Looking for a rental home and frustrated! (Huntsville, Decatur: real estate, renters)

[onelilredrose]

So we arrived in Huntsville last week and have spent the last 5 days driving in circles looking for a rental we like. I am sooo frustrated!
We've been looking in the paper and on craigslist. We also have been watching ValleyMLS, still nothing!
We are looking in the SE area or possibly Madison, for a three bedroom with at least 1300 square feet and enough driveway to park 3 vehicles. Budget is between $700 and $900/month (not including utilities). Is that too much to ask? What other resources is there to find rental homes? We have even driven in the SE neighborhood with no luck in seeing yard signs with for rent options.
What am i missing here?
Rose

[johnrex62]

I used to rent a place in Athens that fit that description. Doubt it is available anymore, but I found it driving neighborhoods

[LCTMadison]

Be careful on Craiglist!!! There has been some rental scams on there recently, and several poor unknowing renters got taken.

What you are looking for is going to be somewhat of a challenge to find, but not unheard of. You will probably not find it in Madison, but may have luck in the county areas and Limestone Cty/Athens. Also, you may expand out to the New Market area...I had a client we got in a rental last fall and they found a great 2 year old 1800 sft 4 bedroom home in Deer Valley for $900 a month. They were looking under $1000, and it was challenging, to say the least!
Have you thought about actually contacting a property manager to help you? I have a friend who manages rental properties, and he is great! He might have something for you, or may know of something that is getting ready to come available. If you would like his name, DM me.

[BobWallace]

Try oodle.com - they consolidate several different listing services.

[bmrisko]

We are about to move out of a 3 br / 2 bath in the Hughes Rd. area and were paying $1100/month.

Your price range is going to be kind of hard to find in Madison...

[deesonic]

Yep. Huntsville is much cheaper than many parts of the country, but less than $900 in the areas you seek is going to be tough. I think you'll need to consider options outside of Madison and SE Huntsville to find that price range.

[marzgyrl]

Have you looked at the real estate listings on al.com or worked with a local Property Management company?

[Keeper]

Where is your job located and how far a commute is acceptable? I would call a RE company you have seen advertising homes for rent. Maybe one of our Realtors can DM you with a name of someone who can help you.

Not sure about H'ville but there are houses for rent in Arab in your price range. Most of the houses I see for rent are managed by a RE company here. There are a few 'for rent' that are by owners

You might want to check out Decatur and Athens too.

[onelilredrose]

We drove out to New Market and loved the small town feel of the area. So I guess a bit of a drive is not that bad, any new suggestions?

[BKNOVA]

If you find anything 1-2 bedrooms please let me know. I am officially searching too!