Moving in October - where to look/how to find a place (Pittsburgh: real estate)

[lsr78]

I am moving to the Pittsburgh area next month for work. I am trying to locate an acceptable place to live for around $1000 month. Preferably 2 bedroom, and must be pet friendly. I am open to an apartment or a home.

A 6 month lease would be ideal, so I would have a chance to explore the city and find a place that suited my needs.

It is proving more difficult than I though - they rental landscape of Pittsburgh is significantly different than Houston, and I will not be able to visit before signing the lease.

I have read quite a bit on the forum and other places - Squirrel Hill / Shadyside seem to be my prime locations but I don't think that is going to happen.

Any ideas/sources would be great. In Houston, you can search MLS listings for rent, but I don't see a place to do that in Pittsburgh. Will real estate agents in the area help with a search like this?

[BrianTH]

You can indeed talk to a real estate agent, and it might be a good idea in your case.

Some of the bigger management companies in the areas you are looking have online, searchable listings. You could try Franklin West, Forbes Management, and Walnut Capital (and maybe Mozart, although they can be a little more sketchy).

[tranceFusion]

where are you working? (location-wise)

[lsr78]

I will be traveling for work (no regular commute), but my girlfriend will be looking for a job.

[lsr78]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

You can indeed talk to a real estate agent, and it might be a good idea in your case.

Some of the bigger management companies in the areas you are looking have online, searchable listings. You could try Franklin West, Forbes Management, and Walnut Capital (and maybe Mozart, although they can be a little more sketchy).

Thanks, I have already contacted Franklin, Walnut and Mozart but had not found Forbes.

[jay5835]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

You can indeed talk to a real estate agent, and it might be a good idea in your case.

Some of the bigger management companies in the areas you are looking have online, searchable listings. You could try Franklin West, Forbes Management, and Walnut Capital (and maybe Mozart, although they can be a little more sketchy).

Forbes Mgmt does not allow pets, to the best of my knowledge. Walnut does. The rest I don't know about.

http://forbesmanagement.postlets.com/

http://www.walnutcapital.com/apartmentsearch.php

[hinsey86]

A real estate agent from Howard Hanna found us a temporary rental when we got here. It was perfect as we too wanted to get a feel for things before buying. Of course when we starting looking to buy (4 months later) we used that agent.