Finding the next place you will call home for some extended period is always something you can look forward to. After all, who can say no to an opportunity for a fresh start and to make your next lodging truly your own?

Well, all these things are great, but it is very hard to deny that the current real estate market is very competitive. Getting to this welcome milestone may be harder than you initially thought.

On the other hand, this search can be drastically trimmed down, and you may get closer to a first bid if you only know where to look for up-and-coming rental properties. Let us take a look then at the five most informative and reliable websites where you can find your future home for rent.

Zillow Rentals

Anyone who has ever, at least in some capacity, dabbled in the real estate market has probably heard of this one. This is the result of both longevity (launched in 2006) and clout. Following all relevant real estate tech trends Zillow presents a very clean interface and allows users to personalize and adjust search based on dozens of search parameters.

They range from regular staples like a number of rooms to some less frequent mentions like pet policy. All these things are spiced up by ‘Zestimate’ – the technology that predicts the long-term market value. This system, however, is slightly compromised by the fact that agents can pay for better placement.

Zumper

Unlike Zillow which covers pretty much all stateside markets, its Z-starting cousin is more focused on specific areas like Los Angeles, Chicago, New Your, Houston, etc. So, we are talking about major metropolitan areas. But, what it lacks in scale, Zumper more than makes up for in features.

For instance, with its ‘Instant Apply’ the platform makes rental as streamlined as booking a hotel. You are allowed to get prequalified and even make payments throughout the app. When you are done, applications are sent immediately for approval, so the entire process is very fast, simple, and hassle-free. Some, more in-depth features in regards to screening would make these features even more lucrative.

Rent.com

The name of this app gives you a pretty good idea about what this platform actually is and what its strengths are. So, if you are in for a simple, clean, and easy-to-use website that features a robust list of available properties across all USA markets and streamlined but informative filtering options this is the choice for you.

Even more so keeping in mind these core features are expanded with some very novel perks like virtual 3D tours of certain properties, and reviews by previous. So, if you are looking for a simple way to check apartments for rent, this platform presents a perfect, streamlined solution.

Trulia Rentals

All apartment rental websites serve a similar purpose. The way they attract new users is by small nuances that set them apart from the bunch. In the case of Trulia Rentals that unique value comes in the form of an in-depth location search.

We are talking about neighborhood details like nearby cafes and restaurants, local amenities, public transport, and even information like is the area dog-friendly or not. So, if you are interested in urban metropolitan locations like Los Angeles, New York, and San Jose, and you are looking for optimal quality of life, give this service a shot – you won’t regret it.

Apartment Guide Home Rentals

When it comes to the sheer functionality and filtering options, Apartments Guide Home Rentals definitely falls more into the casual category, rather than robust. But, the options you do get on the table are extremely fun, intuitive, and comfortable to use.

What about simple sharing options that allow you to easily save listings and send them to your friends? Or the ability to get in touch with landlords and property managers directly from the app and keep all your messages in one place? These small things make apartment hunting much faster, and in the market we have today, speed is more than critical.

Well, we hope this short roundup gives you a better idea of who’s who in the world of apartment rental websites. All these apps, platforms, and websites offer something unique and fun. You just need to give them a try and find out what works best for you.

This won’t be an easy task since the number of options you have on the table keeps growing with each passing day, but these five picks should set you in the right direction.