Being on the lookout for a home to rent has its enjoyable moments, but it can also be a harrowing experience. Walking to a sizable pad that is accessible and within your budget: pleasure! Walking into a flat which does not look anything like the pictures: harrowing.

We've observed numerous rental scams in the last few years. To help you avoid scams and to sidestep prospective rentals that are just a waste of time, we have compiled a list of giant rental red flags to keep a lookout for throughout your search.

No invoice or receipt for a deposit

Many renters do not recognize that if a broker or management firm doesn't offer a receipt for your deposit, it is a big red flag. Before giving anyone a big chunk of change, look up their company and be sure they're legit.

If you know you are dealing with real brokers but they say they do not have proper receipts, ask them to email you confirmation, and don't leave them until you see it in your inbox.

You always want a paper trail in case any money changes hands.

Listings without images

Everyone has a camera in their pocket these days, so a property listing without at least a few photos typically suggests that the place is a dump.

If listing details are vague or there are no pictures, there is a good reason.

Too good to be true

You also need to be on the lookout for listings which claim the property is decked out by amenities, is below market value, and attributes photographs that look as though they belong in Architectural Digest.

If an apartment appears to be too good to be accurate in record pictures, then it probably is not accurate.

A bait and switch--where imitation photographs are posted in the list to lure potential renters--can happen, so let your common sense guide you before committing to anything or registering a lease sight unseen.

If it feels just like you are making out like a bandit, then you probably don't have all of the facts, and you need to continue your search elsewhere.

Untidy common areas

It may seem minor, but trash that has blown into the landscaping or a dirty common area may be red flag as well.

"If the property manager does not care enough to arrive a couple of minutes early to set the stage for a fantastic tour, what else might they not care about?" If a rental appears like it isn't well-maintained, then you're bound to become an unhappy tenant.

No credit or background check

A landlord or employee of a management company who doesn't require a background or credit rating might seem easygoing. You do not have to bother with paperwork or cover the fees for these tests? What a dream! However, a laissez-faire landlord might just not care about the condition of the property or having a responsible tenant live there.

A fantastic landlord always wants to get qualified tenants in place, so be careful if you find an apartment and the landlord is quick to ask for money with no background check.

Requesting a large hunk of cash upfront

But if landlords request over the standard amount upfront, then they might be trying to scam you.

Upfront fees vary throughout the nation, and local laws dictate how much landlords can request. Thus doing a simple Google search to see what's normal in your town can save you a lot of money.

Rushed or pristine property showings

If the agent or landlord appears to be trying to rush you through the home, there is usually a reason.

Itt could be a terror of a neighbor, with loudly dogs along with a horrible temper you just never know.

So to find a crystal clear picture of this property--and also the persistent noises about it--take some time to visit the neighborhood at various hours of the day.

Playing phone tag with the property manager

Is it challenging to accomplish a showing with the landlord or property manager? Think about how hard it will be to reach them if you really live there and have a repair or a query about your rent. It may look like a minor inconvenience while looking for a rental, but how they conduct business prior to signing a lease is generally a sign of how they'll treat you after you are officially a renter.

Conclusion

At Bermont Realty we do our best to maintain a high level of customer service.  We are quick to act and available most times of the day to assist your needs be it an emergency repair or a question. List your property for rent or finding a property to rent in St. Albert, Mornville and the surrounding area we are here to serve you better.

When it comes to selling a home, appearances are everything. That is why more and more homeowners hoping to impress buyers are investing in house staging however decluttering, styling, and making your home look its absolute best, this procedure can make you want to pull your hair out.

To make this job a little easier, we asked sellers for their own best home-staging advice, we then compiled their greatest tips. If you are getting ready to put your home on the current market, use these pointers to spruce things up in a jiffy--and help buyers fall in love with your property.

Keep your home tidy 24/7

When showing a home, it is important to keep your house tidy with all your possessions peeled away for two reasons. To begin with, you do not always know who's walking through your house. A listing agent can not be in every room to observe your valuables.

Secondly, a tidy house looks better. You want potential buyers to come in and see a beautiful dream house, not your own clutter. You never know when a potential buyer will need a last-minute tour, so put your dishes away as soon as you're done eating, pick up dirty clothes on the floor, and make your bed daily.

Invest in a few trendy items

Before showing, you need to update your house with a few new, trendy pieces to make it even more on-trend. Look on Pinterest to see what's fashionable at this time, or see open homes to find out how they are staged. After that, re-create the appearance. Don't worry, you are able to do so while being budget-friendly! When selling homes some owners ended up investing in a couple of pieces--a new duvet cover, a few curtains, and a few wall hangings--to make their house look much more like other houses that were on the market. All of this stuff just cost only a couple of hundred bucks, but have a great deal of compliments on personality and, in the end, the home sold for more than anticipated. Bear in mind that spending a couple hundred on décor could end up getting you thousands in the long run.

Make Your House feel like their Property

The very best home-staging wisdom we have discovered is that potential buyers need to see themselves in your property. That is why real estate agents tell you to clean out any personal pictures you have on the walls. You do not want buyers to consider it as your residence, because it is going to make it tougher for them to picture themselves living there. For the exact same reason, do your best not to be home when your house is being toured. If buyers see you, they will recall that they're guests.

Unless you feel very strongly about people taking off their shoes, remember that you're moving, so it doesn't really matter whether people are tracking in dirt. Plus, for some people it's awkward to walk around in their socks, and you don't want potential buyers to feel uncomfortable.

Spray a clean, easy scent

You can kill a individual's curiosity by showing them a house that smells like dirty teenagers and smelly dogs. Houses need to smell fresh and clean, but shouldn't smell like compounds. Invest in a very excellent home odor spray using a gentle odor, like lavender or fresh linen.

Don't try to hide your clutter

It's common to use the garage as a place to stash the boxes you've cleared out of your house for a showing. But you still need the garage to look presentable. People today want to search the entire house. Take this opportunity to clean it all out.

Buyers may also open cabinets. They are not trying to be invasive--they only want to see how much space you've got. Do not believe that you can cram everything behind those doors and it is going to be invisible. People will look through everything, and when they do open closet doors, they probably won't love being fulfilled with an avalanche of stuff. In fact, it will most likely make them think your house does not have sufficient storage, and they'll move onto another.

Get your pets out of the house

The best advice we give before selling a house was to make sure that your my pets and potential buyers feel comfortable. Meeting somebody else's creatures can be stressful. Pets might be protective of their possessions, so owners should think about taking them someplace else during showings.

If someone is coming over for a tour, take that opportunity to walk your dog. However, if you must leave your pets in your home, always make sure that you leave instructions on how to handle them. Offer your list agent instructions on where to put dogs if they get rowdy (such as a guest room), but don't just assume you can just put your pets in the garden, since buyers want to find that the outdoor space also.

Now that you have discovered how to stage your home contact one of our amazing real estate agents to get your property listed.