All Forum Posts by: Ruth P.

Oh, by the way everyone, I forgot to mention that I have cats, so if there's anyone out there who doesn't mind allowing 2 sweet, clean cats at their rental, please let me know.  Thanks!

Thanks Charlie!  Thanks Dan!

Hello Bigger Pockets:  I am driving one-way to Maine from California around March of 2021.  I intend to buy a house in Maine but I need to stay in a short term apartment for a couple of months while I shop for a house.  Does anyone know of any rentals in Maine that I could stay short term?  Also, how do you secure a place to rent from a long distance?  I don't want to have to come see the place; I would rather just rent it out from afar and move in without seeing it.  But how do you get a landlord to hold a place for you?  I  see there are places for rent on craigslist but I don't know how to approach the situation of asking a landlord to save a place for me.  And I don't want to put money down on a place that I find out about on craigslist because we all know about the scams.  Thanks for your help!

Hi all:  Does anyone know of a cat friendly rental in Maine, preferably near the Augusta area, short term (month-to-month)?  We want to relocate in February of 2021.  We will consider a year long lease also.  We'd like to buy a duplex in Maine as soon as possible, but we want to live there for at least a month or so first.  Thanks bigger pockets!

Yes, Rutland seems very reasonable.

Hey People Interested in Rutland:  I too, am thinking about Rutland.  Brian, did you ever get to Rutland yet?  If so, how are you liking it, coming from a warm state?  I was wanting to buy in Maine, but I heard about Rutland's clean air and cheap houses. They are even cheaper than in Maine, which is cheap for me, coming from California.  One thing that I hesitate on is the fact that it's cold, although, unless you're moving to Florida where the air is clean, the other states with clean air all seem to be on the Canadian border.

Jake and Tom, can you give me some insights on how you like Vermont?  I was looking at neighborhood scout and it shows the crime occurs in a seemingly concentrated spot, so I am guessing that Rutland County is okay, just stay out of the town center, right?

Thanks everyone.

Thanks Chris!

Thanks everyone!  

Does anyone know of any lenders in Maine? I am a first time homebuyer, thinking about using my VA status to get a VA loan, although I may still want to put down 20%. I am interested in single family or a duplex in Lewiston/Auburn or perhaps other parts of Maine as well, like Augusta. Coming from California and looking in the lower priced areas that would also fetch tenants.

Also, what are the benefits of a VA loan besides being able to put no money down? Lower interest rates?

Also, a realtor once told me that sellers don't like selling to people with VA loans because supposedly the VA doesn't want to approve loans for fixers, or even TLCs; they are extra picky about the shape of the house, I guess more than non-VA lenders (?)... Thanks all!

My husband and I are interested in Lewiston.  Coming from California, the neighborhoods here are much rougher based on what neighborhood scout says.  So it doesn't seem like it would be that bad even though people are saying to be careful.  For us, maybe it would be fantastic, considering what we're used to.  I have heard also, that it's good to stay north of the city center in Lewiston.  I wonder how people feel about Auburn?