subject: Help For Renters - How To Rent A House Without Getting Ripped Off [print this page] Maybe it is your first time renting a home? There are lots of things to consider before you rent a home. Even for the person who has rented many times before there are some ideas here that I think will help you the next time you rent.
The market in Griffin, GA has been overrun by new investors buying homes and renting them out. Some of these investors handle business and others are just in it for a quick buck. I have been in the business for over 30 years and I can tell you exactly what to watch out for.
When you find a place and take a look at it make sure that it truly has everything that you need. The worst thing we can do is assume that a home has certain things, only later to find out it doesn't. For instance does the house have jacks for phone and cable? If it doesn't this is typically an expense that is paid by the renter not the home owner and could cost you a few hundred dollars. Make sure it has everything you need before you agree to move in.
Make sure you are ok with the location. Recently I had a renter come back to me after having moved away for four months. Right after she moved out of my place she was mugged at her new home. This lady is in a wheelchair and is paralyzed yet the robbers didn't care. If she had done a little research on the area first she would have known it was a bad place. It would be foolish to only ask the potential landlord, go and speak to the neighbors there is nothing wrong with that if you do it in a friendly way.
Think about your budget and what you need in a home. So many times I have someone come into my office and I ask them how many bedrooms they need and they say "oh I don't know, about three." when I ask them what kind of range they are looking for and they say "as cheap as possible." We all like a good deal, I love them. Yet when it comes to a home you don't necessarily want the cheapest home on the market. You want something that fits your budget and your needs. Before you visit properties think of what your budget is and what you need in terms of space. You can always tell the agent that you are willing to look at anything they have, but narrowing your options will make it better for both of you.
Renting a house right now is the best options for many families, especially in the South metro Atlanta area where prices of real estate have plummeted over the last few years. Finding the right home and the right landlord is very crucial in having a great place to live. Ask the landlord a lot of questions. Get to know them and the property before you make a financial decision to get into a lease worth thousands of dollars.
