Dallas Fort-Worth Realty Review
Welcome to DFW Realty Review where I post articles about the lessons that I’ve learned as a realtor in Dallas Fort-Worth Texas market.
6 Renter Friendly Tips to Find the Perfect Home for Lease in Dallas–Fort Worth
As a realtor in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, part of my business is connecting landlords with qualified tenants and helping renters find homes that fit their lifestyle and everyday needs.
This article highlights a few steps to hopefully make the process of finding a home for rent in the Dallas–Fort Worth area less stressful as moving can be a stressful time already.
- Focus your search on the areas of Dallas–Fort Worth that best align with your work needs and lifestyle preferences
Traffic in Dallas Fort Worth is no joke! Determining which areas you relate to most, or which area has the best commute to work is one of the first things you will want to decide.
Neighborhoods to explore in Fort Worth: Near Southside, West 7th/Cultural District, Fairmount, Mistletoe Heights, Wedgwood & Western Hills, Rivercrest
Neighborhoods to explore in Dallas: Oak Cliff, Downtown, Uptown, Deep Ellum, East Dallas
For a more suburban feel areas like Southlake, Keller, Colleyville, Plano, Frisco, and Aubrey and Princeton have become magnets for families attracted to newer housing and less of an urban “downtown” feel. These areas over the years have attracted major commercial developers which has resulted in major mixed use residential and commercial projects. This is supported by corporate moves to the area by companies like Toyota, JPMorgan Chase, & ATT Headquarters which recently relocated from downtown Dallas. Whether someone is drawn to the dynamic energy of Dallas or the authentic charm of Fort Worth there are endless opportunities to find your tribe in DFW because honestly the entire region offers somewhere for someone to find a welcoming place to call home.
2. Decide on a budget
Before you begin your search, decide on a monthly rental budget for your household. Most landlords in Texas will require tenants leasing a property to make at least 3x the rent in order to qualify for leasing a home. For example, if you are looking to apply to a home that is $1,500 per month, most landlords will have a monthly income requirement of $4,500 combined for all applicants.
Rental rates will also vary depending on which area of the metroplex that you would like to live in. The more suburban areas slightly further away from the urban cores of Dallas and Fort Worth may offer more affordable rental rates. However, there are still areas within each metroplex that have homes that are for lease at affordable rates.
In 2025 the average rental rates in the Dallas market was approximately $2,400 per month for a 3 bedroom single family home according to Zillow.
In 2026 the average rental rates in the Fort Worth market was approximately $2,039 per month for a 3 bedroom single family home according to Zillow.
Also, keep in mind that for most homes for lease utilities are not included in the monthly rent so make sure you are budgeting for water, electricity, wifi, lawn maintenance, etc.
Because commuting can be such a big deal in the DFW area, figuring out a monthly budget for vehicle, or transportation expenses is something that should be considered when choosing a place to live in DFW. When I previously worked in corporate America, I lived in Dallas, but commuted to Plano every day for work. The drive is not something I took into account before hand and honestly turned into a nightmare. So please don’t learn the hard way, like I did!
3. Find a local realtor or property management company
A local realtor will have access to rental listings on the MLS and should have market knowledge about rentals in the area. Not all realtors will work with rentals, so be prepared, but there are some well qualified agents that will work hard to find you a home for lease.
Property management companies also have portfolios of rental properties available, depending on the area.
4. View the house in person!
As a local realtor, I cannot stress how important it is to view the home in person before applying to a rental home.
Not all homes look the same in person as they do online, make sure you are 100% comfortable with the condition of the home you are applying to.
5. Don’t be afraid to negotiate
Not all landlords will allow you to negotiate, however it is always worth trying! Most property management companies will have strict non-negotiation policies in place. If the property has been on market for several weeks, and if the landlord or property management company may be open to negotiation there are several items that tenants may negotiate prior to signing a lease.
6. Time to Move! Use the leasing process as a learning process
Leasing a home can be a great first step towards learning what it takes to purchase your first home.
When leasing a home, most landlords will require tenants to pay for water, gas, wifi, and lawn maintenance. When you are ready to purchase your first home, you will have a better idea of some the costs and responsibilities expected to maintain a home after leasing a home. I like to encourage and remind my clients in rentals that home ownership is achievable and leasing a home today with the right savings budget, can help you buy your dream home in the future.
If you are interested in leasing a single family home in Dallas Fort Worth, contact me today!
Kendra Williams, Fort Worth Texas Realtor, 316.755.6515