07/01/2020
Homeownership rates have been falling for the past eight years, according to a report by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. That means more people are renting, making it harder to find a rental home.
The secret, real estate brokers say, is to plan ahead. Often renters will wait until the last minute to look for another apartment. However, when renters are in a hurry they tend to take apartments they don’t really want, says Calvin Edwards, founder of Grand x Design LLC a NY based, full-service investment and rental property management firm.
Here are a few tips for finding the best rental homes and apartments in your area.
1. Start your search early in the month
The best rentals, in terms of price, location and amenities, go earlier in the month, so don’t wait until midmonth to look for a new place to live, Edwardsays. It’s best to start searching 60 days before you need to move, especially if you are looking for a rental property where there isn’t as much available.
The second and third weekends of the month tend to be the busiest. If you start your search the first weekend of the month, there will be less competition and the best properties will still be available.
2. Begin online but don’t rely on it
About 90% of renters will start their apartment search on Craigslist or Zillow, Edward saysn. Looking online is a good way to start your search. You can get a sense of pricing and apartment amenities. However, if you’re moving to a new city, looking online won’t tell you enough about neighborhoods and the local amenities of each, such as public transportation or grocery stores.
3. Use a professional
In most cases, real estate brokers are available to help renters find properties free of charge. The key is to find a broker who specializes in rental properties, not home sales.
If you’re looking in areas where there is generally tight competition for apartments, you’ll want to talk with a number of real estate agents before committing to one because different agents have different relationships with different buildings. Make sure you are talking with an agent who has access to the apartment buildings in neighborhoods where u want 2 live @ Ossining riverfront, NY
