You can search directories and real estate listing sites for rental homes and apartments, and that will give you a broad look at what is available in an area.
However, once you have done that it might be advisable for you to go through a realtor who specializes in rental properties.
You can conduct your own rental home search by using the national and local real estate search sites in order to get a general idea of what you are working with.
But once you have conducted your search there, your realtor who specializes in rentals will be of much more help to you.
The biggest hurdle you face in renting homes is really the validity of what you see in the search sites to reality.
Of course the pictures that you see online are really an example of the landlord having the best foot forward, and until you see the home and go over the rental agreement, you really don’t know what you are working with.
A real estate person who specializes in rentals can really do fairly well in that they normally receive a percentage of the total rent as a monthly commission, and over a period of time their income can build up to a nice sum. So they have an incentive to do a good job for you.
Plus the fact that realtors make it a point to know all they can about the neighborhood, shopping, local schools and so forth.
Their job is to know that information, both positive and negative. Or at least they had better be able to give you information in those areas, or you should find a realtor who is able to get that information for you.
When you first speak to the realtor on the phone tell him or her what you are looking for and be as specific as you can in regard to your needs, what you can afford and what you have already looked at online that you like.
Ask how long this realtor has spent in the rental market and what they know that will help you out as far as choosing that particular realtor.
That might seem to put some pressure on the realtor, but that is not all bad as they may have a real incentive to perform well for you.
Prepare for a several day trek of looking at homes, unless you just happen to fine the one that you really like and which will work for you.
Ask the realtor to give you any tips on lease agreements as well, as they can usually spot unnecessary items that you can negotiate out of the agreement.
You will find that a knowledgeable realtor in this area to be invaluable as their knowledge of the area as well as the landlords, property managers, and other community pertinent information to be very helpful.
In the process of looking at rentals, you may run across some rent to buy properties, which may be something to consider as well.
If you do your homework and meet the right real estate person, your rental home search will probably pay off very well.