Tips on renting in this day and age?

[Anonymous]

I'm going to be renting soon to be IB for a decent MS/HS and not suburban. Budget maxes out at $3000 and even that will be very uncomfortable financially. Any tips for as I assess apartment buildings? Are the prices that are listed on places like Zillow and Hotpads accurate? And specific buildings or property management companies you can recommend? Any projections on how much rent will increase after a year or ways to get around it (like a 2-yr lease?)

Must be close to transit and 2 bedrooms. Other than that, really not picky about building features.

Neighborhoods I am considering: Glover Park, off of Ct Ave, Bethesda, Rockville close to Metro. Am I missing anything?

I am familiar with the "nuisance building" problem on CT Ave and have a list of those, but interested to hear any updates on that front.

[Anonymous]

If you’re open to VA, you should check out Falls Glen in Falls Church. It is IB for Falls Church City schools (which are excellent) and less than a mile from East Falls Church metro (I think they have a free shuttle - at least they used to). Also very close to 66. Sounds like your kids are older, but had friends who used to live there and there are a TON of kids that all play together in the courtyard after school and in the summer (I’m talking like 25-30 kids, seemed awesome if you have kids in ES). They advertise 1BRs at $1800 so I imagine a 2BR would be in budget.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be renting soon to be IB for a decent MS/HS and not suburban. Budget maxes out at $3000 and even that will be very uncomfortable financially. Any tips for as I assess apartment buildings? Are the prices that are listed on places like Zillow and Hotpads accurate? And specific buildings or property management companies you can recommend? Any projections on how much rent will increase after a year or ways to get around it (like a 2-yr lease?)

Must be close to transit and 2 bedrooms. Other than that, really not picky about building features.

Neighborhoods I am considering: Glover Park, off of Ct Ave, Bethesda, Rockville close to Metro. Am I missing anything?

I am familiar with the "nuisance building" problem on CT Ave and have a list of those, but interested to hear any updates on that front.

It is the same situation everywhere. Rents will decrease from where we are now I guess. This happened in 2007 to 2012

[Anonymous]

BTW some buildings do not use realtors you have to apply online or in person.

For example I walked into Long and Foster on East West Highway by Wisconsin Ave in Bethesda and was looking for building to rent close to that location.

No mention of Topaz house which was two buildings only as apparently they don’t pay realtor commission.

I found building on line and toured building and rented there. But a few buildings are like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BTW some buildings do not use realtors you have to apply online or in person.

For example I walked into Long and Foster on East West Highway by Wisconsin Ave in Bethesda and was looking for building to rent close to that location.

No mention of Topaz house which was two buildings only as apparently they don’t pay realtor commission.

I found building on line and toured building and rented there. But a few buildings are like that.

How do you like Topaz House? It’s on my list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW some buildings do not use realtors you have to apply online or in person.

For example I walked into Long and Foster on East West Highway by Wisconsin Ave in Bethesda and was looking for building to rent close to that location.

No mention of Topaz house which was two buildings only as apparently they don’t pay realtor commission.

I found building on line and toured building and rented there. But a few buildings are like that.

How do you like Topaz House? It’s on my list.

The good and the bad.
The good
1) units are larger than new units at same price point. Their 1,2,3 bedroom units are pretty big
2) has quiet grassy courtyard in middle of building
3) owners do voluntary rent control hence large amount long term tenants so not as transient
4) HS across street is nice for older kids. Bus stop elementary pulls into circular driveway moms and dads wait in lobby
5) 24 hour front desk
6) nice roof top pool
7) rents are pretty good
8) dry cleaner and gym in building
9) storage space available for free
10) biggest perk Utilities included. Heat, AC, Water, electric. Nice perk.

Bad
1) A bit dated compared to new buildings
2) laundry in hallway on each floor
3) lower floors toward front of building facing east west highway more noise.
5) the walk to bars and restaurants on other side of Wisconsin a bit further walk

I only lived on third floor but I faced Internal garden court yard and was quiet.

I like that unlike some buildings on Wisconsin a bit set back. The Uber etc could drop off at door easy. Public parking garage around corner for guests. Also vamoose bus to NYC right there

[Anonymous]

I personally always had more luck with smaller landlords— both cheaper rent and generally more responsive. A landlord who held on their starter condo or home is always a good bet, because they have an interest in maintaining it and generally are interested in stable tenants over lots of profit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW some buildings do not use realtors you have to apply online or in person.

For example I walked into Long and Foster on East West Highway by Wisconsin Ave in Bethesda and was looking for building to rent close to that location.

No mention of Topaz house which was two buildings only as apparently they don’t pay realtor commission.

I found building on line and toured building and rented there. But a few buildings are like that.

How do you like Topaz House? It’s on my list.

The good and the bad.
The good
1) units are larger than new units at same price point. Their 1,2,3 bedroom units are pretty big
2) has quiet grassy courtyard in middle of building
3) owners do voluntary rent control hence large amount long term tenants so not as transient
4) HS across street is nice for older kids. Bus stop elementary pulls into circular driveway moms and dads wait in lobby
5) 24 hour front desk
6) nice roof top pool
7) rents are pretty good
8) dry cleaner and gym in building
9) storage space available for free
10) biggest perk Utilities included. Heat, AC, Water, electric. Nice perk.

Bad
1) A bit dated compared to new buildings
2) laundry in hallway on each floor
3) lower floors toward front of building facing east west highway more noise.
5) the walk to bars and restaurants on other side of Wisconsin a bit further walk

I only lived on third floor but I faced Internal garden court yard and was quiet.

I like that unlike some buildings on Wisconsin a bit set back. The Uber etc could drop off at door easy. Public parking garage around corner for guests. Also vamoose bus to NYC right there

Wow, that actually sounds really ... perfect!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally always had more luck with smaller landlords— both cheaper rent and generally more responsive. A landlord who held on their starter condo or home is always a good bet, because they have an interest in maintaining it and generally are interested in stable tenants over lots of profit.

Op here. Yeah, I think so to. On the flip side, you risk the landlord wanting to sell or move their kid in. Is a realtor the best way to find smaller landlords? I do see some single family homes/townhomes/condos on Hotpads etc from time to time but not sure if you really need to go through a realtor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally always had more luck with smaller landlords— both cheaper rent and generally more responsive. A landlord who held on their starter condo or home is always a good bet, because they have an interest in maintaining it and generally are interested in stable tenants over lots of profit.

Op here. Yeah, I think so to. On the flip side, you risk the landlord wanting to sell or move their kid in. Is a realtor the best way to find smaller landlords? I do see some single family homes/townhomes/condos on Hotpads etc from time to time but not sure if you really need to go through a realtor?

Apartments.com and Zillow especially tend to list a lot of private landlord properties. A few avoid realtors to cut out their fee which is typically the first months rent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally always had more luck with smaller landlords— both cheaper rent and generally more responsive. A landlord who held on their starter condo or home is always a good bet, because they have an interest in maintaining it and generally are interested in stable tenants over lots of profit.

Op here. Yeah, I think so to. On the flip side, you risk the landlord wanting to sell or move their kid in. Is a realtor the best way to find smaller landlords? I do see some single family homes/townhomes/condos on Hotpads etc from time to time but not sure if you really need to go through a realtor?

Apartments.com and Zillow especially tend to list a lot of private landlord properties. A few avoid realtors to cut out their fee which is typically the first months rent.

does the renter or landlord pay the fee?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally always had more luck with smaller landlords— both cheaper rent and generally more responsive. A landlord who held on their starter condo or home is always a good bet, because they have an interest in maintaining it and generally are interested in stable tenants over lots of profit.

Op here. Yeah, I think so to. On the flip side, you risk the landlord wanting to sell or move their kid in. Is a realtor the best way to find smaller landlords? I do see some single family homes/townhomes/condos on Hotpads etc from time to time but not sure if you really need to go through a realtor?

Apartments.com and Zillow especially tend to list a lot of private landlord properties. A few avoid realtors to cut out their fee which is typically the first months rent.

does the renter or landlord pay the fee?

Landlord pays the advertising fee.
Just contact the landlord and start communication from the website contact information .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally always had more luck with smaller landlords— both cheaper rent and generally more responsive. A landlord who held on their starter condo or home is always a good bet, because they have an interest in maintaining it and generally are interested in stable tenants over lots of profit.

Op here. Yeah, I think so to. On the flip side, you risk the landlord wanting to sell or move their kid in. Is a realtor the best way to find smaller landlords? I do see some single family homes/townhomes/condos on Hotpads etc from time to time but not sure if you really need to go through a realtor?

Apartments.com and Zillow especially tend to list a lot of private landlord properties. A few avoid realtors to cut out their fee which is typically the first months rent.

does the renter or landlord pay the fee?

Landlord pays the advertising fee.
Just contact the landlord and start communication from the website contact information .

Oh, I meant other than Zillow. If a landlord uses a realtor, does the landlord pay the realtor's fee? Or do I?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I personally always had more luck with smaller landlords— both cheaper rent and generally more responsive. A landlord who held on their starter condo or home is always a good bet, because they have an interest in maintaining it and generally are interested in stable tenants over lots of profit.

Op here. Yeah, I think so to. On the flip side, you risk the landlord wanting to sell or move their kid in. Is a realtor the best way to find smaller landlords? I do see some single family homes/townhomes/condos on Hotpads etc from time to time but not sure if you really need to go through a realtor?

Apartments.com and Zillow especially tend to list a lot of private landlord properties. A few avoid realtors to cut out their fee which is typically the first months rent.

does the renter or landlord pay the fee?

Landlord pays the advertising fee.
Just contact the landlord and start communication from the website contact information .

Oh, I meant other than Zillow. If a landlord uses a realtor, does the landlord pay the realtor's fee? Or do I?

Landlord pays realtor fee.

[Anonymous]

Beware, some buildings in DC NW, and even condo towers are taking housing vouchers and have a big enough influx of tenants whose lifestyle may not be compatible with yours..

My elderly aunt had to move out, she couldn't stand pervasive pot smoke everywhere, increase in levels of noise and crime.