House rentals, what is "normal"? (Austin, Howe: rental homes, appliances)

[rangergrit]

With respect to a mid level single family house renting at say $1500, which appliances are normally included. Fridges, washers, dryers ?

On leases, I'm assuming 1 yr is standard. Is it normal to be able to get an option for a 2nd year?

[atxcio]

Fridge is normally included. Washer & Dryer not necessarily. Utility bills will typically not be included, except sometimes water.

Features, size and age of home for $1500 will vary based on the location.

Yes, 1 year lease is standard. If you want to sign an actual 2 year lease (not option), then yes I believe most landlords will be happy to do that. Otherwise the typical lease will go month to month after the year is over, I believe, unless you renew by signing another lease.

[Jennibc]

We leased when we first got here and had to have our own refrigerator and washer and dryer.

[FalconheadWest]

It's going to be 50/50 on if a fridge is there, but more like 90/10 on a washer and dryer not being there.

Some landlords will give you a discounted rate if you do a larger deposit and 24 months instead of 12 months. They rather have the security that it's lease longer than having it empty for even one month to find new tenants after a year.

[N. Olikee]

I rented two houses within the same area here. I think $1 / sq. ft. a month was the "going rate." May be more or less other locations. First place didn't have a refrigerator or w /d. Second place had a refrigerator, not w / d, and no microwave (which I needed.)

I bought a w / d on Craigslist, and sold them on Craigslist. This was much cheaper than renting.....something to consider.

[Idlewile]

Ours had no fridge, no W/D. When we were looking we saw a mix of everything but only one place out of 15 came with both.

[ImOnFiya]

For $1500/month, the house should be sparkling, in a fairly good neighborhood in central or west Austin, and have most appliances. Anything less will stay on the market far longer than necessary.

[Jennibc]

Originally Posted by ImOnFiya

For $1500/month, the house should be sparkling, in a fairly good neighborhood in central or west Austin, and have most appliances. Anything less will stay on the market far longer than necessary.

I don't think that's true. When we came down two and a half years ago, we paid $1600 for a house in SW Austin and it had neither a fridge or W/D. We were looking at houses that were 1800 square feet or less. We looked at houses ranging from $1400 to $1600 and NONE of them were centrally located and none of them had all appliances. The house we rented was listed for less than a week and a couple that we were supposed to see when we came down for the house hunting trip were already leased by the time we got here. Again, all were SW and none had the fride or W/D included. Unless rentals have dropped substantially since then I don't think that's what the OP will find.

[Idlewile]

Originally Posted by ImOnFiya

For $1500/month, the house should be sparkling, in a fairly good neighborhood in central or west Austin, and have most appliances. Anything less will stay on the market far longer than necessary.

I do not agree. We looked at homes (and rented one) in that price range and NONE were sparkling and what I would consider "great" shape. In NW Austin -- just 3 months ago -- people were bidding on rental homes, offering more than what a home was originally listed at. Homes were flying off the MLS hours after being posted. Dead backyards, questionable carpet, older appliances are the norm for that price range and area and, as I said early, most did not offer a W/D and only a few came with refrigerators.

[ImOnFiya]

Originally Posted by Idlewile

I do not agree. We looked at homes (and rented one) in that price range and NONE were sparkling and what I would consider "great" shape. In NW Austin -- just 3 months ago -- people were bidding on rental homes, offering more than what a home was originally listed at. Homes were flying off the MLS hours after being posted. Dead backyards, questionable carpet, older appliances are the norm for that price range and area and, as I said early, most did not offer a W/D and only a few came with refrigerators.

I do not agree. I wouldn't have paid that much in that area with a home under the conditions you cited. However, you may have previously come from an area where such prices are common. Believe me, those prices are not common for most Texans. That's why there is a sub-market just for out-of-towners from high-price areas like SF, LA, NYC, & Seattle (among others) where such prices and home conditions may be considered a "bargain".