Rent Now or Later?

My wife and I will be coming down to lakeside next February for a 2-3 month stay, hopefully in Ajijic.  I'm trying to figure out whether it is better to rent now, or when we get there.

If we rent now, the inventory is high and the selection is good, but I'll be renting the property (apt., casita, small house) sight unseen.  Pictures can be deceiving.  Anyway, the agents might be reluctant to rent now and instead try to hold out for a longer term rental from someone else.  

If we rent later, the choices will be greatly diminished, but we can at least see the properties for ourselves.

What do you think?

I think you answered your own question Coffee person. The choice short term properties will be gone. You are arriving end of prime time snowbird season. You are also short term. Good Luck!

The biggest surprise ( shock ) I found the few times I rented... wuz the Quaint Furniture...
Similar to a Rack from The Spanish Inquisition....  

There is so much inventory and a lot fewer snowbirds that spending 3 months rent to hold something.... Doesn't make economic sense.

It is hard to believe you will not find something in February. I would take a chance and rent something I can check out in an area I like.Live dangerously and wait.

Book a b&b for a week in advance. From there it will be easier to find a short term rental. Many real estate offices that deal in rentals want to see you face to face before they will work with you. It can be difficult to get them to return your emails when you are NOB. You will need to contact each RE office individually as there is not a central source for rentals here. Good luck

We booked places, months in advance, for years, prior to moving here. Never had a problem or a major disappointment. In most cases the place was as good or better than advertised. No way I would show up here and waste precious days or weeks looking for a short term rental. YMMV.