Renting a Condo in Miami can be  kind of a painful process.  First you have to figure out how much you can afford, second narrow down the area, the building, the unit and then the real work starts.  The offer to the owner, the paperwork for the owner and the association, the deposits and more.  You gotta work with someone who knows how to work and who knows what’s going on!

The majority of buildings in Miami and Miami Beach do not allow short terms rentals of six months or less.  Many also do not allow rentals of less than one year.  But if you must rent short term, contact an agent who does short term rentals.  I do not do short term rentals.  Short term rentals are a pain in the butt because it’s one of those sectors in Real Estate that you need to be “IN” to know what’s going on.  I am not “IN” short term rentals but I do know people who are “IN” short term rentals and can refer you to one of them.

#1 Tip  Use the people who are “IN” & who know what’s going on.

I had a lady call me the other day and say that she wanted to use our team because she heard that we are good but felt like she had to  use a family member because they were in the business.  She was also a little concerned because this agent was in Fort Lauderdale and she wanted to move to Miami Beach.

Of course I am not going to get in the middle of any “family issue”, however I know for sure I wouldn’t be showing property in Fort Lauderdale.  I don’t know the first thing about Fort Lauderdale.  Maybe your family member also feels the same way but feels obligated to help you?  Not all agents do rentals or want to do rentals.  Some do it now because there is business in rentals, others do it because they feel obligated to help out friends or family.  Why not use someone who does it day in and day out?  Who is “IN” and who knows what’s going on?

Ask and at the very least have your family member refer you over to us.  We pay referral fees to other agents.  Maybe she will be happy you did!

#2 Not all agents are created equal.  Use the ones who return your calls timely. Who are quick, efficient and streamlined.

You know how you go to some fast food restaurants and although the drive through lane is horrendous you go ahead and pleasantly park your car behind the 10th car in waiting because you know that this place has the best quality food and is quick, efficient and streamlined?   You know that you will be and out in no time and with good results?  And although your back seat driver is screaming at you to drive to the other fast food place down the street because there are only two cars in that drive through lane, you are confident that this place will provide you with the best results.  In the end you are in and out in five minutes with just what you wanted.   Great service and a great product.  As you drive out, you look down the street and those two original cars are still sitting in the same line waiting.

Just as other business have their good and bad places, Real Estate has good and bad agents.  All agents are not all created equal.

However, if from the get go; your impression is that the agent is not calling you back in a timely manner or responding to your emails fast enough….  move on and find someone who wants your business.  Find someone who knows what they are doing; is quick, streamlined and efficient in their processes.

#3  Use agents that ask a lot of questions.  Asking a lot of questions qualify your needs and expectations.  That is a good thing.

Sometimes when people call me and I start asking a lot of questions, I get the impression that they don’t want to share.  I am not sure why someone would not want to share  answers to important questions that are designed to provide you with exactly what they need?  However,  it’s important to know that there are a lot of little nuances in the rental business and we need to make sure that we know precisely what are your expectations, so we don’t waste any one’s time.

A few of the main criteria is the following:

1.  Are you ready to move within the next 30 days? ( It doesn’t make sense to start looking until you are close to this time frame.  Owners typically will not hold a unit more than 30 days out and the inventory changes frequently.)

2.  How much can you afford per month and do you have this amount times three? (first, last and security deposit is pretty standard in Miami.)

3.  Do you have pets and how much do they weigh? Not all buildings in the area accept pets and although the owner’s agent may write on the listing PETS OK, they may not have checked with the building’s rules to find out if building allows pets.  And then of course the next statement that always follows is: “But Jamey, I have seen pets in that building.” and I reply with, “Yes, I know but the building just changed the rules to allow only owners to have pets in the units and/or the renters who have pets are grandfathered in.”…..  Unfortunately this happens A LOT.

4.  Are you working with any other agents? This is one of the main questions that Realtors are supposed to ask prior to working with new clients.  In our field it is considered unethical to work with clients who are also working with other agents.  Plus it doesn’t make sense.  Find one agent that has access to the MLS database and have them show you all of the properties available.

Good agents ask questions to save you time.  Why look at 50 units that don’t match your needs when you can look at 10 that do?

In conclusion….

I have had many a client tell me that they couldn’t believe all of the paperwork required for renting and the process for renting in Miami and Miami Beach.  Be sure to work with a professional who knows how to best assist you and protect your best interests.

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