Realtors come inside please...... and btw Hello....

[93LXHORSE]

How's everyone been.... I've been through rough times over the last year or so and have had to step back and get my priorities in order. Sold the Stang with it being 95% finished and it was not a happy day to see it ride off on the trailor. The buyer drove down from Indiana as soon as I posted it on YellowBullet.......... he said it had some of the best chassis and fab work he'd ever seen, so props to JamesB and Brooks.

Anyway, the subject at hand.... I may take a job that involves traveling once again and am thinking seriously about renting my house out instead of it just sitting there, like it did in years past when I traveled. It would be great to have it bring me some income, which I could definitely use to help me get back on my feet again. The thing is I'd be pretty picky about who I'd let move in there, as it would be fully and very nicely furnished, with great amenities, home theater, and in a great neighborhood.

My target lessee would be a corporate traveler, or a couple with no kids. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, but one bedroom is an office with a nice desk and shelf setup, and the other is a spare which I'd keep locked and store things I'd consider off limits.

So, I'd like help from someone in the real estate business to help me figure out a monthly rate, draw up a lease, perform background checks, etc., and advise me on the do's and don'ts of renting a property, since I've never done it before, and since all of my prized posessions are in it. I'd want to make sure I'd have the best chance at having the right person living there.

For example, when I traveled for my last job, my team rented a fully furnished house for 6 months, then later I rented half a fully furnished house for 4 months, and it sure beat the heck out of living in a hotel, and the company was paying for it....... so it was a winner all the way around.

I know there are a couple of realtors on the board, and if you're willing to advise and help me target the right type of renter, I'd sure appreciate it. I'm not sure how the fee or commission works for this type of situation, but it's understood that no one works for free.

Please send me a PM if you're a realtor, and we can get right down to business..... and anyone else can chime in with any advice or personal experience you can offer. Also, post up any websites you know of that target this type of renter.

I live in an excellent neighborhood with highly alert neighbors that would notice strange activity like a moving van backed up to the house loading up all my goodies, and my neighbors would also be involved in the "interview" process of any potential renter... but I also am fully aware and realize that letting a stranger move in and uitilize my bed, furniture, TV, etc has its risks. I also know that there are responsible, trustworthy travelers and businessmen that need corporate housing for 3,6, and 12 monrh stays whom this would be a perfect fit for. I've been told by someone kind of in the know that I could ask $1450.00 / month unfurnished, based on home values in my area, but couldn't advise on the rate furnished, and they weren't in the business of seeing the deal all the way through to signing of a lease, etc...

I'm ready to move on this ASAP... I'll check back in a couple hours as I have a busy morning. Leave a number if you're serious about assisting me, and what I need to do first. I know there are plenty of cookie cutter leases that can be snagged off the web, but I'm damn sure not just going to post up on Craigslist "Kick Ass House for Rent with all kinds of neat stuff to steal" LOL...

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

Chris

[Unreal]

Where are you located? We decided when we move their we will need to rent for 6-12 months before buying just to learn the area. This is exactly what we are looking for assuming it has at least a 2 car garage. To some of the realtors, where do we look to find rentals?

[Ratt]

Good to see you're alive. I can't help you as I have no idea about any of the things you posted, but I'm sorry to hear you've been through a rough patch. Keep your head up.

[Ruffdaddy]

Zillow lists rentals

[03mustangdude]

Go to zillow see what others are renting in your area unfurnished with same or close to sq ft.

Idk about furnished though how much of a premium that would bring.

[93LXHORSE]

Where are you located? We decided when we move their we will need to rent for 6-12 months before buying just to learn the area. This is exactly what we are looking for assuming it has at least a 2 car garage. To some of the realtors, where do we look to find rentals?

I 20 / Bowen Rd area. Specifically I 20 / Park Springs Blvd, north of 20. And yes it has a 2 car garage..

How soon are you looking to make a move ? And to what area?

[Sean88gt]

Chris,

I would think that you'd have a hard time finding someone that would rent with your parameters. You'll need to decide whether it becomes rental property or stays your home. Imagine it from the renters perspective, they will never truly feel it's their place and the locked doors would lead to some serious frustration.

[Roscoe]

Good to see you're alive.

Yup....

Have Nate work with you to list it. I think the going rate for real estate management is one month's rent commission and 10% of the monthly rental to manage the property. This includes client screening, etc....

He'll be your best shot though. I would be more concerned with leaving it furnished.

<-- not a realtor

[GeorgeG.]

so you're renting a furnished house?...that's scary. Zillow can be a good start to see if there is anything comparable since they always fail to update listings that are no longer available.

I'd say the first "don't" would be to lease a house with a stipulation that a room is off limits. If you have no other option but to do that then good luck, just thinking as a tennant, I'd skip a stipulation like that. That's what storage buildings are for.

I'd say the next "don't" would be to have your neighbor involved in the process. Your house, your rules, I know but you're narrowing your market.

I could see this working out perfectly for the corporate traveler. I'd look into airline pilots. I use to have a buddy that worked for Delta (not a pilot) but he had mentioned that pilots will often find houses like this and do the room-mate thing with 2-3 other pilots and use it as a crash pad for when they're in town.

As far as commission, It's usually a one time fee = to the monthly rent unless you want them to manage it.

[03mustangdude]

Your house is like 10 mins from the lake right?

[mk5.0]

My wife is a realtor and I have a rental house too that i handle. I would not rent it furnished. If you are going to be out of state then I would get a management company to list it and deal if it. They charge around 6% but that is negotiable. If you have any questions shoot me pm.

[93LXHORSE]

Anyone have Nate's number ?

[Pro88LX]

Chris,

I would think that you'd have a hard time finding someone that would rent with your parameters. You'll need to decide whether it becomes rental property or stays your home. Imagine it from the renters perspective, they will never truly feel it's their place and the locked doors would lead to some serious frustration.

yea i think you would be better off putting that stuff in storage and getting more rent because its a 3br instead of essentially a 2 br.

[Forever_frost]

If you take your stuff out, you also avoid messes on your bed, cigarette holes in your furniture and so forth

[TexasT]

X3 on the unfurnished. Too much headache, way too much.

It is in my hood though except we are south of 20. And yes pretty close to the lake, but not walking distance. At least not for me.