How is the rental housing market? (Monroe/Snohomish Co.) (Seattle: real estate, apartment)

[kaiden22]

We are moving to the Houston area in July and we are hoping to rent out our home while we are down there. We live in Monroe, the house is 6 years old - 4 bedrooms, 2600sf, 3 car garage. Does anyone know how the rental market is right now? Any feedback would be appreciated! Thanks!

[mrman78]

Did you post this in the wrong forum or do you live in Monroe, Washington?!

Since I currently live in Houston, I'll answer what I think your question is anyway! I'm doing the opposite move - Houston to Seattle. Good luck in July, it'll be scorching outside! As far as renting in Houston, there are tons and tons of rentals - especially the further outside the city you go. Inner city Houston rents have skyrocketed due to a stronger than normal economy in the area and Houston being on the best places to live lists (which I still don't understand). They rival Seattle rents, but you get a slightly bigger space. The problem with Houston is finding a nice, safe area to live not surrounded by sketchy or downright dangerous areas. Therefore, inner city rents tend to be high for the few decent and safe areas you can live.

[pw72]

Seattle's rental market is on fire. I think I read an article that 22,000 units are under construction right now, the most in two decades. Monroe, WA, not sure.

[Hemlock140]

Monroe is a little far out for commuting to the big job centers, but if you target Boeing Everett you might get good interest. I know here in Sammamish you would get close to $3,000/month for that home, but in Monroe I'd think
$2,200-2,400. Newer homes that size are not often for rent but people I hear about looking in that area don't want to spend that much. Since you will be so far away, it might be worth contacting a real estate company that handles rentals.

Hopefully you can get more than your house payment.

[kaiden22]

Originally Posted by mrman78

Did you post this in the wrong forum or do you live in Monroe, Washington?!

Since I currently live in Houston, I'll answer what I think your question is anyway! I'm doing the opposite move - Houston to Seattle. Good luck in July, it'll be scorching outside! As far as renting in Houston, there are tons and tons of rentals - especially the further outside the city you go. Inner city Houston rents have skyrocketed due to a stronger than normal economy in the area and Houston being on the best places to live lists (which I still don't understand). They rival Seattle rents, but you get a slightly bigger space. The problem with Houston is finding a nice, safe area to live not surrounded by sketchy or downright dangerous areas. Therefore, inner city rents tend to be high for the few decent and safe areas you can live.

No we are living in Monroe, WA right now which is where are rental home will be. We head to Texas this summer and we are prepared (I think) for the scorching weather when we arrive. And we are actually moving to a Houston suburb where we will be renting. Good luck with your move to Seattle! The weather should start to improve in a couple of months and summers are beautiful here.

[kaiden22]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Monroe is a little far out for commuting to the big job centers, but if you target Boeing Everett you might get good interest. I know here in Sammamish you would get close to $3,000/month for that home, but in Monroe I'd think
$2,200-2,400. Newer homes that size are not often for rent but people I hear about looking in that area don't want to spend that much. Since you will be so far away, it might be worth contacting a real estate company that handles rentals.

Hopefully you can get more than your house payment.

We will be asking around $1750 (we bought when the market was low, thankfully). My husband commutes to Bellevue right now and it's not too bad -actually less time in the car than when he would commute from Kirkland to downtown Seattle. I know we limit potential tenants based on our location, but I am hoping there are families out there looking for more space than they would find in an apartment.

Thanks for the feedback!

[mrman78]

Originally Posted by kaiden22

No we are living in Monroe, WA right now which is where are rental home will be. We head to Texas this summer and we are prepared (I think) for the scorching weather when we arrive. And we are actually moving to a Houston suburb where we will be renting. Good luck with your move to Seattle! The weather should start to improve in a couple of months and summers are beautiful here.

Oops, sorry, completely misread your post for some reason!!

Hope you have a good move down here too. Last Summer was incredibly hot, but very very dry, so not typical at all. In fact, in the 12 years I've lived here it's never been a dry heat like that - it felt more like Arizona! In a way I actually liked it as it's the humidity I dislike most down here. After such a mild, warm Winter I'm thinking this Summer will be typical hot and humid Houston with lots of bugs since we didn't have any sort of freeze. The temps the last few weeks have been very early Summer too woth highs in the low-mid 80s and lows in the upper 60s/low 70s and very muggy. It's been very rainy too - we've had almost 16" since January. In comparison, it took from January to October to get the same 16" last year!

[kaiden22]

Originally Posted by mrman78

Oops, sorry, completely misread your post for some reason!!

Hope you have a good move down here too. Last Summer was incredibly hot, but very very dry, so not typical at all. In fact, in the 12 years I've lived here it's never been a dry heat like that - it felt more like Arizona! In a way I actually liked it as it's the humidity I dislike most down here. After such a mild, warm Winter I'm thinking this Summer will be typical hot and humid Houston with lots of bugs since we didn't have any sort of freeze. The temps the last few weeks have been very early Summer too woth highs in the low-mid 80s and lows in the upper 60s/low 70s and very muggy. It's been very rainy too - we've had almost 16" since January. In comparison, it took from January to October to get the same 16" last year!

We were down there last weekend and got stuck in a major downpour twice - we rarely see that type of rain in Seattle as it's more drizzle than anything. I loved the rain down there though because the air was still warm and after it dumped it was over. I know the summers are really hot and the humidity can be unbearable, but after 34 years in the Seattle area we cannot wait to experience it - more so for the weather October-May. You are probably the opposite and anxious to get into a cooler, wetter climate, in which case Seattle is perfect for that.