Tue. May 30th, 2023

How to Rent Your House Quickly and Easily

Becoming a landlord can be an excellent way to generate passive income while also building equity and increasing the value of your home in the process.

Before renting out your house, it’s essential that you conduct research and understand all of the responsibilities associated with being a landlord. If this commitment is too great for you to handle, selling could be the better solution.

1. Find a Good Agent

When renting your house, finding an agent to represent you can be essential in finding a tenant and negotiating lease terms.

An experienced agent should know your area well and understand its market, while being able to advise you on setting an asking price that attracts the greatest number of potential renters.

Finding a great agent might involve taking advice from friends and family, but don’t be intimidated to take a chance on someone completely unknown if that is what is necessary for your success.

Another option is using a real estate matching service like Clever, which will match you with several top-rated agents quickly and save time in the search process. Such services can save time while helping narrow your search quickly.

When selecting a rental agent, make sure you find someone with a strong work ethic and who is honest in regards to their abilities. Avoid agents who charge more than market value or make false promises as this could put yourself at a disadvantage.

Alongside agents with strong work ethics, it is also important to look for someone with empathy and listening skills who is ready and willing to address any concerns that may arise during the transaction. They should help negotiate better terms or provide solutions which make the entire process faster.

Find a real estate agent with an outstanding track record. This means they have helped multiple people successfully sell or rent out their houses, as well as possess an in-depth understanding of local markets.

The best agents are hard workers who can adapt to diverse personalities and situations with ease. They will negotiate on your behalf, make tough decisions for you, and give you peace of mind that your home will remain in safe hands.

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Before signing a lease agreement with an agent, make sure to request copies of their past work. This will give you an idea of their track record and how they interact with clients. In addition, read over your contract carefully so you understand exactly what to expect before making your decision.

2. Make Your Home Look Great

One of the key disadvantages of renting is making your house feel like home. Most rental properties have rules against painting and nailing holes into walls, leaving limited options when it comes to decoration. But with some creativity and work put in, there are ways you can quickly bring some personality and warmth to your rental space.

One way to give your rental an extra spark is with a fresh coat of paint. From neutral hues that help define a space to bold and eye-catching hues that bring vibrancy and fun into a room, a splash of paint can do wonders in adding life and personality.

Replacing old, outdated lights with newer, classier ones can have a dramatic impact on how your rental looks and feels. Replacing old, tired bulbs is an affordable way to add elegance and breathe new life into any space.

If you have access to a budget, consider installing an LED lighting system that will save you money over time and be eco-friendly as it lasts for many years. Not only is LED technology eco-friendly; its lifespan also ensures long-term savings.

Make your property look better by strategically using furniture to your advantage. Consider positioning tables or chairs near windows that receive plenty of sunlight so they can take full advantage of its rays.

Refresh your space with some carefully placed potted plants; just be sure to maintain them so as not to take over. Now is also an excellent opportunity to purge any old family photos and fridge art that have become an eyesore in the space.

3. Do a Walk-Through

Performing a walk-through inspection before moving into your new rental apartment is one of the best ways to ensure its condition is in top shape. As either a buyer or renter, it’s vital that every aspect of your future home be evaluated before making your final decision to relocate there.

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As well as making sure your apartment meets legal standards, it’s also essential to check it is in a safe and comfortable condition for maximum peace of mind and confidence when moving in.

Pest detection should also be on your checklist as having pests such as ants or cockroaches around can be unsanitary and distasteful.

Successful walk-throughs require you to be thorough and document any problems you discover, so as to remind you later of any important matters you need to discuss with the landlord or agent.

If you notice that the toilet or taps in the bathroom don’t flush properly or leak, it is essential that you notify your landlord so they can be addressed quickly and save yourself from paying extra costs to repair these problems on your own after moving in. This will avoid unnecessary expenditure on repair costs once moving day arrives.

Check your apartment lights to make sure they are functioning as intended and that there are enough outlets. This will save money from having to replace bulbs that don’t function correctly with replacement costs incurred from doing this yourself.

Make sure to inspect the phone reception in your apartment as this could be a major hindrance in terms of using your phone in your room and could seriously diminish your quality of life as a tenant.

At the end of your inspection, make sure the refrigerator and freezer are cold with no ice accumulation. This is an effective way of making sure all essentials for living are present and can save money in storage fees for extra fridge/freezer space.

4. Make the Offer

Once you find a rental that meets your criteria, submit an offer to demonstrate that you’re serious about moving in and give the landlord/letting agent time to accept or decline it.

Your offer price should depend on several factors, including your budget and research of similar properties in the area. Aim to choose an offer below your ideal rental rate while not appearing ignorant about current market realities.

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As with any financial transaction, it’s advisable to bring all relevant paperwork pertaining to yourself – pay stubs, bank statements and references should all be brought with. Also if guarantors will be used then their financial details should also be provided at this meeting.

Landlords want to know that their tenants will be reliable tenants who pay rent on time and treat the property with respect. They don’t want troublemakers who require special favors from them or are known to request special services.

Be considerate when making an offer and ensure all necessary paperwork is gathered before beginning negotiations with them. If necessary, notify both your landlord or letting agent if your plans to withdraw or modify your offer change – their responses could help a great deal in getting you a response faster!

If your landlord is willing to negotiate, you might be able to convince them to agree to lower monthly rent than what they are asking. Of course, this may require making concessions elsewhere in your rental agreement such as move-in date or whether pets will be permitted.

Ask to be considered for long-term lease arrangements of up to one or two years. Many landlords prefer tenants interested in long-term leasing arrangements since it means less landlord turnover!

One way of negotiating lower rent is to offer to do work around the house. This could involve anything from mowing lawns to refinishing wood floors – and could save money over time.

Jeffrey Augers
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By Jeffrey Augers

Jeffrey Augers is a highly skilled and experienced financial analyst with over 12 years of experience in the finance industry. He has a proven track record of delivering exceptional financial insights and recommendations to clients, empowering them to make informed decisions and achieve their financial goals. Jeffrey holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business.