Half the households we help start with a lease, and that is often the right call. Renting first on the Eastside lets you test the real commute, the school assignment and the neighborhood before you commit seven figures. We help you find the rental at no cost to you, then help you buy when you are ready. Updated October 2026.
The short version
- Rent first if your office days are not settled, your start date is inside 60 days, you have not seen the neighborhoods in person, or you are selling a home in another state and want to buy with cash in hand.
- Buy now if you already know the office, the school district and the housing type you want, and you can close before you start. A second move costs money and sanity.
- Six to twelve months is the sweet spot. Long enough to learn the area, short enough that you are not renting through a full market cycle.
- We find the rental for you at no cost. You get a local agent in your corner from day one instead of a listing site.
How rental help works
- Tell us your office, budget, move date, household and pets. A 15-minute call is enough.
- We send a shortlist of rentals that fit, including off-market single-family homes we hear about before they hit the sites.
- We tour with you or on video, check the lease terms, and flag anything that would hurt you later (early-termination clauses, renewal terms).
- When you are ready to buy, the same person who found your rental helps you buy, already knowing what you liked and did not.
There is no charge to you for this. It is how we meet most of our future buyers.
Where to rent for a short stay
| If your office is | Rent here first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft, Redmond | Downtown Redmond, Overlake Village, Education Hill | Light rail to campus, walkable, most apartment supply near the office |
| Amazon or Meta, Bellevue | Downtown Bellevue, Spring District, Wilburton | Walk or one train stop to work; newest apartment stock on the Eastside |
| Google or EvergreenHealth, Kirkland | Downtown Kirkland, Totem Lake, Juanita | Walkable downtown; Totem Lake has the most new units |
| Downtown Seattle | Downtown Bellevue or Mercer Island | 2 Line train across I-90 avoids bridge traffic |
| Hybrid or remote | Sammamish, Bothell, Woodinville | Single-family rentals with yards; fewer apartments |
What to know about renting in Washington
- Washington capped most annual rent increases in 2025 at 7 percent plus inflation, with a 10 percent ceiling, and requires advance notice of increases. New construction is exempt for its first 12 years.
- Most landlords want income around three times rent, a credit check and a deposit of up to one month. Relocation letters from your employer help if your credit history is thin or foreign.
- Single-family rentals in Sammamish, Redmond and Kirkland move within days. Apartments in downtown Bellevue, Redmond and Totem Lake usually have availability and move-in specials.
- Furnished corporate housing near Overlake and downtown Bellevue is plentiful for 30 to 90 day stays if your employer provides temporary housing.
Frequently asked questions
Should I rent or buy when relocating to the Seattle Eastside?
Rent first if your office days, start date or neighborhood preference are not settled, or if you are waiting on a home sale elsewhere. Buy first if you know the office, school district and housing type and can close before you start. A six- to twelve-month lease is the usual compromise, and we help you find it at no cost.
Will a real estate agent help me find a rental on the Eastside?
Yes. We help relocating households find rentals at no cost to them, including single-family homes that never hit the listing sites, and then help them buy when they are ready.
How much notice does a Washington landlord have to give for a rent increase?
Washington’s 2025 law caps most annual increases at 7 percent plus inflation (maximum 10 percent) and requires written notice well in advance; new buildings are exempt for 12 years. Check your lease and the current statute for specifics.
Where is the easiest place to find a short-term rental near Microsoft?
Downtown Redmond and Overlake Village have the most apartment supply and light rail to campus. Furnished corporate units cluster around Overlake and downtown Bellevue.
Talk it through
Renting first? Send us your office, budget and move date and we will start the search today, no cost to you. Book a 30-minute call with Justin Cicero, Managing Broker, call or text 425-686-9449, or use the contact page.
This is general information, not legal, tax, lending or employment advice. Figures are approximate, dated where shown, and change; confirm current numbers before relying on them.