| "You've decided that you're ready to | | | | Your realtor will be able to answer |
| rent a home. Perhaps you've been living | | | | questions about the safety of a |
| in apartments for a long time and ready | | | | neighborhood as well as let you know |
| to move into a bigger space with a yard | | | | about its proximity to schools, public |
| but aren't quite ready to commit to | | | | transportation and area nightlife. These |
| buying a home. Making a move like this | | | | things can take awhile to research on |
| generally suggests that you're looking | | | | your own so you may save time (and |
| for a home that you're going to be in | | | | heartache) by using a realtor. |
| for at least a short period of time and | | | | • Negotiating rental terms is |
| so you want to find a home that meets | | | | difficult for you. Most landlords expect |
| all of your needs. You can probably do | | | | that you will attempt to negotiate |
| this on your own, but would it be better | | | | certain terms of your rental agreement. |
| to get the help of a realtor? Possibly. | | | | You'll try to get a lower rate or at |
| Here are some things that might make you | | | | least a lower deposit, you'll want some |
| want to use a realtor to find your | | | | leniency on the "no pets" clause or |
| rental home: | | | | you'll want to clarify points about |
| • You're new to renting. If you're | | | | maintenance of the home. If you aren't |
| moving in to your first rental home and | | | | good at negotiating these things, you |
| have previously lived in a parents' | | | | might just accept the rental agreement |
| house or a dorm, you may not know what | | | | as is which is usually not a good idea. |
| you need to look for in a rental home. A | | | | A realtor can do these negotiations for |
| realtor can not only make sure that you | | | | you which will get you the best lease |
| get all of your rental needs met and get | | | | without harming your relationship with |
| the best deal for your situation but | | | | the new landlord. |
| will also take you through all of the | | | | • You don't have the time to find your |
| steps in the process so that you'll have | | | | rental home. Perhaps you're a busy |
| that knowledge when renting future | | | | professional with too much on your plate |
| homes. | | | | and you can't be looking through rental |
| • You are moving to a new city. If | | | | ads all day long. Hiring a realtor who |
| you're moving to a location that you | | | | will listen to your needs and find you |
| aren't familiar with, it's usually a | | | | the right homes to look at can save |
| wise idea to get the assistance of a | | | | significantly on the time involved in |
| realtor for finding your rental home. | | | | the process. |