Securing an apartment BEFORE landing?

[ck421]

Has anybody on here secured their apartment before landing? I live in SF and it is an easy flight to Vancouver so I was planning to try to get a place before landing.

I don't mind paying 1-2 months of rent before moving in because my priority is to get a suitable home for my family that is in a particular school district, and I do not want to be living out of my suitcase for weeks and weeks trying to find the right place. That could potentially add up to be more expensive than just paying an extra month of rent.

Just wondering if there is anybody on here who has done this, and if so:

1. How far in advance did you book your place?
2. Was there a realtor or service you used to line-up open houses for you in advance so you could view the most number of potential rentals in a short amount of time?
3. Any other tips on how to rent a place in advance?

Thanks!

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

Has anybody on here secured their apartment before landing? I live in SF and it is an easy flight to Vancouver so I was planning to try to get a place before landing.

I don't mind paying 1-2 months of rent before moving in because my priority is to get a suitable home for my family that is in a particular school district, and I do not want to be living out of my suitcase for weeks and weeks trying to find the right place. That could potentially add up to be more expensive than just paying an extra month of rent.

Just wondering if there is anybody on here who has done this, and if so:

1. How far in advance did you book your place?
2. Was there a realtor or service you used to line-up open houses for you in advance so you could view the most number of potential rentals in a short amount of time?
3. Any other tips on how to rent a place in advance?

Thanks!

It's not advisable to sign lease before actually seeing the apartment. I went to Canada for 13 months on Work Permit. I did extensive research on the area I wanted to rent apartment and had shortlisted few apartment buildings. I reached out to companies that managed rental apartment asking for vacancies , further pruned my last based on vacancies and then took appointments to view apartments. After crossing border I went to hotel, then visited all the apartment building I had shortlisted and then signed lease next day for the apartment I liked most.

 

[canuck78]

The vacancy rate in Vancouver is less than 1% so it will be quite challenging to find a good place to live. You will be compete with many others. It is standard to give 2 months of rent when renting an apartment. It is called "first and last" and it is your first month and last month of rent but it is payable immediately. Most rentals work on a 60 day notice cycle so many rentals will only be available in 30-60 days. Using a realtor may be advisable especially if you have a higher price point or you are renting an actual house. Vancouver is a strange rental market with many preferring to keep their houses/condos empty rather than renting. Best of luck it might even be crazier to find a place in Vancouver than in SF although still cheaper thankfully!

 

[NetMecca]

I agree, sight unseen is risky business. Lots of scammers out there that will take your money and give you nothing. Also, it is rather hard to decide where to live unless you have actually spent some time in a new city. try airbnb for a month or two. Give you time to figure out where in the city to live before you settle down.

 

[steaky]

I agree, sight unseen is risky business. Lots of scammers out there that will take your money and give you nothing. Also, it is rather hard to decide where to live unless you have actually spent some time in a new city. try airbnb for a month or two. Give you time to figure out where in the city to live before you settle down.

But there won't be Airbnb in every neighborhood of the city. For me, I would rather go for sight unseen as to if I were to buy a pre sale home in a newly developed neighborhood of the city.

 

[email.6633]

Case in Toronto:
1. The leasing office management will not agree to book the apts online. You need tobe physically present to book it. No way they book the apartments over the phone.
2. There s a high demand of apartments. Hence there is wait period to get an apartment. I had to struggle a lot to get an apartment in 7 days. Hence always keep wide options.
3. Credit history/job offer - Most of the apartments do need this to get you apartment.
4. Winter time - Not much ppl will move out/in. Please take enough care to get an apt near a public transport.