Renting in Northern VA (Arlington, Alexandria: for sale, real estate, 2011)

[bjohn209]

Well, we're gearing up for our move to the DC area in October and have decided that we'd be best served to rent for at least a year to get to know the area better. (Your advice on an earlier thread helped us come to this conclusion.) So now I'm hoping I can impose on you all again and ask if you'd be willing to give us a bit more advice--this time on renting in the area.

We've heard that the best way to secure a rental in NOVA is to work through a realtor. This is kind of foreign to us as westerners (out west we generally find rentals through classified, though I'm sure some realtors do that kind of work out here). Is this good advice? Are there other (even better) ways to go about renting in the area?

More importantly, are there tricks of the trade or other things we should know about renting in NOVA? Things you wish you had known?

We're going to be making a trip to DC next week to look for a place to live, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the advice so far. Getting ideas and tips from people "who've gone before" has been invaluable. I promise to "pay it forward" once I get established out there.

[spealex]

I am relatively new here but am in your similar shoes. I cant help you with your question, although I await your responses. In order to get the most of the forum, try include amount looking to spend, type of residence (apartment, towhome etc.) The most deciding factors seem to be distance from DC you desire, budget, and your need to be close to public transportation.

[lackadaisi]

Try craigslist. Most people that I know that are renting found their places there.

[themommy]

Also check out Homes Database. It's an MLS search engine, and it includes rentals in the area (just be sure to set the appropriate drop-down field to look for rentals). You can narrow your search by price, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, location, etc. It was very helpful to us when we were looking for homes to rent.

[mlv311]

While a realtor can show you homes for rent, I believe you'll be limited to homes listed with realtors (i.e., you won't be shown homes for rent by owner). That really limits you from seeing what's available for rent. Besides the two websites listed by the PPs, I would also check out homes for rent in MilitarybyOwner.com - Real Estate near U.S. Military Bases You can look by zip code.

[dod236]

We just rented a place in Fairfax through craigslist. It's a great resource.

[dod236]

bjohn209, if you find a place you like on craigslist and you find out the street name, type the street name in the search option and it will pull up a couple of rentals in the same area. Sometimes you'll be surprised the price ranges for the exact same thing in the same community. We looked at a place in Centreville before we settled on Fairfax. We found two properties for rent, exact same year, amenities etc, price difference $200 a month.

[thevogels]

I agree Craigslist is a good resource, I listed my house for rent and got a great tenant. However, just a note, NEVER send money on a house without walking through with the landlord or agent. Someone took a picture of my house and was telling people to drive by and was actually taking deposits on it! I only knew because someone came over and asked my tenants to see the house. I went on craigslist and sure enough there was a pic of my house and correct address listed for rent. I know it can be easy to give in and send money if they promise no credit checks. If someone is saying credit check and background check not required, don't go there!! They are most likely gonna require money before seeing the house. Most landlords will waive the bad credit issue if you can prove a good rental history, though they will have the checks done and on file.

[RKG57]

If you haven't found a place yet then I can offer one in a very nice locality in Sequia Farm Community, near Westfields Blvd. The school pyramid is best in Fairfax County. This place is close to I-66 and Dulles Airport with end of the street Metro Bus stop for Vienna Metro to go to Washington DC. My last renter, a military family, was paying $2200/month till July 2009. They bought a place and moved out. But I can lower it to $2000 and keep the option for you to buy, if you like it.

[sevenhorses1]

The a area is Great! if you got kids they will love WASHINGTON D.C and the museums..if you don't see them when you get here you may probrably never see them i haven't been there since I've lived here...you know its in your back yard kind of thing.)

The area is a bit expensive but the salaries are descent to keep you afloat. The rental and huousing market is a steal.. but I rent my house in Manassas ..20111 zip. The housing in NOrthern Va. (NOVA) is tough and goes quickly still, infact houses for sale in great neighborhooods are still scarce. Rentals in the area istill fair but expensive.

THe realtor is a useful person..

they get your info..
credit check, jobstability, where you work, average income, everything they can.

The rentals are fom month to month (but those houses are trashed) six months or one year. I usually rent mine for one year. They will get first months rent and a securit deposit( 1 month's rent) just incase anything is damaged; the landlord will use it to fix the house. The renter will pay for everything... your utilities, gas ,water,phone,trash rremoval,HOA fees/...basically everything that you would pay for as if it was your own house. You basically will just pay for a part of the mortgage.

The best thing is figure out what you want from the area nd house...schools, commuting... VRE ( Virgini Rail Express commuter train into D.C and stops along the way in) is 1 mile drive...from my rental. Entertainent. Social scene?

The area of Manassas is great. The FBI building is in Manassas, High tech companies like BAE system well just search the are... Signal Hill Park... the community is Roseberry farm.

You would be in Prince william County and near Centreville, Fairfax and Falls Church, Alexandria, Mount Vernon, Vienna, Tysons Corner, Arlington, Wash. D.c. these counties are in order as you go into D.c.


GOod luck