With 36% of Americans renting, you'll face some competition when you're trying to land the perfect space. And with so many real estate listings to consider, finding the ideal home can seem daunting. What can you do to simplify the process?
Start by checking out this ultimate guide to finding the perfect rental!
Determine Your Priorities
Are you looking for a house within a certain commuting distance? Or do you need a specific number of bedrooms? Finding the perfect rental begins with understanding your non-negotiables in a home.
Make a list of your top priorities, plus areas where you're willing to be more flexible. You may want to be in a certain school district, for instance. But you might not be as concerned about whether the home has one or two stories.
Know your budgetary limits as well. While you may have saved money in your financial accounts, you don't want to overextend your resources.
Check Real Estate Listings
You'll want to gain some understanding of the local real estate market next. It can help to work with an agent who is knowledgeable at this juncture. They'll be able to highlight rentals in your price range or desired part of town.
You can look at listings online and filter them to narrow the criteria. You may be able to see floor plans, square footage, and other useful stats about the home. Check for professional pictures that give you a window into the home's interior.
Visit as many prospective rental options as you can, too. You want to see evidence that the home looks good and has been maintained well.
Look at the Rental Agreement
When you're committing to a property, be sure that you're dealing with favorable lease terms. You want to see the monthly rent amount in writing. You want to know about the penalties for making late payments as well as other key contractual details, such as what happens if you break a lease early.
Renting a house might require a long-term lease commitment, such as a year. Be certain that you want to stay in the property for the requested duration of time. Understand what it will take to renew the lease if you want to stay longer.
Make Your Move Quickly
Lastly, be prepared to move quickly. In a hot market with limited rental properties, you don't want to miss out on a good opportunity.
Plan on having your essential documents ready. This can include a completed rental application and evidence of your income, such as a tax form or payment stub. You may need to provide references as well.
You may even want to offer more than the requested security deposit amount. This can be a gesture that shows you're serious about the property and financially secure.
Land the Best Rental
Targeting the right houses when you're poring over real estate listings gets easier when you know what you want. Be clear on your non-negotiables in a rental home. Also, be clear on the lease agreement terms before signing on the dotted line.
If you're on the hunt for a Winston-Salem rental home, contact PMI of the Triad for help!
