Finding a Rental, Better to Find Your Own or Work with Realtor?

I used to rent a house through a rental agency. The agency managed the property and the rent was a little more because it included their percentage. IMO you're going to get a better deal with renting through the owner directly. However, if the owner for example is out of state, kind of nice to go through a property manager b/c they can take care of any issues in a timely fashion. Clist is good, you just got to pounce on the the good deals and beware of the scammers. When I was looking for rentals I called around to some rental agencies, but they only showed homes that they were the property manager for, so yes, very limited!

Someone has to pay the realtor, and it's the owner of the property. They probably have to charge more to make up what they spent. Figure out where you want to live, then drive around the area and look for rental signs. That way, you can have a little more control. Go to craigslist too, lots of properties listed there.

I've never used a realtor. I have called realtors and asked if they knew of any rentals in the area I was seeking.

I have also found that renting directly from an owner is usually better. They don't seem to charge as much for their property, and are easier going about changing situations. Whenever we've dealt with a company, we've found them super strict about what we can do, and we didn't get as much of our deposit back. Direct owners seem to care more about their property.....although not always the case.

When looking on CL, be aware that one of the scams is that someone will copy a legitimate ad, and then lower the amount. Then when you contact them via email, they send you a message saying that they are out of the state/country etc., and are using a realtor. They want you to fill out an application via email or online. They are fishing for information, and deposit money. I suggest opening a new email address to use when corresponding to CL ads. If you get someone suggesting any of the above and do not give a contact number, skip it. I also go through all the other ads on CL (even out of my price range) to see if I can find the orginal ad. We came across this exact scam in MN and in IN. We found out by actually going out to one of the houses to look at (not scheduled), and found the actual owner there. He lived next door. I told him about the ad I found, and the response I got (about owner living in another country). He actually had me forward my email to him so he could report it. And the price difference was about $300, and it was already rented.

Good luck! Just remember, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

I do not know what the benefit is. Do you pay the realtor to do this? When I was renting I always looked and found places on my own. Good Luck!

I have always used a realtor when looking for rentals. Most of the time, I find my own (craigslist) and I tell them that I want to see it, and they take us there to look at it. You don't have to stick to ONLY what your realtor shows you. You can show them what you want to see as well. Also I have never paid a realtor to find us a rental. They make commission off of the owner, not you.
Also if you are looking on craigslist, a lot of them are scams. At least with a realtor, you know they are legit rentals

I have gone through a realtor before and found the best part is they are generally the property managers and have knowledge of the laws and will follow them - thereby giving you solace to know that if something breaks, it will be fixed; the carpets will be cleaned, the walls will be painted, etc. in a timely manner. Obviously, this is a blanket statement, but they are bound by certain laws and professional conduct, so that would give me peace of mind.

I have done both ... I find the the more reputiable land loards go thru realtors.

I just looked in the paper. It was easy. I drove by, if it looked like something I would be able to suffer through living there I'd call the number.

I never had any issues doing it myself. I could see what was for rent, see the prices and requirements and decide on my own.

You know, you could always try to do it yourself first and if you were unsuccessful you could hire someone then.

We sold our home and our realtors wanted to find us a new home or a rental. They pushed, we ok'd it. Whatever, so as long as I didn't have to pay them another penny.

I found the new place through a friend. The renter and I negotiated the rental fee and told me to call HIS realtor. What???? I was shocked he was going to pay his realtor for bringing over some paperwork. My realtors were pissed. They did the walk through and his realtor did, as well....it was worse than buying a house. They said that they would be the people to do the walk through again, when we moved out. OMG. It's like they never go away! OUr relaters told us to call them when we need to contact the owner, they will call his realtor and she will call him. What????? I asked the owner if he wanted it that way. He said it was ok to call him directly. I've not spoken to our realtors....and I'd like to keep it that way.

I am a landlord and I prefer working with a realtor because I know I will get a good tenant. From the renters view you will get a good landlord, someone that will take care of the property and not be a slumlord.

The only cost to you would be a backround check, the landlord pays the realtor fees.