Planning to move to the US and unsure at the moment where. My heart is set on Seattle or the surroundings but also the outskirts of Houston because things are cheaper there. Problem with Houston is that you need to drive to get to places and I do not drive at the moment.

In either case - for someone who has no credit in the US, is it possible to find a house to rent without problems? What items are needed to rent a house? What should I be aware of and look out for?

How are you planning to move here? What visa do you have/qualify for?

You seem very vague for someone who is serious about moving to the USA. Have you really considered the implications? The difference between Seattle and Houston is almost like the difference between Earth and the Moon!

Without these answers, it's pointless to go any further.

This.

yes I know the differences. I already have a valid work visa. well actually it is an investors visa and the visa was not the question in the first place, was it?

Yeah, but we have wasted a LOT of time over the years on people who are "moving to America" ..... except it turns out that they neither have a visa nor any way to get one!

Most of "the regulars" are done with wasting our time, so give a little and we'll be happy to engage with you.

thanks but as a newcomer... still don't expect that type of response :-/
well I can tell you - I have a VALID visa granted by the US Embassy in London, its in my passport and have used it. its an investors visa.

back to the original question now please....

That's problem number one. Get it sorted.

Been there, done that. A hefty deposit will solve a lot of problems. You may be better looking at renting from a commercial rental business rather than an individual or private landlord. Be prepared to put down at least 2-3 months rent as a deposit.

trying to

sure. I guess the problem with the commercial rental business is the large fees I have to pay.

I disagree totally - "commercial" rental businesses are much more likely to have rigid background and credit checks that there is no way for a new immigrant to pass, whereas a private landlord can be a lot more forgiving, looking at your overall situation and not having to "speak with head office" to get special approval.

An E-2 isn't usually granted on the basis of "I'll figure out where I'm going once I've got the visa," so you will have to excuse the scepticism. The business plan is expected to be very specific, so it would be interesting to hear how you positioned your application with regard to making your plan a reality. But do get the driving thing sorted promptly -- you'll find life over her extremely difficult if you can't drive.

understood.
in the end - the question was straight forward - nothing to do with my visa, my business plan, my company, my earnings.... solely for finding a place and how to go about doing so.

might be better to get a realtor to help you -
1. they may know the landlords who will be open to taking you on
2 they should be able to sell you as an international relocation which gives a veneer of reliability
3. they will definitely know the market better than you
4 they should check that the contract you are given is a legitimate one without any surprises for you
5. they will guide you through the process.

If you find a good one that is.......
my neighbour has just got her realtor's license for Texas, I'm learning a bit about it through her. For example, the big brokerage firms like Keller Williams will use the newbie realtors for leasings/rentals before letting them loose on sales. Annoying for the newbie realtors since they make almost no money from this, but each succesful letting builds their credibility with the brokerage firm.

As for the driving - take some lessons in the UK, you'll be a better driver. BUT use an automatic car since that is what you'll get here easily. Take your test here.

My daughter is learning to drive now, after a week she was probably capable of passing the stupidly, dangerously easy test. Her dad and I are insisting on a higher standard so we are making her learn/drive more

That is hard to do when we know nothing about your business. It is entirely feasible that a plan that would kick a** in Texas would be dead in the water in Washington -- there are rather different cultures at play in the two states, and logic would dictate that you choose the place most welcoming to whatever your business is, because otherwise, once renewal time comes around, it will all have been in vain.

But at the moment you are increasingly sounding like one of the "dreamers" that roll up here from time to time. You don't currently have a visa, and the little titbits that you are grudgingly giving up make it look like there isn't much chance of you actually getting a visa!

Erm.........

More coffee needed Pulaski?

OP - we don't charge by the word. Give a bit back, and you'll get some great info in return. I'm sure you can understand that lots of the forum regulars give up loads of time advising on houses, cars, etc, only to find out that the person asking has no hope of getting a visa, so understandably that's the first thing they'll double check. Now that they know you've got a visa, you could maybe give a bit more info about what kind of info you're after and what research you've done yourself so far. Think of it as a pub, where you'll chat to the regulars and get really useful advice if you are friendly and thankful.

HTH.