Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
While owning your own home is said to be the American dream, there is a large segment of the population that prefers the freedom of renting. For them, no yard work, no repairs, and no tax payments means no problems. If you run with this crowd, the following four tricks can really help you to locate your affordable dream rental. Yes, you too can have a beautiful space, in a great neighborhood that is owned by a wonderful landlord. The secret is in how you go about searching for it. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Before Anything, Check With Your Network
It is always a great idea to run the idea of searching for a cool rental by your friends and online associates. Putting it out there on Facebook and other streams of social media can generate some unexpected leads from friend of friends, former co-workers, or distant relatives. You may even find that people you speak to everyday might have off-hand knowledge of a place right about to hit the market. Sometimes this insider information can help you to get in on the ground floor with the owners before they even list the property!
Don't Go It Alone, Ask a Realtor For Help
Not only are the majority of the apartments that a realtor would recommend fantastic properties, but most of them are listed with their agency because the landlords have a strict standard for their renters to meet. Through a realtor the property owners can ensure any prospective renter is serious (by charging an application fee) and they have the ability to screen for prior evictions, criminal records, and negative credit history. What does this mean to you? It's simple. You have an almost solid guarantee that you will be dealing with an attentive landlord, bordering well-mannered neighbors, and living in a safe area.
Dress appropriately and Keep All Showing Appointments
Apartments in the best neighborhoods are usually in high demand, so it is safe to say that you will be actively competing with other applicants for the same place. This is why you must think of the experience like a job interview. After all, no matter how impressive your resume is, if you come to an employment interview late and dressed like a slob, you may as well kiss the opportunity goodbye. On the same token, don't just tell your future landlord that you are responsible – show them.
Never Move During The Summer
It is not known widely, but summer is actually the peak season for moving. Since the warmer months are usually much busier for landlords, the better apartments in the nicest areas become quite scarce. Like you learned in high school economics class, when demand increases and supply is low, prices go through the roof. That is why waiting for a few months, or well into the winter, gives you the advantage of finding the same unit at a much more reasonable price, since there are so many more comparable units available.
By incorporating some of these simple tricks into your searching techniques, you will find the pad of your dreams. As always, don't forget to check the neighborhood for accessibility and safety and preview your potential apartment for any needed repairs before moving in. Good luck with your search and happy hunting!
About the author: Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For help finding a good realtor check out Florida Lifestyle Realty. Contact Brooke via Twitter.
