Click this link for all the websites and ways to search for rentals. Below are some of the most popular sites:

• Apartment Search Websites – www.Apartments.com; www.Apartmentguide.com ; www.Rent.com; www.ForRent.com; www.apartmentcities.com; www.peoplewithpets.com
• Private Rental Websites – www.Zillow.com; www.craigslist.com click on state, then city -> Under Housing, click Apts/Housing; www.rentals.com; www.militarybyowner.com; and any local property management company websites.

Note: If you are having difficulty finding rentals, please call PorchLight and utilize our Research Department to assist in the research to ensure a successful itinerary and outcome.

• Provide professional communication to the Renter to introduce yourself and to set expectations for the rental tour (communicate to Renter what you’re finding in the market, what he/she may need to change in their rental criteria to provide more options or confirm that everything is going well with the preparation stages). Communication throughout the process is proven to increase success and outcome.
• Provide professional electronic communication to confirm the tour date, meeting/pick-up location, start time and tour itinerary.
• Send sample rental listings via email in advance of the tour to provide the renter an idea of the tour itinerary or, at a minimum, samples of what the market is offering in their price range and desired location. This will help you know if you’re on target with the rental search.
• Have a printout of the days’ itinerary and be prompt for the tour day.
• Ensure that the vehicle being used is clean and appropriate for creating positive first impressions.
• Pick up/Escort the renter to rental properties that meet the renter’s criteria (minimum of 4-5 properties on a half day, 6-10 on a full day). Renters expect 3-4 hours on a ½ day and 6-8 hours on a full day tour unless otherwise negotiated for a lesser price.
• Assistance through lease signing. Please ensure that if the Renter selects a private rental not listed with a property management company or Realtor that you verify there are no liens on the property. This can be done by searching for the County Auditor or Treasurer’s website and doing a property search/lookup. You can also have the Renter do this for a minimal fee by using www.checkyourlandlord.com. Craigslist just reported a scam artist who did her own research on who owned a vacant property and assumed that person’s name. Checkyourlandlord.com will tell you who the rightful owner is, but Renter should ask for a photo ID of the owner/Landlord to ensure that he/she is the actual owner and not impersonating him/her.
• PorchLight promotes “Red Carpet” service to our Transferees. To track this and report to the client, all authorizations will include a form that needs to be jointly completed by the Agent, as well as the Candidate/Transferee. Certain forms are required by PorchLight’s client in order for the invoice to be paid and therefore required by the Agent in order for the Agent to be paid. See each specific emailed authorization for more instruction on the form required for the tour.
• Our clients pay for you to make every attempt to successfully insert a lease break clause, or one similar to the one provided, prior to the transferee signing a lease (click here for a sample). See each specific emailed authorization for more instruction on whether the lease break is required.
• After the tour, please reply back with the following information:
  •  Actual Tour date:
  •  Number of rentals viewed on the tour:
  •  New address:
  •  Rent: $
  •  Anticipated move-in:
  •  Lease term:
  •  Does the lease have a lease break or job transfer addendum?Note: Payment for the tour(s) is contingent upon Touring Agent meeting the outlined expectations.

Expectations of an AREA Tour

The focus of an area orientation tour is on understanding the area according to the Candidate/ Transferee’s interests, NOT securing a rental. Please show about 3-4 rentals so the Candidate/Transferee can get an idea of what they look like and price. The Agent is responsible for:

• Area acclimation tour to show what the area has to offer focusing on the things of interest to the Candidate/Transferee.
• Taking the Candidate/Transferee to view 3-4 properties that meet the criteria to provide a good idea of what the housing is like in the area for the desired budget.
• Introduction to the area’s neighborhoods, schools (if applicable), public transportation, cultural activities, shopping and restaurants.
• PorchLight promotes “Red Carpet” service to our Transferee’s. To track this and report to the client, all authorizations will include a form that needs to be jointly completed by the Agent, as well as the Candidate/Transferee. Certain forms are required by PorchLight’s client in order for the invoice to be paid and therefore required by the Agent in order for the Agent to be paid. See each specific emailed authorization for more instruction on the form required for the tour.
• After the tour, please reply back with the:
  Actual Tour date
  Number of hours on tour
  OutcomeNote: Payment for the tour(s) is contingent upon Touring Agent meeting the outlined expectations.

Expectations of SETTLING-IN/DESTINATION SERVICES

The goal of this tour is to help the Transferee get settled in and is customized according to his/her/the families interests, needs and/or questions and concerns. Destination Service is conducted over the course of several days.

• Introduction to grocery stores, pharmacies, hospitals, veterinarians, hair salons, car repair, family and kids activities, etc.
• School Finding & Appointments and/or Assistance Registering Children at School
• Destination Service (i.e. Driver’s License, Apply for Social Security Card, Set up a Bank Account, Purchase/Lease a Car, vehicle registration, getting a mobile phone)
• PorchLight promotes “Red Carpet” service to our Transferee’s. To track this and report to the client, all authorizations will include a form that needs to be jointly completed by the Agent, as well as the Candidate/Transferee. Certain forms are required by PorchLight’s client in order for the invoice to be paid and therefore required by the Agent in order for the Agent to be paid. See each specific emailed authorization for more instruction on the form required for the tour.Note: Payment for the tour(s) is contingent upon Touring Agent meeting the outlined expectations.

Expectations of Sight-Unseen Rental Assistance

The goal of this service is to be the eyes and ears of the Renter to allow them to secure a rental without physically being in the city to see it. Agent is needed to viewing and photograph properties and:

• Use all rental-finding tools available to you, not only MLS. Call the listings that the Renter would like to see to verify it meet’s all criteria and make appointments. Below are some web sites that may be helpful:
• Apartment Search Websites – www.Apartmentguide.com ; www.Rent.com; www.Forrent.com; www.Apartments.com; www.apartmentcities.com; www.yellowpages.com – search for apartments and property management companies; Pets: www.petok.com; www.peoplewithpets.com
• Private Rental Websites – Property Management Companies; www.craigslist.com click on state, then city -> Under Housing, click Apts/Housing; www.rentals.com; www.Rentalhouses.com; www.Homerentals.net; www.militarybyowner.com; www.rentalhomesplus.com
• Send listings (links) and detailed information to Renter.
• Allow Renter to select her top choice properties.
• Go to those properties and take pictures and video if able to and email to Renter.
• Assistance through lease signing. Please ensure that if the Renter selects a private rental not listed with a property management company or Realtor that you verify there are no liens on the property. This can be done by searching for the County Auditor or Treasurer’s website and doing a property search/lookup. You can also have the Renter do this for a minimal fee by using www.checkyourlandlord.com. Craigslist just reported a scam artist who did her own research on who owned a vacant property and assumed that person’s name. Checkyourlandlord.com will tell you who the rightful owner is, but Renter should ask for a photo ID of the owner/Landlord to ensure that he/she is the actual owner and not impersonating him/her.
• Our clients pay for you to make every attempt to successfully insert a lease break clause, or one similar to the one provided, prior to the transferee signing a lease (click here for a sample). See each specific emailed authorization for more instruction on whether the lease break is required.

Expectations if Finder’s Fee is paid (in lieu of tour fee)

Under a finder’s fee payment structure, the client’s expectation is that the Agent will support the Renter until a lease is signed. This support should include sending electronic listings, providing phone counsel, meeting with the Renter to view properties and provide assistance with lease review and questions. Once a rental is secured, the fee for service is based upon a percentage of the monthly rent. In the event the Renter uses the Agent’s services, but finds a rental on his/her own, a tour fee is paid so that the Agent is compensated for his/her time.

• Agent may choose to show multiple properties in a day or show just a couple over several different days. How Agent manages the process is up to you as long as the Renter is in agreement with the approach and that the outcome is successful.
• It’s PorchLight’s expectation that Agent will manage the Renter through this process. Our recommendation is that Agent try to group as many rentals into a meeting as possible to minimize multiple trips. If the Renter is going to take his time with his rental search and possibly wait 2-3 months before renting, we would expect that Agent begin with more phone counseling, email rental listings and offer to look into any rentals that Renter may see online until the timing is appropriate to begin meeting. This will ensure that Agent remains in communication and that Renter understands and buys into the process. It’s important that the Renter understand the process, what Agent will be doing and what he/she is responsible for in order to control the process. The more professional Agent is about communication and management of the process, the more respectful and professional the Renter is in return.
• If the chosen rental is one that you provided to the Renter, and a lease is signed, PorchLight needs a copy of the signed lease. This is required for payment.
• See “Expectations of a Rental Tour” (above) for the rest of the requirements of this ongoing tour/support.