Planning to rent my current home - Houston, TX Harris County area

[Ben M.]

Hello,

I am just starting out and plan to rent out my own home for my first venture.

I would be moving out of my current home and would be purchasing a bigger home to accommodate a growing family. 

I am curious what to expect with timing. As soon as I move out of my current home, I am curious, based on other people's experiences, what the average time frame is before I can get a tenant to move in and here in the Houston harris county area?

Thank you.

[Marian Smith]

First, you need to have enough of a cash cushion so you don't get nervous about finding a tenant and rent to the wrong one thinking it will save money.
I don't know about Houston...and different areas of town are more or less popular. Call a realtor and ask what the days on market is for a rental 3-2 in your area...or ask the realtor you are using to buy and get a print out for the last few months...ask for rental prices too. You need accurate numbers.
I have the impression that clean houses in good areas priced at or below market rent will rent in a few weeks to a month in most markets... if the job market is stable.