Save time.....do your homework before you leave home......
Finding your new Central Virginia rental home is NOW easier than
ever before......
The majority of the area’s property managers and Realtors post their rental
properties on the web. Start your search on line and become familiar with the
area’s neighborhoods...
Have a good idea of your price range * upper/lower end and be able to answer
the following questions when calling for property information
Rental price range.....
Length of lease(min 12 mo is the norm)....
Pets........what kind and how many
Smoking...YES/NO....
Occupancy date.........................
Special needs....1st floor BR, storage, garage, etc.
Most landlords and managers don't want to bother current residents with
weekend property showings. You should schedule any trip to the area during the
week and allow at least 3 full days to become familiar with the rental market,
schools and distances from schools and work.
Once you get to the area, get a county map. These are usually available from
a drug or grocery store. Then, start driving through areas that contain homes
that may be of interest to you. You can also plot distances online using Expedia
or Yahoo mapping options.
If you use a cel phone from your home area as your contact number, be sure
to give your full telephone number including the area code so that your call may
be returned. If you are staying at a local motel/hotel, you should make
appointment/inquiry calls from your cel phone so that return contact is not
delayed through your motel/hotel switchboard.
Once you find a rental home suitable to your needs, don’t keep looking.
Rental properties in the area are getting scarce and thinking that you have time
to look for a “better home” may mean you loose the one that is best suited to
your needs.
