Yet another "moving to Pittsburgh" thread (leases, school)

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by slamont61

There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners.

True, but even good dogs, especially older ones, can have an occasional accident. I haven't moved my pets from SF to my Crafton home yet. It is way easier to keep this house clean without the pets here. Even without accidents, pets are hard on a home. I love my pets dearly, but I understand why most landlords aren't willing to risk renting to people with pets. I'm sure grateful I found one in SF who was.

[slamont61]

Originally Posted by juliegt

True, but even good dogs, especially older ones, can have an occasional accident. I haven't moved my pets from SF to my Crafton home yet. It is way easier to keep this house clean without the pets here. Even without accidents, pets are hard on a home. I love my pets dearly, but I understand why most landlords aren't willing to risk renting to people with pets. I'm sure grateful I found one in SF who was.

I do realize even a dog can have an accident. You're so lucky to be moving to my old stomping grounds. I grew up in Crafton and had many great times with so many memories. If you're on FB there is a Crafton group I recommend. http://www.facebook.com/groups/256328507727874/ Good place to see and hear how Crafton was.

[wiggleroompgh]

Does anyone know anything about hiring a realtor specializing in rentals? I currently live in Pittsburgh but I'm finding the process of locating a home or apartment without dealing with a slum lord daunting. I love my current place but the location isn't ideal and we kind of lucked out with our landlord. I'm worried about finding a great place again like this by luck a second time around.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by slamont61

I do realize even a dog can have an accident. You're so lucky to be moving to my old stomping grounds. I grew up in Crafton and had many great times with so many memories. If you're on FB there is a Crafton group I recommend. http://www.facebook.com/groups/256328507727874/ Good place to see and hear how Crafton was.

Thanks! I have a blog about my Pittsburgh adventures. There are pictures of Crafton in it.
Pittsburgh is Awesome

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by wiggleroompgh

Does anyone know anything about hiring a realtor specializing in rentals? I currently live in Pittsburgh but I'm finding the process of locating a home or apartment without dealing with a slum lord daunting. I love my current place but the location isn't ideal and we kind of lucked out with our landlord. I'm worried about finding a great place again like this by luck a second time around.

I don't think using a realtor will improve your odds. They represent anyone who is willing to pay them, even landlords who don't maintain their properties. The best solution is to not rent anything that doesn't look well maintained.

[robrobrob]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I don't think using a realtor will improve your odds. They represent anyone who is willing to pay them, even landlords who don't maintain their properties. The best solution is to not rent anything that doesn't look well maintained.

I would rather rent from Howard Hanna than from some slumlord. Howard Hanna has some rental listings on the multilist. I am assuming that they would be the property manager not just a broker who exits at the signing of a lease.

I rented from Arbors Property Management and stuff got fixed soon after I made the call. Perhaps call them and ask about their properties. Also, you will pay more if you go this route.

[slamont61]

I agree with Hopes - use this as only another resource. To me these are owners that can't be bothered with the rental process let alone upkeep. If I was a property owner I'd want first and last say as to who is renting. No need to pay someone else for that service.

[Elle Driver]

The dog is making this move a lot harder, that's for sure. And I agree that renting to a dog owner is a risk the landlord takes, some tenants might say they are responsible dog owners and that their pet is well behaved, but the reality might be a lot different. My dog will come to live with me after I'm settled and the house/apartment I rent is ready for him. I'll keep looking hoping to find some place that's nice for both of us

[slamont61]

Originally Posted by Elle Driver

The dog is making this move a lot harder, that's for sure. And I agree that renting to a dog owner is a risk the landlord takes, some tenants might say they are responsible dog owners and that their pet is well behaved, but the reality might be a lot different. My dog will come to live with me after I'm settled and the house/apartment I rent is ready for him. I'll keep looking hoping to find some place that's nice for both of us

Ah but the question is; will they rent to a California Mountain Snake?

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I would rather rent from Howard Hanna than from some slumlord. Howard Hanna has some rental listings on the multilist. I am assuming that they would be the property manager not just a broker who exits at the signing of a lease.

I rented from Arbors Property Management and stuff got fixed soon after I made the call. Perhaps call them and ask about their properties. Also, you will pay more if you go this route.

They are the property managers, but that doesn't mean they management the properties well. I've rented through property management companies and they weren't any better or worse than taking my chances with independents. Not all independents are slumlords, and slumlords can use property management companies because they simply own the buildings and don't want anything to do with them.

Originally Posted by slamont61

I agree with Hopes - use this as only another resource. To me these are owners that can't be bothered with the rental process let alone upkeep. If I was a property owner I'd want first and last say as to who is renting. No need to pay someone else for that service.

Exactly. These properties are often owned by investors who don't want bothered with the property in any aspect. That alone isn't a good sign. Whether you go with independents or management companies, it's important to make a decision based on the condition of the property at the time of renting it. When I was looking at rentals, I viewed them like I would a homebuyer, inspecting every inch to the apartment and building to make sure there weren't any problems with it.