I mean, then they bring out the 2-month deals. I used to live in a luxury 25+ story apartment tower in Seattle area in 2010, with a big pool, full size gym and

I mean, then they bring out the 2-month deals. I used to live in a luxury 25+ story apartment tower in Seattle area in 2010, with a big pool, full size gym and everything. It was... less than full, so I paid like $1.1k for a large 1br with views, after you account for first 2 months free (not accounting for free parking, normally that was extra too). IIRC they extended the deal too until 2012 when the building started to fill up and they didn't need it anymore. I think the only reasons they need to resort to such gimmicks instead of just dropping rent are the above accounting considerations and limits on rent hikes (not extending the deal increases the rent without increasing the rent)... the end result is still low rent thanks to market forces.