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6 Tips That Will Help You Secure A Place To Rent

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group S-96414

6 Tips That Will Help You Secure A Place To Rent

What Do They Want A Good Tenant or Someone That Pays?    Seriously.    I received this question and others just as bizarre from  prospective tenants after being informed that the owners are looking for someone that had good credit among other things.   house rentals, looking for house rentals

Call me crazy, but in my mind, A Good Tenant IS someone that pays!!    I actually thought that went without saying, but maybe not.  

In general we don't normally handle a lot of rental properties.   Every once in awhile, a client will ask us to help them out with their investment property and we are happy to do so.    It just so happens this month, we have had several.

With the rental market being so competitive, as soon as the properties hit the market, we were inundated with calls and emails.   Questions and responses like the above made me realize that some might not know  a) how tight the market is or,   b) that they are being interviewed the minute they pick up that phone.   

Clearly not rocket science, these landlords are simply looking for someone that will take care of their property and have the means and intentions to pay them on a monthly basis.   Looking for a rental, one needs to put their best foot forward.     

It is not hard to do if you treat this house hunt like a job interview.   

The following 6 tips will help you secure that rental home in this tight market.

  • Come prepared.   Have your references and paperwork readily available.
  • Fill out the application fully.   Leaving gaps only sets up red flags.
  • Be ready for a credit check.   Not great credit?   Explain it.   These landlords understand that your credit might be stellar, but they do need it to make sense.
  • Dress appropriately.
  • Be on time!
  • If you expect a response to your on line inquiry, be specific with your questions and leave a phone number.   It doesn't make sense to just say you want more info on a property.   What info are you looking for?   

 

Looking for a place to rent?   Start here.

 

Looking to Buy, Sell, Rent or Invest?  

If you want to really know what's happening in your market area, consult your local Realtor!

 

                 Call me if you have a question about the market.  508-494-9061

 

 Put my 25 years of experience to work for you!     

 

 

Carol Ann Palmieri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Carol-Ann,

Looks like a great list to follow if you are looking to rent!

Jul 01, 2013 10:41 PM
Al Raymondi
Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL
Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Good tips Cal, not sure how there can be a "good" tenant that doesn't pay the rent every month.

Jul 01, 2013 10:52 PM
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

All good points.  In this oh so casual world that we now live in people can become a little too casual.  Time to bring it up a notch if you really want to rent a specific place.

Jul 02, 2013 12:49 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Carol Ann, in our area quality rentals are at a premium so being prepared and having the homework done is the best way to stand out and get the rent

Jul 02, 2013 04:59 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Carol Ann: Like anything important in life, coming prepared is the key to securing a rental property.  Your tips are spot-on and will help consumers who are looking to rent a property.

Jul 02, 2013 07:50 AM
Carol-Ann Palmieri
RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA
"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

Hi Dorie.  Thank you!

 

Hi Al.  Thanks for reading.

 

Hi Chris and Dick.  We have definitely become casual.   Going back to being courteous and being prepared goes a long way in most things.

 

Hi Ed.  Same here.   Rentals are in high demand!

 

Hi Anita.  Thank you!    I love people that are prepared!   :)

 

Jul 02, 2013 09:16 AM
Christine O'Shea
Christine E O'Shea Broker - Naples, FL

Carol Ann, Great information and tips for tenants.  Sometimes prospects cam tend to run around from property to property like crazy looking for that perfect place instead of focusing on the moment!

Jul 02, 2013 12:09 PM
Anonymous
Vince

Great blog. Right on point! 

landlords are simply looking for someone that will take care of their property and have the means and intentions to pay them on a monthly basis. Pretty much anything short of this ends up being a lengthy problem. 

I always enjoy reading your articles.

Jul 02, 2013 11:32 PM
#8
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th of July to all our ActiveRain friends.

 

 

 

 

Jul 04, 2013 12:38 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Hi Carol Ann, good to see you on my post today. Summer 2013 is sure busy for most of us this year  - with business and personal stuff.

We once rented to a guy with less than stellar credit - he was one of our "best tenants." Go figure. Actually, he explained his circumstances to us and we understood. He then set up an auto-pay into our PayPal account. Easy, peasy.  LOL

Jul 09, 2013 04:33 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Hi Cal, Those are all good points and potential home lessee's should pay attention.. I have had so many of the supposed renters of homes who flake out at the first sign of an application and credit check especially this alst year. 

Jul 09, 2013 09:09 AM
Carol-Ann Palmieri
RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA
"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

Hi Debb.  Common sense always rules.   I have to check out that PayPal way of doing things.

 

Hi Bob.   It's been a year!!!   :)

Jul 09, 2013 09:11 AM
Robert Bob Gilbert
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties - Katy, TX
Your Katy TX ( West of Houston) Real Estate Expert

Hi Cal, 

I plan to book mark this post as I will borrow from it the next lease person I have contact me. The vast majority of these folks are not very sincere and are disorganized.

Jul 20, 2013 12:59 AM