Starting Your Search With the Right Tools & Tips

Whether you are looking for your first rental or your 15th, time is usually tight. There are tools and tips to make finding an apartment or rental home easier and faster. Because vacancy rates are low, it’s important to search effectively so you can quickly find the place that’s right for you. Here are a few ways to start your hunt:

Let your fingers do the walking

Though it might be nice to stroll around your desired neighborhoods to spot 'for rent' signs, online searches cover a lot more ground. Just plug in your price range, desired number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the type of rental you want. When you save your search, you can get instant or daily notifications about new listings.

Get smart with your phone

Zillow’s mobile rental app lets you use your smart phone to search for rentals, get immediate notifications when new listings hit the market, and contact landlords and property managers so you can view a place before your competition.

Use a pro

Tight rental markets such as San Francisco, New York City and Denver may be tough to navigate on your own so consider hiring a real estate agent or broker to help you hunt. A professional can also be invaluable on a long-distance rental search because they have local expertise about neighborhoods and may know about places that haven’t yet come onto the rental market. The fees will vary from city to city and pro to pro, so be sure to ask before you begin the process.

Try good old-fashioned networking

Let your friends and colleagues know what you’re hoping to rent: an apartment with views, a close-in townhouse, or a single-family house. If you’re looking in an area where you’re already established, ask your contacts to tap into their networks – they may know of a rental coming open but isn’t on the market yet. If you’re moving to a different city for a new job, contact your company’s recruiter or new coworkers for insider info about neighborhoods or to ask about rentals near them. And you can reach out to a college alumni group or write a post on social media. You’ll be surprised at how many people might say, 'Hey, I know someone who lives there.'