5 ways to find apartments for rent
Finding the right apartment or house to rent can be difficult and stressful. You can compete with many others for a quality unit in a prime location.
The secret, real estate brokers say, is planning ahead. Tenants will often wait until the last minute to find another apartment. However, when renters are in a hurry, they tend to rent apartments that they don’t really want.
Here are some tips for finding the best rental homes and apartments in your area.
1. Start your search 60 days before your move
The best rentals, in terms of price, location and amenities, rent at the beginning of the month, so don’t wait until half a month to find a new place to live, Macon says. It’s best to start looking 60 days before you need to move, especially if you are looking for a rental property where not as much is available.
The second and third weekends of the month tend to be the busiest. If you start your search on the first weekend of the month, there will be less competition and the best properties will still be available.
2. Search for rental listings online
About 90% of tenants will start looking for apartments on the web. Searching online is a good way to start your search. You can get an idea of the prices and the amenities of the apartment. However, if you move to a new city, apartment rental sites won’t tell you enough about each other’s neighborhoods and local amenities, such as public transportation or grocery stores.
3. Use a real estate broker
In most cases, real estate brokers are available to help tenants find properties for free. The key is to find a broker who specializes in rental properties, not home sales.
If you are looking in areas where there is generally strong competition for apartments, you will want to speak with several real estate agents before committing to one because different agents have different relationships with different buildings. Be sure to speak with an agent who has access to apartment buildings in the neighborhoods where you want to rent.
4. Don’t be fooled by scams
Be aware of online scams, particularly ads on Craigslist that require you to provide your credit card to pay a deposit fee to show you the apartment. No one should require a deposit to show you an apartment.
Also, be careful if you rent an apartment directly from a private person because they will give a total stranger your social security number and bank account information, and they will likely run a credit check on you. It is safer to work with a licensed, bonded real estate broker.
5. Consider roommates
If you are considering sharing an apartment, make sure you know who your roommates will be and consider asking the landlord for separate leases. If you have a joint lease and the rent is $ 2,000 a month, you’re responsible for the full amount if your roommates don’t pay their share, Macon says. But if you have a separate lease, you are only responsible for your share of the rent.
Don’t be afraid to ask for references if you don’t know your roommates. You can also use social networks (LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook) to find out more about them.