Reader Questions!

Elbert asks:

When should I start looking for a place and when should I start the moving process?
Do you have any studios around PSU that will be available in June-July? My budget is around 500-650.

I always tell people to call me about 30 days before they want to move. Apartment managers love pre-leasing apartments (renting apartments before the current tenants have moved out). Obviously our bottom lines look better if the apartment is vacant for as short as possible. And in my case, I even get a $25 bonus if someone signs a lease before the old residents move out. Since about 75% of people that that move out give their 30 day notices when they pay their rent, the best day to call is the 4th or 5th of the month. So if you wanted to move in around July 10th, start calling around on June 5th, for example. Given the bad economy, however, you can probably just start calling the day you get into town because just about everyone I know has an apartment available. And Elbert, I do have an apartment near PSU for $650. It's here.

Liz asks:

hi! I am really interested in the curry court apartments, but I can't find a phone number to contact you! How would I go about the application process? Thanks!

Yeah, I really need to put some contact info on the front page of this blog. My number is 503.231.9169.

Anonymous asks:

I was told I'm required to pay move-in and move-out fees of $200 for a condo I'm renting. When I brought up the new illegality of this, the leasing agent assured it's legality because the money goes to the building/HOA. I don't see how this makes it legal. If the HOA requires MI/MO fees, wouldn't it fall upon the condo owner to pay them? Any advice?

Sweet christ that's a good question. I've been googling the crap out of it for the last 20 minutes and can't seem to get a straight answer as to how that new law applies to HOAs. I was looking at rentals in Astoria the other day and noticed that some property management company was still charging move-in fees. With a law as complicated as this one, sometimes it might take a few lawsuits/friendly judicial inquiries to figure out what's what. I wish I could help you. I'll keep trying.

Rob asks:

Hi Martin. Like your site. I wonder if you've ever addressed the concept of property ads that drastically overstate the square footage of an apt? I looked at 132 SE 18th, a big fourplex listed on Realty Management Advisors. They advertise it at 1200 sq ft. Well, I brought my tape measure. It's actually 950 sq ft. I understand rounding up, but 250 sq ft of rounding up? Would like to read your comments on this practice.

So true. When I first started at this job back in 2000, I had this handy list of each apartment unit in the building that had the square footage listed right next to it. I had no reason not to believe it, so I told everyone that my studios at the Warnell were 450 square feet. Then one day, a girl moved in to apartment 103 from Lansing, Michigan--pulled up in her U-Haul without ever seeing the place first hand. We signed paperwork and she gave me a check, then she pulled out her tape measure: 360 square feet. This was in 2003 so I had been unintentionally lying for over 3 years. I had no reason to question my paperwork, even though--really--who knows where it came from or what kind of blind mathematically-challenged former apartment manager came up with those numbers. Rob, this issue really deserves its own post, so I'll get on that. Thanks!

Amy asks:

We're relocating from Texas to PDX the first week of June. We have been looking for a 2 bedroom from Montavilla-ish SE to Holgate. We have two cats, both well behaved and a year old. Do you know if you have any vacancies coming up that would fit our needs? We're trying to stay under $825. Thanks in advance!

I have 2 notices at Creston Villa, both for 2-bedrooms at $795 each. Give me a call anytime!