Recent headlines have posted that the rental market is looking to tighten further in 2010 and 2011. But what does that mean for you as a tenant, or prospective tenant?
It simply means that you are going to have to be savvy in the way that you research and in ensuring that you truly are getting exactly what you pay for.
Being in property management in Paddington and the local area for some time now, I have learnt and understand just how to find the right information and the best way to search, cull out all the rubbish, and get a bit of bang for your buck!
Our top suggestions for searching for a rental property:
- www.realestate.com.au www.domain.com.au , these websites offer direct listing access for all real estate agents.
- Utilise www.spaceproperty.com.au
- Get to know your local agent – find out what you want with a property, where you want to live and if it offers all things important to you.
- Take a drive around your local area or the area that you are considering renting – Does it have schools that appeal to your family, are the shops close buy, sports and social clubs that you or the family are interested in. If you are single or couple, does the area offer cafe’s restaurants and theatres within walking distances and transport.
- Broaden your horizons – having your heart set on one particular suburb may not be realistic, try another area or another suburb close by.
- Speak to your current agent and suggest to be referred onto other available properties within the agency, ask the agent to put you on their database and keep you up to date on all new listings.
- Start your rental search early – approx 2 months prior to your lease ending, the changes with the legislation means that all tenancies are ended not before 2 months notice is given, therefore there could be great opportunity to secure a rental property up to 8 weeks before you need to move.
- Newspaper adverts, although not a lot of agents advertise in the local or state newspapers, a small portion do as well as private owners, see what is on offer.
And remember, not everything is as it seems, after researching – attend open for inspections, ask questions, and always ensure you have a back up plan!
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