The American dream, it seems, has always been to own your own home. But in reality, homeownership rates have been falling for the past few years. And the upshot of this new phenomenon is that the competition for rentals is getting stiffer, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult to find good rental homes. But it can still be done if you start early enough and use a little creativity. So let’s see how to find a great rental after selling your Martinsburg and Hagerstown house.
Start Early
The most important piece of the puzzle in finding find a great rental after selling your Martinsburg and Hagerstown house is to start your search early. You should begin searching for your ideal rental before you sell your house. Very often, renters who are in a hurry settle for rentals they don’t want or can’t really afford. And if you sell your house first without having secured a rental to live in, you will definitely be in a hurry. Experts recommend that you “start searching 60 days before you need to move, especially if you are looking for a rental property where there isn’t much available.” Careful, thorough, leisurely research and shopping always result in a better deal in the end.
Determine Desired Features
You can’t find what you want if you don’t know what you want. So finding a great rental after selling your Martinsburg and Hagerstown depends in large part on determining your desired features early on. This includes, of course, essential features like square footage and the number of beds and baths, but you also need to think about nice-to-have features. One of the top real estate sites suggests asking these questions:
- “Do you want a patio or deck, or access to a backyard or shared outdoor space?”
- “Do you want a fireplace?”
- “Do you need a full bathroom, or would a shower do?”
- “If you’re a foodie, do you want a gas stove in the kitchen?”
- “Will you be setting up a home office, and do you need electrical outlet ora nook within one of your home’s rooms where you can place your workstation?”
- “Would you be willing to live on a ground floor, use stairs or take your chances on-street parking?”
Shop Early in the Month
Because good rentals are becoming scarcer or at least tougher to find, it’s important to search at the optimum time in order to find a great rental after selling your Martinsburg and Hagerstown house. Typically, the best rentals with respect to price, location, and amenities are snatched up early in the month. So do the bulk of your searching early in the month, at least before mid-month.
In addition, the second and third weekends of each month are usually the busiest for rentals. So if you’re limited to weekends, concentrate your efforts on the first weekend of the month when the competition is less and properties are still available.
Search Online First
Almost 90% of renters begin their search online, and you should too. It’s a time and labor-efficient way to find a great rental after selling your house. The standard online venues like Craigslist and Zillow are always a good place to start. But don’t forget the power and reach of social media. Post on Facebook that you’re looking for a rental, and you’re sure to get lots of responses.
But don’t limit your search to online alone. The experts say that “if you’re moving to a new city, looking online won’t tell you enough about the neighborhoods and the local amenities.” Your best bet here is to consult a local real estate agent. (Call 3017071678 to discover more.)
Agree to a 13-Month Lease
In a competitive marketplace, which is what obtains today for rentals, you have to find a way to stand out from and then beat out the competition. Here’s what you can do to get a landlord’s attention: “offer to sign a 13- or 14-month lease . . . This is particularly helpful if a traditional 12-month lease would expire in November or December because it is often difficult to tent properties in those months.”
Beware of Scams
Getting a great rental after selling your Martinsburg and Hagerstown house also means exercising some caution, especially if you’ve waited too long and are in a hurry to find something. There are plenty of unscrupulous scammers out there eager to take advantage of unsuspecting or vulnerable people. Basically, you should beware of giving out your social, bank info, or credit card info to any private individual. This is one area where it is always better and safer to work with a real estate agent.
Get Professional Help
If you truly want to find a great rental after selling your Martinsburg and Hagerstown house, then you should probably seek out some professional help. But you do need to find a real estate broker who specializes in rental properties, In fact, your agent who assisted in your house sale might be able to handle it or at least point you in the right direction. Our agents are well versed in all aspects of real estate.