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We have been searching craigslist for a while now for a pet friendly rental, and nothing seems to be coming along. We found one and went to view it, only to find out it was a complete and utter dump. I was looking through the classifieds when I saw an ad for a company called LOCATORS that finds you your rental by means of having property owners coming to them to find tenants. I called because their ad stated many homes, all pet friendly and affordable for us, but they charge a fee of $169. Is this a scam? Should we just avoid these people and keep searching CL? Or is it completely normal to charge this fee? The guy on the phone said many landlords take this fee out of 1st months rent and there is a 100% money back guarantee (I guess if they don't find us our place). But $169 seems a bit steep for a service like this..Thanks in advance for any advice.
I can't comment on this particular company as I know nothing about them but you may want to post your query in the state-appropriate forum for local input. Have you contacted any real estate agents who deal in rentals? Again, I would post in the state forum to get referrals. Good luck!
Oddly enough, People's Court yesterday had a case where the renter paid a broker $2800 to find and apartment (think it was in NYC). When the renter moved out after 1-2 days, he wanted his money back. Judge ruled in favor of the broker.
Thanks for the comments. We are looking in Northeast PA, I suppose posting in my state's forum for a referral wouldn't hurt! We found our current rental from a real estate agent, and after a horrible outcome, will never be going through a real estate agent for a rental again. Back to craigslist I suppose!
Thanks for the comments. We are looking in Northeast PA, I suppose posting in my state's forum for a referral wouldn't hurt! We found our current rental from a real estate agent, and after a horrible outcome, will never be going through a real estate agent for a rental again. Back to craigslist I suppose!
You might try posting a rental wanted ad on Craigslist. Otherwise, the only other thing I can think of is to contact property management companies in the area. You can find them by looking at their ads on Craigslist.
Craigslist is the worst place to look for a rental. Too many scams. Why waste your time when you can do all of this on your own? Call property management companies and ask about their rentals. Go to different complexes in your area and stop in and get some info about the place.
Drive around the area you want to live and look for 'for rent' signs...private landlord will sometimes put up signs, property managers and real estate companies will too.
I'd stick with Craigslist. No need for a tenant to pay a company in this day and age, normally.
Some areas are harder to find rentals that allow pets than others.
Where are you looking for a rental?
Some places, like New York regularly use other websites to list rentals, but I'm pretty sure the tenants don't pay the fees - the landlord does.
On Long Island (NY), the TENANT pays the fee if it is listed on Multiple Listing Service.
Because agents do the pre-screening, etc. most (legal) landlords use MLS - they don't want to be bothered with the tedium and are glad they're not paying. It's one of the few areas in the US where the tenant pays the fee.
Thanks again everyone. I have had an ad posted to CL for a while, keep renewing it as well. We have been driving around looking for "For Rent" signs to no avail. We are specifically looking for a house, not a complex, and we'd like to be a bit secluded and not near all the traffic noise - which are all very hard to find rental wise! We will keep looking though, and will go through property management companies if it comes down to it.
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On Long Island (NY), the TENANT pays the fee if it is listed on Multiple Listing Service.
