People like to say that Real Estate is local.  That not only includes aspects of buying and selling property but it also includes leasing residential properties.

In some areas of the country, residential properties for lease are listed in the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  This allows any agent / real estate licensee with access to the MLS to pull up that information to share with clients and customers.  For someone moving into an area where properties for lease are listed this way, it makes looking for a home easier.

In the Denver Metro area, the MLS system that is used allows for the listing of residential properties for lease.  The problem - very few homes are listed in that section.  Why?  The Property Manager is unable to input them via the computer but must fax in a form to be inputted by the Metrolist staff.  Also, pictures are not an option.  Lastly, these properties are not uploaded like the properties listed for sale are to REALTOR.com and other sites.  This means that homes listed in the Denver Metro's MLS system are only accessed by those that pay for that ability, which is not every Property Manager as they choose not to list and sell real estate as well so do not choose to incur the extra cost.

What we find in the Denver Metro area, those that are looking for a home to lease must talk to many different property managers, visit many different web sites, and / or search the newspaper to locate a home to lease.  This can be time consuming for the person that is moving but is a great opportunity to decide if they want to lease from a private owner or a property management company.  If they lease from a property management company, do they want one that makes it easy to make a decision - one that provides a virtual tour and pictures of the entire home, room dimensions, accepts payments online, an online application, and likes working via e-mail and fax? 

Another item that someone needs to decide moving into the Denver Metro Area, do you want to lease long distance or do you need to come to the Denver Metro Area prior to the move?  There are some property managers that provide all the tools needed to lease a new home from the comfort of your own home. 

If looking through all of the different sites listing homes for lease makes you feel a little confused, don't worry.  There are some companies within the Denver Metro Area that will do the search for you at a charge.  I've had one REALTOR tell me that one company he talked to for his clients charged $600 to search for a home to lease through all of the different sources and then take them around and show them those that met their needs.  I'm sure that there are a few rental search companies out there and depending on your needs and wants may have different prices available.

Just remember, real estate is local.  The search can be the fun part of the move - just decide which way to search for a new home to lease is the best for you!