2ndChancers

Anyone used a good rental realtor in Vancouver?

Although, partner and I are thinking of buying a house, we would also consider renting for a year.

Has anyone dealt with a good rental realtor in Vancouver (one that has a real knowledge of the whole area would be great - looking at the web, many specialise in one area.

Thanks in Advance

R

JonboyE

Renting for a year is an excellent idea. We made the mistake of buying from the start and it took us years to get from a place we thought we would like to one that we do. (And this was at a time when real estate prices were rising rapidly so the transaction cost of moving was not too onerous.)

There are not many realtors who work with rental property. Those that do work for the property owners rather than helping prospective tenants find homes. I think you will be hard pressed to find one that has a knowledge of the whole of Metro Vancouver - much of the value in using a realtor is in their in depth knowledge of a locality. Metro Vancouver may only have a quarter of the population of Greater London but it covers roughly the same number of square miles. If you are still interested in the Surrey/South Surrey area you could try Hugh & McKinnon http://www.hughmckinnon.com/index.html.

The main source of rental listings is craig's list. However, I would not recommend renting remotely or sight unseen. There are scammers about (send the deposit and first month's rent and I'll send send you the keys. Yeah, right.) and there can often be quite a difference between the description and reality.

The tried and tested method is to rent a suite in a reasonably priced motel or a vacation home for a few weeks. One rental site is here http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals...vancouver-area but there are others - just Google. Once on the ground you hit Craig's list and the local classified ads. Also, walk the streets of an area you think you might want to settle in as some landlords will advertise their properties by a notice in the window.

2ndChancers

Thanks jonboyE - that's what we were considering doing - coming for a 2 week rekkie first, working out areas and then coming back later and choosing a place.

Know we can rent our property back home easily for a year. So unless we fll head over heels with a place, renting seems the best possibility.

R

Arewemad

My husband and I, with our daughter, are heading over to Vancouver in 3 weeks and have got a really nice short term furnished rental through AIRBNB. There are some great value places on there, worth a look and much easier and cheaper in the long run than a hotel...... Having said that, I know someone else mentioned the YWCA, reasonably priced if only for a short time, and not bad for the money.

I have lived in Vancouver before and although I had booked viewings for rentals in advance, I found the best way to find a place in by hitting streets once there.

And the West End is a great place, we lived there last time, and even though you are right in the heart of the City, it doesn't feel like it at all......

Hope this helps, even a little!!

2ndChancers

Thanks - Arewemad - sure you aint. Good luck with the move over - excited?

Are you storing all your stuff in the UK? Or are you letting your home out in the UK furnished

R

Lychee

One idea is to look at the listings on property management websites. I used to rent from a building owned by Crosby Management and was quite happy with them. A friend of mine worked at Prompton - they manage some rental units.

These could be initial research at least:
http://www.prompton.com/
http://www.crosbypm.com/

The4BellsLondon

James Buonassisi us great for E Van area!

http://www.jamesb.ca/Properties.php
My house we have just moved into is on his listings as sold ..

Arewemad

Hi 2ndchancers, think we are a little, but very excited, although I think our 2 year old has just about had enough and is a little bored of the whole affair!!

We are actually shipping our belongings, sold our property last year. We just figured it would be better in the long run to have all of things with us in case we do get to stay, fingers crossed!! Plus most rentals are unfurnished and we would only ending having to buy stuff.

Hope your plans are coming together.