I’ve been through this before. Back in 2008–2010, when the market was wobbling and nobody knew what tomorrow would look like, I had rentals sitting longer than usual. Now here we are again—same story, different year.
This time, I’ve got about 30 vacancies out of nearly 300 rentals across Florida. That’s higher than I’d like, but not a disaster. It just means it’s time to shift gears.
If you’re a landlord in Florida right now and your properties are sitting longer, I get it. Things feel slower. Tenants are taking their sweet time deciding. Applications come in, but move-in dates drag. Even well-priced, updated units aren’t flying off the market like they did a couple of years ago.
So what do you do when that happens?
You get creative. You go back to fundamentals. You do what worked in the tougher markets—what I did in 2008–2010—and it still works today.
Below are 20 proven, Florida-tested strategies I’m using right now to rent properties faster in this slower environment. Some are simple, some are old-school, but together they work.
1. Refresh Your Listing Photos
Bad photos kill deals before they start.
If your listing photos look like they were taken through a potato in 2012, tenants are swiping right past you.
Use bright daylight shots. Open the blinds. Turn on every light. Make the place feel alive.
If you don’t want to hire a pro, grab your phone, clean the lens, and use the wide-angle setting.
One quick refresh can make your property look $200 more valuable a month.
2. Update the Listing Description
Most landlords copy-paste the same tired text over and over. “Beautiful 3-bedroom home in great location.” Yeah… so does everyone else.
Write like you’re talking to someone. Mention the good stuff.
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“5 minutes to Publix”
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“Brand new AC”
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“Pet-friendly backyard with privacy fence”
In Florida, renters care about AC, laundry hookups, and parking more than granite countertops. Speak their language.
3. Price Right (and Adjust Weekly)
If the phone’s not ringing, it’s not the market—it’s your price.
You can’t win the rent war by being stubborn. I’d rather rent fast and adjust later than lose two months of rent waiting for perfection.
In slow markets, momentum matters more than margin. Once you fill the unit, the cash flow keeps rolling.
4. Offer Move-In Incentives
A small incentive can do wonders.
Try half off the first month, a $200 gift card, or free Wi-Fi for 30 days.
You’d be amazed how a $100 perk can get someone to move today instead of next week.
Incentives don’t mean you’re desperate—they show you’re flexible, and tenants like that.
5. Use Yard Signs (Yes, Still)
It’s old-school, but it works.
Some of my best tenants came from a simple “For Rent” sign in front of the property. Especially in Florida neighborhoods where people drive around looking.
If your HOA allows it, use it. It’s the cheapest 24-hour marketing you’ll ever have.
6. Team Up With Your Property Manager
I don’t just hand listings off to my PM and hope for the best. We team up.
While my property manager handles showings and paperwork, I’m out there hustling the marketing side—sharing listings, networking, boosting exposure.
We’ve learned that collaboration beats delegation in a slow market. The more eyes on your rentals, the better.
7. Advertise on Facebook Marketplace & Local Groups
I’ve closed more leases through Facebook than through some listing platforms.
Post in local groups like “Tampa Rentals,” “Orlando Houses for Rent,” or “Jacksonville Housing Market.” Include rent, deposit, move-in date, and 4–5 clean photos.
Refresh your post every few days to keep it visible. It’s free marketing that reaches locals fast.
8. List on Multiple Platforms
Don’t stop at Zillow or Apartments.com. Add Rent.com, Trulia, and HotPads.
Tenants shop around. Cross-posting multiplies your exposure. It takes 10 minutes more but can save you weeks of vacancy.
9. Encourage Virtual Tours
Record a simple walk-through video on your phone. No editing, no music—just show the place.
Out-of-town tenants love it. Snowbirds, nurses, and remote workers often rent sight unseen if they can trust what they’re seeing.
It also cuts down on wasted showings with “just curious” renters.
10. Respond Fast
Speed is everything. If a lead messages you at noon and you reply at 4 p.m., they’ve already booked a showing with someone else.
Set up alerts, respond within the hour, and always include next steps (“Want to see it today or tomorrow?”).
Fast response = more leases.
11. Prequalify Without Scaring Them Off
You want good tenants, but don’t turn into a robot.
Ask easy questions:
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“When are you looking to move?”
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“Any pets?”
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“How many people total?”
Keep it friendly. The goal is to filter without losing momentum.
12. Highlight Pet Friendliness
If you allow pets, shout it from the rooftop. Pet-friendly properties rent up to twice as fast in Florida.
Charge a pet fee or small monthly pet rent to offset wear and tear. It’s a win-win.
13. Service Your AC Units
Florida renters don’t play about AC. If it’s not ice-cold, expect complaints—or move-outs.
Before showing a unit, clean the coils, change filters, and make sure it blows cold. Mention it in the listing (“Freshly serviced AC”).
You’d be surprised how that one line attracts renters faster than “stainless steel appliances.”
14. Improve Curb Appeal
First impressions sell leases. Trim trees, pressure wash driveways, throw in fresh mulch.
If the property looks clean from the outside, tenants assume the inside is cared for too.
It’s psychology—and it works.
15. Offer Flexible Lease Terms
A 6-month or 18-month lease can open your pool of applicants.
Some tenants are relocating, others testing a neighborhood. Flexibility makes your property more attractive without hurting long-term performance.
16. Partner With Local Employers
Reach out to HR departments at hospitals, schools, and big local employers.
Many have relocation programs and keep lists of trusted landlords. That one email could land you steady, reliable tenants year-round.
17. Target Snowbirds and Seasonal Renters
Don’t overlook the seasonal crowd.
A lot of Florida snowbirds are transitioning to longer stays or year-round rentals. List on seasonal sites like Furnished Finder or even Airbnb (for longer stays).
Capture that audience—they’re usually excellent tenants.
18. Include a Utility or Lawn Service
Including water, trash, or lawn care makes your listing pop.
Tenants love simple, predictable bills. You can bake the cost into rent and still look like a better deal.
19. Follow Up After Every Showing
Most landlords show the property, then cross their fingers.
Instead, text the same day: “Hey, just checking in—would you like to move forward with an application?”
That follow-up alone closes 20–30% more deals in my experience.
20. Leverage Word of Mouth
Never underestimate your network. Tell your current tenants, maintenance crew, and friends you’ve got openings.
Offer a $100 referral bonus if they send someone who signs a lease. It’s cheaper than another week of vacancy.
Florida Market Reality: What’s Really Happening
Right now, Florida’s market feels soft—but it’s not collapsing. What’s happening is a slower tenant decision cycle. People are moving less, applying slower, and shopping harder.
That doesn’t mean you slash rents or panic. It means you outwork the competition.
The landlords who sit back and wait will be the ones complaining about “lazy tenants.” The ones who adapt will be filling units while others stay empty.
My 2008–2010 Playbook Still Works in 2025
When the 2008 crash hit, I was managing properties through one of the worst rental markets Florida had ever seen. I learned that when things slow down, you go back to fundamentals.
That’s what I’m doing now—same strategies, just updated tools.
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Back then, it was newspaper ads and signs.
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Now it’s Facebook Marketplace and videos.
But the principle hasn’t changed: you stay active. You can’t rent a property nobody knows about.
If you treat each vacant unit like it’s your only one, it’ll move faster.
Practical Takeaways
Here’s a quick recap of the most effective moves right now:
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Re-shoot your listing photos in good light.
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Write listings like a conversation, not a template.
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Drop the rent slightly if needed—it’s cheaper than a long vacancy.
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Use Facebook Marketplace and yard signs together.
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Collaborate with your property manager instead of waiting.
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Respond to leads fast.
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Follow up after every showing.
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Offer move-in perks or flexible terms.
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Keep AC and curb appeal on point.
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Never stop marketing—momentum fills units.
Florida’s rental market isn’t broken—it’s just shifting. Renters have more options, and that means you need to stand out.
I’ve been doing this over 20 years, and the lesson is always the same: when things get slow, work smarter, not lazier. Adjust, adapt, and keep the momentum going.
Your vacancies won’t stay empty for long if you stay consistent.
Keep it consistent, stay patient, stay true—if I did it, so can you.
This is Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group and all our amazing companies, and Coach at Property Profit Academy.
Thanks for tuning in—until the next article, take care and keep building!
If you’d like to connect directly with me, feel free to book a time here: https://graystoneig.com/ceo
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