Has anyone had a rental waiting for them? (Houston, Post: apartment, rentals)

[cm729]

We're planning to move in the next month or 2 and I was wondering if anyone here used a rental service or maybe set up a rental with an apartment before arriving. I'm a little leary of doing it long distance but staying at a hotel can be pretty pricey - we have 2 pets so the fee for pet deposits narrows down the possibilities for rentals.

[modster]

I used to be in the apartment business and the quality of the apartment locators vary wildly. Some are basically crooks that just bribe you with some payoff amount to put them down on your apartment application, even if it is one you find on your own. So they really don't help you with your search at all. The complex pays them when in reality they did nothing. At the opposite end of the spectrum are the ones that "escort" you by placing you in the car and actually driving you around and helping you. There are a lot of points in-between too.

It is not hard to get an apartment in Houston. I would not get one in advance myself. Stay at one of the weekly rentals like a Candlewood Suites or something for a week or two until you find the right place.

Some of the apartment management companiestend to have nicer, cleaner, better managed properties than others, but it doesn't mean every property in their portfolio would be good. Finger, Post Properties, & Hanover tend to have good properties. You might look up web sites for those and see what they have.

Most will hold an apartment up to 30 days, but no longer.

[cm729]

modster,
Thanks for the input about the rental locators, it sounds like it isn't a good idea. The more I look, the more I realize there are lots of rentals in the area so I agree that I should be able to find something when we arrive. Probably will make some calls first to have an idea..and I noticed a few offer perks if you rent the day you see their complex. I'll check into the company you mentioned too, thank you.