Ask Your Agent These Questions Before You Rent A Townhome
Hiring a real estate agent who specializes in rental properties can be advantageous if you're looking for a townhome to rent. Given the popularity of this type of dwelling, you can feel overwhelmed shopping on your own. With an agent on your side, he or she can prepare a list of properties that meet your criteria, and then arrange for viewings of each — all you'll need to do is show up and decide whether the townhome is right for you. With each townhome that you're considering, your real estate agent will provide you with as many details as possible. To gain even more information to help you make an informed decision, here are some questions to ask about townhomes for rent in your area.
Who Takes Care Of The Association Fees?
When you buy a townhome, you're responsible for paying a monthly fee to the tenants' association. However, when you rent the property, you need to know who will be paying this fee so that you can factor it into your budget. In some cases, the townhome owner will take care of this expense; in other cases, he or she will pass the obligation down to you. Your agent will be able to learn this information to let you know.
Are There Any Additional Fees I Should Know About?
The responsibilities fulfilled by a townhome's tenants' association can vary considerably. In some cases, paying this fee (whether it's you or your landlord who takes care of it) will mean that your lawn will be cut, your driveway will be shoveled and other such duties will be performed. However, you should never assume that the fee will cover everything of this nature. Always ask your real estate agent to get clear information about these details, as you don't want to assume all these jobs will be performed at no cost, when the reality is that you may have to still pay for something.
Does The Landlord Have Recommended Contractors?
When you deal with something that needs to be repaired, you should typically call the landlord right away. However, if you can't get in touch with him or her, you want to be able to move forward with hiring a contractor to repair the problem. Ask your agent if the landlord has a list of approved contractors; this way, you'll know who to call and the contractor will know who to invoice. In the case of some townhomes, the tenants' association could work with a certain group of contractors, so it's important that you have this information.
