Need Advice on Renting in Carolina Beach (Wilmington, Sparta: rentals, month-to-month)

[Dorahacky]

I moved to Wilmington from MA in May of this year. I'm currently renting in Wilmington, but would like to rent in Carolina Beach as soon as tourist season is over and a long-term rental is more affordable and feasible.

I've come to understand, through networking locally, that renting in Carolina Beach can be difficult if you don't "know people" locally, and I don't, being a new transplant. I've lived in a variety of other states, including AR, AZ, MD, TX, and MA, so I understand that mores and methods for this type of thing differ from state to state.

What would a reasonable rent for an off-season two-bedroom rental be in the Carolina Beach area (to include Kure Beach and Federal Point, as well)? I'm looking for a 6-month, 9-month, or 12-month lease, but wouldn't rule out a month-to-month lease if that's how it's normally done.

Also, should I go through a realty company that handles rentals, or should I seek out individual landlords? I've noticed, too, that there aren't a lot of rental advertisements in the newspapers, so should I simply drive around and look for "For rent" signs posted outside of available properties?

Any advice that anyone can give would be welcome. I'm hoping to move in the next 2-3 months. Thank you!

[curlygc]

Originally Posted by Dorahacky

I moved to Wilmington from MA in May of this year. I'm currently renting in Wilmington, but would like to rent in Carolina Beach as soon as tourist season is over and a long-term rental is more affordable and feasible.

I've come to understand, through networking locally, that renting in Carolina Beach can be difficult if you don't "know people" locally, and I don't, being a new transplant. I've lived in a variety of other states, including AR, AZ, MD, TX, and MA, so I understand that mores and methods for this type of thing differ from state to state.

What would a reasonable rent for an off-season two-bedroom rental be in the Carolina Beach area (to include Kure Beach and Federal Point, as well)? I'm looking for a 6-month, 9-month, or 12-month lease, but wouldn't rule out a month-to-month lease if that's how it's normally done.

Also, should I go through a realty company that handles rentals, or should I seek out individual landlords? I've noticed, too, that there aren't a lot of rental advertisements in the newspapers, so should I simply drive around and look for "For rent" signs posted outside of available properties?

Any advice that anyone can give would be welcome. I'm hoping to move in the next 2-3 months. Thank you!

Hi there!

I just went through the process of trying to find a rental in Carolina and/or Kure Beach (I chose Kure b/c I like it better) and I found Craigslist to be very, very helpful. There are a ton of listings on there right now. There happens to be a 2-bedroom cottage for rent on Spartanburg for $875 a month, water and sewer included, that is furnished (and beautifully so), though the landlord will unfurnish it if you'd rather. It's on craigslist right now and I suspect it won't last long. I would have taken it, but I decided I needed more space and wanted to be in Kure. You may want to think about moving sooner rather than later, as many of the off-season rentals are going on the market now. I have no idea what kind of luck you'll have three months from now, in the middle of winter. Might be a question to ask a realtor.

Speaking of realtors, Moderator cut: use direct message so, most of the local rental companies have their own sites and list places for rent. And there's also the Star News and Island Gazette classifieds. Good luck!

GC