging $75 per person
• Your inquiry gets a response in 3-5 business days (if you're lucky)
• That unit you liked? Gone. Rented to someone who toured it last week.

This is not gatekeeping. This is just how it works.

The Actual Numbers

I pulled some data from the major moving companies and rental platforms. Here's what the trend looks like:

• February average rent (major metros): $1,485 for a 1-bedroom
• March average rent: $1,650 for the same unit (11% increase)
• April/May average rent: $1,795+ (21% increase from February)

That's the difference between locking in a $1,400 rent in February and paying $1,700 in April for the same square footage.

Over a year, that's $3,600. Over two years, it's $7,200.

Future You is going to be VERY angry at Present You if you wait.

But I'm Not Ready to Move Yet

Okay, I get it. Your current lease doesn't end until June. You're not sure where you want to live. You want to "see what the market looks like."

Here's the move: Start looking NOW. Tour apartments this week. Get applications in. Lock in a price. THEN figure out the logistics of breaking your current lease or negotiating an early move-in.

Breaking a lease early usually costs 1-2 months' rent. If you can lock in a $300/month savings by moving now instead of April, you're already ahead.

Plus, landlords are WAY more flexible about move-in dates right now. "Can I move in March 15th instead of March 1st?" In February, they say yes. In April, they say "Take it or leave it."

The Checklist (Do This This Week)

If you're even THINKING about moving in the next 90 days:

1. Start touring this week. Not next week. This week. Get a feel for what's available and what prices actually are (not what websites say they are).
2. Get your application materials ready. Proof of income, references, ID. If you're applying, be ready to submit immediately.
3. Check your credit score. Not for vanity—for strategy. If it's lower than you think, you might need to negotiate on the move-in cost.
4. Ask about move-in specials. "Waived application fee," "50% off first month," "Free month." These exist RIGHT NOW. They won't in March.
5. Take photos and notes. (You already know this from the Before Photo Audit post, but seriously—document everything.)
6. If you find something good, apply immediately. Don't "think about it." Don't "check with your roommate." Apply. Lock it in. You can back out later if you need to.

The Real Talk Part

I know this sounds urgent and stressful. It is. Moving is stressful. But here's the thing: The stress of moving in February is WAY less than the stress of moving in April when you're competing against 200 other people and paying $300 more per month.

February stress = "I need to find an apartment and move quickly."

April stress = "I need to find an apartment, move quickly, AND pay $3,600 more per year for the privilege."

Pick your stress.

Also: If you're reading this in March, April, or May—this advice doesn't help you anymore. You're already in the thick of it. But you can still negotiate. You can still ask for concessions. You can still find a decent place. It's just going to cost you more, and you're going to have fewer options. So if you're in that position, read my other posts on "How to Negotiate Your Lease" and "The Roommate Situation" to make the best of it.

Go Do This Now

Seriously. Close this post. Open your phone. Go to Zillow, Apartments.com, or your local Facebook housing group. Start looking. Send three inquiries. That's it. That's the whole task.

Future You will thank Present You when you're locked into a $1,400 rent instead of a $1,700 one.

You've got this. Go drink some water. And then go find your apartment.