House hunting can take a toll on you, especially if your are new to the city and the neighborhood for that matter. You don’t just go and move in the first place you see, that is not how it works. There are a number of factors to consider and options to weigh in even before you can think of moving in.

Here are a few factors to consider before signing in that lease deed.

Legal system: There are specific tenant laws which govern the agreement, which will also differ according to location. You may find homes which are available for rent directly by the owner, but this is where those owner tenant laws come into play. Understand the laws which govern that particular are in order to make sure the owner is not taking you for a ride and that everything he says pertains to the generally accepted norms.

Property inspection: Whether you go through an agent or find listings for homes for rent by owners directly, you still have to ensure that a thorough inception is conducted by an expert. If you do find anything that needs repairing or needs replacement in the apartment, do not hesitate to contact the owner. Generally, your landlord will be responsible for home maintenance and must ensure that periodic renovations are carried out.

Lease terms and agreement: After everything is said and done, comes the lease agreement. This is a binding contract between you and the owner, so read the terms and conditions very carefully before committing. Have an attorney or a legal expert go through the lease once, the lease should be such that it benefits both parties and not just the owner.

Types of homes available for rent:

Single family homes: These are ideal for families giving you all the privacy you will ever need, with your own parking and garden. But such homes are a little high on the maintenance and ha to be taken care by the owner.

Condominiums: These are mostly single units which are designed to accommodate a number of occupants in the same building unlike single family homes. The privacy is not compromised much, but you will still feel the changes I occupancy every time someone changes or moves. However, in case of condos, the maintenance and upkeep is taken care of by the home owners association which is formed for that particular building.

There are many others like townhouses, multifamily rentals and more, information about which can be found online on major real estate websites and through known agents and brokers. You can also find listing directly by owners for rent, cheap homes for rent online and more.