Finding an apartment out-of-state - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

seretogis · 05-23-2007, 07:57 AM

So, this situation is beginning to annoy me.

I am currently living in Minnesota and trying to find an affordable apartment in Seattle. I have saved up for a bit for the move and can pay 6-9 months rent purely from savings, so putting down first+last months rent + deposit + app fee is not an issue. The issue, it seems, is a) getting that deposit to the building manager quickly, and b) getting them to return my calls / emails.

Is it unreasonable for me to expect to be able to secure an apartment from out-of-state? I really want to avoid having to stay in a hotel for $60-80/night for two weeks while I find an apartment and wait for it to become available.

shesus · 05-28-2007, 04:58 PM

When we located, we were lucky enough to be able to visit a couple of times to actually see the apartments. I would be wary renting an apartment without seeing it in person.

I think it would all depend on the property manager. If they are cool with doing everything faxed and on-line then I wouldn't see a problem.

If a manager doesn't return a phone call stay away from the property. If they aren't available when they are trying to rent, how are they going to be when they already have the money and your toilet is overflowing or the refrigerator breaks?

As for the money, you could wire it or send it eletronically with your ATM/Credit Card I would guess.

CookieCutter · 06-01-2007, 08:49 PM

I feel your pain. I just moved from Idaho to Oregon (obviously not a huge distance) and had a tough time getting landlords to get in touch with me. The bigger property management companies didn't give a shit as soon as they found out I was out of state.

It definitely seemed like private landlords cared much more about my situation. Are you mostly looking for listings on the internet? I was and the most important thing to do is to check like 1000x times a day. As soon as you see a place that you like contact the landlord ASAP.

I finally found a place through a private person and was the first to send in an application, which was done via fax. The lease was also signed/sent back via fax. We were going to wire him the deposit/first month's rent but there was like a $30 fee to wire it. So, since we already had his bank account # and all that, we just went to a branch of his bank and directly deposited the money.

I really wish you good luck, it is so stressful and frustrating dealing with people who don't care. Do you know anyone in the Seattle area? We have a friend here in Portland that went and checked the place out before we signed the lease, that helped a lot.

05-23-2007, 07:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
seretogis Huggles, sir? Location: Seattle	Finding an apartment out-of-state So, this situation is beginning to annoy me. I am currently living in Minnesota and trying to find an affordable apartment in Seattle. I have saved up for a bit for the move and can pay 6-9 months rent purely from savings, so putting down first+last months rent + deposit + app fee is not an issue. The issue, it seems, is a) getting that deposit to the building manager quickly, and b) getting them to return my calls / emails. Is it unreasonable for me to expect to be able to secure an apartment from out-of-state? I really want to avoid having to stay in a hotel for $60-80/night for two weeks while I find an apartment and wait for it to become available. __________________ seretogis - sieg heil perfect little dream the kind that hurts the most, forgot how it feels well almost no one to blame always the same, open my eyes wake up in flames

05-28-2007, 04:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
shesus Fancy Location: Chicago	When we located, we were lucky enough to be able to visit a couple of times to actually see the apartments. I would be wary renting an apartment without seeing it in person. I think it would all depend on the property manager. If they are cool with doing everything faxed and on-line then I wouldn't see a problem. If a manager doesn't return a phone call stay away from the property. If they aren't available when they are trying to rent, how are they going to be when they already have the money and your toilet is overflowing or the refrigerator breaks? As for the money, you could wire it or send it eletronically with your ATM/Credit Card I would guess. __________________ Whatever did happen to your soul? I heard you sold it Choose Heaven for the weather and Hell for the company

06-01-2007, 08:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
CookieCutter Upright	I feel your pain. I just moved from Idaho to Oregon (obviously not a huge distance) and had a tough time getting landlords to get in touch with me. The bigger property management companies didn't give a shit as soon as they found out I was out of state. It definitely seemed like private landlords cared much more about my situation. Are you mostly looking for listings on the internet? I was and the most important thing to do is to check like 1000x times a day. As soon as you see a place that you like contact the landlord ASAP. I finally found a place through a private person and was the first to send in an application, which was done via fax. The lease was also signed/sent back via fax. We were going to wire him the deposit/first month's rent but there was like a $30 fee to wire it. So, since we already had his bank account # and all that, we just went to a branch of his bank and directly deposited the money. I really wish you good luck, it is so stressful and frustrating dealing with people who don't care. Do you know anyone in the Seattle area? We have a friend here in Portland that went and checked the place out before we signed the lease, that helped a lot.