Housing Dilema!

[JNEKG 4]

Hi All

We are moving to Seattle in the coming months and need some help and advice in terms of securing a home when we move. Preferably before we move. My issue is that we are both in Australia and will be moving together with our family. I have secured a job in the Us but my husband has not (yet).

My questions are:

1. Are we going to be able to rent an apartment without a credit rating?

2. Can I as the LPR be the one to secure it(as I am the one with income) ?

3. Would it be possible to arrange a house from Australia?

4. Will it be difficult as we have not been renters for more than a decade in Australia (home owners) and have no reference?

5. Would a reference from my bank saying we have never missed a loan payment be beneficial?

6. We could pay 3-6 months rent up front, would that help?

Any tips, advice, suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also, does anyone know of any temporary/executive housing we could rent while we are exploring areas to move to?

Thanks

[LeftCoastLady 441]

I would recommend using a service such as VRBO.com and renting a home for a few months once you arrive in Seattle and can get your bearings to know where you would prefer to live. If you haven't lived there previously, it would be a better option rather than entering into a longer-term contract and moving into a place you haven't seen in person.

[Krikit 1,164]

My recommendation would be to speak with a local realtor regarding long term rentals. They not only know the area, they can also answer your questions.

As for temporary housing, I recommend the Marriott Residence Inn. If you call the hotel, directly, and speak with the booking manager you can come to an agreement on the cost rather than go by what's available on their website. They also have other extended stay options. Sign up for their rewards program and you can earn points for free stays. Here is their website for temporary housing:

http://www.marriott.com/marriott.mi?page=TempHousingLandingPage

Here are a couple of other links for you:

http://www.extendedstayhotels.com/

http://www.valueplace.com

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I would start a relationship with a Realtor on Realtor.Com who specializes in your area (you can do a ton of research on the same website for areas for crime, schools, commute, recreational, etc)

The Realtor can fix you up with a rental and then can help you find a home to purchase later.

I believe the Realtor will be abel to use his professional skills to verify your rating internationally also, perhaps not in an official manner but enough to suit his requirement.

Good luck, don't over think it.

[JNEKG 4]

Thanks everyone for the tips and advice.