Top 5 Reasons to Use a Real Estate Agent when looking for a rental in Anchorage Alaska
In Anchorage and the surrounding areas, the rental market is super tight with most lease payments exceeding that of a mortgage payment. This lends for an excellent opportunity for landlords just not so good for renters monthly budget. With Fair Market Value rates on the rise, it is true sticker shock for those transferring up here from the lower 48 where well-kept apartment buildings are in practically every neighborhood. This is not the case in Anchorage; which is why it’s super important to get a trusted realtor to help you with your search.
REASON 1: There are many online websites like Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com and Homes.com where you can search for a rental home here in Anchorage with ease. However, BEWARE that anyone can post a listing on these websites. No verification needed, not even verification that they own the property.
This just happened this week; I received 7 calls from consumers asking about a home I had for sale. They said that the home was listed on one of the above mentioned websites for rent, and they just wanted to make sure that it wasn’t still for sale since they also saw on the same website my “For Sale” listing. Each caller had a very similar story. They explained that they contacted the owner from the ad who said he didn’t want to work with his realtor anymore and that he wanted to rent out his home instead off sell. The “owner” said he was stationed in the military and lived in another state, he said that if the renters deposited money in his account that day he would rent it to them.
REASON 2: If it sounds too good to be true it more than likely is.
The reason I received so many calls on this home is that this is a newer home in a fantastic neighborhood with a two car garage and a spacious backyard; the fraudulent add had this home listed at $1200.00 per month. Our typical rent for a single family home here in Anchorage is $2000-$2500 per month. Again, if it looks to good to be true it more than likely is. A Realtor can look up records to make sure the owner of the property is really the owner.
REASON 3: Your rent deposit should be held in a trust account so you know it is safe instead of depositing money into someone’s account that doesn’t even live in the state of Alaska. Using a real estate company or property manager your deposit is held in a regulated trust account.
REASON 4: You always want someone negotiating on your behalf; you would never go into court without a lawyer would you?
REASON 5: You would be surprised that you may even qualify to purchase a home. Many of our local lenders have mortgage programs that require little or no money down and your mortgage payment may be less than your rent payment. That means you pay each month into your equity, not your landlords equity. Plus if you move or get transferred then you become the landlord having a renter pay into your nest egg. You can call us today for your FREE buyers consultation 907-440-4661
To view ALL homes in Alaska from ALL real estate companies visit one site: www.HomeFinderAlaska.com
Kylie Wyze: Keller Williams Real Estate
Realtor, CRS
101 W. Benson Blvd., suite 501
Anchorage, Alaska 99503
(907) 440-4661
www.HomeFinderAlaska.com
