Renting a Home in Georgia from out of state.?

[TexasBound]

I am looking to relocate to geogia this summer and when I get there I would like a home to move into. I don't have the finances to go back and forth to view homes. What I would like is for a realotor to began a house search with my specifications and when I come down there I will few them , choose one, pay the down payment and move in the same day or no later than the next day! Is that possible? Has anyone done that before? When should I begin looking for a realtor to serach for a home? I plan to move probably at the end of june/ beginning of july before the 4th.
I also have a home now with a mortgage that I am looking to rent through a property manager. Given the time line, when should I begin that process as well? June 1st? Sooner?
Could I put a deposit down now even though I don't want to move till july? How would that work so that I don't get ripped off?

[alterfemego]

You might want to plan a little better than that. I suggest you try rent.com or search on line for private owners willing to rent their places and call them. While a realtor could possibly help you, I wouldn't wait to have this in place.

The bus stations down there are safe for overnight accomodations! LOL

[linkus86]

Most Georgia Realtors aren't in the business of finding rental homes but there is probably someone hungry enough to do your legwork for a decent fee. Instead I suggest you simply find an extended stay hotel to stay in initially while you take your time finding a new house to rent. Plus you will be able to gain your bearings about which neighborhoods you find most desirable.

You can always arrange to "hold" a rental property with a deposit but you need to make sure that you specify what the deposit is for and how it is to be refunded in an informal contract between you and the landlord. As long as if you have it in writing you likely won't get ripped off.