Spring marks a significant turning point in the rental market. As April and May unfold, real estate agents have a unique opportunity to capitalize on rising rental demand, close faster-moving deals, and establish relationships that can lead to future home sales.
With affordability challenges and high interest rates still hindering many buyers, rentals have become a crucial part of a modern agent’s business strategy.
Here’s the reality: In 2023, the typical agent closed just 10 transactions, down from 12 in 2022, as home sales dropped to their lowest levels in nearly three decades.
As we move through 2025, agents are still facing tight inventory and longer sales cycles. Rentals provide a steady stream of income and an opportunity to expand your client base. If you’re not actively working rentals, you’re leaving money and future buyers on the table.
Let’s take a closer look at five rental trends driving opportunity this spring.
Rental activity surges in spring as families prepare for summer moves and lease cycles reset. According to RentCafe, online searches and applications increased sharply in April, resulting in a faster pace of leasing activity.
What this means for agents:
More demand means more opportunities to close rental deals fast and generate new leads.
Apartment List’s April 2024 report shows a national rent increase of 0.6% month-over-month, with more growth expected through the summer.
Why it matters:
Renters are motivated to act before prices go higher, while landlords need help pricing competitively and filling vacancies quickly.
In college towns and urban areas, April and May are high-turnover months. Over 4 million students graduate each spring, fueling fresh rental demand.
Agent tip:
Recent grads often become long-term clients. Help them find rentals now and position yourself as their go-to resource when they’re ready to buy.
Zillow reports that 60% of renters secure their next home 30–60 days before move-in. Most renters searching now are looking for June or July occupancy.
Why this matters:
Spring is not the time to wait; it’s the time to act. Agents and landlords should be active now to avoid missing high-intent renters.
As the weather improves, so does foot traffic and showing volume. TransUnion SmartMove data shows application volume steadily climbing from May through September.
Pro tip:
Make listings shine with great photos and streamline the application process with tools like Apply Now to speed up conversions.
With home sales down, rentals are a strategic growth opportunity.
Don’t overlook rentals this spring. They offer consistent income, new client connections, and the chance to build lasting relationships in a changing market. The agents who win in 2025 are those who seize every opportunity, including rentals.
Want to make rentals easier?
Rental Beast gives you access to verified listings, lead generation tools, and Apply Now to help you close faster.
