Starting your search online for your next home to rent has become commonplace. But when it comes time to narrow your search, it may seem like homebuyers have the advantage of calling on a real estate agent to help them through the process. But renters shouldn’t sell themselves short. Many real estate agents will gladly represent a renter. It’s just a matter of connecting with the right professional who is familiar with the rentals in your target area.
By enlisting the help of an agent, you get all the benefits available to a homebuyer: professional experience, a personal touch, local knowledge, and an understanding of your budgetary constraints.
Here are four reasons you may benefit from using a real estate agent to help you find your next rental.
Location: If you’re going to be living in a central neighborhood close to downtown, having a professional on hand would be extremely helpful. Often in a competitive market like DC, a real estate agent is necessary to help you get appointments to tour available spaces.- Relocating: If you are unfamiliar with the DC Metro area and neighborhoods, it could be a major advantage to call in a pro who spends their days scouring neighborhoods for available homes.
- Time: Some perspective renters simply do not have the time to search websites, connect with landlords, and tour properties. Enlisting the help of an agent can eliminate that time crunch they struggle with.
- Touring: Besides large apartment communities, most rentals are run by mom-and-pop landlords and property owners, where calls and emails have the potential of going unanswered. Even if you’ve got access to the leasing office, businesses may close at 6pm, creating a very limited window to access someone who can assist you. It’s a real estate agent’s job to make that connection for you. With an agent representing you, it might be possible to schedule an after-hours showing or ensure the property manager knows you’re serious about your inquiry.
Rental Beast has been partnering with real estate firms in the DC area to help support and train their real estate agents to be the most prepared and qualified professionals when it comes to helping perspective renters find their next home. With a database of up-to-date and available properties larger then any other website or professional listing service, the Rental Beast platform helps to make sure that any person looking for a rental property will find exactly what they need. Our agents work for some of the leading brokerage firms nationwide and take pride in providing that professional experience and local know-how to help you find your next home. No other platform can take you from first click to signed lease with greater ease.