HotPads Daily :: The Official Blog of HotPads.com

Tenant Credit and Background Checks: $25!

2008-11-06T11:11:20-05:00

We have introduced an extremely beneficial service for property managers: credit checks. By teaming with TransUnion's SmartMove, HotPads is providing a safe, cost-effective tenant screening solution!

What is "HotPads Credit Checks"?

HotPads Credit Checks is an online, tenant screening solution geared toward providing landlords with a more effective way to evaluate their prospective tenants' rental applications. HotPads' Credit check helps ensures that you get quality tenants by providing you with extensive reports and reviews of your potential tenants.

Now, small landlords have access to the same tools that larger firms use in an easy, online service that supplies you with extensive credit and criminal histories of your applicants and even makes recommendations for their approvability.

How It Works

In just 3 steps, you will have extensive histories for your applicants and a recommendation of their qualifications.

Step 1: Landlord Sends Request
Enter the applicant's email address and decide whether you will pay the $25 credit check fee or if that will fall on the applicant.

Step 2: Renter Authorizes Credit and Criminal Checks
The renter will receive an email with simple directions for authorizing you to access their credit and criminal histories.

Step 3: Landlord Reviews History and Makes Decision
You will be able to view the applicant's entire credit and criminal histories. TransUnion also evaluates them and makes a recommendation for either "Decline, Conditionally Accept, Low Accept, or Accept."

Why It's Great

There are many reasons why HotPads' Credit Checks, powered by TransUnion, is so beneficial:

Quick & Easy: No waiting for approvals or documentation
Comprehensive Data: You gain full access to credit and criminal reports
Flexible Terms: You pays per use; no set-up or membership fees
Prompt Results: The custom reports and leasing recommendations arrive in your inbox in minutes.
Flexible Fees: You decide whether you will cover the reduced $25 fee or if the applicant will pay it.
Joint Tenant Recommendations: You will receive a single leasing recommendation regardless of how many renters or co-signers have applied

Get Started Now!

Election 2008: Political Foreclosure Heat Maps

2008-10-07T17:25:43-04:00

With election season in full swing, HotPads has released our 2008 Election Edition.

Every day we work to ensure our users are informed housing shoppers.

With this new technology we hope to do the same for voters.

We have mapped the 435 congressional districts and clearly designated them by party affiliation so our users can see what correlations exist between party affiliation and various housing indicators. These political heat maps give a quick reference to the political landscape across the country and lead to a better understanding of the political environment and its relationship to the housing market.

Party Affiliation Heat Maps
First, we outlined all congressional districts in the US and color coded them according to their party affiliation. We also provided detailed information about the congressional district like the current congressman and quick facts like the population, median household income, and Cook Partisan Voting Index Rating.

Political Foreclosure Heat Maps
Then, we created Political Foreclosure Heat Maps to show the foreclosure rates per household by congressional districts. These Political Foreclosure Heat Maps provide an in-depth look into how the nation's housing and foreclosure crisis has impacted the country's congressional districts. You can also see which districts have been hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis.

Congressional Rankings
We compiled our data to find some pretty interesting stats as well. In addition to looking at Foreclosure Rates and Rent Ratios, we also identified how each congressman voted in the 2008 Foreclosure Prevention Act and the original Bailout Plan.

At a Glance:

Average Foreclosure Rate: Democrats: .470%

Republicans: .506%

2008 Foreclosure Prevention Act:

Average Foreclosure Rate: Aye: .553%

Nay: .376%

Original Bailout Plan:

Average Foreclosure Rate: Aye: .475%

Nay: .499%

Check out some more Congressional Rankings which highlight the Top 10 Highest Foreclosure Districts

Scams, Spam and Illegitimate Listings

2008-09-25T10:55:52-04:00

At HotPads, we're constantly working on ways to ensure that we provide up-to-date, quality real estate listings to you, our users. It's an endless struggle, but our largest and sharpest weapon against spammers, scammers and illegitimate listings is our community of educated users.

Humans can easily detect spam. For example, when you're browsing listings and the contact information reads "Sleazy Stan's Spamming Systems", you know to ignore the offending listing and move on. One thing you may not know, but will help keep your browsing experience at HotPads as pleasurable and effective as possible, is that you can report these listings. Each bad listing you report helps us learn the patterns and similarities between bad listings, and improves our ability to automatically keep them out of our system.

You can report spam, scam or incorrect listings on HotPads by clicking "report this listing" on the offending listing page.

Scams are more difficult to detect, but knowing how to detect a scam saves you money and embarrassment. To this end, Dan Daugherty recently launched a blog called rentalscams.org to document the latest scams perpetrated by both tenants and landlords. Most of the scams we uncover at HotPads come in the form of fake listings, which we explain more in a short guest post on Dan's blog.

While not technically scams, unlicensed landlords (in areas where licenses are required) can cause renters just as much grief. Properties offered by unlicensed landlords likely haven't been inspected to ensure compliance with safety regulations, so they may be unsafe to inhabit. In the District of Columbia the Department of Consumer and Regulatory affairs is running a campaign called thisshouldbeillegal to educate college students about the district's landlord licensing requirement.

Help us combat scams, spam and illegitimate listings by remaining vigilant and keeping yourself informed.

HotPads Teams With HUD For Emergency Disaster Relief

2008-09-16T16:11:03-04:00

HotPads is proud to announce our partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in providing a helpful resource for victims of natural disasters.

HUD's National Housing Locator System (NHL) will function as a tool for displaced citizens to find both temporary and permanent rental houses. We have agreed to provide our listings to HUD's NHL so that, in the event of an emergency, evacuees and victims of natural disasters will quickly and easily be able to find a safe place to call home.

The impetus for this project was Hurricane Katrina and the service will first be used to help the victims of the recent Hurricanes, especially Hurricane Ike. However, the National Housing Locator service will be used to assist victims of all natural emergencies, both those declared by the President, as well as local disasters.

We sincerely hope that victims of disasters will be able to find housing more easily with this new service and are proud to help our fellow citizens in their time of need.

For more information on this initiative, please visit the National Housing Locator.

Mud, Blood, and Snakes?

2008-09-09T20:40:23-04:00

A few of us here at HotPads have signed up to run the Army Ten-Miler in a few weeks. It is a fundraiser for Soldiers and their Families here in DC. We have had a pretty good showings at other events including accidentally winning a walkathon last October because we thought it was a race.

So, I have started to get back into running shape in order to not embarrass myself. As of last night, my training is on an indefinite hold after three consecutive days of escalating trauma to self.

Here is my brief tale of woe:

1) This past Saturday I decided to go for a run during Hurricane Hanna, so I guess I was asking for trouble. But no, I was not washed away with a flash flood or hit with large debris, it was a fairly tame storm other than lots of rain. I was running on Georgetown's campus when I a group of wet and muddy students spotted me. They all turned on me pointing and chanting "Do It" "Do It"... I had no idea what was going on and then I saw the slip and slide, with flashes of Freshman year stunts flashing in my brain...and facing that kind of pressure, I guess I had no other choice than to hit that slip and slide as fast as a could travelling 20 feet past the end of the slide on the flooded quad, knocking the wind out of my lungs, swallowing rain and mud, and of course getting up and giving a victorious fist pump to the throng before heading on my way.

2) HotPads' office is in the heart of Georgetown right on the C&O Canal. You can go out our door and run for 180 miles without hitting a road but it is also half a block from the corner of M and Wisconsin which is the epicenter of all the shops and restaurants. On Sunday, I went on a 12.5 mile run... its been a while since I have gone this type of distance and forgot some of the affects it can have on the body, particulary soft tissue. 3/4 of the way through I knew I was doomed... my nipples had been rubbed raw by my swish swashing shirt, and had begun to bleed. It was not long before I looked like the victim of a gangland style hit...perfectly symmetrical though. Its not bad when you are running. I passed people fast enough they could not figure out what happened. But after the run, as I walked amongst the Sunday shoppers, diners, and tourists... I saw face after face of disgust, bewilderment, anxiousness, and distress.

3) On Monday evening after work I set off for a 4 miler on the Canal again. I was decidedly not going to experience what I had on Sunday, so I ran with my shirt off. Astonishingly I saw many of the same facial expressions due to this decision. As I ran it became pretty dark and I could not see the path all that well. All of a sudden a snake jumped and wrapped itself around my right leg and I had to kick it off. I must have stepped on its tail causing this reaction...but, from my perspective I was attacked! To actually feel the slithery scales on my skin was too much. I may have screamed... (I did). Finishing out my run I jumped at the sight of every shady, rock, and twig. I will never be the same person again.

Hope this was not too long, I just had to get this off my chest.

How to Host a Proper Party

2008-09-02T12:04:13-04:00

After a great Labor Day weekend ending what was hopefully a stellar summer for everyone, and with BBQ season quickly coming to a close for many of us, we will soon be forced to move inside for the cold, snowy months (let's not get ahead of ourselves, we still have another month or so of outdoor shenanigans!) I thought we could all use a little refresher course on how to properly entertain while you are living in a community and how to throw a party without annoying the neighbors.

When you decide you want to throw a party you have to decide what kind of party you are going to have. Generally your set-up will determine what kind of party it is, but there is always a chance that things could get out of hand (it is a party after all). If you decide you want a quite calm affair, then wine and cheese might be your best bet. Your landlord and neighbors would prefer this option.

If you decide to go with another option like beer and chips while watching the Skins game, then you should be prepared to deal with a rowdier crowd. Here are some rules to remember no matter what kind of party you decide to have:

Ask your roommates. If you live with other people, at least ask them if they would mind if you had some people over. Chances are, if they are your roommate, they will be down, but you need to make sure that the parents aren't in town/they aren't taking the LSATs the next day/they aren't hosting their monthly book club that night/etc

Tell your neighbors you are going to be having people over and give them your number to call you if things get loud. If you don't they will usually call the cops instead. Heck, might as well take the opportunity to invite them over and get to know them while you are over there!

Only invite your friends or the friends of friends you trust. Random people are usually less accountable for their actions and are not as careful with your things.

Make sure there are enough refreshments for your party. Whether you are having diet coke or whiskey on the rocks, the party usually ends when the house runs out of drinks.

Collect keys. If people are going to drink make sure they don't drive. Either tell them to cab over or have designated drivers. If you live in the city, this is usually not a problem. If you don't, tell them to draw straws for DD status anyway or have some pillows and blankets on standby.

Put away your most valuable/breakable/important things. Even though theses are your friends, it is always better to be safe then sorry.

Check the volume level. If you are playing music, check the volume level. If your friends are yelling (even if you are merely playing Taboo), check the volume level. Go outside and see if you can hear the party from outside. If you can, then you need to turn it down

Clear out some space so that people can congregate and not run into your things... thus breaking them. The more open the floor space, the more communal socializing will take place.

Remember to be respectful of your neighbors. If you are constantly annoying them, they will be much more likely to call the authorities rather than you if things get too loud for them. Also remember that if your neighbors complain enough, you can be held in violation of your lease and have some unnecessary problems with the landlord!

HotPads Chill Mini-Mix

2008-08-22T17:07:08-04:00

Just wanted to let all you ~~people trying to drive traffic to your site~~ loyal readers know that this is going to be my last post for a while, as HotPads is giving me the boot. Not really, I'm just a college intern and going back to school. Luckily though, they don't know that I have access to all their passwords!

At HotPads, we love music and have listened to everything from Wilco to Miley Cyrus to Les Misérables. Music is kinda my thing (I run the music blog, Indie Muse) and I thought I'd put together a chill HotPads mix before I leave, that you can enjoy over the weekend.

1) Wilco - Either Way

2) Andrew Bird - Measuring Cups

3) Josh Rouse - Rise

4) Fruit Bats - Rainbow Sign

5) Josh Ritter - Girl in the War

6) Eddie Vedder - Guaranteed

Ciao!

Tips for First-Time Homebuyers.

2008-08-15T16:47:39-04:00

Get Rich Slowly has a great list of 11 Tips for First-Time Homebuyers.

Three of the tips we really like:

1) Don’t buy the perfect house. If the house is livable and you have a good life, then you will be happy with whatever home you end up buying. If you spend more money on a “better” house, then you will quickly get used to it and will be no happier than if you had bought an “average” house. To me, a house is just a house. The people inside are what make it special.

2) Know your market. It’s critical that you know the market you are looking in. The asking prices for houses are often not indicative of their true value. The only way to be able to estimate value is to look at as many houses as possible. Take notes and find out what other properties have sold for.

3) Be careful of flip properties. There are people and contractors who will buy a house, fix it up quickly, and turn around and sell it for profit. The problem with these houses is that they tend to look very good on the surface (nice paint, trim, granite counters, etc.), but deep inside they may be ugly (substandard electrical, insulation, etc.). If you are interested in one of these houses, then make sure they have closed permits, and check with the inspector to see their inspection notes. Better yet, just don’t buy one.

For the rest, visit this Get Rich Slowly article.

This Pad is Hot

2008-08-11T18:41:27-04:00

Here at HotPads, we are known for our awesome homes for sale and apartments for rent that can only be described as "Hot Pads." In fact, we even have a whole channel for the Hottest Pads on HotPads where you can see the most expensive and lavish homes for sale on our interactive maps!

However, none are quite as hot as this hotpad:

Check it out for yourself here: Google Maps

As you scroll around, you can see exactly how far the smoke is visible, and can even see the stream of water from the fire hoses!

*Credit where credit is due-- saw it first on The Big Picture

Find a Cool Place? Make Sure the Landlord Picks You!

2008-07-29T14:43:20-04:00

Working at HotPads has secured my place on my friends' speed-dials and, as leases come to an end and people begin searching for a new place, my phone rings considerably more frequently. Whether they are looking for general advice, insider information, reviews of neighborhoods, or have specific questions about leases, I'm always happy to share what I know with them. So, as I dole out advice to my close friends, I will also be sharing with the online community. (More tips and resources are available from our Renters Guide) First up, I will tackle how to ensure that you get the place you want.

It's happened to everyone: you find the PERFECT place, apply for the apartment, and don't get the lease. You must show the property manager that YOU are their ideal tenant. But how?

Treat An Open House Like an Interview (Because it is one)
How do you show up for a job interview? You dress respectably and appropriately, with hair combed, lookin' good. The same goes for when you go to an open house to meet the landlord and tour an apartment. You want to convey that you are a responsible, clean, neat, and respectable person that will treat the property correctly. As you know, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Better make it good.

Ask Relevant Questions
It is important that the landlord understands that you are knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to renting homes. You don't have to ask thought-provoking, brain-teasing questions, just get the information that you know you need when you meet the landlord. Ask about utilities and trash pick-up, but don't ask about how ornery the neighbors are and whether they care whether you throw parties.

Appear Responsible and Self-Sufficient
It's the truth: when landlords are sorting through their potential tenants, they are looking for people who are responsible AND who will be able to take care of themselves. Sometimes, when applying for an apartment or rental home, it is beneficial to stress how independent you are... but don't lie! However, if you are very handy or know people who are, there is no harm in letting the property manager know that you will be able to take care of a lot of the problems that may arise with your house on your own.

Go After It
If you want it, get it! Once you realize that you want a place, immediately tell the landlord that you are interested and willing to sign a lease. There are many times when playing "hard to get" is just fine, but getting an apartment is very different from dating. Chances are that if you are competing with other people, the landlords aren't going to lower your rent, so trying to play one property's rent off another isn't going to be your best option.

Bring Everything You Need to Sign
Be prepared to sign a lease on the spot. This means bring EVERYTHING you need and have all of the information that is going to be required of you like:
For the application:

Bring your driver's license
Know your social security number
Have proof of pay stubs
Know your employer's address and phone number
Have your current landlord's number
Have secured references prior to giving them

To sign the lease:

Transfer enough money into your account to cover the first month's rent +security deposit +credit check
Bring at least 3 checks for the aforementioned expenses
Have everyone who is going to be living in the house present to sign
If you need a guaranteer for your rent, makke sure they are present as well
If you have a guaranteer, they must have their drivers license and social security number

You can never be over-prepared when you go to look for a place, so be prepared, be respectful, and go get your place!

(If you have any specific questions or topics that you would like to be addressed, feel free to leave them in the comments or shoot me an email)

Making an Appearance on Fox Business

2008-07-28T14:27:12-04:00

Our very own Douglas Pope, co-founder and director of operations, had the opportunity to appear on Fox Business news on Friday morning, as well as this morning.

In the first video, he weighs in on the on-going housing crisis and in the second, he discusses the potential opportunity in the high foreclosure rates, as well as the new Housing Bill.

Check out some more of the recent press we've received on our Press Page

Baldwin Street. Dunedin, New Zealand.

2008-07-21T17:18:27-04:00

That's
      a
         big
               slope
                        .

See more photos here

Design A Pad In San Francisco using Google Sketchup

2008-07-18T15:19:55-04:00

Dwell Magazine and Google SketchUp have partnered up to offer a competition that allows you to build a cool virtual pad in San Francisco. If the judges consider your entry to be the best, you'll win a weekend trip to San Francisco to attend the Dwell/AIA home tours and be treated to lunch by the editors of Dwell magazine and the SketchUp team.

Contest ends August 31, 2008. Good luck!

Contest site

Homeowners Take in Boarders

2008-07-17T14:13:29-04:00

There was an interesting article in the New York Times yesterday covering how more people are starting to turn to boarders to lower the cost of living.

HomeShare Vermont, and hundreds of other programs, help connect these house-owners and boarders. They screen and background check both sides for compatibility and safety. Though the concept isn't new, it's neat to see more people taking advantage of this opportunity. Overall, it seems to benefit both sides in our ailing economy, and it's great that people are working together.

Awesome 7000 SF Pad Has Zero Carbon Footprint

2008-07-16T10:47:38-04:00

What we as humans are capable of doing is unbelievable. Sure, we've spent a lot of time roughing up the planet, but a new generation is coming along that will attempt to patch some things up..in style!

Diseño Earle has designed a 7000 sf home in Andalusian, Spain that will have a zero carbon footprint. This place is incredible. It will be built with 75% less waste than a traditional design and operate 80% more efficiently than a similar sized home.

Visit Jetson Green to read more details and see additional photos. And hey, if a group of people want to chip in with me to make a bid in 2009, we can have an awesome pool party! We only need like...100,000 people.