For Rent by Owner in Scotch Plains, Westfield or Cranford? (Hoboken: sale, apartment complex) - New Jersey (NJ) - City-Data Forum

sirk98 · 04-30-2013, 10:43 AM

Hi all,

Sorry to ask a question very similar to a previous post, but I am now resigned to needing to rent once the sale of my apartment closes. Our offer on a house fell through, so a 12 month lease doesnt sound out of the question now.

I am having a tough time finding rentals that are not broker-listed (and requiring a fee). Are there any sites I am missing? Local papers that homeowners might advertise in? (didnt see anything in the Scotch Plains Patch)

Craigslist is useless...

Praxis · 04-30-2013, 01:07 PM

There is Duncan Hill (link) apartment complex in Westfield, you can just contact them directly so you don't have to pay any fee. I think you can do month to month too (with higher rent). Maybe not, just ask them.

sirk98 · 04-30-2013, 01:08 PM

thanks!

sonofagunk · 04-30-2013, 03:40 PM

If you dirve down North or South Avenues in all 3 towns you do see some "for rent" signs that are not from realtors. Not sure if they have one and you have to pay a fee anyway, but it doesn't look like it.

sirk98 · 04-30-2013, 03:59 PM

I am currently in Brooklyn so it is an outing to drive around looking. I wish that there was a local paper, or if homeowners would post in craigslist... I have some time yet, so not in too much a rush..

ResearchMom · 04-30-2013, 07:24 PM

Here is a manged community in Cranford right by the train station and in the town center.

Morgan Properties: Cranford Crossing Apartments 1 South Avenue East & 2 South Avenue West Cranford NJ 07106 | Floorplans Availability & Rent

Sergio M · 04-30-2013, 07:29 PM

You can spend a lot of time looking at a lot of properties that really won't work for you, or calling from signs, not even knowing how many bedrooms or how much the rent is.
Why would you rule out your most valuable resource? Time is money. And, if the right property comes on the market you should know about it. That is what Realtors do. Save you money (time).
Landlords that have nice rental properties often list with Realtors. This assures them that they are protected by their leases, and the tenants are screened.
A Realtor will only show you properties that are in your price range, and fit your criteria. For example: if you have a pet, you should only be looking at rentals that accept pets. You can burn a lot of gas trying to save a few bucks.

Good Luck!

sonofagunk · 04-30-2013, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergio M

You can spend a lot of time looking at a lot of properties that really won't work for you, or calling from signs, not even knowing how many bedrooms or how much the rent is.
Why would you rule out your most valuable resource? Time is money. And, if the right property comes on the market you should know about it. That is what Realtors do. Save you money (time).
Landlords that have nice rental properties often list with Realtors. This assures them that they are protected by their leases, and the tenants are screened.
A Realtor will only show you properties that are in your price range, and fit your criteria. For example: if you have a pet, you should only be looking at rentals that accept pets. You can burn a lot of gas trying to save a few bucks.

Good Luck!

I have to agree. When I wanted to look in Hoboken, I used an agent and she showed me 7 places on one Saturday and I didn't have to call a single person. Only took one trip, she did all of the paperwork, and showed me places that fit my requirements (not just ones that the owners thought I would like)

Praxis · 04-30-2013, 08:34 PM

Time is money, but money is also money. Broker's fee can be costly. It really depends on OP's availability to check out different rentals.

Kthnry · 04-30-2013, 09:13 PM

I agree that craigslist isn't very useful in the NJ suburbs. (I come from DC, where it's indispensable.)

Have you posted in the Housing Wanted section of craigslist? I'm a landlord -- I have a condo plus an apartment in my two-family house. I don't ever post availability on craigslist; too much craziness. But I read the Housing Wanted ads and I've had very good luck finding good tenants. Just try to sound sane and responsible, and don't include any all-caps threats to report spammers to the craigslist authorities. Landlords don't like to see loud empty threats from prospective tenants.