Going to rent in Ft.Lauderdale area. Looking for safe and upscale area. Any suggestions ? (Coral Springs: real estate)

[heydade]

I am probably going to rent in about 2 months. My budget is 2,300/month max. What am I looking for ? A SAFE and upscale area, parks and green area nearby since I have two small dogs. I am looking at some tri-level townhomes in the Ft.Lauderdale area near Las Olas. I like Las Olas...I want to be close to some nice restaurants and good nightlife. But again, safety and security are paramount. I need easy access to Davie. I want something where the landlords are fiancially secure and able to make repairs if necessary. I don't want a slumlord. I also want something relatively quiet and I DO NOT want neighbors on top of me.....hence why I was looking at those tri-level townhomes I saw on craigslist. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Momma_bear]

I suggest that since you are in Coral Springs you get in the car and drive downtown and take a look. The area right around Las Olas is lovely, but expensive. You should be able to find something with your budget. Take a look at the new buildings right on Las Olas. You may be able to get a really nice rental. Make sure your lease specifies that your security deposit is to be held in an FDIC insured institution, registered as an escrow account with the interest belonging to you (you pay taxes on it but it's yours). This is the law in FL but since so many landlords do not follow the law you have to specify it in the lease. It pays to have a consultation with a lawyer. The Broward bar association can give you a referral.

It is congested and if you don't want to be packed in you may be dissapointed. Please remember that the riverfront area will be closed down in the near future. That may affect your decision.

The new buildings all have security and I assume there is staff on site to make repairs at the landlord's expense.

[heydade]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

I suggest that since you are in Coral Springs you get in the car and drive downtown and take a look. The area right around Las Olas is lovely, but expensive. You should be able to find something with your budget. Take a look at the new buildings right on Las Olas. You may be able to get a really nice rental. Make sure your lease specifies that your security deposit is to be held in an FDIC insured institution, registered as an escrow account with the interest belonging to you (you pay taxes on it but it's yours). This is the law in FL but since so many landlords do not follow the law you have to specify it in the lease. It pays to have a consultation with a lawyer. The Broward bar association can give you a referral.

It is congested and if you don't want to be packed in you may be dissapointed. Please remember that the riverfront area will be closed down in the near future. That may affect your decision.

The new buildings all have security and I assume there is staff on site to make repairs at the landlord's expense.

Thanks for the tip on the the escrow account. I never knew that.

[Broward resident]

If it were me, I would probably call some real estate agents that specialize in the neighborhood. Suspect that they are engaged to sell OR rent several of their listings at this point.