If you rent your home

[meganew]

How did you find it? Did you go through a realtor? Newspaper?

We're thinking about renting for a few years after this house to save some money. With how bad this house fell apart, I could not imagine wanting to own again for a while. I'd be too scared.

[meganew]

I should add that we don't want an apartment, but an actual detached home.

[Moe]

Zillow

Craigslist

Realtors

Walkscore

[rupertpenny]

I've found most of my apartments on craigslist, and one in zillow. Depending on how tight the rental market is it can take a lot of time/energy. When I lived in DC I spent A LOT of time refreshing craigslist and called/emailed about anything that looked promising as soon as humanly possible.

[VillainV]

We found it through a website....but in the UK that's pretty much how anyone finds any home, to rent or buy (there are like 2-3 national websites that absolutely everyone uses, so it makes it easy).

For an apparent in the USA, I would definitely use the web....all of the big complexes should have good websites. If you're looking for a house it might make sense to go to a local rental agency or real estate agent to see what's available in your area.

[whiskeyandwine]

We used a broker for both of our apartments (Chicago and NY). In a smaller market I think I'd be fine using a website or word of mouth - saving on broker fees is huge! 

[Deleted]

Red used a realtor (my H) for both renting and then buying.

They have access to all the info.

[janegold]

I always used Craigslist because renters usually have to pay realtors fees here and I prefer to deal directly with the owner.

[anodyne]

We use a realtor to rent out our apartments. Here, we pay for their services. It is free to the renter. They place sign in the yard, list on the MLS, Craigslist, Zillow, etc.

[agnes]

Craigslist and word of mouth/referral is how we found our current home.

Also, driving around neighborhoods we wanted to live in. Sometimes there will be for rent signs up.

[meganew]

Thanks guys!! I didn't know if realtors even handled rentals, or if they'd just think we were wasting their time.

[FishChicks]

We just rented a SFH and used Zillow, Hotpads, and a local rental clearinghouse called RentersWarehouse. It was a painful process but the house seems like a good find.

[stealthmom]

Craigslist is pretty much the go-to source for rentals in my city.

[DotAndBuzz]

Realtor. Both houses that didn't completely suck we found w/ realtors. The one we rented in this area (where we currently live) we actually used a realtor with an incredible sales record, and who was one of the top 2 or 3 in the county, consistently. We used him because he didn't seem to bat an eye at taking on a rental (and obviously small commission) to help us find a place for relocation. He was exceptionally attentive and proactive in getting our lease signed, and we probably wouldn't have gotten the lease without him, as there were multiple applications for that house.

After such a good experience w/ him, and the other woman we used in NC, I wouldn't have the patience to go through CL or something independent. Too much flaking out/frustration potential. A good realtor will get it done quickly, and easily.