Managing yourself or w/PM? Properties are near you or long distance?
My vacancy is <5% long distance with a property manager when I stay on them. If I was managing myself, this would be <2%.
*This is for a stabilized portfolio. The first couple of years getting everything ironed out skew the data, especially when doing full gut rehabs.
**I don't know of a good online resource. I would contact a few local property managers and see what their renters list is and what their feedback is on demand. I have (3) PMs across (2) very different economic driven states and all have lists of renters waiting on properties in decent areas and school districts.
I find most of my vacancy stems not from lack of renters but the lack of urgency during turnovers, when one tenant moves out, water/utilities need to be transferred, inspection done, clean-up, paint touch-up, minor repairs, list and then showings. That's where the bulk of the vacancy comes, especially when PMs are involved. When managing yourself, barring major repairs or renovations, you can sequence everything so that there is almost 0 downtime.