How to Find a Furnished Rental Apartment in St Louis
When relocating -- particularly across the country -- there are dozens of things to consider and prepare for. Not only is moving across the country complicated and time-consuming, but it can also be incredibly expensive. This year, it might be even more expensive to relocate than during previous years. Samantha Allen explains in her article “Yes, You’re Paying About 15% More To Move This Year. Here’s Why” for Forbes. Allen writes that “the current labor shortage is affecting nearly every industry, from restaurants to construction to the moving industry.” The labor shortage, an increase in demand for movers and recent inflation have all contributed to a significant pricing disruption. Quoting CEO of International Van Lines Josh Morales, Allen elaborates. She writes that “‘everything from [the cost of] packing supplies to trucks increased...therefore, moving costs increased.’” In 2020, a coast-to-coast move with “a truck carrying 1,000 cubic feet of items cost between $7,000 and $8,000.” This year, movers can expect to pay between “$8,500 to $9,500” for the same service. Those who are relocating can reduce the cost of their move with a furnished apartment or home instead of one they must furnish themselves. If you are planning to relocate later this year, follow below for our tips for finding the perfect furnished apartment in St Louis.
Remote Workers Are Abandoning Major Metropolises for the South, West and Midwest
Millions of Americans relocated during the COVID-19 pandemic. They abandoned high-cost metropolises like New York City in favor of smaller cities in the Midwest and Southeast. This year, millions more are expected to continue the trend. In a recent article for CNBC, Lori Ioannou referenced data from Upwork’s October 2020 Remote Workers on the Move survey. According to the survey, between 14 and 23 million Americans “are planning to relocate to a new U.S. city or region due in part to the growing acceptance of remote work.” Cities that stand to suffer most from this migration of remote workers are those in “the highest price markets.”
Referencing data from Apartments.com, Ioannou elaborated. She wrote that “Boston, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, California and New York City” lost the most renters, leading them to cut rates. These cities experienced a “13 percentage point larger decrease in rent prices than rental markets in the bottom 10%.” According to theAnnual National Movers Study from 2020, the East Coast shed quite a few residents last year. Unfortunately, New York and Connecticut led in terms of losses. Illinois and California also lost more residents than they gained. The Midwest and South increased their populations, however, particularly in Arkansas and South Dakota.
Tips for Finding St Louis Furnished Homes for Rent When Relocating
When relocating to a new city, finding the right apartment without touring neighborhoods or buildings in person can be tricky. Finding a furnished home for rent with pieces that match your style and preferences can be even more complicated. Whether you are searching for a one or two-bedroom apartment, follow below for tips for finding the right space for you and your family.
#1 Hire a Realtor to Help with the Search
First, when searching for either a 1 or 2 bedroom furnished apartment in St Louis, consider hiring a realtor to help you narrow down neighborhoods, buildings, and specific rentals. Whitson Gordon explains why hiring a realtor when apartment hunting is worth the cost in the article “How to Find an Apartment When You’re Moving Across the Country” for The New York Times. According to Gordon, hiring an agent to parse through furnished apartments “is especially useful if you don’t know the city.” Gordon writes that real estate agents “know the area well enough to help you find the right part of town.” Local St Louis, Missouri realtors can “do all the legwork setting up showings and vetting landlords before you even set foot in the city.”
Perhaps best of all, local real estate agents “know the intricacies of that particular market, since so many things can vary by geographic location.” Keep in mind, however, that realtors do charge a service fee when helping clients find a fully furnished apartment to rent. This fee could range from a couple hundred dollars to around $1,500.00. If you are relocating for work, Gordon recommends checking with your new employer. According to Gordon, “many employers may cover that cost...since it saves them the cost of putting you up in temporary housing while you hunt for a place yourself.”
#2 Ask for a Virtual Tour
Many landlords and property management companies now offer virtual tours of furnished apartments for rent. If you find a fully furnished apartment in St Louis that interests you, consider calling the leasing office to request a virtual tour. In her article “Are Virtual Tours Really Enough Before Renting a New Home?” for The New York Times, Ronda Kaysen explains how to get the most out of each “tour.” First, Kaysen suggests poring over the floor plan in preparation for the virtual tour. This will help you understand the amount of furniture as well as the “layout and the size of the rooms” before your tour.
During the tour, ask the leasing agent to move his or her camera slowly, so you can examine the apartment from all angles. Be sure to ask plenty of questions about the fully furnished apartment, “like how tall the ceilings are, how far the windows are from the next building and which direction the light comes from.” Ask about adjoining apartments, “if the building has an elevator” and other questions about the complex as a whole. Chances are your virtual tour will not include the building’s grounds or community amenities.
#3 Consider a Short-Term Rental or Sublet in Saint Louis First
While often more expensive than renting an apartment with a year-long lease, short-term rentals like sublets or vacation homes offer flexibility. When moving to an entirely new city, this flexibility can offer peace of mind. This is because you might not yet know which neighborhood best suits you and your needs. If you are unable to visit the city, short-term rentals can also offer you the chance to settle in before finding a permanent home. The post “6 Surprising Ways To Find An Apartment In A New City” from Trulia’s blog elaborates. Because most apartment leases are annual, "if you make the wrong choice, that could end up feeling like an eternity.”
Unlike with a traditional landlord or property management company, you might be able to negotiate the price of your sublease. Trulia notes that most people who sublease “need to sublet ASAP [and] will probably take your offer, even if it is a bit low.” You might also consider searching for “corporate housing,” as Rocco Pendola suggests in his article “How to Find Furnished Apartments” for SF Gate. According to Pendola, corporate apartment rentals “often come complete with furnishings due to the needs for business people and others who require short-term housing.”
#4 Plan As Much As Possible (No Last-Minute Moves)
If possible, begin researching potential furnished rentals a couple months or at least a few weeks before you need to relocate. Leaving your search until the last minute could lead you to accept an overpriced or under-furnished apartment. Fully furnished apartments are less common than unfurnished apartments and often fly off the market as soon as they are listed. To avoid competition when looking for a furnished apartment, widen your search and consider renting slightly outside the City of St Louis. Olivette, Orson Woods and Ballwin are safe, attractive suburbs where furnished condos and townhomes are occasionally listed for rent online.
If you do find yourself in a time crunch when searching for a furnished apartment in St Louis, consider Jennifer Billock’s advice in her article “The 23 Best Apartment-Finding Tips of All Time” for Apartment Therapy. Billock advises renters to “look on social media, particularly in Facebook neighborhood groups, to see if any apartments are listed.” Renters should also “create a back-up plan” by formulating a list of short-term rentals, Airbnbs or “inexpensive hotels.”
How to Protect Yourself When Apartment-Hunting Out of State in Saint Louis MO
Those who plan to relocate to a new city might be at a greater risk of scams than local renters due to their lack of local knowledge and inability to check apartments out in person. To avoid being taken advantage of, especially in furnished apartments St Louis market, be sure to research rental rates of similar apartments in each neighborhood and check all lease terms. Fully furnished apartments typically cost more than unfurnished apartments because they provide renters with amenities they would otherwise have to source on their own. If possible, compare rental rates for furnished apartments in St Louis before agreeing to a lease. Ask specific questions about the type of furniture, age of appliances and location of the building to lessen your scam risk.
When considering a sublet or short-term rental, make sure each furnished apartment is actually legal to lease. In his article “How To Protect Yourself From Rental Scams” for Forbes, Rodolfo Delgado offers some additional advice. Delgado warns renters against paying security deposits in cash and encourages them to always “ask for a confirmation receipt” of any type of payment. Prospective renters should also “look for testimonials” and accept the fact that “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”