[MovingtoLVinAugust]

Hello-

Looking to move to Vegas area August 1. I'll be out there July 1st to look at houses to rent in person & hopefully get a lease signed.

Are there any questions that should be asked to the realtor/broker that's managing the property? I'm looking for things that might be unique to the LV area (things like: who pays for pest control if we get a scorpion infestation, etc). Any thoughts?

Also, does anyone have any good recommendations of a good broker/realtor that manages rental property that I could contact? Looking for a house rental in the $1000/month range

Thanks in advance!

[airics]

Most property managers just collect a check...that's it..

[jaimilyn]

A real estate agent and property manager do different things. Do you know the area you're looking to move to? Read the first sticky in the forum for pointers for that.

One tip if you're not used to renting out here, we moved from the east coast and rented for a year before buying, we were surprised at the background check and references and such to approve you as a renter are extensive.

[Raiderman]

Make sure you understand the up-front fees as well. Our $1500 rental house cost almost $4000 to move in. There are fees allowed here that are not common in other parts of the country.

[BBMW]

Make sure whoever is renting you the house actually owns it, or represents the actual owner. Lots of fake owner/agent scams out there. Also, make sure whoever you rent from is up to date with their mortgage, and you're not going to get kicked out in a foreclosure.

[SoHoVe]

Get a copy of the CC&R's if there is an HOA involved and give yourself time to review carefully prior to signing.

[SoHoVe]

All the who pays for what should be already defined in the lease agreement, if you want to add or change anything get it in writing...its for your protection and well as the landlord and makes things much simpler if expectations are not met on either side.

Taking someone "at their word" can really come back and bite you.

This is anywhere not just in Las Vegas.

[Packrat1]

Pay particular attention to any clauses that speak towards the tenant paying the first $60-$100 for repairs. Where this can come into play is if the landlord has a home warranty plan. If they do, then tecnically every time you have a warranty repair you are out $60-$100 each time. Some landlords waive this as they want you to call if there are problems, others want you to pay.

Find out if the cleaning deposit is refundable if you leave it clean or if it is always taken by the landlord.

Be sure to have a walkthrough with pictures and a condition report checklist signed by you and the landlord upon check in and checkout.

If you are dealing with a Private landlord, always get a receipt showing that you paid especially if you pay cash.

[SportyandMisty]

Bring a compass with you when you look at houses. Avoid any house with large west-facing windows because of the solar heat gain.

Ideally, the house would have multiple air conditioners - that way, if one of them goes out, you can stay in the other part of the house until the broken AC is fixed.

[SoHoVe]

Originally Posted by SportyandMisty

Bring a compass with you when you look at houses. Avoid any house with large west-facing windows because of the solar heat gain.

Ideally, the house would have multiple air conditioners - that way, if one of them goes out, you can stay in the other part of the house until the broken AC is fixed.

An unshaded south facing patio will be misery as well during the summer.