As apartment rentals have slowed across the country, landlords have added "sweeteners" to get more tenants interested in renting their properties. A CNN report from last week detailed how landlords in some of the nation’s largest metro areas are adding in extras to entice prospective renters – like free parking or discounts on rent. "They’re throwing in a bunch of deals and perks to sweeten the pot," Zillow.com senior economist Orphe Divounguy told CNN.
The outlet reported the number of landowners offering extra perks or discounts has risen as "apartment units are staying on the market for longer. Vacancy rates are rising. And rental growth is slowing." Real estate site Zillow recorded that the rate of rental listings offering these sweeteners has gone up nearly 10% in the last year – from 25.4% last July to 33.2% today. These deals are most prevalent in several major U.S.