Baylor Student Leasing Timeline

The most common concern among Baylor students at this time of year is what to make of the perceived rush to find housing for the 2008-2009 Baylor school year. "They're looking for housing eight months in advance!?!," I often hear from those unfamiliar with the upside-down world of Baylor.

January has long been considered the peak leasing month around Waco. Managers often evaluate their leasing progress at the end of this crucial month and begin crafting incentives to guarantee they won't be left with costly vacant units many months down the road.

My best advice to Baylor students is to do some early research into what housing is most appealing and which properties are fitting. This will be the largest factor in determining your leasing time frame. If one of the trendy "lifestyle" properties is your top choice, waiting until even the end of January could be too late. However, there are many properties,, mostly on the lower end of the price scale, that will not book up until June or July.

This is, of course, a rule of thumb; sign a lease as soon as you are comfortable with every facet of your leasing package. Being smart and performing due diligence prior to committing to a lease goes a long way toward ensuring a smooth Baylor living situation.