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Rent Home in McHenry or Lake County?

Owning a house isn’t everyone’s cup of tea….leaky roofs needing costly repairs, water heaters on the blink, living in the same place for decades…..it just doesn’t appeal to everyone. The great thing is Lake County and McHenry County Illinois offer reasonable rental accommodations at affordable prices. If you’ve been searching yourself without the benefit of a real estate agent call our office today at (815) 669-4944! Don’t rent alone! A real estate agent is experienced to ask questions you might not think of because they deal with rental situations every day.

Real estate agents can also lead you to invaluable websites so you can compare area rental prices with Zillow or Rentometer to see how the property you’d like to rent compares with area rentals. Some things you will need to think about are if you want a house, townhouse, or apartment, where you are willing to move, and how much you will be able to afford. Our easy to use Property Search can help you find just what you are looking for, you simply add your criteria and we will email you every time something comes up for rent that matches your specifications.

When you find a property you are interested in looking at, it is a good idea to have an experienced person with you to help you ask all the right questions and see everything going on at the property.

 

Here are the questions you need to ask when renting a home starting when you call about the ad…

• Confirm all the claims made in the ad and clarify any sketchy statements. Ask the owner/management company for exact descriptions.
  
  
• Ask for the total square footage of the home as well as the footage of each room.Make sure the rent is exactly what was listed and that the availability date matches your schedule.
  
  
• There’s no sense in wasting time looking at a house for rent that isn’t going to be ready for three months when you’re ready to move next week.
  
  
• If you have any special needs, like a dog that will be moving in with you or an allergy to a certain type of carpet, be sure your requirements can be met.
  
  
• Ask the owner/management what utilities you will be responsible for paying and the average amount of each utility each month…..including winter when heating can be expensive. How much is the security deposit and what is it used for?

 

 

During the walk-through of the home…

• Do all the appliances work?  Check all the appliances and sinks to be sure they are working properly.
  
  
• Are there insects or rodents present?  If the current tenant is there ask them about the severity of the problem and what is being done to fix it.
  
  
• How old is the wiring?  If there are very few outlets or if you see two-pronged switches, it probably is older wiring.  This may be a convenience and safety issue.
  
  
• How much closet/storage space is there?  Don’t underestimate how much space your belongings will take up.
  
  
• Are there enough windows to provide ample light for your taste and do they open and close properly?
  
  
• Are the rooms big enough to fit your furniture?  Take a tape measure with to be sure.
  
  
• Make sure that the house will be cleaned and have the paint touched up before you move in.
  
  
• How is the home heated and cooled?  Check the units to see what shape they are in.  Also ask what utilities are included in the rent and which ones are your responsibility as the renter.
   
• What is the maintenance policy?  What fixes are included in the rent and which ones are not.  If there are repairs that are not included in the rent, find out if there is an extra charge and how much it is.  There should be a prompt emergency contact and a non-emergency line as well.
  
  
• What parking is available, is there a garage or only street parking?  Are there any parking permits that are required in the neighborhood and are village parking stickers required?

 

Before you sign the lease…

• If anything was amiss during the walkthrough or not up to standards, negotiate a lower price to make up for these problems.  You can also use yourself as a selling point to knock $50-$100 off the rent.  Many home owners are willing to accept a little less rent for a responsible, mature tenant who will pay rent on time and keep the place well-maintained.
  
  
• When is the rent due and what is the policy on late rent?
  
  
• Are you required to hold renter’s insurance?  If so, how much will a policy cost?
  
  
• Is the neighborhood safe?  Walk the neighborhood at night (with a friend) and observe your surroundings.  Also check online to see if crime reports are available for your neighborhood.
  
  
• Have children? Check the state website for pedophiles and child predators.
  
  
• When can you move in your belongings?  Check the move in/move out dates printed on the lease.  If the 1st of the month falls on a Wednesday, can you move in the previous weekend or will you have to do a weekday move?
  
  
• Get a copy of the lease and keep it in a safe place.

 

 

Most importantly, READ THE LEASE before signing it, the entire lease. And experienced real estate agent can and will be a valuable asset during this process because they see leases all the time, not just once a year. We at Metrovisions Realty offer our clients a variety of services when renting a house, including taking photos of the property before you move in, and also a check list to help you let the landlord know what issues there are with the property before you move in so you won’t be held responsible when you move out.

 

 

Call us now at (815) 669-4944.

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