Hello Help! If you haven't found what you're looking for just yet, I'd say look for a neighborhood that you feel comfortable to rent in. After you've lived in a place for a little while it's amazing how you see things differently than when you first moved there. Negotiate up-front with your landlord of their and your intentions of creating a lease option to purchase. As a landlord myself, I'd say every owner/landlord is looking to find great tenants with whom they could eventually sell to.

Brent? The question was asked over a year ago, with no responses since 3/16/08. Hopefully, HELP isn't still looking. If he is, it's time to buy now - not rent.

I think you're smart to rent for now, and buy later, I don't see property prices going anywhere but down for the near term. That's just my opinion but so, who knows but here's my thinking, pretty simple, the affordability index is still historically high, unemployement is rising, wages are falling and loans are difficult to get, end result, price must fall farther. When will the bottom be reached? I think one sign that a bottom is forming will be a sustained recovery in the banking stocks. The banks have to stabalize first before lending can begin again in earnest, the banking stocks solidly recovering will happen well in advance of housing prices recovering. I don't see that happening, in fact the banking stocks are still across the board priced for bankruptcy. Will they all the banks fail, of course not, once the market admits that and the blue chip banks trade again like blue chips, buy southern californian real estate. In the mean time, contact my brother(shameless plug for his property mangement company follows) Scott Matshcke, he owns

Can I ask why you want to rent prior to owning? Inflation drives up interest rates. You could get a lower payment now, depending on which area you end up in.

PS: If you are interested in a lease option to buy........quite rare with most owners.....Email me and I'll go over the process with you.

Kurt Steinhebel ** Century 21 Orange County ** California

kurt.century21@yahoo.com

Hello Erstwhile Denizen of South Orange County!

I do alot of leasing on South Orange County...specifically in condos and detached homes.

The rule of thumb for a nice place is $800 per bedroom on the low side and $1100 per bedroom on the luxury end.

Most desirable OC lease listings lease out within 30 days of hitting the market...so if you are not planning to move in the next 45 days.....it's too early to seriously look.

If you have pets....beware 75% of properties ...at least.... won't allow pets...and if they do allow pets expect to pay a $500-$1000 extra deposit!

Older homes tend to lease at lower prices than newer upgraded homes.....but that's where you can find some real deals.

Expect move-in costs to be equivalent to 2 months rent...with additional deposits for special keys and remotes to access community facilities.

Leasing is a 2 step process:

1) 1st you fill out an application (non-binding) and a credit check is done.....don't be afraid to put in multiple applications on different properties.....that way you are in line!

2) Once the owner accepts your application......a lease agreement is drawn up....signed by both parties....monies are deposited....and the keys are given.

I recommend to all my clients to Email me the criteria a lease home must meet then:

1) Within 48 hours I Email them matching lease home options with pictures

2) Next you should select a handful of homes that pique your interest

3) The, drive the neighborhoods to see if you like the area

4) THEN...if you want a personal tour .....I arrange it.

5) We put in the applications on the homes you desire

6) We close the deal.......you're HOME!!...I always try to get a rent reduction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TO SEARCH FOR LEASE LISTINGS ONLINE YOURSELF GO TO:
http://www.officialochomesearch.com

Email me any listing you find...I HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OC LISTINGS!

I'd love to help you.

Kurt STeinhebel ** Century 21 Orange County ** California

714-365-6135

kurt.century21@yahoo.com