HawthorneVillager.com

Villagers, I need your opinion on this. Should I put my house up for rent myself or use a real estate agent?
Is this something I could possibly undertake myself.
Maybe some of you has done this before, so looking for advice.

Use an agent, watch closely, copy everything.
Try it solo when hunting for your next tenants.

_________________
No, no. You know who was right all along? The Mongolians. They knew that you just can't wall yourself off from the outside world. Putting walls up never helps anything. Tearing them down brings us together.
-Randy-South Park

If you do rent it yourself and your female tenant has no interest in kitchen space, but is very interested in the basement space. ~ Don't rent to them ~ A sign of Grow Op renters
They also like homes with a garage door into the home. Easy for loading the van unseen

A good agent should know little signs like this, I learnt this information from an agent when selling one of our homes, if were you I would use an agent. They are capable of doing some sort of background check, and have connection to list of renters that you may not have access to. Like families from out of town relocating for business purposes. you can call different Realtor companies and find one the specializes in family relocates.

Do it yourself if you have the time to see and evaluate potential tenants.

An ad on kijiji with a few photos and a for rent sign in front of the house will generate contacts. You can get good sized stick on numbers from wallmart to put your phone number on the sign.

In your ad, if you are looking for a certain type of tenant then state that the home is "suitable for a couple" or "suitable for a small family", etc. If you do not want dogs, say no dogs in the ad.

Ask all potential tenants to provide an "Equifax Credit Score" with there application. It will cost them $23.95 This will tell you whether they pay their bill on time or if they have horrible credit issues with utility companies.

To save time, when people call and want to look at the property, select an afternoon to see each group / couple in 20 or 30 minute increments. For example make and appointment at 2pm, 2:30, 3pm, etc. Tell them other people are looking that afternoon so promptness is important. Personally, when people are late, I will not let their lateness effect my other appointments.

Make notes of your impressions of the people you see and ask for references.

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

No. You can say you do not want dog(s) BUT if after the tenant moves in, then if they have a dog or buy a dog, you can't tell them to get rid of it and you can't evicted them because of it.

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

If you are thinking of renting out your home yourself here are a few places you can post your listing:

http://www.viewit.ca - the best in my opinion
http://www.craigslist.com
http://www.rentersnews.ca
http://www.ontarioclassified.com
http://www.places4rent.com
http://www.rentershotline.ca
http://www.thestar.com
http://www.torontosun.com
http://www.canoe.ca
http://www.therenter.ca
http://www.kijiji.com
http://www.oodle.com
http://www.hawthornevillager.com


If you are thinking of using an agent feel free to give our team a call and we can discuss how we can help: (905)-693-9346 and ask for Chuck Charlton.

Best of luck,

Mel

_________________
Melissa Charlton B.ScN
The Charlton Advantage Team
Royal LePage Meadowtowne Realty
Broker
www.livinginmilton.com
Direct: 905-693-9346

Because this may be helpful to individuals who rent homes, and because individuals who rent homes operate in an environment that favours tenants even when those tenants are #^@&#) and don't even pay rent I will elaborate. From good sources I know that there are "professional tenants" here in Milton who will cause havoc to your life and property if they end up in your rental property. IMO get an Equifax Credit Score and past references. And BTW, I have just heard Amanda Rouscin has move to BC.

_________________
For Home Inspection services call Andy Shaw at Halton Home Inspection Service. 905 876 4761

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I will try to rent it myself first. We have to relocate by September. I would love to wrap things up just before the end of June.

Pics and more info will be coming shortly.