Finding your next rental is not always a simple task. The process is stressful, and there are often too many options to consider. You are probably lost and confused, and may not be sure where to start. That is entirely normal; even the best of us experience it. It is surely hard to try to find a rental that you want to move into and can also afford. It can feel much more intimidating if you have no prior experience moving from one rental to another.
Moving into a rental house, on the other hand, does not have to be such an impossible mission. Fortunately, with appropriate planning, you will be able to better manage the moving process. Before you walk down the rabbit hole, we have prepared a list of some helpful tips to help you find your next rental. You may find them absolutely useless, or they may simply save you a lot of hassle.
Start Early Enough
You should start looking at rental options 60 days before you want to move in. You want to do that early so that you have a better chance of obtaining a better rental. The better the rental, the faster it is off the market. This means you should keep an eye out for the time when these properties become available.
When you give yourself a two-month opportunity to hunt for a rental property, you give yourself time to examine your options. This is a better strategy than renting the first property you come across and being stuck with a place you do not want. You will also be able to make an informed decision regarding the price. If you are pressed for time, you will have to compromise the property’s value or how much you can afford. The best thing you can do is wait sixty days before moving into a rental property.
Determine Your Priorities and Budget
With each move, the same factors resurface; closeness to work, desirable school district, safe area, and distance to local shopping and services. A little research will go a long way toward setting realistic expectations. It does not take long to get a sense of the cost of living and a realistic idea of how far your expenses will reach. You can prioritize your finances by keeping your BHA (Basic Housing Allowance) in mind.
Do you want to save money or spend it out of your pocket? The answer will assist you in setting a budget to help you limit your house-hunting search. While your BHA is a great place to start with your budget, it is critical to review other aspects of your finances. Be realistic about your financial goals, such as paying off any potential debt, saving for retirement, or even putting money aside for your children’s education funds. After you have completed this step, you can narrow your search and look for properties that are within your budget.
Find Listings Online
Literally, the internet is your best buddy. It has everything, including the perfect rental home at the perfect price. Luckily, there are various online tools and search engines designed exclusively for rental listings. One of the most popular ways to start looking for a rental is to use online sources. You should use search engines such as Apartments.com, Zillow, and others. These online tools help you get a sense of your available options, as well as the prices you may expect.
You should, however, be cautious of rental frauds. Remember that not all rental listings are truthful regarding the property or its present condition. (In that way, the internet is also your worst adversary.) You will need to undertake extensive study when looking for a rental property; we recommend that you conduct a background check on any rental house that catches your eye.
Do Some Investigation
Do you know anyone who lives in the area where you intend to move? If so, this person could serve as a reference for you. Ask about the neighborhood, rental costs, services, people, and any other relevant information. Getting information from people who have lived in a certain place can make your job a lot easier.
In case you do not know anyone in particular, you can contact the neighborhood association. Let’s say you are interested in more than one neighborhood, it would be a good idea to contact each one’s association for further information. They can assist you in finding a rental and provide you with any details you want about the area.
Get Help From a Professional
A real estate broker can usually help you find a rental property for free. However, it is crucial to choose one that specializes in rental properties rather than other industries such as property sales. This can be a terrific source for rental house-hunting advice, especially if you feel like you need some more help.
You do not want to work with the first broker you come across. Speak with many brokers to see which one is the best fit for you. Furthermore, not all brokers will have the same contacts. You might find one who can provide you with a lot more information on the types of rentals you’re looking for.
Professional assistance will provide you with an in-depth look at the renting industry that you may not be able to observe on your own. Real estate brokers understand the details of rental properties, making it easier for them to distinguish the genuine from the fake. Real estate brokers can also assist you in negotiating the price of your next rental home with your landlord, which is always helpful.
Keep an Eye Out for Scams
There are legitimate possibilities for your next rental home, but there are also scams that prey on those in need. In comparison to other online tools like Zillow, Craigslist is likely to have more scammers. However, there are scammers everywhere, so you should always watch out.
Do not give your personal information unless you are sure the rental property is legitimate. If something seems to be too good to be true, it most likely is. This is not the most ideal way of thinking, but it is the most practical one. And in instances like these, being practical is the best option.
There is nothing wrong with being careful when searching for your next rental property. After all, you will be living there. It would be a horrible shame if you spent all of your work and money on an inexpedient rental property.
If you are still unsure about the rental property, you can always do a background check and have an expert inspect it. Make sure to inspect the property for any damage. If you move in and find damage, you may be required to pay for it. Remember that this will soon be your home, therefore it is better to be safe than sorry in these situations.
Prepare Your Information
If you have found the perfect home and contacted the advertiser, the next step is to fill out a rental application. Most rental applications request information about your former residence, including addresses, dates of tenancy, landlord names, and work details.
You are not alone if you cannot recall your last address. Moving every few years tends to confuse the numbers, and zip codes can be tough to remember. Make a list of all of this information for future reference.
In addition, if you are in the military, the landlord will need to get a copy of your orders. Although this may sound overwhelming, many landlords will want orders to confirm that you are reporting for duty at the nearby installation— it is another way for landlords to preserve their investment.
Having these papers on hand shows the landlord how serious you are about renting the house. They may even offer you an advantage over other potential tenants.
Be Forthright and Honest
Be honest about any marks on your credit, bad references, or previous landlord experiences. Over time, honesty builds trust and leads to a stronger landlord/tenant relationship. The alternative is that your potential landlord finds out about these flaws on their own and does not allow you to explain, which is considerably worse.
Find a Roommate
If you split rent with a roommate, you will have additional options that are within your budget. However, if you want to consider this as a possibility, make sure you do it correctly. You should get two separate leases for the unit so that you are only responsible for your portion of the rent. If both of your names are on the lease and your roommate is not paying their rent on time, you will be required to cover the entire cost of rent, which will severely strain your budget.
If you have a close friend or someone you love in your life who you trust and who is in the same financial situation as you, you should think about moving in together. Having a roommate can be nice, and it will reduce your financial burden. Just remember to keep things professional when it comes to housing costs. This is necessary so that you do not have to suffer from the burden of the rent on your own.
Offer to Stay for Longer
Depending on where you want to live, you may need to distinguish yourself from other applicants in highly competitive markets. If you are in a competitive market, you can choose a longer lease period, which can affect a landlord’s decision. This is also useful if the lease expires during months with low move-in rates, such as November or December.
Longer leases, in other words, will make you sound more acceptable to a landlord. Most landlords prefer renters who stay in a rental home for an extended period of time. This is something you should think about when hunting for your next rental.
Read the Lease Carefully
Since the lease outlines both the landlord’s and the tenant’s responsibilities, you should pay close attention to the lease agreement, no matter how tedious it may be. With this in mind, make sure that you understand all of the contract’s terms before signing it. It is totally ok to ask questions if something is not clear.
Conclusion
To summarize, finding a rental home can be a difficult task. However, it is not an impossible mission. When looking for a rental property, the first thing you should do is wait sixty days before moving in. The two-month waiting time will allow you to thoroughly search for rental houses without feeling rushed. We recommend that you use online resources to assist you in your search for a rental property.
You should think about talking to a professional broker during the process of choosing your next rental property. A real estate broker will be able to find what you are looking for in a timely and efficient manner, saving you both time and money. Also, do not forget to read the lease carefully to better understand your responsibilities and rights.
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