Rental Beast is pleased to announce that our database of listings not found on the local MLS officially has 80% visibility into the Houston market! To celebrate The Bayou City (or H-Town or Magnolia City or just Houston— take your pick) we’re devoting this whole week to exploring this vibrant city, and how Rental Beast can help real estate professionals, landlords, and renters make informed decisions when renting in Houston. Houston is especially attractive for Millennials, and even members of Gen Z, who rank it high for affordability, connectivity, and ease of engaging in activism. Now that we’ve sold you on Houston, read our top 6 tips to renting in Houston.
Related: Why People are Flocking to Houston
Figure out Your Expenses
The firs of our tips to renting in Houston is knowing how much you should be spending on your living expenses. According to Rent Jungle, average rent in Houston is $1281, and a few hundred dollars shy of the national average of $1467. However, like any city, what you’ll pay varies based on you neighborhood. Rice, Downtown Houston, and River Oaks come in as the top three most expensive neighborhoods, and Far North, North, and Northwest are the least expensive. The US government suggests spending 30% of your monthly income on rent and utilities—although in cities across the US, from Miami, New York, and San Francisco, renters dish out much more of their income on housing. Find a number that works for you, and see what neighborhood will have the housing that works for your budget!
And… When You’re Figuring Out Your Expenses, Remember One Great Thing About Houston— You’ll Save on Utilities.
When you’re thinking about how much you’ll shell out on housing and utilities, remember that The competitive energy sector in Houston means that companies regularly compete to get energy prices as low as possible, and that Houston’s economy is fairy stable. Of course, this is great news for people who live in Houston. The more you save on energy, the more you can dish out on living expenses.
Lost? Get the Advice of a Real Estate Agent
Feeling a little bit lost? First time in Houston and you’re not sure exactly which neighborhoods will be best-suited to your needs and wants? Think about finding a real estate agent. Yes, the services of a real estate professional might cost you money. Broker fees are either paid for by the landlord or the renter—this will be agreed upon in advance, and in writing, by the real estate agent. And, often times the broker fee is paid for by the landlord! However, even if do end up dishing out a bit of cash, many renters find that enlisting the help of a real estate professional is worth it. They can help you save time by searching through their exclusive search sites, and have the know-how to explain complicated leases and walk you through. Having a real estate professional in your corner is very important.
Prepare for the Worst—Will Your Apartment Flood? (Hint: If it’s Built After 2001, it’s Less Likely To!)
As with many cities across the Unites States, living in Houston presents the unfortunate prospect of dealing with natural disasters. As a low-lying city with poor drainage systems and rapid urban development, Houstonians can expect flooding every year. Preparing for natural disasters or extreme might be scary, but it’s absolutely necessary. Will your apartment flood? Ask the landlord about the apartment’s flooding history. After Tropical Storm Allison in 2001, many apartments were build with disastrous flooding in mind and are likely to be better equipped than older apartments. And, once you move to Houston, keep in mind that you might be
When Will You Move?
Timing is of the essence! So, if at possible, try to time your move in accordance with the market. During the summer, nearly 50,000 students at University of Houston and Rice University are in the market to get a new apartment (yikes!), so consider moving during the holidays (November, December, and January). Although you might have plans with your families, these slower months might let you score better prices. If you’re willing to spend a little bit of your vacation apartment-hunting, landlords will be happy to have you.
Get Ready to Enjoy All Houston Has to Offer!
We think moving to Houston is a great choice. Here’s a starting place—
Restaurants
The whole city’s known for its delicious eats— Houston’s restaurant scene is ever-evolving, lightning fast, and super-dynamic. In particular, Houston boasts a cultural diverse culinary scene with an array of delicious Vietnamese, Cajun, and Mexican food.
Open Space
While having a car is a must in this automobile-driven city, there’s also green space galore. In total there’s 50,632 acres of park space in Houston that you can use to cleanse your mind, walk your dog, or stretch your legs. Houston strikes just the right balance between steel and concrete metropolis and pedestrian friendly green place fit for you and your four-legged friends.
Arts & Culture
Downtown Houston is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene as well as its booming. With acclaimed museums like the Museum of Fine Arts and the Rothko Chapel (home to the largest collection of art by the iconic modern artist Mark Rothko), culture junkies will be thrilled with Houston’s selection. Wondering through art museums not quite your speed? Looking for something to Every March, Houston holds the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the largest indoor livestock exhibitions and rodeo in the world.
With so much to do, Houston renter’s will always have packed weekends.
He hope these tips to renting in Houston helped you get excited about moving to H-Town. We’re thrilled that Rental Beast is in Houston and we’re ready to start helping Houston agents build their book of business by working with rentals, and leveraging our database of thousands of off-MLS listings. We’re also excited to start working with Texas landlords and getting renters into apartments that they love! Get ready to take advantage of our database, CRM, and application engine. To learn more about the Rental Beast platform or to request a no-obligation demo visit Rental Beast for Real Estate Agents.