Okay, so you have decided that renting is the best option for you at this stage in your life. However, you don’t know where to start looking for rental properties because you want to make sure you find the best rental for you. It’s good that you’re thinking this way now, because you’re already ahead of the game. Many prospective renters just get out there and lease the first property they come across. However, if you want to find the homes for lease in Grand Rapids, MI that best suit you, you have to have a plan from the “get-go.” Below are the tips you need to follow to ensure you find the right home for you!

1.    Know exactly what you want. Just because you are looking for homes for lease in Grand Rapids, MI and not a house to buy does not mean you don’t need a “wish” list. If you want to be happy with the rental you do lease, you need to know exactly what you want. Therefore, make a list with all of the things you want in a rental.

2.    Understand your budget. Next you need to have a budget. Don’t settle for an estimated budget either. Instead, sit down and look at your finances and figure up exactly how much money you can spend on rent…you will also need to factor in the expenses that go with renting (water, trash, electricity, phone, cable, internet, etc.) to ensure your budget is accurate.

3.    Revisit your wish list. Once you’ve got a budget in place, you need to go back to your wish list and put the items on your list in order with the most important being at the top and the least important at the bottom. You need to understand that when you begin searching through the various homes for lease in Grand Rapids, MI that you won’t be able to get everything on your wish list…you will have to make some sacrifices. Therefore, determine what things you will sacrifice first.

4.    Start looking! Now it’s time to start looking. You can find rental properties in the classified section of the newspaper, as well as, online too. Another good resource to try are the local property management companies – they usually know of homes for lease in Grand Rapids, MI, many of which aren’t advertised in the newspapers!

About the author

Justin Bajema, CPM® is the Founder & President of Access Investment Group, LLC and Access Property Management Group, LLC. He holds the coveted CPM® designation from the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

His love for everything Real Estate and business began with one book sent to him while he was returning back from the war in Iraq in 2003, "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki.

Justin is a proud U.S. Marine combat veteran who served 2 tours in Iraq as an infantryman. He received the Purple Heart from Commander in Chief President George Bush for his wounds received in action while fighting in Iraq.

He has successfully put together numerous real estate investment holdings from single-family homes to multi-million dollar apartment community deals.