You might have just received a job offer in Seattle and wonder about aspects of a potential move. As is the trend worldwide, living in a big city has its pros and cons, and Seattle is no different. Many people have Seattle on their radar from better career opportunities to a whole new way of life filled with new experiences and lively culture when it comes to cities they would consider moving to.
But a move is stressful, and hunting for an apartment can be a frustrating experience. One needs firsthand information that can provide a soft landing when they make that dreaded leap of faith. Here are & tips to help you find the ideal home if you are considering moving to Seattle
Start Your Research Early
The more information about Seattle you have, the better prepared in your rent research in Seattle, so start researching as soon as possible. First, familiarise yourself with the city and have a general idea of the neighbourhoods and their amenities. Use the internet to your advantage and virtually explore local scenes as much as you can to give you a better understanding of what you are working with
Familiarize yourself with the local market
Once you have an idea of the neighborhood or neighborhoods that are of interest to you, you’ll need to feel for the rental markets. What are the average monthly rentals in those areas? How quickly do apartments get taken up once they have been listed? What are amenities generally available to you? Finding answers to these questions will help to manage your expectations as well as guide your search. According to Zumper, the median rent for a three-bed apartment is $2,795, and such information will be helpful to you if you are a young family looking for three-bed apartments for rent in jersey city and need an area with outdoor spaces as parks and playgrounds.
Have a realistic Budget
Now that you have had a taste of the offerings in the neighborhoods you are interested in, you can develop a sound budget. You must manage your expectations and come up with a budget you know you can afford, and this will guide you to which apartments you can afford. It is relatively expensive to rent an apartment in Seattle, and the city is often in the top 10 most expensive cities to rent an apartment in the US. It must be noted, the trends for 2021 seem to be lower than in previous years. According to Zumper, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,495, and this is 18% lower than in 2020.
Use Online Apartment Listings
While the ideas of physically looking for apartments might seem fun, it eventually gets frustrating and tiring. The ideal way to search for an apartment in a big city like Seattle is to use online apartment listing such as Zumper. Not only do you have a wider selection, but the convenience of searching through listings from the comfort of your home is not only easier but safer as it reduces your chances of contracting Covid-19.
When in doubt, use a rental agent
A rental agent will already have 1st hand information on Seattle and will know the city backwards and forwards, giving them the ability to provide you with options based on your desired location, budget, wish list, and move-in date. If you find yourself struggling to pin down a lead, an agent will come in extremely useful. An agent’s added advantage is their fees are paid by the landlord or property managers so it won’t cost you a dime to use their services.
Avoid scams
Finding a home in a new city requires listening to your intuition. It is vital to do as much research as you can on all your potential landlords. Using reputable sites such as Zumper is advised as they do comprehensive checks on all properties on their platforms.
Know Your Rights
The significant part about Seattle is there are laws protecting renters, and it is your responsibility to get to know these laws so that you can use them to your advantage. Please note that rent control laws in the Greater Seattle Area can be very tricky if you are not aware of the laws so make it a point to go through the Seattle state website to arm yourself with the right information at www.seattle.gov/council/
Hopefully, these 7 points will help in your rent research in Seattle, and your impending move will be a smooth transition into this vibrant city.
