New Year, New Home: How to Find The Perfect Rental Home

The New Year brings tons of exciting changes to look forward to. This could be a new job, hobby, pet, or even a new home! However, finding a rental home can be overwhelming, to say the least. From location to price and size, there’s no shortage of factors to weigh when renting a house. Not sure where to begin on your hunt for a new rental home? We’ve collected a few helpful tips to help you identify your needs, wants, and budget so you can find your ideal rental home! 

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A Guide to Find The Perfect Rental Home

When searching for a new rental home, you’ll want to consider your budget, location, lifestyle, must-haves, and more. Here are 7 tips to help you on the hunt for your next rental home:

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Set a budget.

Arguably the most important consideration when looking for a rental home is your finances. Knowing how much you can afford to spend will narrow your search significantly and ensure that you don’t fall in love with a property out of your price range. You should aim to spend no more than 30 percent of your income on rent. Renting and maintaining a home is expensive, especially when you first move in, so you must also remember to plan for related costs, including common rental expenses, utilities, parking, laundry, furnishings, decorations, and more. Additionally, you may need to pay a security deposit and/or application fee to secure your rental. 

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PRO TIP: If you’re moving from one city to another, keep in mind that the cost of public transportation, groceries, utilities, and more may increase. Bigger cities often have a higher cost of living than suburban areas and mid-size cities, so don’t forget to factor that into your budget when searching for housing.

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Nail down your location.

Sometimes you don’t have much choice in where you live due to the demands of your job or family. However, if you have the freedom to pick a location you like, assess your options carefully. Come up with a few cities you might want to call home and make a pros and cons list for each one. Note anything important to you, from nightlife to walkability, budget, and outdoor spaces, then compare and contrast to find your best fit. After narrowing down your options, don’t forget to learn about the neighborhoods within an area. Each part of a town or city will offer different amenities and paces of life, so browse the area to find the right one for you!

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PRO TIP: The only way to truly know if a city is right for you is to spend some time there! Before you commit to moving, plan a trip to scope out your potential new hometown, even if it’s just for a weekend. Check out the public transportation, try the regional food, and talk to some locals to get a sense of the area. If it’s going to be your home, you want to be able to love it, so giving it a test run can’t hurt!

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Make a list of your wants and needs.

Although there are plenty of phenomenal rentals on the market, the reality is that you may not be able to find a house that has everything you’re looking for in your price range and location. Therefore, as you begin looking at rental homes, evaluate which features are essential and which you’re willing to compromise on. For instance, if you have young kids, you may need a full bathroom instead of just a shower. If you have furry family members, you’ll need to filter for pet-friendly rentals. If you work from home, you’ll need somewhere with enough space for an office. On the other hand, while having a fireplace is nice, you can probably live without one if it means your more essential needs are met.

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Note any of your deal-breakers.

While knowing what you want and need is essential to finding the right home, you’ll also want to identify your deal-breakers. For example, a house with only one bathroom might not be feasible for a family of six. Likewise, if you have dogs that love to run around outside, a cramped backyard might be where you draw the line. If your commute to and from work is a primary concern, you might not be willing to rent a home outside of a 20-mile radius of your job. 

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Your deal-breakers will be unique to your family’s needs and preferences, so discussing them before you begin your house hunt is critical. Confirming the features you refuse to compromise on will help reduce the pool of options considerably, giving you more time and energy to focus on better fits.

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Tour your potential home and neighborhood.

Beware of falling in love with a rental based on pictures you see online. Those images are meant to show off the home’s best qualities, and you never know how outdated they might be, so it’s essential to take a tour before you sign the lease. If you’re unable to make a trip out to your new house, some rental companies may have virtual tours you can do, but nothing beats seeing the property in person. Not only is this your opportunity to assess the rental’s condition and spot any red flags, but it’s also your chance to see how you feel about the neighborhood and surrounding areas. The home may be perfect, but you might want to rethink moving in if the neighborhood doesn’t feel safe or isn’t in a convenient location.

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Ask questions. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions at every stage of the renting process. Before beginning your search for a rental home, ask yourself how much you can afford to spend, which cities or neighborhoods you’d like to live in, and what kinds of features are most important to you in a home. Before visiting a rental home, ask the rental agency about the pet policy, application process, and costs like rent, utilities, and deposits or fees. 

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Once touring a rental home, ask about how to file maintenance requests, what sort of changes you’re allowed to make to the house, and the type of amenities available to renters. Plus, ask any neighbors or other renters you come across during your visit about their experience with the rental agency and how they like the area. Most unpleasant renting situations can be avoided by asking the right questions to the right people.

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Choose the right rental company.

Who you rent from matters. Choosing a great rental company is just as crucial as choosing the right home. A house could be the property of your dreams, but if the rental company isn’t responsive when you need maintenance or repairs, your renting experience will be unsatisfactory. Research the rental companies you’re considering, including reading reviews and speaking to current or former renters if possible. Quality homes are abundant in the housing market, but not all rental providers will take the extra step to make your house feel like home. Renting from a company you trust will provide the extraordinary experience you deserve.

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Finding the right rental home can seem taxing, but it doesn’t have to be! Follow these tips to simplify your house-hunting process and discover the right home for you.

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A Better Living Experience

At Bridge Homes, we believe everyone deserves a quality home. Embrace the comfort, convenience, and quality of our rental properties. With thousands of high-quality rental homes in desirable neighborhoods nationwide, we make finding your next home a breeze. Browse our listings and take the first step towards a well-maintained and fulfilling living experience.

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Other Sources:

5 Steps to Finding the Perfect Rental Home

Budgeting for Rent: What Can You Afford?

How to Find a Rental Home or Apartment

Questions to Ask When Renting an Apartment or House

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