What's the deal with rentals? (Matamoras, Milford: hardwood floors, for sale, apartment)

[MsMilford]

Boy, am I frustrated! We are relocating to Milford next month for our jobs. One of the job requirements is that we be close to Milford, if not actually in town. We are a middle-aged, professional married couple. We have a house to sell here in MD, so need to rent for at least six months. No kids, but we have a small dog. We figured it would be easy to find an appropriate rental.

In July, we found a 3 BR, 2 1/2 BA townhouse for rent just a couple of miles outside of Milford. It had central heat and A/C, 2 car gararage, 1650 square feet of living space, pretty much everything we are used to and would like in a rental, for $1150/month. Unfortunately, the owner now cannot move out until at least December so we have been trying to find another place.

Finding the right size place has been hard enough, but the condition of most of these rentals have been atrocious! Even the ones listed as being in "good" condition or boasting all kinds of cosmetic upgrades have been deplorable. Rotting stairs, mildew/mold, filthy carpet, damaged walls, you name it, we've seen it. And missing appliances; a fridge, but no stove? Also, why don't any landlords up here provide a washer/dryer in the rental? It just doesn't make sense.

If anyone has any suggestions about where we can find a comparable rental to the townhouse we first arranged for, I would welcome the help. At this point, our whole move is in jeopardy as we have no address to move to!!

[MsMilford]

Hmm...nobody's touching this with a ten-foot pole, LOL!

Just in case anyone is interested -- I found a sublet-type website that listed a 3 BR 2 1/2 BA house in Matamoras for $1200/mo that seems perfect for us. I have sent an email asking to be contacted about viewing/leasing the property, so please wish me luck.

Oh yeah, it actually has a washer and dryer! No a/c, but I think we can live with that over the winter...

[karen_s]

I'm sorry you are having such trouble. Many people have described rentals in the Poconos just as you are - they are very pricey yet in poor shape. Part of that comes with "absentee" landlords renting out their vacation homes I guess.

If you've seen these before, I apologize:

This may be out of your budget but looks nice:
Beautiful Bi Level Home in Milford, PA - Pocono Mountain Water Forest Milford

This one says special rates for long-term renters:
Milford Vacation Rentals: Lakefront House Milford, PA on VacationHomes.com

I found this poster on this site on a search said he would consider renting this house:
Home for sale in MILFORD, PA, 4 Bedroom House, Milford, PA 18337, For Sale, fireplace, hardwood floors, landscaped, trees, garden. Property for sale in Milford

I hope you find something!

[MsMilford]

Thank you so much Karen, I will look into the listings you posted!

[geoffs]

Try Craigslist?

poconos apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

[MsMilford]

Originally Posted by geoffs

Try Craigslist?

poconos apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

Thanks, great idea!

[greentown]

Have you tried contacting any realtors in the area? I know some in the Hamlin area handle rentals in the Hideout and have crews come in to clean them after tenants vacate. Maybe some near Milford do the same. On the other hand, my parents have a few rentals and some tenants are just plain slobs that trash the place. They have spent thousands of dollars fixing and replacing, sometimes actually taking former tenants to court to get them to pay for the damage they caused. Washers and dryers are just one more thing to replace and fix, so I guess that's why most rentals don't have them.
But it's certainly something I couldn't live without, so I'd keep looking. I'm sure you'll find something.

[christina0001]

Milford probably doesn't have too many rentals. You'll have more luck looking in Matamoras, or maybe renting a condo at High Point Country Club in Montague, NJ. ditto the suggestion of calling local realtors. It shouldn't cost you anything - the realtor will charge the landlord a finders fee. Milford is a lovely town - best of luck!

[Baltic_Celt]

Good advice given here, particularly contacting a realtor. Great that you're doing your own research too, but you stated that your move hinges on finding a place now, so try every resource available to you.

There are also rentals on move.com. I'm a landlord & have only had luck renting through craislist.org (as opposed to local newspapers/websites), as someone else mentioned here, & have gotten great tenants. So, I'm sure there are great landlords out there looking for a nice, working couple to find their properties.

But, if my success depended on getting my ducks in a row now, I'd call a realtor to help me find a rental, while I'm doing my own searching. Good luck with your move, your house sale & your new apartment... VV

[cljovan]

Ms. Milford,
Did you find a rental? I was just there looking for my family, I found some good ones, but all too small for my brood of 5. If you still need names, etc. Let me know, I still have all the info. I think.
Cara