Where to Find Places to Rent Near Me: Locals Only
How many times have you spent hours looking at ads in search of houses or apartments for rent? You may also have asked a number of people you know if they had a clue as to where you could find a good place. Finding the appropriate place to live might not be as easy as you think, if you don’t have the right tools. The place you want should meet certain specifications and expectations because you are the one going to live there and if you are looking for convenience, you should take time to know where to find places to rent near you.
In Your Search
When you are searching for an apartment, there are specific things that you want included and these could be a dryer, dishwasher, washer, and microwave. You may also want to be close to a bus route, especially, if you don’t drive. These little things are important in finding the apartment of your choice. Here are some questions you should ask yourself if you are searching for ‘where to find “Places to Rent Near Me”?’
Am I financially capable of paying the rent and utility costs each month?
What kind of documents do I require to put in my application?
I have searched enough to find the right place?
Will I be approved, if I don’t have good credit?
Where to Look for Places to Rent Near You
For years, online home rental platforms have dominated the public sector; practically everyone looks for their home through different websites, which are usually quite familiar. However, these services are often saturated and, yes, you can explore them to improve your chances of finding something.
Web Pages and Apps
Surely you may already know the web pages and 'apps' of Apartments.com and Zillow.com Rentals from top to bottom. But, you know, the key is not so much in knowing as in optimizing resources and in that, maybe a little help is not bad for you, especially because of saving some time and not wasting your energy. Apartment.com is the home search website for excellence. Everyone has it as a reference when it comes to finding their new abode. Now, let’s take a look at the two major apartment rental platforms and apps.
Apartments.com
With this website and app, you will find a lot of listings. Therefore, it makes quite a lot of sense to sign up and download their rental app. As a user, you will be able to access thousands of listings in the area of your liking. You can send in your application, right from the app. The app has an interactive map that you can use to make your search easier. The app can be downloaded directly from the website, but also in the Apple store, if you have an IOS phone or Google Play store, if you have an Android phone or device.
Zillow.com
Zillow.com is known for being a popular website to find “Places to Rent Near Me” and homes for rent and homes for sale. They also have apartment rental listings. Their rental app is also a useful tool to have, if you want to search on any mobile device. This app allows you to create a renter’s profile, which helps to get you approved after submitting an application from the app. It is more convenient and much faster than sending an inquiry through email. It also allows you to filter and narrow down your search. For example, if you are looking for a pet-friendly apartment or one that has sufficient parking, this app gives you the search capability and efficiency. You can download the app from Apple store or Google Play store; depending on whether your device is Android or IOS friendly. There are other websites and apps to consider such as Trulia, Hotpads, Apartment List and Zumper.
Tips for Using Apps and Websites
Pick a Desired Location
Pick your desired location and don't just close yourself off to one particular neighborhood. The easiest thing when you open the 'app' is to choose the city, and the neighborhood, and start looking. What matters to you is the area that you want to live in, for whatever reasons. It doesn't matter if it's located between two different neighborhoods.
Compare Choices
Try to pick a number of them to compare and get some clarity of what is in a specific community that you like. The clearer you are about what you are looking for, the easier it will be to decide when to see an apartment and rent it. The number of houses and rooms in Apartment.com can be a challenge for someone who does not know very well what they want. You have to be as open minded as possible.
Filter Your Search To Find What You Want
Filter your search for “Places to Rent Near Me” and keep an eye on the apartments that best suit your personal needs. The objective is to find something that fits:
- The number of rooms
- The location
- The driving distance from work
- The public school system, especially if you have children
- The amenities
- The space to fit your furniture
- Whether it is a gated community or not for added security
- The grocery stores and restaurants nearby
- The colleges
Signing Up For Alerts
Be sure to sign up for alerts because then, you may be the first one to know when an apartment becomes available. In today's war for rentals, everything that helps you be faster and have more information than the rest is gold. For this reason, save the search that interests you, with all the details, and as soon as you get an alert that there is an apartment that meets your requirements, you should jump on it right away. Yes, we know you may not like to receive a lot of notifications, but in this case, they will make a difference.
Word of Mouth Referrals
You can also include family members, coworkers and friends in your search of apartments for rent or houses for rent. You never know who knows someone that may have moved out recently or knows of an empty place after seeing it on their way to work. There may even be people who have already searched for “Places to Rent Near Me” and can provide you with the details. When you are looking for apartments to rent, get the word out and have other people helping you to search. You should always let them know exactly what you are looking for. If you want to find a 2 bedroom apartment in a specific area, be specific. Give as much details as possible. You would be surprised how easy this method is. People know people and people know things.
Find a Roommate Who Already Rents
If your budget does not allow you to choose an apartment that you like or one you found while searching for “Places to Rent Near Me,” you could consider getting a roommate. But not any roommate. With the help of family, friends, even social media, you can find someone who already rents and is looking for a roommate. Ideally, it would a friend of a friend, not a complete stranger. If this doesn’t work, try finding a roommate anyway and maybe they can help you look for a place to rent, either by using apps, or they have someone recommend them a place.
Buy, Sell, Rent - Learn How with the Accury Store.
Essential Factors To Think About
There are certain factors that you should think about when you are get ready to choose your apartment.
Budget: The first thing is the budget and what you can afford to pay monthly. Your limitation and choices will depend on your budget. Most of the landlords renting their place will usually determine your status by e times your monthly income after tax, which is the 30 percent rule.
Size: The size of the apartment should be called into question as well and is dependent on the furniture pieces you have and how big they are. Of course, you should choose a space where you will be the most comfortable within the year and beyond.
Location: The location is a plus. You want to live in an area where the commute time is convenient. The price for apartments can vary according to the neighborhood. If you see something you like and it seems out of your budget, you should try the adjacent communities.
Amenities: Everyone has their own personal lifestyle and taste. If you love to swim and want the convenience of a swimming pool in your next apartment, then you should include that in your search. If you are looking for a secured environment, you should search for apartments with security gates and security presence. However, bear in mind that with some amenities, you will have to pay more in rent.
Negotiations: Don’t believe for one minute that you are stuck with paying the monthly rent you see on an app or website. You can negotiate with the landlord or property manager. Nothing is cut in stone. The worst case scenario is getting a NO! If you are going to negotiate, you should be open to offering the landlord or asking for a month rent-free or a month paying half off of the rent while you pay down a little more in security deposit or have an extended contract. It won’t hurt to ask.
Hidden costs: Be sure to read the entire description of what the landlord is offering and whether there are extra fees or not. Parking fees and pet fees could be included without you knowing. Be sure to ask. You should also inquire whether there are any utility expenses included in the rent such as gas, water, garbage disposal, electric or pest control management. It is good to know these things before you sign a contract.
The Time Of The Year: You should factor in the time of the year when you are searching for an apartment. For example, during the summer season, you may find more apartment rentals than you would during the winter season. The summer rentals would probably be at a higher price than the winter rentals because in most cases, it is harder to secure rental properties when the weather is cold. In addition, most people do their apartment search during the summer. If you are not going to factor in the weather, then you could start your search in October through to December. You could also try February and March when the winter season is coming to a close. Most people wait to move after the cold.
Bonus Tip: Get Organized
Before you finally find your place and sign the contract, during your search, create a spreadsheet with these details for each apartment:
- Rental rates
- Utilities
- Amenities
- Amounts for security deposit
- Contact information
Summary
The best apartment search websites and rental apps usually while conducting a search for “Places to Rent Near Me” tend to be user friendly, easy to navigate and designed to make it easy for you to find what you are looking for. Never stick to one website or app. Try as many as possible, so that you can do a comparison and expand the search criteria for more choices.