<p>I am planning on moving off campus with 3 of my buddies for the fall 2012 semester. When should I sign a lease by? We wanted to by Christmas break, but my parents want to wait and look over the break. Is it smart to wait? Are we going to lose our chance to get a decent place at a good price?</p>
<p>I think it’s smart to at least start looking over the break… I signed my lease a few days after January 1st. I know people that didn’t really start looking until well into the spring, though. One of my friends didn’t even start looking for a place until May and she still had quite a lot of wiggle room (not that I’d advise that, especially with 4 people). Message being - don’t worry about it, just take your time, look around and once you find a place all of you like, sign the lease.</p>
<p>Around may, a lot of the places will have higher prices but they’ll also be giving out gift cards so it comes out pretty even. The only thing is if you want a certain floor or view, the earlier the more likely you’ll get it.</p>
<p>The past two years I did it in February. But one of my friends waited until July 20something before and still got an apartment at a good price. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t rush but I wouldn’t wait super late either since it’s harder to find somewhere for three people in comparison to just looking for a place for yourself. But yeah I suggest you look at places and go there in person, especially if you’re looking at apartments/houses that aren’t the main west campus ones.</p>