Whether it’s the food carts, the bike culture, or the eccentric culture that draws you in, when moving to Portland, you need to face the real estate market. Renting a home in Portland can be a real challenge due to the city boasting the tightest rental market in any major US city, so here are our best tips to help you find a place to call home.
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Check online
There are numerous online sources for information on Portland rentals, so you can give yourself a head start by scouring them. Craigslist, oregonlive.com/realestate, apartments.com, apartmentguide.com, rent.com, and forrent.com all have current listings, and Portland’s residents are definitely big fans of the more home-grown Craigslist. Just use your good judgment before placing deposits or making commitments.
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Contact property management companies
Start early by contacting property management companies well in advance and let them know what you’re looking for. Some companies will take your name and contact information so they can notify you as soon as something suitable becomes available, and having early information on Portland rentals will give you an advantage in this quick-moving market. If you have the time and resources, hiring an agent to help you can relieve you of the headaches of wondering whether the photos are actually representative of the place — they’ll go and check it out for you.
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Visit Portland before you move
If at all possible, take a trip to the city before your move to visit potential rentals. Not only will you get to see the space in person, but you can check out the surrounding neighborhood and get a taste for all of the wonderful things Portland has to offer. Use that time to also make any other arrangements you’ll need for your move and lay as much groundwork as possible to make relocating to Portland as smooth as possible.
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Prepare for temporary housing
If you’re moving cross-country, you might need to make arrangements for a place to stay in the interim before you can move into your new home. Portland is chock full of great AirBnB options, but you certainly want to book ahead of time — otherwise, there are hostels, urban farmsteads, and of course, traditional hotels to keep you cozy until the Portland real estate market smiles upon you.
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Get your credit scores ready
Check your credit ratings and have all of the necessary information available ahead of time. With markets so tight, Portland real estate and rental agencies can be picky about who they rent to. Be sure you know your credit score, you have employment documentation available, and your references are solid and reachable by phone.
Best of luck in your rental adventures and don’t forget to check out the Portland movers page.
