Driving around the neighborhood, you see a “For Rent” sign
on a house that looks perfect for you. By the time you call and check in with
the real-estate agent the next day, you learn that the place has already been
rented. In a housing market like Phoenix, where certain neighborhoods are
seeing buyers and renters move quickly, having a professional on your side can
make all the difference.
Even some of the best online tools will have out of date
information on home rentals because the market is moving so quickly. Your best
bet in a market like this may be to use a real estate agent to help you find
your next rental home.
Access to
information: Many rental homes don’t even have signs on them. Homeowners
often list those homes exclusively with real-estate agents to make the rental
process easier and attract qualified renters. Real-estate agents can help you
search for homes that meet your needs quickly and efficiently by using their
professional tools.
Timing can be
important: If you decide to work with a real-estate agent and you know what
the timing for your move is, your agent can be working for you and finding that
right home. Again, in a tighter rental market, having a professional assist you
can help you find the best rental at the right price, and a realtor may be able
to convince the owner to entertain your offer before signing a new lease with
someone else.
Negotiation time:
When it comes time to negotiate your lease, having a real-estate agent assist
you can save you money. They can negotiate the length of the lease, how
payments are made (electronically or in person) or the rates for security and
pets deposits.
Running checks for
you: Most rental owners will ask for credit checks and employment
verification, just like an apartment community. For those who may have a spotty
history on either front, a real-estate agent can help a renter explain the
history and ensure that you have the needed backup information.
Renters don’t pay the
fees: In a rental transaction, usually the fees for the real-estate professionals
are paid by the owner of the home. This should make the decision to use a
real-estate agent even easier since there aren’t hard costs for you.