landlord websites that aren't property managers (Portland: apartment, renter, houses)

[thequeen1]

i need to find a house and i do not want to go through a property manager, but alas, it seems that all rentals ARE through property managers. i cannot find one website that is owner/landlord related that doesn't involve the danged property managers.

if you don't want to post it publicly, please pm me!

thanks so much for all your help!

[EnricoV]

I doubt any individuals with houses to rent are going to have websites promoting them. That's only advantages when you have bunches of them.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by EnricoV

I doubt any individuals with houses to rent are going to have websites promoting them. That's only advantages when you have bunches of them.

That's true, they more than likely do not have multiple properties so it would not be to their advantage to maintain a website. All they have to do is put out a sign and the renters will flock to them.

My landlord owns four small buildings. He does not have a website because he doesn't need one to find potential renters for this reason.

[wanderbygrace]

When we were looking last year, we found Craigslist had numerous listings by private owners. Just make sure you do your due diligence w/any private owners that everything is on the up and up. First place to start - before you even bother calling about a showing - is the county assessor's office website to make sure their version of the property matches what the owner is saying. Also use Google drivebys (if available) to match photos.

[coldPlay]

I'd actually prefer going through a property management company than an owner. At least you have an existing business to support the potential signing contract. just curious, what's your issue with property managers?

[Random_Walk]

Dunno... I've just gone through the rigmarole of finding a place, and I kind of prefer private owners to management companies. Less paperwork, less of a hassle, and as long as you get and keep receipts for everything (and do your homework before dropping the deposit), you're good to go.

On the other hand, the property management company does have the advantages of a more uniform management style, and removes the uncertainty and homework of finding a good landlord. It also makes a place easier to find sometimes.

[thequeen1]

Originally Posted by coldPlay

I'd actually prefer going through a property management company than an owner. At least you have an existing business to support the potential signing contract. just curious, what's your issue with property managers?

we're on a fixed income and i really hate to give 45-70 bucks for the check thing. i know that it's great for the landlord to have someone do that for them, but i really resent it. i guess we'll have to pound the pavement and look for the signs up. we are really particular about what we rent and we're very good tenants. we're too old to buy now, never wanted to buy, you know fear of committment. we take really good care of everything and never bother the landlord. in fact we replaced the diswasher and fridge in this house and just let the landlord know we did it. they said take it off the rent and my husband said no.

i've placed a housing wanted ad on craig's list outlining what we need and what we can pay and so far no nibbles, i've posted it twice. i've looked at the houses that they show in craig's list and besides being property managers, the houses are small, dark (i've got severe SAD issues) and over priced.

thanks for all your help guys!

[coldPlay]

Originally Posted by thequeen1

we're on a fixed income and i really hate to give 45-70 bucks for the check thing. i know that it's great for the landlord to have someone do that for them, but i really resent it. i guess we'll have to pound the pavement and look for the signs up. we are really particular about what we rent and we're very good tenants. we're too old to buy now, never wanted to buy, you know fear of committment. we take really good care of everything and never bother the landlord. in fact we replaced the diswasher and fridge in this house and just let the landlord know we did it. they said take it off the rent and my husband said no.

i've placed a housing wanted ad on craig's list outlining what we need and what we can pay and so far no nibbles, i've posted it twice. i've looked at the houses that they show in craig's list and besides being property managers, the houses are small, dark (i've got severe SAD issues) and over priced.

thanks for all your help guys!

Buying is really overrated here in the US. No doubt you all would make good renters. I'm the same. Figure the less I bother the land owner the less likely they'll raise the rent.

One thing you brought up I'm curious about - why is it so many places I've seen there in Portland are so dark and enclosed. I would think with the darker weather they would build more open and bright layouts.

good luck to you,

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by coldPlay

One thing you brought up I'm curious about - why is it so many places I've seen there in Portland are so dark and enclosed. I would think with the darker weather they would build more open and bright layouts.

good luck to you,

Portland (as opposed to the 'burbs) has mostly older homes. 1940s and earlier.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by coldPlay

Buying is really overrated here in the US. No doubt you all would make good renters. I'm the same. Figure the less I bother the land owner the less likely they'll raise the rent.

One thing you brought up I'm curious about - why is it so many places I've seen there in Portland are so dark and enclosed. I would think with the darker weather they would build more open and bright layouts.

good luck to you,

Sorry to say but that does not have a whole lot to do with rent increases. Every private owner I have rented from and that has been many have given me a rent increase every year even if I never spoke to them.

The ever-rising costs of taxes, maintenance and utilities are just some factors that contribute to yearly or more frequent rent increases. A prospective renter needs to factor in the cost of rent increases in years or sometimes months to come.

Some will raise the rents periodically just because they can. Especially with apartment vacancies at 3% in Portland. If you are moving from out of town, you may have to take whatever you can get and then browse through areas in which you are interested to scout of "for rent" signs which is the way most individual landlords advertise their properties.