High Seattle Rent + High Competition = High Stakes for Renters

Have you been searching for a new Seattle rental and found that someone else is always one step ahead of you? You aren’t alone! Seattle renters in the throws of searching for a new place to call home have a lot of other renters competing for the same properties. Some renters have been attending open houses, even arriving early in hopes of getting to spe3ak with the landlord directly, only to find that there is a line of Seattleites ahead of them at the door, already discussing their game plan for landing that lease. What is a renter to do? One could spoke with Mynorthwest after a year long search for their rental home. “Oh, it’s awful. You’re like, I’m going to be smart and get to this house 20 minutes early and there’s already 20 people there and they’re all talking about their strategy,” said Ian Schuler. “Seattle is filled with beautiful Type-A personalities. Everybody knows what they want and they’re so competitive. And it takes, honestly, that that kind of personality, I think, to be on top of it.”
On average, a one bedroom in Seattle may have gone up 200-400 dollars this past year, and new construction apartments are coming on the market with a high price tag. To make themselves look desirable, many renters are putting together portfolios that include family resumes, pet resumes and neighbor recommendations, along with letters from previous landlords. Anything that might give them the edge needed to one up another prospective tenant. Stay on top of the rental search, and be prepared to have tough competition with the units you’d like to live in. If you’re looking for Seattle rentals, contact your local real estate agent today.