Finding the right rental home can be overwhelming whether you’re a fresh face in Nashville or a longtime resident looking for a new place. Nashville has grown hugely over recent years; many new residents have moved to town, and a very aggressive rental market comes with it.
With so many character neighborhoods and thousands of listings scattered throughout the city, it takes time to sort through the options and decide where to call home.
Also, getting lost in the online sea of listings without proper guidance is easy. Where do you even start? How are you going to know the best areas for your lifestyle?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find one of the best Nashville rentals.
1. Defining Your Must-Haves
The first step to finding the best Nashville rentals is taking time to define all of your must-have criteria. Sit down, take a pen and paper, and create a list of things you want most in a new home. This will be your guide throughout your whole search process.
Nashville rentals come in all shapes and sizes, so having clear priorities will help you narrow down options that suit your needs and preferences.
First, estimate just how much space you’ll need based on the number of occupants. Jot down how many bedrooms and bathrooms are required at a minimum. Assuming you have two children, you’ll need at least a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom space.
Next, set your maximum budget. The realistic approach will be to look at your income and expenses and know precisely the highest monthly rent payment you can afford. Do remember to include an average utility expense in your area.
Also, list out any special interior features that are necessities. For instance, you may need a fenced yard if you have pets or small children. You may also need garage parking. Look at your current lifestyle needs and translate them into concrete amenities.
Knowing the important rental criteria in advance will make your Nashville apartment search easy and efficient. You’ll be very clear about what’s open to negotiation and what isn’t.
2. Research Neighborhoods
One of the most important steps is researching the various neighborhoods Nashville offers. The city is quite diverse, with many areas that cater to different lifestyles and budgets. Taking time upfront to learn about your options will help you narrow down which parts of town align best with your priorities.
Furthermore, different parts of Nashville offer unique urban, suburban, and small-town vibes. Some neighborhoods near downtown provide walkability to amenities, while others on the outskirts offer larger houses and yards.
Also, reviews on sites like Google Maps can provide community insight. Make a note of any consistent positives or negatives raised. Researching housing markets online may also give a sense of average costs to budget for different areas and how prices have fluctuated over time.
Arming yourself with general facts about regions under consideration sets the stage for your eventual targeted property searches and visits later. Take your time at this stage to explore your new city and narrow down the top neighborhoods of interest.
3. Research Landlords and Companies
Researching the landlord or property management company offering each potential rental is also crucial. The physical space is a main draw, but these entities will significantly impact the rental experience.
Look up the landlord and company’s name online to uncover reviews from past tenants. Focus on recurring themes – do reviews consistently mention unresponsiveness, poor maintenance response times, inflexibility with policies, or disputes over security deposits?
Therefore, an “A” rating generally suggests better customer service practices. Longevity in the industry is another positive sign that a landlord understands current rental and city regulations.
Also, consider contacting the management office directly. Use an anonymous email to inquire about typical maintenance response times, how flexible policies are, how closely they vet applicants, and if they offer renter’s insurance. Their responsiveness and level of detail in responses help set expectations if issues arise.
When possible, ask current tenants directly about their experiences with the landlord. Neutral questions can reveal a lot.
4. Assess Application Criteria
Understanding a landlord’s application criteria is an important part of the pre-application research. This allows you to realistically assess your chances of approval before spending time and money applying.
Most landlords will list their standard criteria on their website or applications. Ensure you review income requirements, credit history, background checks, and references. Pay close attention to any minimum credit score, income thresholds, or maximum debt levels.
Some landlords may be more lenient than others, so properties with stricter standards should only be considered if you are confident in meeting those benchmarks. Look also at the lease agreement.
If your profile may fall short in any areas, it’s better to acknowledge that upfront rather than wasting your time and fees on an application that likely won’t be approved. You can then focus your search on places with criteria more aligned to your circumstances.
5. Apply to Top Picks
Once you’ve identified properties that best align with your wants and have the lowest risk, apply immediately if rent-ready. Only apply to spots you genuinely want to lock down, as extra apps can hurt your chances of approval elsewhere.
Furthermore, most landlords contact applicants within days to update them on their status or schedule a follow-up. Follow up politely with prospects if you haven’t heard back in a week to reinforce your interest. Early, qualified applications are front of the line for selection and priority move-in dates.
Wrapping Up
Finding and securing rental housing can feel overwhelming. But your search will go smoothly by breaking the process into clear, action-oriented steps and doing your research on the front end. Don’t get discouraged if finding the perfect fit takes a few applications.
With patience and diligence, you’ll soon be all moved into your new Nashville home. Whether a longtime resident or new to town.
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