Searching for a Home
Save time.....do your homework before you leave home and COME PREPARED with your financial/current and past landlord information and your CHECKBOOK......
✔ The majority of the area’s property managers and landlords post their rental properties on the web. Start your search on line and become familiar with the area’s neighborhoods...
✔ Be careful of using “migration” web sites like Trulia and Zillow....those listings are incomplete and you should go to the property managers’ actual web sites for information on their viewing and application process.
✔ 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, be careful with using your GPS...we have many new subdivisions and roads that may not appear....a Google or good mapping app may be a better tool.
✔ 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.
GOOD LUCK!!!