Rental Market
I just read this in my Jean Chatzky weekly email and thought that it was worth sharing. The rental market has been tight in Northern Virginia for over a year and I am finding that the good properties go very quickly and have multiple applications. This is good if you own an investment property! I am finding with the number of short sales that these sellers will then have to rent for about three years which is creating more renters and fewer rentals. If you are in this category of renters I would definitely ask your landlord to report your ontime payment to help boost your credit score.
Surviving a tough rental market
In and around where I work in New
York, I frequently hear renters complaining about how hard it is to find a good,
affordable apartment in the city. But while the vacancy rate in Manhattan hovers
around a mere 1%, the rental landscape on the national level isn’t much better.
According to this
Wall Street Journal article, the nationwide vacancy rate is 5.2%, the lowest
it’s been in over a decade. This is in large part due to the housing crisis that
has left many Americans unable (or just unwilling) to buy their own
home.
The good news is that it is possible to find a decent rental
property for your budget -- it just takes a little creativity. Consider the
amenities you’re willing to forgo (apartments on lower floors, for example, are
a bit more expensive), and don’t be afraid to ask your real-estate agent if he
or she is really showing you the least expensive properties in the
area.
Finally, keep in mind that regular
rent payments can now boost your credit score. As of December, the
credit-reporting agency Experian is taking into account your rent payment
history. If your landlord reports that you have met your lease obligations
within the past 24 months, this information will help you rebuild your credit.
If your landlord hasn’t been reporting to Experian, you can ask him or her to
start doing so -- and then proceed to watch your credit reap the
benefits!
Buying or Selling a Home in Northern Virginia? Contact Kim Darwaza of RE/MAX Allegiance for
all of your Real Estate needs at 703-856-2254 or kim@kimdarwaza.com. To search the MLS please visit http://www.kimdarwaza.com.