What to do prior to moving…

1.      Use this time to prepare yourself for moving.

2.      Drive around areas that meet your needs (schools, close to work, schools, churches) to find neighborhoods you like.

3.      Define what you really “have to have” in a home and what you “want” to have in a home.

4.      Call on signs to make sure the rental prices are what you want to spend.

5.      Check you credit to see if there are any issues you will be asked to address with your new landlord.

6.      Be sure to give your previous landlord his 30 day notice you are moving.  Most property managers check to see if this was done prior to accepting you application for the new home.

When is it time to look?

7.      Don’t even start until about 3 weeks prior to moving as landlords will not hold a property off the market for more than a couple of weeks.

8.      Select a REALTOR® with experience and training, with whom you are comfortable who will furnish you with a list of available properties

9.      Drive by the properties and decide which ones you would like to see inside.  Remember they move quickly so you need to move quickly too.

10.  Set an appointment as soon as possible with your REALTOR to see the ones that you are considering.

When you find the right home…

1.      You will be asked to fill in an application and perhaps some other paperwork.  Do it right away and be sure to give the property manager your Agents information.

2.      Be honest with the property manager about any issues that he may find and offer your explanation ahead of time if you can, property managers will accept issues more readily if they are not surprised by them.

3.      You will to need pay an administrative fee to cover the costs of verifying the information on your application and doing a credit report.  This is not refundable and the property manager is not a credit reporting service so they cannot give you a copy of your report.

4.      You may also be asked to pay a deposit that is usually refundable if you do not get accepted by the owner, be prepared for that and make sure to find out if it is refundable.

5.      It usually only takes two to three days to approve or deny your application.

When you application is accepted and you sign the lease….

1.      You will be asked to come in and sign the lease and pay your deposits and first months rent right away so make sure you are financially prepared and if this is a hardship see if the property manager will work out a payment plan with you.

2.      The landlord will probably want you to take possession and start paying rent in no more that two weeks after your application is accepted.

3.      Be sure to make clear arrangements for the day you will be able to pick up all keys and remotes.

A week before you move…

1.      Give the post office your forwarding address.

2.      Change your address for your important mail.

3.      Have utilities…gas, electric, water, telephone, cable turned on at the new address.

4.      Schedule a moving service or a truck.

Enjoy your new home!