House-hunting doesn’t just mean looking for your forever home. All renters know that finding the right property requires just as much research as looking for a house to buy. Uncovering an affordable property with the right attributes in a good area can be worse than finding a needle in a haystack.
However, with these three tips, you can shorten your search length and find affordable rental homes in your area more easily.
#1 Know What You Want
Just searching every property will take forever and cause house hunter’s burnout. Make sure you have a list so you can narrow down your options, including:
- How many bedrooms you need
- If you want a yard or garden, or features like a driveway
- What nearby amenities it must have, e.g., schools or transport links
Use these priorities to filter out properties that are no good.
#2 Start Your Search Early
The rental market is highly competitive so always start your search as soon as you know you need a property. If you wait, someone else will snap up the bargains in your chosen area.
#3 Talk to People in the Area
Local, neighbors-to-be, and even your friends and family may know of properties for rent that you can’t find online. They might even be able to put you directly in touch with landlords or agents. You can also use online resources to find out more about the rental market in a particular area.
Key Takeaways:
- Identify your priorities – schools, number of bedrooms, etc. – and establish a budget.
- The market for rental homes is competitive, so start searching early.
- In addition to talking to friends and neighbors, use online resources such as Zillow and RentMLS.com.
“You want to begin your search as soon as you know you will be moving. Finding the perfect rental home can take some time, but it can also be quite competitive in this market.”