Looking for the perfect rental? We would love to help!
We understand that you are not just looking for a "place" but for a home. Especially when you are new to the area, finding the perfect one can be a daunting task. We have put together a bit of information to make the process easier for you.
You should first take a close look at your budget - be realistic! - and define your needs and wants. Don't overlook added housing expenses such as utilities and cable. Private rentals will also ask you to pay a repair deductible if anything breaks down [it depends but ranges between $50 and $200 per occurence] and be responsible for minor interior & exterior maintenance [light bulbs, yard work, gutter cleaning, filters for example].
The listing company/property manager will calculate your monthly debt-to-income ratio. As a rule-of-thumb, your monthly debt should not be more than 40% of your income - including rent! Some companies will only approve you if you are below 38% and others may go higher if you have excellent credit.
If you haven't done so, check your credit and make sure it's up-to-date. You can access it for free through www.annualcreditreport.com Typically landlords prefer good credit & rental history for obvious reasons, they are trusting you with their house!
Once you have establised your price-range and wish-list, start browsing listings online. You can search homes through our Thompson Co. website or just e-mail us with your criteria and we'll do the search for you.
If you don't see what you are hoping for, check back often as there are always new rentals coming on the market. You can also set up an automated property search and receive notifications via e-mail.
Availability: if the property is vacant, the sooner the better. Typically landlords do not want to wait a month or two or longer until you can start your lease. If the property is still occupied, the listing will specify date of availability. You should plan on a few days for processing, it can take anywhere from 1 day to 1 week. The time it takes the listing agent to process is out of our control, but we do stress that we appreciate a speedy turn around.
Pet policy: it's a "yes", "no" or "case-by-case" depending on the landlord. If the owner is willing to accept your pets, you'll likely pay for a separate pet deposit [in the range of $100 to $500] and may also have a professional carpet cleaning clause in your lease. If the listing clearly says "no pets", believe it and don't waste your application fee if you do have a cat or dog. If it's case-by-case, we'll try to find out beforehand whether or not it would be an issue.