Rental Advice in Arlington (apartment, rentals, month-to-month)

[naterator]

Hi everyone!

We listed our house a couple of weeks ago on a Friday morning before we went out of town for a long weekend. We had an almost full-price offer Saturday. Of course we accepted!!

But now, we need somewhere to go for a few months. Would prefer a 3-4 month lease, with an option to go month-to-month. Looking to spend $1,500 a month or less. It does not need to be extravagant. We can live with a smaller, dated home for a while until we find the right place.

We need to be out of our house in mid-November.

Does anyone have (or know of) anyone I can call?

We would like to stay in Southwest Arlington. We like the area and want to minimize the disruption to our children.

Thanks so much in advance!!!

Nathan

[Squirl]

Have you asked your realtor for help?

Good luck!

[naterator]

They offered to send me an automated MLS search of the available rentals. I'm doing that already.

I just don't understand the mentality that would rather let a property lay fallow rather than make at least a little money. Sure, there would be some risk, but that's why you would charge accordingly. Increase the deposit and monthly rate.

Some of the rentals I've looked at are a little dumpy and have been unoccupied for a while. You'd think they would be delighted to get someone in there at all, rather than hold out for the year-long lease that may take months to get.

[Squirl]

I have never rented a house month-2-month or short term lease for the first term. And I would have to charge more than $1500/mo to do so (at least 20-25% over year lease) in SW Arlington. But your budget would certainly work for an apartment and many offer 3-month or month 2 month leases.

Many, many landlords prefer to take the loss of income rather than have to deal with high tenant turnover. Generally, if we use property managers or realtors to find the tenant, they charge the full first month's rent to the owner each time there's a new tenant! So, for a 3-month stay, the owner would only get 2 month's income. If we manage our property ourselves then its just a very high maintenance issue dealing with marketing and prepping the property all over again in such a short time.....especially since most owners of rent houses do this part time while working a regular job.

[naterator]

I didn't realize that. Makes a lot more sense now. Thanks!

[WorldKlas]

If you negotiated a favorable six-month lease on a low budget house, it might may more sense and would give you flexibility as far as sourcing and doing any work prior to moving into the new place. I bet some private owners would consider it....