Firstly, you should decide whether you want to rent or buy an accommodation in the US as both choices are equally viable though the procedures may differ. If you choose to live in a big city for a short period of time, you may want to rent an apartment or a house. If you are expecting to stay for long, you could buy a house instead. As there are few eligibility requirements to qualify for home-ownership, it is popular among foreigners.

Irrespective of whether you decide to buy or rent, you have to be aware of the US utility companies. Find out more about how to set up your utilities and how to go about your bills in our guide below.

READ GUIDE ON FINDING THE IDEAL HOME

The US housing market is quite easy to explore as it has plenty of accommodation options and minimal restrictions for foreigners. Prices of houses in the US are relatively affordable depending on the type and location. There are various options for you to choose from.

While you take your time to finalize the ideal home, you can stay at one of the many short term rentals easily available, as they do not require a lot of paperwork either.

In this segment, we cover:

• Renting
• Buying as a Foreigner
• Utilities
• Internet and Mobile Phones

Renting

The process and contracts for renting a house are usually the same as you cannot be denied tenancy because of your country of origin. Whether you are a foreigner or a local, the main difference may only be in the amount of security deposit and the documents you need to submit before signing the lease. Average Rent in the US One cannot determine the average rentals in the US because it varies with options and locations all across the country but the median rent of a single bedroom apartment would be around USD 1000/- while rent for all other types of property is generally around USD 2000. Wherever you reside, you should expect to deduct a minimum of 30% of your salary for rentals in the US. Areas with the most expensive median monthly rent:

States with affordable median rent:

Rent in the Biggest Cities

Rent Control Rent control acts as a reasonable cap for rentals. It gives the landlord the maximum limit to increase his prices to renew a lease. This is in effect only in four states (California, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland) and the District of Columbia. The other states also have a rent control but none, of their cities or districts, have implemented it. Renting as a Foreigner Your landlord will have no guarantee of your ability to afford the rent as you may not have US credit records the first time you arrive in the US. The main difference, between renting as a local and foreigner, is the financials itself where, as a foreigner, you will have to prove that you are able to pay the rents. Therefore, you have to be prepared to show your international credit score and employment documentation and to pay a higher security deposit (anywhere from 2 to 12 months rent). Renting: Process and Rules Today you can easily search online. Research the neighborhood you would like to stay in and check what type of housing is available there. In the US, tenancy laws are pro-tenant as the Fair Housing Act prohibits landlords from discriminating based on origin, gender, race, religion, disability, or family status. Most houses are furnished whether you choose a studio apartment in a city or a house in the suburbs. Finding unfurnished apartments may be difficult, but you will have better luck if you are looking for an unfurnished house. If you want to search for an apartment on your own, you can rely on online tools social media, or classifieds from the local newspapers. But working with professional relocation service providers or real estate agents will help you avoid rental scams. Once you finalize a suitable place for you and your family, you will have to fill out a rental application put together by the landlord. Normaly, you would be asked for your valid contact details and information about your employment and prior tenancies. Once your landlord approves your application, you can expect to move in immediately. Rent: Monthly, Yearly or Lease When identifying a place to stay, you need to decide what type of tenancy contract you are comfortable with. A lease is preferred by many as this document lasts for a fixed period of time during which the landlord cannot make any changes to it, unless both parties are in agreement. The lease can be prepared for 6 months, a year, or longer and has to be renewed only at the end of the contract. Renting is feasible for people who want short-term stay as these are 30 day contracts which get renewed automatically unless a written notice of termination is given. The downside could be that the landlord is free to change the contract details at any time with prior notice to the tenant. Documents required for Renting Along with a short agreement, you may need to provide the following documents: – Passport – Proof of employment (letter from your employer, employment contract, etc.) – Financial information (bank statement, proof of support, etc.) – Social Security Number (if already obtained) – Contact information of previous landlords Rental Contract Rental contracts should generally include the following information: – Rent due date – Method of payment – Utility bills payments – Maintenance and repairs clause – Length of contract – End-of-contract obligations (for both the landlord and tenant) – Termination clause – Late payment clause – Security deposit amount along with how and when it should be returned You also need to be aware of the rules, at the apartment you are living in, which may include quiet times, restrictions for pets, stairway maintenance instructions, etc. Deposits Fortunately, many states in the US have a limit of how high the security deposits can be. Mostly, the sum cannot exceed three and a half times the monthly rent. In some states, landlords can ask for the security deposit to be transferred to a separate account and the return, of these deposits, varies from state to state (15 to 60 days). Other expenses are application fees, utility deposits, renter’s insurance, parking and maintenance fees, etc. Short-Term Rentals Before committing to a long-term lease, checking the accommodation and surveying the neighborhood may take a while, so this is when short term rent options become useful. Also, elaborate documentation is not required for short-term rentals. Short-Term Rentals: Prices As they are not constant, short-term rentals are higher than the market price and can sometimes be double the usual costs. The high prices, however, guarantee a well-taken care of fully furnished house. Short-Term Rentals: Documentation Unlike long term leases, temporary rental contracts do not require too many documents. Only an ID proof would be required to sign a short-term tenancy agreement at a decent place to stay. Short-Term Rentals: Other facts Depending on the area and state, restrictions on short term rentals exist. Some states do not allow tenants to stay in certain housing units for less than 30 days. Other areas may not allow short-term rentals at all.

BUYING AS A FOREIGNER

As buying a property is quite affordable and easy for both locals and foreigners; home-ownership in the US is quite common. Also, the market is filled with many home loan options as well. Buying Property: Requirements If you have a Social Security Number, there is no other specific requirement for you to buy a property in the US. If you do not have a SSN, you will have to apply for the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number that can allow you to purchase a property. Buying property: Prices The USA is a huge country so prices for property vary all over. The median price of a house in the US is around USD 250,000. According to Business Insider, following are the approximate prices:

Property types – Townhouses – tall and narrow buildings attached to one another with small backyards; built for inner-city living. – Multi Family Homes (MFH) or Semi-Detached Homes – Houses with multiple housing units within a building or several buildings within one complex. Units can be next to each other, or stacked on top of each other. A common form is an apartment building and usually called duplexes (for two households) or triplexes (for three households). – Single Family Homes (SFH) – Stand-alone houses which are detached residences, that normally includes a garage, driveway, front and back yards and located in suburban areas. – Bungalows – small, square, single-story homes; typically located in suburban areas. – Condominiums (Condos) – apartments (most typically) or houses with common areas like pool, gym, tennis court, etc.; popular in urban areas. Buying property: Process 1. Budget Consider your budget to buy a property while identifying the type, size, location and amenities that you would require. If you are not able to afford buying a house, you could consider mortgage options too. 2. Credit Rate If you wish to take out a mortgage, the rates offered to you will vary depending on your credit score so it is important for you to check your credit balance. Mid- to 750 plus could give you the best options. Also, once you decide to take out a mortgage, you will have to get a letter stating that the bank of your choice is willing to lend you funds to purchase the property. You can submit this letter to sellers so they are aware that you have the ability to buy their property. 3. Documents Basic documents to buy a property are: – Social Security Number (or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) – Proof of ID – Bank statements – Most recent pay stub – Tax return forms 4. Agents It is advisable to hire recommended professionals or real estate agents to help you find the perfect home. This is because they are experienced, more likely to know the rules of the state, aware of legalities and information and they can re-check documentation required. 5. Negotiation You can begin the negotiating process when you decide on a place and express your interest to buy it. Survey the surroundings, inspect the property and make sure to agree with all the statements mentioned in the written contract before making the down payment. 6. Home sweet Home As mentioned above, it is recommended to hire a professional closing agent to review the documents before concluding the purchase. The closing deal will involve additional costs, such as title search, insurances, settlement and notary fees, and other payments. For more information, you could refer to the US government site that provides a detailed guide on buying a house. Does buying a House in the US guarantee Citizenship? No. You will not be given US citizenship or permanent residence or any other visa on the basis of procuring a property in the country. Though buying property in the US is quite stress-free, the government treats home-owners the same as tenants.

UTILITIES

Once you are ready to move into your house, you will need to contact utility companies to set up your accounts with them. To set up a new utility account, you will need to pay a one-time fee as well as a financial deposit. While some apartments may have utilities ready for use, many may not, especially the newly constructed apartments.

Utility Providers
– Water
– Connection: 1­2 days after contacting them (if you have a water meter installed)
– Approximate monthly cost: USD 100/- (depending on state)
– Additional information: 80% of US tap water is safe to drink.

Some of the US water companies:
– American States Water
– American Water Corp
– Aqua America
– American Water Works

Electricity
– Connection: 2 days after contacting them
– Approximate monthly cost: Less than USD 200/- (depending on state)
– Additional information: Source of US electricity is fossil fuel (gas, coal, petroleum).

The biggest electricity providers are:
– Southern California Edison
– Georgia Power
– Pacific Gas and Electric
– Florida Power and Light
– Consolidated Edison

Gas
– Connection: A week after contacting them
– Approximate monthly cost: USD 100/- (depending on state)
– Additional information: Mercaptan is added to the natural gas, so it has a distinct odor.

The biggest US gas companies:
– Chevron
– Exxon Mobil
– ConocoPhillips

Utilities: Documentation required
Documentation depends on the utility provider as they have different documents for different accounts, however, in most cases you would need to submit the following:

Social Security Number (sometimes)
Your credit information/a US bank account
Proof of employment
A valid ID
Verification of Tenancy (usually needs to be filled out in person at your local city hall)
In case of a low credit score, you may have to submit a letter from a guarantor who would be able to clear your bills in case you fail to do so.

INTERNET AND MOBILE PHONES

Mobile phones and internet are quite expensive in the US market due to lack of competition. Also, the quality of services is limited.

Internet
There are plenty of deals that include high-speed broadband, Wi-Fi, TV and streaming services with an additional mobile phone plan. The price of an all-inclusive internet plan can cost you approximately USD 100/-.

Some of the US’ internet providers include:
– Xfinity
– Spectrum
– Verizon
– Cox

Cell Phones
Mostly, mobile phone carriers offer monthly contracts (with a mobile phone) as well as temporary services. An all-inclusive plan including 4G data, calls, and text messages, could cost you approximately USD 80/-.

Some of the US phone carriers are:
– AT&T
– T-Mobile
– Verizon
– Virgin Mobile

US Phone Number
In order to get a phone number in the US, you can contact phone service providers online or by visiting their stores though online services will give you the best deals available. Family bundles are quite popular in the US as many carriers offer deals that give you more than one phone number.

US Television
People can choose between cable, satellite, and broadband services though all the providers offer a huge variety of channel options that provide entertainment for kids and adults. Depending on the provider and the number of services you choose, cable television in the US can cost you approximately USD 50/- monthly.
Netflix, Amazon Prime, and many other streaming services are extremely popular with their usual subscription prices around USD 10/-.

Native language channels in the US
Online streaming, with the help of VPN services, allows you to stream shows no matter where you are in the world, so location restrictions generally do not apply.
If you wish to watch specific TV shows that are only available in your country, the best solution is online streaming with the help of VPN services. These services.