The best sources to find apartments for rent
Are you currently looking for an affordable yet quality place to call home? You’re in luck! We’ve put together the top sources to find apartments and homes for rent. Since we’re based in Columbia City, Indiana, a smaller town, we’re focusing this list on the best sources to find places when there aren’t hundreds of options to choose from. Happy hunting!
Facebook Marketplace
Local landlords will frequently post on Facebook Marketplace to advertise their latest available properties. Luckily Facebook is built with this in mind with a dedicated Property Rentals marketplace category. Plus they allow you to filter by location, property features like bed/bath count, and much more. We recommend creating an alert for your preferred features so you automatically get notified when a new property matches your criteria. Check out our How to Find Rentals on Facebook Marketplace blog for a detailed walkthrough of how to do this.
Local Facebook Groups
Don't underestimate the power of community! Joining local Facebook groups can unveil hidden gems in your preferred neighborhood. In our community, you’ll often see new rentals posted in groups like: For Rent - Columbia City, Indiana, Houses for rent in kosciusko and whitley county only!, Whitley County, IN Homes For Rent, and RENTALS in Columbia City, Indiana. From exclusive listings to valuable insights from current residents, these groups provide a unique and community-driven approach to finding the perfect place.
Zillow
Known for its user-friendly interface and extensive listings, Zillow is a go-to source for many apartment hunters. The detailed filters help you narrow down your search, ensuring you find the ideal home that suits your needs.
Apartments.com
Just like Zillow, Apartments.com allows you to quickly and easily search for homes or apartments in your area that are available for rent. Sometimes properties will be posted in both places but sometimes landlords prefer one over the other so I always check both just in case.
Drive Around
Some landlords like to keep it simple for themselves and won’t post their properties anywhere online. The only way to find these opportunities is by driving around in your desired neighborhood and keeping an eye out for “For Rent” signs. We always post any available properties we see when out and about around town in the For Rent - Columbia City, Indiana Facebook group too so you don’t have to do the driving!
Local Property Management Companies
Tap into the expertise of local property management companies. They often have a portfolio of diverse rental options, and their professional touch can streamline the application and leasing process for a hassle-free experience. You can easily look online with keywords like “Property Manager Columbia City, Indiana”. Once you’ve found some local property management companies, follow their social media accounts or bookmark their websites so you can always keep up-to-date on their latest available properties.
Word of Mouth
Oftentimes friends and family are the best resource when it comes to finding reputable local landlords. We’ve all dealt with a bad landlord before so reaching out to those you trust can be a great way to get started when looking for a place to rent. You might uncover exclusive leads and valuable insights that online platforms might not offer.