In this week’s National Review, we’ll explore the process of finding a realtor who’s willing to rent a home, and the pitfalls of renting from a home-rental agency.
1.
Know what to expect when you book a rental home.
There’s no better way to make sure you’re getting a fair deal than by looking at a property.
Real estate agents typically list properties on their website, and you can find them by clicking on a “property listing” link in the upper-right corner of their website.
It’s a simple, easy-to-understand system.
But it’s also important to know what you’re paying.
If you want to know exactly what you’ll pay, ask an agent about their fees.
That way you’ll know if the property is worth what you think it is.
If they don’t list the fees upfront, you might have to ask them in writing.
In most cases, real estate agents will give you a quote and ask you to confirm that it’s accurate.
But if you have questions about the fee you’ll be paying, it’s a good idea to find out more.
Ask for a “rental estimate.”
The more information you have about the property, the more accurate the estimate will be.
An estimate can help you make a decision on whether you want a property, or if you can afford to pay more.
For example, an agent may give you the property’s market value, and then tell you what the market value would be if it were available to rent for $150,000 a month.
That will give a better idea of what to pay, and will give your agent the best opportunity to make your decision.
2.
Ask about the security deposit.
Some properties require you to pay a security deposit before you can even begin looking at the property.
In this case, you’re not just paying the property owners the fee, but also the bank, which is the real estate company that holds the mortgage.
The lender usually has a fee for the property and is responsible for any payments the property owes.
The property owner typically is responsible, but if the lender doesn’t have a security interest in the property or the lender does, the property owner may be entitled to a refund of the security.
For more information, see Nolo’s article, Why you need a security-related security deposit when you rent a property: What to look for.
3.
Look for a rental agreement.
Some people have trouble finding a rental property because they don.
The first time you sign on to a property and start renting, ask the agent about the rental agreement you signed.
Some agents will tell you that you have to pay the full amount for the entire month, but you can renegotiate the amount at any time.
If that’s the case, the agent should let you know how much it will cost to take a month off and how much you’ll need to pay for the full month.
Also, make sure to check to make certain you’re talking about the full rental agreement, not just the terms.
4.
Make sure the property manager has the rights to the property when you move in.
The landlord and the property management company typically have exclusive rights to your property.
You don’t have to be the landlord to have exclusive ownership over the property—the manager usually can’t legally interfere with your rights.
If the property doesn’t want to be owned by you, the manager should give you information about that.
For instance, the owner of the property should tell you how much the property costs to maintain and how often the property will be cleaned and repaired.
When you sign a lease, you can’t take away the manager’s right to use your property in any way—even if you’re the only tenant.
5.
Keep track of the repairs.
Some real estate companies will let you borrow money for the cost of the necessary work, and they’ll help you find a reputable company to perform those repairs.
If it’s important to you that the property be kept up to date on the repair work, check with the company that does the work to see if they’ll be able to provide you with the information you need to find a contractor.
6.
Ask your agent to show you the contract.
If your agent doesn’t tell you about the contract, it can be a great way to waste your time.
But the best way to avoid wasting your time is to get the contract before you start to rent.
Ask a real-estate agent for the contract so you can be sure you’ve read the contract carefully.
7.
Make a reservation.
Sometimes, an existing roommate can help out, or you can rent the property out.
The best thing to do when renting a property is to book an appointment with the property managers to make an appointment to rent the apartment.
When your reservation is ready, make a reservation at the location that the real-tor told you to use.
You can then book the property online.
If a property manager