"L.A. at Night" by Realtor© Photographer Carlo Capomazza ©2006

Landlords desire clients with good credit reports. They want quality renters LIKE YOU! for their homes, condos, and apartments for lease in the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area which is featured here in my own photography.

When you SEARCH RENTALS be ready to:

• Search for a property rental by entering in city and state or zipcode.
• View complete property information, including full-color photos and map.
• Use location-based services to search nearby.
• Use advanced search to narrow results by radius, sort criteria, property types, beds, bath, price and amenities.
• E-mail properties to friends or family.
• Add property notes and personal ratings.
• Rank and save favorites.

SAVE The results of your hard work! I’ll then contact you with the results of our search in hand and cull your findings, and then set up the appointments on your behalf to walk the rental properties together.

Here are some things to consider when leasing:

1. Paint Normally the landlord will paint before you move in. I like to feel them out and see if my client can supply your own paint colors. This may save you time since tenants often paint themselves.

2. Upgrade appliances. I like to check out the appliances and if the fridge still doesn’t have a separate freezer see if they’re willing to upgrade it. I like to pitch the idea of energy efficiency rebates!

3. Carpet upgrade Is the carpet worse for wear? Could it use a deep cleaning or could it be switched out. Before my clients sign the lease, I like to see if the landlord will pay for that or split it with you.

4. Utilities. Make sure you understand what the landlord is responsible for and what you are. Get out your budget at this point.

5. Paypal. Some landlords accept rent checks via paypal. While this is probably unusual, it is very convenient since the rent check is often the only physical check you may be writing. After all, the rest of your bills you may pay online anyway. So I recommend this.

6. Last Tenants. I like to ask who the last tenants were, how long they lived there and why they moved out. It often gives a lot of insight into the landlord and the property. Even if the landlord is vague, even that tells you something.

7. Major Repairs. Find out if there have been any major repairs done in the last 5 years. Mold Reparation? New pipes? New Central Air? What’s coming while you are living there and what might get done before you move in.

8. Garden. I ask about the exterior maintenance. A lot of times landlords will do a pesticide spray a couple of times a year. If you have pets you’ll want to know how often it happens so you can keep them out of the bushes.

9. Pet Deposit. Some landlords want an extra $50/month in order to have a pet. I negotiate and put down a deposit instead. This way when you move out, if there’s no pet damage, you’ll get money back instead of it all going to rent.

10. Read the Lease. Never be pressured. I always ask to have the lease emailed to you ahead of time so you have time to really read through it so that you understand what each party is responisble for. If there’s anything you’re uncomfortable about, bring it up before signing it. Make sure that everything you agreed to verbally is reflected in the lease, it’s there to protect you and the landlord.

What questions do you ask before you sign a lease? Let’s talk.