Timeline for August renting (apartment, rentals, hotel) - City-Data Forum

mukraker · 07-05-2012, 11:52 PM

I'm moving from Austin to DC around August 10, and would ideally have an apartment by then. I can't be in the area before that, so I'll be doing my apartment search remotely. (Not ideal, but I have a few friends who can check out places for me.)

It's just over one month away and so far, Craigslist hasn't yielded many August rentals. Lots of them are "available immediately" or in just a few weeks. My question is this: when can I really expect to see August rentals pop up on Craigslist? When should I start panicking that I haven't found something?

My budget is around $1200, for what it's worth, and I'll probably be looking at studios and separate-entry basements.

Thanks!

Opacy · 07-06-2012, 07:13 AM

To answer your question, a lot of CL ads are made for quick turnaround. You should start seeing a decent amount of ads for August by mid-late July, but in my experience most ads will be of the "available immediately" variety. This is also the reason I'd say that instead of signing a lease without having seen a place in person, you come down to DC first instead, stay with friends for a few days, and see what you can find in person. I know you said time is tight, but this is the place you'll likely live in for at least a year - I wouldn't shortchange yourself on it.

mukraker · 07-06-2012, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opacy

To answer your question, a lot of CL ads are made for quick turnaround. You should start seeing a decent amount of ads for August by mid-late July, but in my experience most ads will be of the "available immediately" variety. This is also the reason I'd say that instead of signing a lease without having seen a place in person, you come down to DC first instead, stay with friends for a few days, and see what you can find in person. I know you said time is tight, but this is the place you'll likely live in for at least a year - I wouldn't shortchange yourself on it.

Making an apartment-hunting trip would be ideal, but being in DC before my move date will be really difficult.

I've thought about finding an apartment once I get there, BUT... where do I put my stuff in the meantime? I don't have a ton of it, but there will probably be a Uhaul trailer. If anyone has any ideas about that, I'm all ears

lasershen111 · 07-06-2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mukraker

Making an apartment-hunting trip would be ideal, but being in DC before my move date will be really difficult.

I've thought about finding an apartment once I get there, BUT... where do I put my stuff in the meantime? I don't have a ton of it, but there will probably be a Uhaul trailer. If anyone has any ideas about that, I'm all ears

Storage Unit? Be a small cost compared to having to live in a place you hate for a year.....might at least look into pricing for what one would cost for a month or so.

It's pretty tricky in the surrounding areas, because you can really go down one street that is really nice, and find that the next street over, is way less than ideal.

If you have to take the risk, you gotta do what you gotta do, but if you can wait until you are out here and stay with a friend for the first week or so, or there is any way around it..... that would be my suggestion.

stateofnature · 07-06-2012, 09:32 AM

I second that renting a storage unit, crashing with friends, even staying at a hotel or hostel is a tiny price to pay compared to the massive price you would pay if you get trapped for a year living in a bad situation. This is a year of your life you are talking about.
Also many Landlords might not be willing to rent to someone they can't meet so actually being there gives you more options.

mukraker · 07-06-2012, 10:04 AM

Thanks, guys. Heard you loud and clear. I'm now considering making a trip 2-3 weeks before moving to find an apartment — it'll cost payable vacation time and airfare, but y'all sound pretty urgent

I can probably manage a 4 day trip, which is tight. Hopefully if I have all my stuff together and line up appointments in advance when possible, I can be successful.

Thanks!

SolarDub · 07-12-2012, 07:52 PM

When I moved to this area from Arlington, TX, I had no ideas on places to live.
I set myself up in a hotel near where I was going to work (Greenbelt, MD) and went on Craigslist. I found something within a couple of days and have stayed here ever since - it will be 4 years in September. I initially had a small room and put my belongings into storage until I got a bigger room - then I moved all my crap in.

You may, however, look for something for the short-term (again put stuff in storage as others suggest) and use that time to search for something more permanent, during which time you can scout the area.

fent · 07-18-2012, 11:58 AM

For $1200, you're going to have one helluva time trying to find a studio or separate entry basement for yourself (I'm going through this exact process now-- except that I'm currently living in Columbia, MD, which makes driving down easier.)

You'd be better off searching for a bedroom in a group house. Occasionally, basements will become available in the $1000-1300 price range, depending on the area you're looking for (and that number can reach $1500 easily).

More importantly, you're one of hundreds of people also looking for places to move in-- and most places will want you to sign a lease starting on August first.

A friend of mine (now living in Eastern Market) has moved in DC twice... and both times he started his search 2 weeks before he had to move. And both times, he never had an issue finding a house. Your best bet is to look for a group house, and look for one that will allow a lease starting on the 10th. If that fails, you may have to suck it up and start paying rent 10 days before you move in.

Be forewarned that if a room is a nice price in a decent area, you're going to be going up against quite a few other people that want the room as well. Last weekend I went to three open houses, and each one had 5-6 people viewing the place. Upon leaving, I signed the "e-mail me to keep me updated" sheet, and there were already 20-30 names on each list. Basically, the best housing is super competitive, so good luck.

terrence81 · 07-18-2012, 02:29 PM

I was in your shoes four years ago almost to the day. I too moved in on the 10th. What I did was put up an ad explaining my situation on craigslist and weeded through a few responses. I did not agree to anything sight unseen. I basically put all of my belongings in my vehicle and drove up essentially homeless. I had already been talking to people. So I drove straight to first room for rent. I checked it out saw no rats and roaches and immediately gave him deposit and August rent. Never again. The place turned out to be a dump with faulty wiring and I assumed that every house has a washer and dryer. So didn't ask to see it. Who cares right? A washer is a washer seen one seen them all.

So don't be like me. Do be like Solar Dub. Get a hotel and don't rush into anything. Even if it's just for the weekend.

Go ahead and contact as many ads as possible. Have at least 5 or 6 places lined up. Then when you get to town hit the ground running with the understanding that you'll move into the first decent place but please please please ask lots and lots of questions. Don't be like me rushing into a crappy place to avoid living out of your vehicle.

ClaireD · 07-23-2012, 10:55 AM

Another question on the renting timeline.

How long should I give myself for finding a place?

I am moving over to DC from Seattle by plane in two short weeks (ack!) and I don't have housing set up. My significant other is following at the end of August. Ideally, I think it would be good to have a place lined up before he gets here, but I hit the ground running at work the day after I get there. Will I feasibly have a way to secure housing WHILE working 9-6, too?

Coordinating between getting us here and having somewhere to sleep, and getting our stuff here and making all that work out is overwhelming me right now.