Here at work, when people's leases are up we only need a 30 day notice from them to say that they're going to be moving out. So when people come in June looking for August apartments, I'm not going to know what exact apartments I'm going to have until about 45 days out from their move in day (30 day notice + 2 wks to prep the apartment). So we sort it out by having the reservation list.

People write down their prefered floor plans and as it gets closer to their move in date, we offer them on a first-come-first-serve basis. As I explain to the people well in advance, when we call they will not be able to see their apartment ahead of time since the current resident will still be living in it.

Some people get on the reservation list for very specific apartments that we have very few of, so just in case, we always like to make sure to offer them other apartments just to make sure that, in case something doesn't come available, we have at least offered them something.

I had some people that wanted a relatively rare apartment on the 2nd floor. So last month I offered them a 2nd floor that was their third choice. They opted to wait for another offer. I offered them a 2nd floor that was their second choice. They opted to wait for another offer.

And now, their third offer, I found them their first choice. They've seen the floor plan, they know the size, and for getting on the reservation list we're reducing their rent by $75 per month for as many years as they stay here (aka over $900 a year). Also have I mentioned it's their first choice?

They're considering not taking it because the largest window faces northwest and they wanted something facing south.