I just read this in my Jean Chatzky weekly email and thought that it was worth sharing. The rental market has been tight in Northern Virginia for over a year and I am finding that the good properties go very quickly and have multiple applications. This is good if you own an investment property! I am finding with the number of short sales that these sellers will then have to rent for about three years which is creating more renters and fewer rentals. If you are in this category of renters I would definitely ask your landlord to report your ontime payment to help boost your credit score.
Surviving a tough rental market
In and around where I work in New York, I frequently hear renters complaining about how hard it is to find a good, affordable apartment in the city. But while the vacancy rate in Manhattan hovers around a mere 1%, the rental landscape on the national level isn’t much better. According to this Wall Street Journal article, the nationwide vacancy rate is 5.2%, the lowest it’s been in over a decade. This is in large part due to the housing crisis that has left many Americans unable (or just unwilling) to buy their own home.
The good news is that it is possible to find a decent rental property for your budget -- it just takes a little creativity. Consider the amenities you’re willing to forgo (apartments on lower floors, for example, are a bit more expensive), and don’t be afraid to ask your real-estate agent if he or she is really showing you the least expensive properties in the area.
Finally, keep in mind that regular rent payments can now boost your credit score. As of December, the credit-reporting agency Experian is taking into account your rent payment history. If your landlord reports that you have met your lease obligations within the past 24 months, this information will help you rebuild your credit. If your landlord hasn’t been reporting to Experian, you can ask him or her to start doing so -- and then proceed to watch your credit reap the benefits!
For more information on how to Short Sale your home in Northern Virginia call Kim Darwaza of RE/MAX Allegiance your Northern Virginia Short Sale Expert and Realtor at 703-856-2254. As a CDPE she is a Northern Virginia Short Sale Expert and assists distressed homeowners in the sale of their homes in order to help them avoid Foreclosure. Kim has successfully helped clients short sell their homes in the greater Northern Virginia areas of Fairfax County, Prince William County, Loudoun County, Arlington and Alexandria. She looks forward to assisting you in making this process as smooth as possible during this difficult time.
