Rental homes - information (Minneapolis, St. Paul: houses, buy, living)

[fknonl1ne]

Hello!

Please share your thoughts on the popular sources to find rent homes in the South West twin cities area?
I am thinking of renting for a while before we buy to make sure we get some familiarity with the area for a good purchase.

Also, please what should we look for? It differs from state to state. For example, fireplace and a garage are probably "must have" around here. Any others? Or where/what to avoid in homes?


Thanks!

[uptown_urbanist]

I wouldn't say a fireplace is a "must have" other than for personal preference - they're nice, but not all homes have them. A garage would be a major plus in the winter.

Most houses in this area have basements; many are finished and provide actual additional living space.

Craigslist lists house rentals. There may be other useful sources, too, but that's where I'd start.

When you rent a place make sure you clarify up front who is reponsible for things like mowing the grass and shoveling the sidewalks and/or driveway. If it's you, then think twice about a corner lot with a really long sidewalk. This winter has had a lot of snow.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

A furnace is a must-have to heat your home in winter, fireplaces these days are mostly for aesthetic purposes. I would also say that some kind of air conditioning is basically a must-have. I was able to survive last summer without one but it was nearly unbearable to be on the 2nd floor for month stretch. I think I'll be investing in a window unit this summer. A house without a garage is a rarity but there are probably a few scattered houses like this in Minneapolis/St. Paul proper. Basically 100% of houses in Minnesota have basements and furnaces. If you're going in the suburbs the vast majority have central air. In Minneapolis/St. Paul it is probably 50/50.

[slamont61]

Well a Garage is close to "must have" but one can sure do without if they have too. As for fireplaces, they are not the same thing as a Wood Stove. Sure, it's nice to look at a fire place but a wood stove can contribute more to the heating of a home, so long as you don't mind tending to the wood pile, splitting and cutting etc..

A/C is awful nice to have too, strangely in this area you can need both A/C and Furnace on the same day. A/C is not a must but it sure can be of comfort.

[mgrjenny]

rent.com is a good site too or startribune.com