Agents offer advice to newcomers about leasing in Houston
Leasing a property can sometimes be the best option for people who are moving to Houston. While some people might intend on leasing from the get-go, for others the decision might be driven by several different factors.
For some, the decision to lease might be due to their unfamiliarity with the Houston area.
The ability to lease for the first six months or a year affords them the opportunity to get to know the city a little bit better before taking the plunge into homeownership.
Others might experience difficulty when trying to find the exact property that meets all of their requirements, and opt to lease for a little while instead of making a hasty purchase.
Regardless of the reason, working with an agent who knows and understands the local market can be critical for newcomers, whether they are interested in buy- ing or leasing a property.
“I have worked with a few relocation clients who have been hesitant about purchasing, and have decided to lease,” said Elizabeth McCormick, an agent with Heritage Texas Properties. “That has been a good option for many people, because they are generally able to lease in the area where they want to live and buy. It’s important for people to feel comfortable and confident in what they are doing, and so I advise my clients to go with their gut feeling.”
Just as there are a number of considerations that people take into account when looking to purchase a property, finding the ideal rental property follows the same protocol. As such, McCormick said that it’s very important for the agent to understand the client’s priorities, and what factors are driving the decision concerning areas and neighborhoods.
For example, some people might want to find a property that is zoned to a particular school, and/or that is within a short travel distance to their place of business.
McCormick said that in areas and neighborhoods where the schools are highly sought-after, that there might be fewer rental properties available, and that the nicer ones tend to be leased within days of hitting the market.
“If a client wants to be in a neighborhood, because they want their children to be able to go to a particular school, I let them know that they need to be able to pull the trigger on a property immediately and not hesitate, otherwise it will be gone.” McCormick said.
Working with an agent who is a local market expert can also help manage the expectations of relocation clients.
“I ask my clients a lot of questions, so that I can know what their priorities are,” said McCormick. “Then I can customize the search based on their criteria, and help them with their expectations.”
Melissa Casey is an agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Anderson Properties. She said that many of her relocation clients are unfamiliar with the Houston area, so she likes to start the process with an orientation tour.
“The tour is a great way for relocation clients to get a lay of the land,” said Casey. “I also explain the traffic flow of different areas based on where their office is going to be, and what time they will be driving in the mornings and in the evenings.”
Casey added that it is also important to understand the lifestyles of her clients, and what they are looking for in an area and in a rental property.
Like McCormick, Casey said that she works hard to manage the expectations of her relocation clients. She said that this starts with the communication that she has with her clients before they even arrive in Houston to look for properties.
“I find out exactly what the client is looking for, and then I start sending them property information. That way they can see it, because sometimes there are misconceptions about real estate prices in Houston. I try to get it all out there for them see, so that they are prepared when we are ready to hit the road together,” said Casey.
Lastly, Casey said that people who are new to Houston should always take advantage of the market knowledge and expertise of the agent who is working with them, and who has access to the most up-to-date information about lease listings.
“It’s very important to have somebody who is working for them, and is in their corner, and can look out for them. I watch what is coming on the market every day, and so I know what’s out there,” she said.
Michelle Sandlin is an award-winning writer, journalist and global mobility industry expert. She is a frequent contributor to Worldwide ERC’s Mobility magazine, and is vice president of creative strategies at AMBER Lodging Co. Follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMichelleSandlin and on Twitter: @MichelleSandlin. Also visit “On the Move” at blog.chron. com/onthemove.