How to Find a Rental Home

So, you’ve decided that renting vs buying is the right option for you. You have a budget you’re ready to stick to and maybe even a few neighborhoods you’re considering living in. The next step on your list is to find a rental home. There are plenty of resources to find an apartment or home, but where’s a good place to begin? Here’s how to find a rental home and great tips to keep in mind when searching for the right place to live.

How to find a rental home

Finding a rental home can take as much dedication, consideration, and time as it does when buying a home. There are many places you can begin looking for a home or apartment, and here are six options to help you get started.

1. Ask family, friends, and neighbors

If you have trusted family, friends, neighbors, or other acquaintances who rent in the area you’re living in, start by asking them for advice. They may have insight into what it’s like to rent in your city. They may even know of homeowners who are renting their homes as an investment property. In some cases, they may be able to put you in contact with someone who is subleasing their current rental or looking for a roommate.

2. Use rental listing sites

One of your best resources to find homes or apartments for rent is through rental listing sites that show apartments and homes for rent in your desired area. Before searching on a rental listing site, it's important to know your rental budget, preferred square footage and features, and what type of apartment, home, or condo you're looking to rent. From there you can narrow down your search by price, home type, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, or other amenities. This can help you see what rental properties meet your needs and if you may need to compromise on features to meet your budget.

3. Speak with real estate agents

At first glance, hiring a real estate agent may seem counterintuitive if you’re looking for a rental property or apartment. However, if you’re not familiar with the specific area you’re planning to rent in, it may make sense to hire a real estate agent to help you out. A great realtor will know the ins and outs of buying, selling, and renting - and may even have connections with property managers or homeowners looking to rent their place. Some real estate agents may also be part of a property management office and can help you find the right rental listings.

4. Look through the online publications or social media

Plenty of homeowners still advertise their rental homes on online newspapers, sites like Craigslist and social media. These sites can be helpful resources to find houses and may come in handy if you’re looking for a rental home in another state. If you’re looking to live with a roommate, social media or online marketplaces can also be a good starting point - especially if you’re new to the area. However, it's always important to thoroughly read the rental listings, speak or meet with the landlord, and see the rental property to ensure that it's not a scam listing.

5. Check out your desired neighborhoods

A tried and true method of finding rental houses is by driving, walking, or biking through your preferred neighborhood or location. You may find signs advertising single family homes or condos for rent that you may not find other ways or on rental listing sites.

6. Search for long-term rentals on vacation rental sites

You may be wondering just how a vacation rental site can help you find rental homes. Some homeowners may offer long-term rentals through these sites - especially if the property is a full-time investment home. If you’re looking to move to a location where there’s a peak tourist season, you may be able to negotiate a long-term rental during the area’s off-season.

Tips for finding a rental home

When searching for rental houses, there are several tips you can keep in mind to help make the process of finding a rental home or apartment that much easier.

Stay within your budget

Budgeting for rent is one of the most important points to keep in mind when looking for the right rental. You don’t want to fall in love with a rental apartment home only to find out that it doesn’t fit in with your budget. Sticking to a budget range when touring rental properties can help make finding your new place less stressful. Also make sure to factor in one-time costs like a security deposit, application fees, moving costs, utilities costs, and more.

Search for apartments 60 days in advance

If you’re including apartments in your search for a rental, it’s critical to know that many apartment complexes don’t have their inventory until 30-60 days before a tenant’s lease is up. In some cities, tenants don’t have to notify their landlord they’ll be leaving until 30 days before their lease expires. When apartment-hunting, consider searching no sooner than 60 days before your intended move-in date. It can save you time in the long run, rather than starting your search too early.

Make sure to tour the rental property in person or over video-call

When looking for a rental property, it’s tempting to be swayed by the pictures you see advertised online. However, it’s important to tour the property in person or over video-call. That way, you can see the property’s condition, ask questions, or spot any red flags. Whether renting or buying, touring a home in person can help you avoid any potential scams or problems down the road. Read more about how to avoid rental scams.

Consult with a real estate agent in competitive markets

Just as the housing market can be competitive when you’re looking to buy a home, the rental market can be equally, and sometimes more, competitive. If you live in an area where the rental market is competitive, consider speaking with agents familiar with the city. They may be able to give you insight into strategies for finding a rental in your city or region. Whether they know landlords looking to fill vacancies or a former client is about to rent their single family home, a real estate agent may be able to make your search that much easier.

Ask questions

As you would when making any other big life decision, it’s critical to ask questions before signing a lease or rental agreement. You should always ask questions about the properties and apartments that you're touring. Is it pet-friendly? What is the neighborhood like and is it close to public transit? Are utilities included in the rent price or are they an additional cost?

Asking questions can also reveal whether you’ll be able to communicate well with the landlord or property manager. You may even find out that a property that looks great in person may secretly have issues that need updating. The more questions you ask when touring a rental home, the fewer surprises you may encounter after signing the lease. See more questions to ask when renting an apartment or house.

Takeaways when looking for a rental house

Searching for a property to rent can be both exciting and stressful regardless if you're looking to move to a new area or have been renting in the same city for a while. There are many things to consider as you search for a place to call home, from the location, type of rental house or apartment, amenities, to budget. But knowing the best places to begin your search and key tips can make your renting journey a stress free experience.