Before you submit an online rental application, you’ll need to know if the place suits you. Luckily, there are many sites and tools that help you find a great home. In this blog post, we’ll show you how these tools make home-hunting easier.
What Rental Tools Exist?
Tenants can access a range of online services to figure out their options. Even an advanced search feature can make a world of difference. Here are the main types of tools at your disposal:
- Rental websites: Many great property listings are only available online. You must check a range of rental sites before you start building a shortlist.
- Budgeting tools: Some sites offer special rent calculators. You can tally your expenses and see if your income hits the threshold (usually 3x the rent).
- Virtual tours: Online listings are slowly offering virtual property walkthroughs. Some are in 3D, letting you see the space exactly as you would in person.
- Mobile apps: Most reputable rental sites have their own app. With one of these, you can check listings and contact landlords while away from home.
Every tool above helps you find and look into your potential future home.
Knowing Your Limits
In the midst of a major American housing crisis, budgeting for rentals is trickier than ever. Many still swear by the 30% rule of only spending around 1/3rd of your overall income. However, your area might have limited options.
Use rental calculators and website searches to set a budget for yourself. Determine exactly how much you’d be comfortable spending each month. You shouldn’t feel serious pressure, and you should still be able to afford a life.
Most rental search functions let you calibrate the results to your budget. You’ll only see places in your price range. However, these results usually don’t account for utility prices. Make sure you’ll still have enough to pay for these essentials.
Advanced Search Tools
To expand, most rental sites let you customize your searches. These features go beyond adding budget options. For example, you can select specific amenities. If you want a home with its own washing machine, make this clear.
Some sites, such as Zillow, are adding AI to their search process. Renters can type in what they want from a home, and the site will oblige. This will be easier than picking options from a search bar’s checklist.
You can even search for homes with 3D tours on certain platforms. You’ll then have a far better idea of which home suits you.
Checking Your Local Area
Alongside renter-specific tools, you can use other services to learn about a rental’s area. It helps to know if, for example, your dream apartment is near a good school. You can use Google Maps to check its proximity to places you’ll need nearby, including a grocery store.
Similarly, reviews from past tenants on Yelp could be invaluable. You’ll learn if previous renters had issues with the current landlord. Even a great property could suffer if the owner never keeps up with its maintenance needs.
Unfortunately, crime is another key consideration. Check the crime statistics in a rental area to see if you’d feel comfortable relocating there. Look at trends instead of over-focusing on specific incidents. You should also check reports for all times of the day.
Automating Alerts on Rental Platforms
Rental sites and apps let you turn on notifications for properties. You’ll get a message when new homes fitting your boundaries come in. These will mainly be via email, though the app will send you phone notifications directly.
Similarly, you can set up alerts for homes you already have your eye on. These notifications can help you jump on a sudden price change. Many rentals are only available for a short while. It’s worth making sure you’re one of the first people to send an application.
Customize your alerts to fit your usual search parameters. Otherwise, you’ll receive notifications for places that aren’t right for you. You can set these notifications to be daily, weekly, or monthly.
The Importance of Social Media
Renters should also use social media throughout their search. Facebook and other similar sites allow people to share listings in local community groups. You might find better deals this way, or you’ll be in a better position to negotiate with landlords.
Reddit also has communities for towns and cities alongside rental-specific subreddits. Here, you can even talk to current residents and find more specific, direct housing tips.
Even platforms such as Craigslist offer an informal setting for finding new rentals. However, always be cautious and watch out for rental scams masquerading as cheap properties.
Final Thoughts
Rental websites and tools help you navigate thousands of potential properties. Once you find an affordable place, ensure you have a good rental application template. You should hear back from the landlord within a week or two.
