Every year, more and more Americans are choosing to lease rather than buy. In 2003, just over 33% of households leased their home. Ten years later, that number had expanded to 36.5%. With fewer people buying their homes, the market of houses and apartments for rent has become more challenging. Here are three tips that you may not have thought of to help you find a great place for a good deal.
Use Social Media
The most common way to search through houses and apartments for rent is using realty websites, and classified ads in the newspaper, and online. The problem is that everybody else using these same resources and will see the same listings as you. This means you will be less likely to discover a great deal on an amazing property. With only 6.5% of all potential properties being vacant, it can be tough to find a good location. The trick to finding a property before it is listed is to be proactive on social media. Ask your friends or followers if they know of a good place opening up. If they do, they can put you in touch with the current occupants or property owners. This will give you a leg up on the competition, and you might be able to secure a new housing before the property is even listed.
Get In Touch With Your Local University
Many people do not know that colleges will often compile lists of available apartments for rent to distribute to their students. Often these are locations that have been leased by students previously and recommended to the school. They will be reasonably priced, in a relatively safe location, and the property owners will be friendly and helpful. Some schools will post the list on bulletin boards throughout campus. Others will have it accessible to the public through their website. Due to the positive word of mouth from one student to the next, many of the landlords that own these properties do not bother to list them with realty websites or in the classifieds.
Talk With Your Landlord
Property owners know that most of their tenants will only be around for a few years. They also know that when a tenant leaves, it is not personal, just a matter of finances, location, commute, or a million other reasons. As long as you are on good terms with your landlord, you should ask them if they know of any good apartments for rent. They may know other landlords. They discuss tenants, vacancies, and housing laws. Your property owner probably knows of several properties that are going to be available before they are listed. Also, you will have a better chance of getting a lease if you have a recommendation from a previous landlord.
In conclusion, the hunt for houses and apartments for rent can be a hard one. There are more and more people leasing, and fewer properties available. However, if you try some of the alternative methods discussed above, you have a good chance of landing a great property.