California is the most populous state in the US, boasting 39 million total inhabitants. That means that one in every ten Americans lives in California.
Among the many large cities in California is San Diego, with a population of almost 1.4 million. If you're thinking about moving to San Diego, you should prepare to navigate the real estate market. It's not impossible to find homes for rent in the city, but it is challenging.
The key is knowing what kinds of things to look for in rental homes. We'll offer some advice on how and where to look for a rental home here.
1. Set Your Budget
The first step to finding the right home for rent is to decide on a budget. Setting a home budget seems daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Many real estate investors suggest using the 28% rule.
The 28% rule states that no more than 28% of your monthly budget should go to mortgage or rent payments. 28% is the upper limit, so 25% might be a better number and much easier to calculate in a pinch.
2. Find a Good Neighborhood
The biggest cliche about real estate is that it's all about location. As annoying as it is to hear it again and again, it's true. Whether you're moving to San Diego or investing in San Diego real estate, finding the right neighborhood is vital.
Ask yourself what kind of place you want to live. Try to be realistic without taking too much off the table. Remember that San Diego is a city is a coastal city in the most populous state in the country. San Diego homes for rent might come at a higher price than homes in other areas.
Just because you can't afford that 4-story mansion doesn't mean you can't afford some nice bedrooms and a few bathrooms. Talking to a realtor is a great idea at this point because they'll know where to find the best homes for rent based on what you can afford.
3. Do Things by the Book
The process of buying a house can get tedious, but it's there for a reason. The combination of walkthroughs, inspections, offers, and counter-offers helps to weed out any bad-faith actors and those who aren't doing things above board.
Looking for homes to rent rather than buy will change things a bit. For instance, you'll have a landlord to deal with instead of the government.
Real estate differs slightly from state to state, and real estate in California is no exception. Look over local laws before making any final decisions.
Homes for Rent in San Diego
If you're looking for homes for rent in San Diego, it helps to focus on a few steps. We've discussed these steps above, but it never hurts to do more research.
You can learn more about real estate in California by reading through our blog. If you're looking for a real estate agent to help you navigate the market, we'll be happy to refer you. Look through our guide and see how it works.
