We’ve all heard the staggering statistic: roughly 150 individuals move to Austin every day.
Our skyline is becoming synonymous with cranes and burgeoning skyscrapers as our widespread popularity and population flourish. It’s common practice here to seek rentals and move about town more than once to inhabit several cool parts of this city. Moving can be stressful, and not everyone just so happens to have a friend of a friend moving who needs a roommate or a buddy from college looking to rent you their place.
Plus: let’s face it, even if you offer them pizza (from Via 313, no less) and beer, no one truly wants to spend their Saturday trekking your belongings across town in their truck. The following are several tips, tricks, and info to help facilitate your move, thanks to Chasing Realty Group who helped answer our burning questions about all things renting in Austin. Check out The Renter's Guide to Austin, below.
And once you settle in, make sure to check out our newbie insight on So, Ya Just Moved Here...
How far ahead should I start looking for a place?
Two months is really a sweet spot. Most apartments hesitate to lease further out than that, but can easily check availability and allow a tenant to sign when they’re within 2 months of the move-in date.
When can I get the best move-in deals?
A great question for a locator! A few months ago, there were a large number of apartments offering renter concessions such as 1-2 months free, waived application/admin fees, and free parking. These deals change monthly, so it’s better to consult your locator when you start looking. Right now, apartments have pulled back from these offers, but still give specials/bonuses when they have a large number of vacancies to fill. Your locator knows what concessions the communities are offering.
What percent of my income should I spend on rent?
Absolutely no more than 33% of your pre-tax monthly income. If you are applying for an apartment, most have a 3x income requirement, meaning the future occupants combined monthly gross income must be over 3x the cost of monthly rent.
I've seen security deposits that are one month's rent, a flat fee, or even both. Is there a standard?
It varies by property management company. In Austin, you can expect around $300-350 on average. If you’re leasing a home from a private owner, you could see as much as a month’s rent as a deposit.
What are my options for renting if my credit score isn't that great?
Most property management companies are more strict on the 3x income requirement than credit score. They’re often willing to work with all different credit scores. There are some buildings that don’t require a credit check in the case you’ve been rejected.
What's the benefit in using an apartment locator as opposed to DIY?
Saving time, money, and hassle. If you’re using a locator, you’ll simply give them your apartment criteria: max rent, location, necessary items, pets, etc. and they will do the searching for you and send you a list of apartments matching your criteria within your expected move-in date. Some locators, like me, will go the extra mile and schedule your apartment tours, walk through the units with you, and often negotiate better deals with the apartments. Saves you the time of calling apartments over and over to get someone on the phone to schedule a tour. Lastly, locators work for free, we are paid by the apartment buildings, and this commission we make doesn’t add to your rent or take away from your renter bonuses.
Is there a difference between leasing and renting?
Most people use the words interchangeably. Generally a lease is a year’s term, vs rent which is generally viewed as a shorter term.
Should I get renters insurance even if it's not required?
Most apartments will require it from all renters. If it’s not required, I still suggest it. It’s ~$10-15 a month to ensure that if any of your personal property is damaged or stolen, or if the unit is damaged, that you can make an insurance claim for the costs.
Where can I get renters insurance from?
Whichever company you use for Auto insurance likely sells it as well. I have contacts I can send your way as well if you inquire personally with me!
For pets: is a pet fee, pet deposit, or pet rent most common?
Generally there is a one-time pet fee, which usually runs about $200/animal. I have seen some apartments that add $10-20/mo as pet rent too. It varies by property. Keep in mind, if your pet is a certified emotional support animal (ESA), you don't have to pay a pet deposit or rent. The certification does need to be from a medical professional.
Why should I rent instead of buy?
The lifelong question! There are absolutely perks for both sides, but for renting, the main perks are: no down payment, no loan qualifications, you have a landlord to fix everything for you, you may be new to the area and don’t know where you want to settle and need a short commitment. Lastly, if you’re in a community-centric building, you can meet new friends in the common spaces (pool, gym, lounges) and at community events.
What steps can I take to ensure I'll get my security deposit back?
Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee anything when it comes to getting a deposit back. Best practices are to not use any thumbtacks, nails, screws on walls (use command hooks instead), then keep the carpets cleans and stain-free, clean your toilets and bathrooms regularly, and try not to mark any walls/floors when moving furniture. Also, let’s just be real, a clean home is important to keep a happy mind and healthy body, it’s hard to function at home if it’s dirty with clutter.
I heard you mention locators are paid by the apartments, do locators ever give a rebate to the client they work with?
Some do! In Texas, agents are allowed to give a rebate to the client they represent. As a standard, I always give $100 back to my client at move-in as a way to say thank you!* If you have friends looking to lease, I will send you a $50 Amazon e-gift card when they move in as a token of my appreciation for you sending them my way.*
So I’m about ready to start looking for an apartment, how do we begin?
If you visit Chasing Realty Group, click Get Started, and fill in the questionnaire towards the bottom of the page, Chase (the agent) will get the search started and send you the apartments matching your criteria. When you scan them and decide which ones you like, he can schedule tours with you (or over Facetime if you can’t be there), and you’ll go from there!
________________________________________
WHAT MOVING SERVICE SHOULD I USE?
Contributed by Ashley Ragan
Photo Credit: Einstein Moving Company
Einstein Moving proudly puts the utmost importance on finding quality people to work for their company and hire those with big dreams and an honest hardworking attitude. They boast that they’re honest, guaranteed professionals and best of all, wallet-friendly. Visit their site to learn their reassuring stances on avoiding damages, inclement weather, insurance, truck type, and much more.
The name is self-explanatory: literal college hunks will haul your junk away. And know what qualities those hunks possess? Well, they claim that they’re Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable, with impeccable Service. Whether that’s an actual move or a “junk pickup,” the hunks offer donation services, moving services, storage services, junk removal, and more. The company also prides itself on being 100% eco-friendly coupled with service that is 100% reliable. And because size matters in situations like these, their moving equipment is 10% bigger than the competition. Nice.
Two Men and a Truck originated with just that, and has grown exponentially! This company certainly has its quirks: their motto is to treat everyone as if they were your grandma, they’re specifically trained in how to properly move pianos and other out-of-the-ordinary items. They’re tagged as “movers who care,” and offer a large variety of moving and packing services.
Photo Credit: Bellhops Facebook
Bellhops pride itself on being a company that is not only friendly but low-stress. They only charge you for the time you’re actually moving and will display your movers ahead of time on the app so you can recognize the affable face at your door the next day. Consumers can estimate a cost online as well easily as pay, tip, and review. Bellhop offers next day moves, flexible scheduling as well as clear and simple pricing.
Unicorn Moving is as unique as the mythical animal they’ve branded themselves with. Their movers average nine years of experience, they've been voted best movers in Austin five times, and they’ve been serving our great city for decades. Unicorn Moving can move you down the street or out of state if need be. They offer free quotes and have a helpful, informative blog on their site.
WHICH NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD I LIVE IN?
(Click through our Do512 Austin Neighborhood Guides to see which part of town fits your vibe!)
*Note: These were updated in pre-COVID times; some things may have changed.*
WHERE DO I GET FURNITURE?
Photo Credit: Room Service Vintage
117 N Loop Blvd E
With glass shelves lined with fish-shaped salt and pepper shakers to its handwritten inventory and tracking system, walking into Room Service Vintage is like walking into your grandma’s attic. The shop opened its doors in 1981 and currently has several vendors, each with his or her space. Despite the number of vendors, the store’s theme of 1930-1970s inspired pieces remains consistent throughout. To keep prices low, the shop maintains a “churn and burn” mentality, offering monthly themed sales.
5111 Burnet Rd
Uptown Modern is anything but an ordinary furniture store. Despite its sleek and stylish interior, owner Jean Heath says she isn’t afraid to take some risks. The shop specializes in restoring Danish and mid-century modern furniture, and in doing so, has the opportunity to include unexpected colors and funky designs on traditionally styled pieces. Heath purchases her inventory outright, visiting estate sales and working directly with vendors. In the past 15 years, nothing at Uptown Modern has been ordered. In fact, every piece has been found.
Various Locations
Sometimes, you just need to find a good old fashioned lazy boy - nothing fancy, nothing special, just pure comfort. For all of your lazy boy-related needs, we suggest you head on over to Austin’s Couch Potatoes. If you’re feeling too lazy to do that, don’t worry: they’ve got free shipping too! And they sell more than just couches and comfy chairs; from mattresses to tables, Austin’s Couch Potatoes has you covered.
Photo Credit: Urbanspace Interiors
801 W 5th St
Urban Space Interiors is one-half furniture store, one-half real estate company, and specializes in upscale pieces from high-end brands like Missoni Home, Diesel and Moroso. While the collection is comprised of modern European designs, the gallery also features a few fun and unexpected pieces, like a gray quilted Moroso sectional. A while we might have found a few pieces we loved, there’s always an opportunity for customers to be creative. Urban Space Interiors’ in-house designers can combine different brand elements to create something special and unique. The gallery also serves as a co-working space for its neighboring companies.
For more great places to pick up furniture in Austin, click here.
Get out there and get movin', Austin!
*Chasing Realty Group is sponsored by a TREC licensed real estate broker, All City Real Estate, operated by a TREC licensed real estate agent, Chase Cangelosi #740233. Any rebate is subject to us being paid a locator referral fee and to the consent of the party the license holder represents in the transaction. The Texas Real Estate Commission allows us to give you a non-cash gift valued at $50 or less for referrals that use our apartment locating services. For referrals that lease through us, we’ll send you a $50 Amazon.com (or your choice retailer) gift card once paid by the apartment community.
