Local house rental questions (Denver, Parker: transplants, real estate, apartments)

[bhcompy]

My family is settling with the fact that finding the right house and buying it in our narrow selection timeframe is probably an unreasonable goal. Now we're looking at renting a house.

I've looked at craigslist and there seem to be a large number of rentals listed there. I was wondering if anyone is aware of local websites that list housing rentals that may have better selection, or at least better vetting of the homeowners/prop mgmt cos.

Also, does anyone know any websites that keeps track of rental rates? Looking in HR and Parker on craigslist, I'm seeing plenty of stock in my range(up to 1500/mo) for a 3bd house. Seems reasonable to me, but I'm coming from an area where a 3bd house goes for 2k/mo minimum and 2500-2700 for an average, so I want to make sure I'm not getting ripped off.

Thanks for the help

[Jerry Bckr]

You could check with property managment companies and ask them what the going rate would be for a particular community for the features you're inquiring about. No real websites that I'm aware of will provide that type of info. Single family homes rentals are pretty solid. With people losing their homes to foreclosure over the last several years, many of them are still in the area and have changed to renters. Condo and apartment rentals have more of an inventory because people that rent these types have doubled up or moved in with parents to save money. The prices you quoted seem pretty reasonable for our market. You could also try the Denver Post online classifeds.

[bhcompy]

Thank you. I'll check the Post and see what I can find.

Any idea what is typically furnished in rentals(houses and apts) in the Denver area? I hear a lot of complaints from transplants in my area because only dishwashers and stoves are typically furnished. Also, any names of local management companies or a listing of real estate agents that handle rentals?

Thanks

[2bindenver]

Property management in the Denver Metro area is unorganized. There is a RENT section in MLS, but most property managers advertise on websites, or in the local newspaper, and there are a lot of owners who rent w/o a pm.

As far as not getting ripped off; just like buying a house, you get a sense of what things are worth by comparison.

[reginhild]

Search rentals.com, they seem to have the largest listings for most places.

Searching Parker and Highland Ranch comes up with 11 freestanding home rentals with 3 bedrooms under $1500/mo.

[EscapeCalifornia]

How can you check if the owner is paying his mortgage?

[Katiana]

We rented a house once in Lafayette, did have to provide our own refrigerator. The apts we rented did provide a fridge.

[2bindenver]

The only thing you can do is ask. Once a Notice of Election and Demand is filed, you'll get a ton of letters in your mailbox.

[Jerry Bckr]

Apartments will usually have all appliances. With homes, it's a hit or miss but I'm going to say the majority of homes will have refrigerators. If not go on Craig's list and purchase one. You can buy one with what you would save in your first month's rent compared to what you would have to spend in California. For the most part, agents aren't used to rent properties, so there's no agent list even though there's a place on the Multiple Listing Service to do that, it's rarely used. Here's something you could try. Instead of you looking at adds for rentals, why not advertise yourself as a desirable tenant? Have the landlords seeking you out. They do read the classifieds to check rental rates and availability in the area of their rental, so there's a very good chance they would see your add. Tell them what you're looking for and why you would be a desirable tenant, then sit back and answer the calls. I friend of mine did that and got a great house that he rented for 16 years.

[katied49]

I've seen an increase in rentals in the Levittown area. Island Trees school district. There is one on Bloomingdale road right now. Very nice home. You might want to check it out. Levitts are uisually less expensive