Nowadays, renting a place without seeing it in person is becoming more common, especially after the pandemic. This means you might have to decide on a place to rent without visiting it first.
But is there a way to make sure you pick a good place to live if you can't meet the landlord or see the place yourself? Yes! You can use simple tips and tricks when checking out the property, even if you can't see it before renting.
When you rent sight unseen, you agree to book a place without visiting it first. Searching for apartments online can help you avoid common problems, but sometimes, you might encounter issues beyond what you can see in pictures.
For example, you might think the place looks great online, but later find out it has a noisy locality, plumbing issues, and unpleasant smells from nearby areas.
Even researching online can't always show you everything about a place but photos might help. However, visiting an apartment in person is the best way to know if it's right for you, but sometimes, that is not possible.
This could happen for different reasons, like lack of time, living far away, or having limited options in the nearby localities. Renting without seeing the place might seem scary, but it's becoming easier for people because of technology and better communication methods.
If you find yourself renting sight unseen, you can still be careful. Here, are some expert tips for you to follow if you need to sign a lease without visiting the place first.
When renting without seeing the place, it's extremely important to do your research thoroughly. Take a close look at the neighborhood where you want to live and check out all the nearby apartment buildings. Consider the rent prices at each place and make a list of the ones you like the most.
Using Google Street View is a great option to help you see what an apartment complex and the area around look like. Explore the side streets, adjacent shops, and the condition of other buildings and houses nearby.
Check out reviews everywhere. You can use services like Yelp or Google, or you can even ask your friends or people you know for advice on social media.
Renting without seeing an apartment is like taking a big blind step forward. To be on the safer side, connect with property management companies with good reputations and reviews that you can trust. Also, once you have found the company, call them to make sure everything is legitimate.
After doing your homework and reading reviews, contact the property manager to ensure the apartment is still available.
Before you decide to rent, make sure to ask them a few important questions like—
Even before COVID-19 became a reality, Facetime and Skype for tours of apartments became popular. Ask for a virtual tour to see how the apartment looks and feels. Some places might even have 3D tours on their websites.
If you can't do a virtual tour, ask for photos instead. When you ask for photos, also find out about the size of the rooms. That way, you can figure out if the place is the correct size for your furniture.
After social distancing and staying at home, landlords and property managers have become more flexible with lease terms. If you're unsure about committing to a place without seeing it, you can ask about a month-to-month or short-term lease.
But there are some drawbacks to shorter leases. They usually cost more, and you might have to move again soon. Still, considering the current situation, a short-term lease and reevaluating later could be a smart move.
Sadly, there are lots of scams when it comes to renting sight unseen, like deals that seem too good to be true or requests for money upfront. Visiting the apartment is still the best way to avoid getting scammed.
However, when you rent without seeing the place, protect yourself and your money.
Here are some common scams to watch out for—
Renting a place without seeing it first requires a lot of thought, research, and planning to ensure everything goes smoothly. You can use technology, ask questions, get help from professionals, and check out lease details. This will help you make smart decisions and lower the chances of getting scammed.
At Guardian Property Management, we help renters find great places to live. Contact us to learn more about our rental options and how we can help you find your next home.
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How can I ensure the sight unseen meets my needs?
—To ensure the property meets your needs, thoroughly review the photos, videos, and virtual tours provided by the landlord or property manager. Ask detailed questions about the property and request additional information or documentation if needed.
What are some potential risks of renting sight unseen?
—Risks of renting sight unseen include discovering undisclosed property flaws, being disappointed with the property's condition or location, and facing difficulties in remotely resolving issues with the landlord.
Is it common to rent sight unseen?
—Renting a place without seeing it first is getting more popular, especially with online listings and virtual tours. But before you sign any papers, it's really important to be careful and do your homework to make sure everything's okay.
