In the United States, 44.1 million households are renters. Renting a home provides many benefits and is better than buying a home for many people. For example, you will not have to pay real estate taxes, deal with maintenance and repairs, and you don't have to worry about decreasing property value.
However, it can still be difficult to find the perfect house to rent for your needs.
Are you looking for homes for rent in Charlotte, NC? Keep reading this guide for the top factors you should consider when looking for a rental property.
Set a Budget
Setting a budget is the first thing you need to do when you are ready to rent a house. Because there are so many homes available for rent, it can be difficult to get through all of the listings without a few parameters.
When you set a budget, you can easily filter through the listings that you cannot afford and only look at the properties that will fit your financial needs.
To ensure that you are financially protected, it is recommended that you never spend more than 30% of your income on your housing costs. You will also need to include the cost of utilities, internet, and other costs associated with renting a home.
Consider the Features You Need
Something else that will make house hunting even easier is making a list of the features you need in a property. These are things that you are not willing to budge on and things that you will prioritize finding when renting a new home.
For example, some renters will not live in a home that does not have a backyard. Whether they have children or pets, having a backyard is a necessity that they cannot live without.
Having a list of these needs will help you narrow down your search. You can also include a list of things that you would love to have in a home but that are not deal breakers.
If there are things that you are willing to compromise on, it may be easier to find a great property! For example, you may be able to find a great home that is close to a park even if you cannot find a property with a large backyard.
Prioritize Location
You should also prioritize the location of your rental home when you are moving to Charlotte. A home with a great location is much more convenient!
Some things you should consider are finding a property that is close to your employment, near grocery stores, and more.
It can also be beneficial to find a home near community parks and other amenities, like a gym or recreation center. This will ensure that you never have to go too far out of your way to get to the places that you frequent.
You simply cannot put a value on a great location for a rental property!
Get Recommendations
If you have friends or family members that live in the area you are moving to, you can also ask them for recommendations for a rental home. Often, people already within your social circle will know of properties available in their neighborhoods.
They may also have more information about the best neighborhoods to live in, the best schools, and more.
If you get these recommendations from a friend or family member, it will be easy to ask them for more information about the property and neighborhood!
Spend a Day in the Neighborhood
It is also important that you spend a day in the neighborhood before you decide to live there. This will give you a good idea of how it will be to live there.
If you have children, you may want to prioritize finding a neighborhood that has many young children.
You should also make sure you would feel comfortable living in the neighborhood. For example, you may want to find a neighborhood that is comfortable and attractive. Often, this will show that neighbors that are kind and take care of their homes and properties.
Other qualities you should consider in a neighborhood are safety, the types of public services available, and more.
A great neighborhood will also help you feel more welcome when you move into your new rental home.
Map Your Day
Before you settle on a home that you want to live in, you should always try mapping out your day. This is especially important if you are moving to a home that is close to your current housing.
For example, you should see how far your new house would be from your workplace, school, grocery store, and more. Is the home in a good location or would it be difficult to get to each of these places?
Similarly, you can consider different types of transportation. If your new home is close to a public transit line, it may be easier to get around.
Research Crime Rates
Something else to consider before choosing a rental home is the crime rates in the neighborhood. Even if you live in a generally safe area, crime always happens.
You can often find websites that will give you information about crime reports as well as information on common safety issues in a neighborhood.
For example, some neighborhoods may have common cases of home or car break-ins. Learning about these crimes will help you avoid living in areas that are dangerous and can help you improve your safety and security at home.
Look Into School Districts
If you have children, you should also consider looking into different school districts. Education is important for children and not every school is created equal.
Some schools may provide higher-quality programs, better teachers, and overall better education.
If this is something that you want for your children, you should research the different schools and school districts in the area before you choose a neighborhood.
Consider Outdoor Space
One of the great benefits of a rental home is that they often have outdoor spaces that are not available in other types of rental properties. For example, you may have a private backyard, a balcony, or a patio that you can enjoy during the warmer months!
While this is not always a necessary feature in a rental home, you may want to prioritize finding a rental with outdoor space. This will give you more space to enjoy!
Ensure It Is Move-In Ready
Sometimes it is difficult to find rental homes that are in good condition. Whether past tenants caused property damage or the property is just old, you may find that the home needs many repairs before you can live in it.
To avoid this, it is best to find a rental property that is move-in ready. Make sure all of the necessary repairs have been made when you visit the property for the first time!
This even includes things like painting and cleaning.
Consider Lease Length
Before moving into a rental home, you also need to consider the length of the lease. Your needs may vary when it comes to renting a home. For example, some people only need a temporary place to live.
In these cases, you may want to find a rental home that offers month-to-month leases.
Other people are looking for a more permanent place to settle. If this is the case, you must find a home that offers long-term leases.
Learn About the Landlord
When you live in a rental property, you will regularly have to deal with your landlord. Because of this, it is important that you learn more about the landlord to make sure they will be cooperative.
This will help you establish a good relationship as landlord and tenant and will ensure that the landlord is courteous, helpful, and respectful.
Having a bad landlord can make renting a home a negative experience, so make sure you consider this factor.
Consider Application Process
Finally, you must consider the application process before you choose a rental home in Charlotte, North Carolina. This can be a lengthy and competitive process, especially if the rental home is in high demand.
Some landlords will require you to pay an application fee and a deposit along with the application.
Make sure the application process isn't too complicated! Otherwise, it may take you several weeks before you are even eligible to be considered for the rental property.
Want Homes for Rent in Charlotte, NC? We Can Help
When you are looking to rent a home, it can be difficult to find the perfect property for your needs. By considering each of these factors, you can learn how to rent the perfect home in Charlotte, North Carolina!
Do you need help finding homes for rent in Charlotte, NC? Bottom line Property Management can help! We can help you find rental homes in Charlotte, Gastonia, Concord, and surrounding areas.
Contact us today to learn more about our available properties!
