A duplex might fit your needs and easier to find. The rent might be a problem if you are attempting to live frugally.
Normally you would be required to apply for any rental unit by completing an application to rent.Normally there is a fee to have a credit or back ground report, ran by the landlord or property manager.
Once you have been approved for renting a rental unit, you would be required to sign a rental agreement of lease. At this time you would be required to have the first month rent as well as a deposit, normally equal to one months rent.
In some instances you would be required to have the utilities turned on in your name. Normally you would be required to have a deposit for each utility yo would need turned on. It is your responsibility to call each utility to provide them a date you would like to have your utilities turned on.
Some rental units charge you for certain utilities, if this is the case, you are not required to have these utilities turned on in your name. You would be required to ask of the property manager or landlord which of these utilities are included in your rent.
Web sites might be a good place to find an apartment or house to rent, if you want to go through the entire list to find one in your state and then city.
The best place to look for places to rent is to go to the yellow pages of your telephone book, look under property managers.
These individuals list properties for rent in certain areas, so make sure you select the areas in which you wish to rent.
Call several of the property managers listed there, tell them you want a list of properties that they have for rent. Some will fax, email or mail the list of local places to rent along with the address, number of bedrooms and bath rooms, amenities available, such as washer and dryers or gyms, the monthly rental of the unit. Most will include a rental application. These list will include the monthly rental required, if a lease or month to month agreement will be signed. They will also indicate if they will accept Section 8 vouchers. They will also indicate it they have disabled access, allow pets and if so the type allowed.
They might indicate a web site that you might visit to get their list of places to rent. In most instances you would be able to see a visual picture of the rental that are offered for rent.
It does not cost to get a rental list from a reputable property manager. Some will require you to stop by their office and pick up the list. A lot of them post their list outside of their office, so the list are available 24/7 365.
Make sure you don't fall for the scams and purchase a list as 70%-80% of these list are composed of free list they have compiled. They are not the property managers of any property in most instances.
You might also google Property managers in whatever city or community you want to live in and see what comes up. Again do not pay for this information as it is free from reputable property managers.
You might consider obtaining a crime report from the city in which you would want to reside.
I hope this has been of some benefit to you, good luck.
"FIGHT ON"
Each landlord has their own equation as to how to determine a qualified renter, but generally they look for one that has a good credit history, a good rental history, and makes 3 times the monthly rent each month.
Based upon your information it is easy to assume you are a first time renter. As a first timer you represent more risk to the landlord and it is common to require a co-signer for your first rental simply because first timers are infamous for breaking leases. Hopefully your parents will help you out here. The only way it will cost them anything is if you default on the lease.
The reason the landlord requires renters to make at least 3 times the rent is because the landlord knows you will have other expenses to live and wants to make sure those things can be paid for in addition to rent. Ideally you want to spend 25% or less of your monthly income on rent, but worse case scenario, 33% is acceptable. So if you make $1850 per month, you want to find a place that rents for $450-500.
It is good that you have a healthy savings account because the adult world is expensive and every once in a while life throws you a curve ball that come with a big bill you never saw coming. Plus its good to have just in case you get injured or sick and can't make it to work.
If you are able to find a place within your price range great. If not consider getting a roommate to share expenses. This is very common for first time renters.
When you find a place, inspect the place from top to bottom. If you need to give the landlord a deposit to reserve the property fine, but don't sign a lease until move in day. Do not let a landlord promise you anything that is not clearly stated in the lease. Like if he promises a repair, make an addition to the lease and include a date of completion, them make him initial and sign at the bottom. Understand that property is rented in as is condition, so don't expect the landlord to provide any upgrades after you sign the lease.
Make sure you understand every clause of the lease. Make no assumptions. For example many first timers assume that they don't have to pay rent if they aren't living in the property. This is wrong.
If you have a roommate, make a separate agreement with the roommate to cover things like who cleans, when utility bills are collected and paid, rules on over night guests, etc.
It would help if you had some credit and a rental history. However you may be allowed to pay a higher deposit (which you get back when you move). You can't add bars to the windows of someone else's home. They don't care what kind of phone plan you have, just that you have a phone if they need to reach you.
If you've got $13K saved, you should seriously consider buying a condo or townhome. Paying rent will be flushing your hard earned money down the toilet. Keep in mind that mortgage payments on a $50K house with 10% down will be about $300 dollars on a 30 year loan. If you put down half of what you saved as a down payment, you'll still have $6k to furnish your new place. $300 will get you a bachelor apt with no kitchen in bad part of town. With a starter house, you will have the choice in a few years to upgrade to a bigger, newer place or maybe buy a second place and collect rent on the original property. I suggest you talk to someone in your local bank branch.
The part you may be overlooking is the stuff it takes to set up housekeeping. Things as simple as a bed and kitchen basics, towels, sheets for your bed, etc. A clock. A microwave. Basic cleaning supplies like a toilet brush, dish strainer, sponge, a couple of waste baskets, lamps, dresser, kitchen table and chairs. Lots of this can be purchased second hand off craigslist or at thrift shops, Salvation Army thrift shop, hospital thrift shops etc. The house should come with a stove and refrigerator. Security bars for windows and doors are very very expensive so that is not a good way to use your money putting them on somebody else's house. If a house needs them it should already have them. Also be sure to check potential houses for bugs, cockroaches, bed bugs, fleas etc. When you view a place check that the water flows out of the faucets, that the toilet flushes and the electrical outlets work although frequently the power is off. Check for mold and mildew which will affect your health. Ask the agent or owner who pays for water, trash removal, yard maintenance. If the garage was converted into a second living space get in writing how the electricity and utilities will be split since there is likely one utility meter for things like electricity, gas, water. Also determine if the dwelling has had Internet service in the past. Ask if the utilities are paid current. Some utility companies won't turn on service if there are outstanding past due bills. You must ask these questions, don't expect an agent or landlord to volunteer. If the agent doesn't know tell him/her to find out or you can phone the utility company[s] give the address and ask if there are any outstanding or other reasons such as the systems have been red tagged due to dangerous conditions [gas leak, improper grounded or electric box lacking proper grounding etc etc] all reasons they will deny service.
A small apartment or even a room would be more realistic than trying to rent a house. You cannot add "burglar bars" or make other modifications to buildings that you don't own.
i'm trying to rent a cheap one bed room house (not apartment) i don't mind bad neighborhoods since i really don't have anything valuable and i'll probably add some burglar bars.
My problem is i know nothing about renting or what certain requirements i'm suppose to meet.
I'm trying to rent a house on my own I have no credit bad or good but i'm in a rush
i'm moving out of my parents house and i'm trying to make it on my own so since i had been living there paying very little bills i saved up 13 thousand over the year or 2.
I have a decent paying job i make 11 dollars an hour and usually work 40 hours or more each week
and get payed weekly. Is there anywhere i can read some advice on this or something lol i'm trying to do this on my own.
i'm sure i can pay off the bills though in terms of not being late
i have no car so i save more money by taking a bus or walking (i know its kind of an issue atm)
I don't have a phone plan i use a prepaid one just for emergencies
i can always get a second job since i work at night (I've done it before)
i can always give plasma for money since I've also done that before
Oh and i live in San Antonio, Texas
