Navigating the rental market can be confusing and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re looking for a rental home, an apartment, condo, or loft, these 7 tips can help send you in the right direction.
1. Start Your Search Online
A great place to start your search for a rental residence is online. You can head over to https://brphomes.com/rental to view reliable and up to date listings. Each of our online rentals are clearly listed with an address, photos, property and amenity details, and rental terms. You can even filter your search by price range, location, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, whether or not pets are allowed, and your desired move in date to narrow down your search to exactly what you’re looking for. When you find something you like, we’ve made it easy for you to request a showing and then apply online.
2. Prioritize Listings with Pictures
You can also expand your online search to social media or other websites. There will be hundreds of listings for you to sift through, so to save yourself time, focus on listings with pictures. Everyone has a cell phone these days, so a listing without any images is often a sign that there aren’t any good images of the property to post.
3. Beware Fake Photos
When browsing unverified and under-regulated websites like Facebook or Craigslist for rental properties, you’ll also need to keep an eye out for fake photos. If you see the same photos on multiple listings or photos that look too good to be true, they probably are. One way to regulate this is to search the listed address in Google maps and investigate the street view of the property or stick to trusted realtor websites, like brphomes.com. We verify the images and details on our listings so you know you can always trust what you see on our website.
4. Verify In Person
If you find a listing you love on a website like Facebook or Craigslist, it’s especially important to verify the property details in person by scheduling a viewing. If you’re moving long distance and are unable to view the property before renting, it’s vital that you work with a trusted realtor to ensure you’re getting what you want. BRP’s Relocation Director can assist with your move and help you find a realtor with hyper-local expertise of the area you’re moving to.
5. Pay Attention to Property Manager Interactions
From the first point of contact through the showing and follow-up interactions, pay attention to how the property manager interacts with you. Look for someone who is easy to get in touch with, who is patient and happy to answer your questions, and who doesn’t rush you through the showing. If you find yourself playing phone tag with the property manager or landlord, this could be a red flag.
6. Take Note of Common Areas
If you’re viewing a property with multiple units, pay close attention to the common areas. The state of the shared areas, such as hallways, entryways, the lawn, etc., can be a reflection of both the property manager and the other tenants. Dirty or unkempt common areas may seem minor, but if the landlord doesn’t care enough to take the time to stage a proper showing, what else will he or she not care about?
7. Get a Receipt for Your Deposit
Once you’ve settled on a rental that you love, make sure to request proof of your paid deposit. This can come in the form of a paper receipt or an email confirmation.
If you’re searching for a rental home or apartment, Blue Ridge Properties can help. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions.
