Did you know that it could take you anywhere from 1-2 months to find and move into a home to rent?
If you start looking about three months in advance, you’re more likely to find that the houses are no longer available. This means that you need to know what to look for within that timeframe so you can find it before your lease in your current house expires.
Now, there’s a wide array of factors you need to consider when looking for a home that you’ll be living in for the next few months or years. It’s imperative to ensure that you tick all the boxes to everything that matters to you in a home. That said, this guide explores some of the most essential things, so read on to find eight things to consider when looking for a rental home.
The Location and Size of the Home
Location is vital when renting a home. Ideally, you want to find something close to your workplace, close to public transportation, and in a safe neighborhood. If those three things are essential to you, then put a high priority on finding a home that’s located near them.
Another critical factor that you need to take into account is the size of the home. Do you prefer something small and cozy, or do you want something with more space? There are many websites such as https://www.rent.com/massachusetts/cambridge-apartments where you can compare different homes to rent.
That said, when you rent a home, one of the main things you need to check is whether or not the utilities are included in the rent price. This could consist of water, electricity, internet, and even cable TV. If they’re not included, then you need to budget for them on top of your monthly rent price.
The Style of the Rental Property
There are all sorts of types of homes to rent, from apartments to townhouses to detached houses. It’s important that you know what you’re looking for before you start your search. If you have a family, for example, then you might want to rule out renting an apartment and focus on family homes instead.
Moreover, what style of home do you want to live in? Think about the things that are important to you, which will guide your decision when looking for a home to rent. For example, if you’re not good at gardening, then buying a home with an outside space would be pointless because you won’t use it much.
Similarly, if your family has several pets, then investing in a home with hardwood floors may not be a good idea as they’ll scratch it. Also, think about how simple or extravagant the house is and whether you’ll be able to maintain it.
Consider Your Budget
You need to know the budget you’re working with before you start looking for homes to rent. It’ll determine how many options are available to you. It’s important to set a budget for the home you want to rent because if you don’t, you may be tempted to spend more than you can afford.
You also need to remember that apart from your rent each month, there are other bills that’ll need to be paid from that budget. For example, water, gas, and electricity bills, broadband, and television subscriptions. Having a clear figure in your mind means you can start ruling out homes that are too expensive and focus on the ones within your budget.
Distance From Home to Work and Other Amenities
Commute time is a vital factor to consider, so how far away from home to work does the home fall? You need to calculate how long it’ll take you on a daily basis to travel between your home and your workplace. If it’s an hour’s drive each way, then that means you’ll be spending more than a lot on gas alone.
That said, if you work from home, this won’t matter as much as other factors. Apart from your workplace, you also have to consider how close the home is to local grocery stores. How fat is it from your children’s schools and other places that are important to you?
This is definitely something you need to consider because if the home is too far away from all the necessary amenities, it defeats the purpose. For example, if there’s a great home that’s 10 minutes away from work but 40 minutes away from the school, it might not be worth it. You may not have enough time to drop your kids at school and make it to work on time.
Check the Home appliances
Are home appliances important to you, or can you do without them? This is definitely a question that you need to answer before renting a home.
Some rental homes will have all the appliances, others will have some, while others may not have any. If home appliances are important to you, only check out homes to rent with everything you need.
Do You Have Pets?
Do pets play a role in your home-renting decision? Some people are completely against renting to someone who has pets, while others are completely fine with it.
If you’re not comfortable living around pets, then make sure to ask the homeowner or renter if they have any prior to scheduling a viewing. If you have pets, ensure that the rental property allows different types of pets and the rules and regulations around it.
Check Out the Parking Space
How many cars do you need parking for? This is definitely something that you need to think about before renting a home. Some rental properties may only provide one space, while others will have multiple spots to accommodate even guests.
What About the Neighborhood?
Last but not least, what is your opinion on the home rental neighborhood? This is definitely something you need to take into account because you don’t want to spend your life in a home that isn’t in a good location. Check the crime rate in that neighborhood and whether there are play areas for kids if you have any.
Is there a homeowners association that might restrict some things for you? How noisy does the place get, especially at night? Check whether there are clubs or trains that could make living unbearable for you.
Home Rental Tips: What to Look for When in a Home to Rent
Renting a home can be an involving process because there are so many things to consider. However, if you follow our home rental guide, you’re bound to find the best home to rent in a desirable area and neighborhood.
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