Best way to find rental property in Miami area (Noma: rental market, insurance)

[ElGuito]

Not all of Perrine is a dump, in fact there are really nice areas. Consider that it is 3.5 miles from the bay. I say it because I explored the area, Perrine, Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay.
For sure you're not going to see ice or snow, in fact ya'll be complaining about the heat but it's just a matter of months to acclimatize.
On top of other recommendations, get on zillow.com (Forum I'm not advertising) to have an idea on what's available. 3 bedroom, 2 bath units are available but not abundant in a Condo (another possible little shock and adjustment, living in a big building) so it's likely you'll have to go townhouse.
After You choose a likely area get a realtor, their commission will be paid by the renter, not you and there are several valid reasons to use a realtor, a legally binding contract. One on one rentals, verbal agreement, are there but also there are dishonest or capricious people.

[Ste68]

Where is Perrine?

[ElGuito]

Originally Posted by Ste68

Where is Perrine?

South of Kendall, on both sides of Dixie Highway.

[NomadicMe]

Re the OP's original question - everyone here simply said use Realtor.com. But that seems weird to me to look for rentals. Is this truly the best way to find rentals in Miami? Aside from Craigslist are there any other options?

Also- if one uses a broker is there a fee and if so, who pays?

[ruski]

Originally Posted by NomadicMe

Re the OP's original question - everyone here simply said use Realtor.com. But that seems weird to me to look for rentals. Is this truly the best way to find rentals in Miami? Aside from Craigslist are there any other options?

Also- if one uses a broker is there a fee and if so, who pays?

The landlord pays his/her (listing) broker. Usually 1 month worth. Of it it is a short term rental, then usually 5% of the rental period amount.

The listing broker usually shares 50% of that commission with the buyer's (tenant's) broker.

[NomadicMe]

Originally Posted by ruski

The landlord pays his/her (listing) broker. Usually 1 month worth. Of it it is a short term rental, then usually 5% of the rental period amount.

The listing broker usually shares 50% of that commission with the buyer's (tenant's) broker.

And brokers are the only way to rent in Miami? I'm guessing this cost is passed directly on to renters making our rent higher

[AnnRyan]

Originally Posted by NomadicMe

And brokers are the only way to rent in Miami? I'm guessing this cost is passed directly on to renters making our rent higher

No, of course there are landlords that rent directly to people as well. However it isn't easy to find them, and you run the risk of it simply being a scam.

[NomadicMe]

Originally Posted by AnnRyan

No, of course there are landlords that rent directly to people as well. However it isn't easy to find them, and you run the risk of it simply being a scam.

A scam? You mean someone opens an office in a building, shows me a pretend apartment in it, and then takes my money and security? C'mon.

Seems to me it's these middlemen (brokers) who are doing the scamming (or skimming) for rentals. In Los Angeles we renters go to buildings and someone who works for the landlord shows us the apt and leases it to us. No fees, no brokers required. You think all of Los Angeles is a big scam then I suppose?

[ruski]

Originally Posted by NomadicMe

A scam? You mean someone opens an office in a building, shows me a pretend apartment in it, and then takes my money and security? C'mon.

Seems to me it's these middlemen (brokers) who are doing the scamming (or skimming) for rentals. In Los Angeles we renters go to buildings and someone who works for the landlord shows us the apt and leases it to us. No fees, no brokers required. You think all of Los Angeles is a big scam then I suppose?

I know someone who will rent you a farm in the Everglades. No realtor. True story.

[Marc Middleton]

Originally Posted by NomadicMe

A scam? You mean someone opens an office in a building, shows me a pretend apartment in it, and then takes my money and security? C'mon.

no, they pretend to be the owners and then take your deposit and never meet you when its time to move in. Or the previous tenant who still has a key pretends to rent it to several people and keeps a bunch of deposits and skips town.

Sorry, Real Estate Brokers aren't 'skimming'.

Glad that LA works for you, but Miami (like NYC) doesn't work that way.
Most owners aren't locals so they have no way of showing the apartment, don't want to deal with tenants directly, don't want to be bothered because they are busy at their jobs, etc. etc a variety of reasons why they hire a broker to rent the unit. The commissions aren't huge and the landlord eats the fee as the cost of doing business.