Seattle property managers

[Colin Michael]

My family and I have lived in the Mukilteo area of Washington for a little over a year and are always competing with the high rent costs as renters. Right now we are living in a 2 bed 1 bath condo for 1350 a month, the price is not bad, but we miss living in Woodinville. Over the beginning of summer we took a brief look around the Eastside area and found some good apartments to live in, but when I asked to view the unit the property managers would that they cannot do that. The only thing they could present to us was pictures of the floor plan inside the unit. I was being told that properties were being sold so fast that they would have the unit sold before they could show it to me! Is this common practice in most areas, or only in Seattle area where demand is high?

[Denis F.]

Renting without a walk through makes no sense to me. I don't allow potential tenants to fill in a application without a walk-through in person.

You mentioned the unit would be sold before a visit: Units for sale and for rent at the same time are only small fraction. If they are for sale, chances are they are empty and you could visit it the same day. If you were to sign an application on the spot without looking at it, the unit could still be sold as tenant-occupied or the building would be sold with one more tenant if it is a multi-unit which is usually a good thing.

I suspect you were told to apply without a visit because the manager already had too many applicants, didn't like you and used a lame excuse you can't sue for or is too lazy. Try elsewhere and you should find managers/owners with integrity.

Summer is "moving season". If you start again looking now that kids are back in school, it may be easier. Good luck.