Thursday, September 26, 2013

Advice for Renters


If now is not the right time for you to buy a home, there are many options for renting. The South Florida Market provides a wide range of housing options but before jumping into the pool, it’s important to know what to consider. Below find a few handy tips to think about prior to starting your rental search.  


STEP I Choose Your Preferences

Age of the rental


   • Are you looking for a new building? Something with a vintage appeal?
Type of building
   • Would you prefer a High Rise, Mid-Rise, Townhouse, or a Single Family Home?
Location
  
Monthly rent

   • What is your price range?
  • Pets can decrease your renting options. If you have a pet, you should be prepared to pay a higher monthly rent and security deposit. In addition, the options for dog owners are more limited than those for cat owners.

Number of bedrooms

Additional things to consider:

   • Proximity to shopping and transportation
   • Closet space, and storage options
   • Quality of the Landlord
   • Maintenance staff
   • Amenities - Laundry, exercise room, pool, balconies
   • Security of the building

Gather the following documentation before looking at properties:

   • Driver's License 
   • Social Security number 
   • Job history including addresses and phone number of immediate supervisor, and yearly income 
   • Rental history (The landlord may require documentation including; addresses and landlord's phone number, and duration stay, 3 personal and 3 professional references, credit card and loan information.

STEP II CYA
Review the lease.
Carefully review all of the conditions of the tenancy before you sign on the dotted line.

Get everything in writing.
To avoid disputes or misunderstandings get everything in writing. Keep copies of any correspondence and follow up an oral agreement with a letter, setting out your understandings.

Protect your privacy rights.
If you understand your privacy rights it will be easier to protect them. 
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Purchase renters' insurance.
Your landlord's insurance policy will not cover your losses due to theft or damage. Renters' insurance also covers you if you're sued by someone who claims to have been injured in your rental due to your carelessness, limit your liability.

Protect your security deposit.
To protect yourself and avoid any misunderstandings, make sure your lease or rental agreement is clear on the use and refund of security deposits, including allowable deductions.

Walk-Through
When you move in, do a walk-through with the landlord to record existing damage to the premises on a move-in statement or checklist. 

Protect your safety.
Learn whether your building and neighborhood are safe, I recommend going to the local police department and speaking with authorities there. Check out the property's vulnerability to intrusion by a criminal, and learn whether criminal incidents have already occurred on the property or nearby. If a crime is highly likely, your landlord may be obligated to take some steps to protect you. 


For more tips or to start your rental search contact me at http://www.jillsellsflhomes.com/
  


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