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USA Housing & Accommodation Guide

Everything about finding a home in America — renting, buying, mortgages, neighborhoods, and tenant rights.

🏠 Renting in the USA

📋 Requirements to Rent

• Credit score check (650+ preferred)
• Proof of income (3x monthly rent)
• Security deposit (1-2 months rent)
• First + last month's rent upfront
• Government ID / passport
• References from previous landlords

📱 Finding Apartments

• Zillow: Most popular, maps + reviews
• Apartments.com: Largest rental listing
• Craigslist: Local listings (beware scams)
• Facebook Marketplace: Sublets, rooms
• Redfin / Realtor.com: MLS listings
• Rent.com: Apartment reviews

📝 Lease Agreement

• Standard: 12-month lease
• Month-to-month (flexible, higher rent)
• Read carefully: pet policy, subletting, notice period
• Breaking lease: typically 2 months rent penalty
• Lease applications: $50-$100 fee
• Renters insurance: $15-$30/month

🛡️ Tenant Rights

• Landlord must maintain habitability
• 30/60 day notice for rent increase (varies by state)
• Security deposit return within 30 days
• Can't be evicted without legal process
• Discrimination protected (Fair Housing Act)
• Rent control in some cities (NYC, SF, LA)

🏡 Buying a Home

  • Median Home Price (2026): $416,000 nationally. Ranges from $200K (Midwest) to $1M+ (CA, NY)
  • Down Payment: Conventional: 20% (avoid PMI). FHA loan: 3.5%. VA loan: 0% (for veterans)
  • Mortgage Rates (2026): 30-year fixed: ~6.5-7%. 15-year fixed: ~5.8-6.2%
  • Monthly Payment Example: $400K home, 20% down, 6.5% rate = ~$2,023/month (principal + interest)
  • Additional Costs: Property tax (1-2%/year), homeowner's insurance ($1,200-$3,000/year), HOA ($200-$500/month if applicable)
  • Closing Costs: 2-5% of home price ($8,000-$20,000). Includes title insurance, appraisal, attorney fees
  • Process: Pre-approval → house hunting → offer → inspection → appraisal → closing (30-60 days)

🏘️ For International Residents

  • H-1B Workers: Can buy a home in the US. Need ITIN or SSN, 2 years of tax returns, steady employment
  • F-1 Students: Renting is standard. Use Zillow, Facebook groups, university housing office
  • No Credit History? Some landlords accept international credit reports. Others may require larger deposit or a co-signer
  • Shared Housing: Roommates very common in expensive cities. Use SpareRoom, Roomster, Facebook groups
  • Furnished Apartments: Furnished Finder, ApartmentList. Higher rent but no furniture costs

📖 Explore More About USA

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Cost of Living

City Comparison
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Banking

Credit & Mortgage
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Major Cities

Neighborhoods
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Tax System

Property Tax