Best way to rent out your house?

[daviskgb]

I am taking a job that will take me out of The Villages for 2 years. I am thinking about renting my home. Has anyone done this? Furnished or unfurnished? By month or annually? DIY or property manager? Any advice?

[redwitch]

For a two year period, I think I'd look for a long-term renter. Depending on how I felt about my furniture, I'd offer it turnkey but wouldn't hesitate to store it if that is what the renter wanted.

As to whether to use a property manager, a lot depends on how quickly you need to get it rented. If you have some time, I'd go the DIY route with someone available to be on call for needed repairs, etc. Getting an immediate rental would be a little more difficult for long term, so a property manager may be your only option.

If you decide to go the seasonal route, definitely DIY with a good house watcher.

[Deseylou]

I'm a worrier
I would use an agency

[tommy steam]

Good info

[mikempp]

after talking to several agents i worried more about them than the renters, they wanted all the profit, it's not hard to do by yourself, get credit check/background check you won't have a problem

[Wing-nut2]

Try Vacation Rentals by Owner used it for years. Get a lock on the front door that uses numbers, leave the keys etc. inside, get a good house cleaner, and always get a security deposit.

[mikempp]

yes if you get credit check it is safe, long term probably better without furniture, maybe you can store it but 2 years might be better have a garage sale and sell it. I have had rentals for years and people with good credit pay on time and take care of the place, any damage was paid without a problem. but do not rent to anyone with less then very good credit. what i did was make rent say $1,000 a month paid by the first day of the month and gave a $50 discount if the pay before the 25th of the preceding month. still have one in ohio was built 1995 and to date never had a late payment on rent. any problems that come up can be handled over the phone.

[mikempp]

craigslist is best to advertise, it's free, had The Villages 4 Rent, Rentals in The Villages The Villages 4 Rent, Rentals in The Villages for 2 years and never rented once through them, always rented through craigslist, was a waste of $120 a year for me.

[Packer Fan]

craigslist is best to advertise, it's free, had The Villages 4 Rent, Rentals in The Villages (http://www.TheVillages4Rent.com) The Villages 4 Rent, Rentals in The Villages for 2 years and never rented once through them, always rented through craigslist, was a waste of $120 a year for me.

Have no idea what you are talking about - the villages for rent is great, and the phone rings off the hook for high season rentals. Very well organized and over a million hits a year. I highly recommend.

[mikempp]

Not from my experience.