Help us find our 1st DC rental house, PLEASE

[Anonymous]

We're moving to DC this spring and will be looking for a house or large apt to rent in NW DC.

What's the best way to find a rental for people who live several hours away from DC? I think dealing with Craigs List is going to be tough for us. Working with a broker will likely be much easier because he/she can line up several viewings for us for a day we come to DC to visit. But I understand that most people in DC use Craigs List, rather than brokers.

Any tips for someone in our situation? tia

[Anonymous]

We used a site connected to the Washington Post website - maybe apartmentshowcase or something like that? Things are rented on a rolling basis, I think you will just need to set up some appointments with resident managers for apartments when you come. Trying to see a lot of rental houses is tricky schedule wise. I'd just try to see several in the course of ta few days (weekdays for buildings with managers, weekends for private owner rentals) and pick from the available options, it's only a year. The apartment rental market is better than it has been, so you should have some options. I know that there are many houses in upper NW and in Glover Park that are often rented to students, since they will be moving out/on soon, your timing for looking at that type of rental housing could be quite good. Good luck, there is stuff out there, it's not like NY.

[Anonymous]

Also look in DC City Paper (kind of like Village Voice for DC). More reputable listings than Craigslist:

http://classifieds.washingtoncitypaper.com/washington/Results?section=oid:8

[Anonymous]

realtor.com