Renting from a realtor/property manager v. local owner

Hello dcoale,

You will find a wider range of prices (low to high) when dealing with owners directly; ads in the newspapers ect. When going through realtors your likely to find medium to high rents.

Anybody else want to weigh in with their opinions on this?

--Islander

In my opinion, I would rather RENT a house from a private owner. I looked into all of the condos on STX and found that most are over priced for what you get. Not just on the islands but on the mainland as well. I think nowadays it is ridiculous to pay so much for so little (if renting) and on top of that you have to pay the condo fees and abide by the silly restrictions that condo associations have. I would rather pay the money to have more square footage, a yard and the privacy you would get in a residential neighborhood. If you want to buy, now is a great time to buy a condo or home on the island. Prices will go way up in the near future. As far as dealing with realtors or the like...I think if you have the time to research it yourself through the local papers or just looking for rent signs on the island you would find something that will suit you and be in your price range. Some private renters will advertise a higher price then what they are willing to rent it for. Look at the ones that are a few hundred dollars higher than what you want to pay and go look at them anyway. Most will negociate a price that is fair for the both of you. Last year I drove by a for rent sign and stopped to check it out. Nice 2 story split home for rent on the East End of STX. The lower half is a 3bdrm (can't remember the sq ft but it was bigger than I needed for myself) all tile, new appliances and your own big front yard. He wanted 1,100.00 mth. Talked him down to 800.00 mth. Couldn't move at that time otherwise I would have paid him on the spot. Aw well. Point is... don't be afraid to haggle. What do you have to lose. IMHO, doing the research yourself and renting through a private renter is the way to go.