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I'm wondering how much time I should allow from the time we land to securing a place to stay. Or at least, what your experiences have been.
I am planning on about 2 weeks to find a place. Now...the complicating matter is that we have 3 cats.
We are moving to Oahu (Spring), and want to stay in a safe decent area. We are covered on what it takes to get the cats there, but my concern is finding a place to live. We have excellent 'pet' references that will hopefully help in getting pets into an apartment. We live simply and don't need more than a 1 bedroom apartment and a place to park a car.
Anybody else go through this? How long did it take you to find an apartment after getting there? Did you have pets when you did it?
Location: Was in Western New York but now in Hilo Hawaii
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Go on VRBO.com Vacation Rentals By Owner see if they have rentals the will take cats some do you can get the homes for longer terms so you can take your time in finding just the right place to rent. The renting oh homes is a little different than on the mainland you will need to check out the home and the neighborhood out closer than you will think see if it floods in the rain .race track on Fri. nite. ect. ect.
Are the cats arriving with you, or 2 weeks later? Just wondering if you've found a hotel that allows pets? I would think 2 weeks plenty of time to find something. I would look around craigslist and get the names of some management companies to get the ball rolling.
I don't know where you are relocating from, but bear in mind there are plenty of nice places outside Honolulu/Waikiki area and they are usually less expensive. (If you have a car). Good luck.
I would call all the Real Estate offices that do property management that I could find, about 2 or 3 months ahead of time to see what might be available about the time you're arriving. Sometimes we know someone is not going to renew their lease, or they've given more than ample notice that they're vacating for whatever reason. (so it's not in the ads yet perhaps)
To understand why it is difficult in Hawaii to find a rental that will accept pets, you have to know that we are not allowed, by law, to charge any kind of "extra" deposits. Only a security deposit that does not exceed 1 month's rent amount is allowed. (it is not "last month's rent either - just a damage deposit)
We rented a vacation rental, long-term, via vrbo.com and went from airport to house. One and half years later, we are still in the same house and will be for a long time. I write one check a month and it includes rent, electricity, sat tv, internet, phone, lawn service and monthly maid service for $1100. Two bedroom, two bath on nearly 1/2 acre with a few fruit trees, etc.
Vacation rentals also tend to have low deposits and no reference checking. Very easy to get into.
Sites like vrbo.com also offer fraud protection if you follow their process. Nice to know since there are so many scams on craigslist.
KoaKine - Good point on checking out if places get wild on certain days. Will definitely look further into VRBO as we get closer to the move date.
Joliefille - We will be shipping a car, so we certainly don't have to live in Honolulu. I have a 30 min commute to work now, and really don't mind it.
KonaKat - Intersting facts about the deposit. Everywhere we live now charges an extra fee.
mdand3boys - Woah! $1,100 with 1/2 acre and fruit trees..that sounds like a GREAT deal! Be stoked to find something like that.
Thanks for the feedback everyone! We'll definitely be checing those things as the date gets closer. We're also looking into having one of us come first to find a place, and the other to bring the pets once a place has been chosen.
Vacation rental owners will be likely to cut a deal for a longer-term rental (6+ months) as the economy isn't exactly good. Don't be afraid to talk to the owner (don't just email, a real person on the phone works better) and explain what you are looking for. Don't forget about the time zone.
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