Overwhelmed with looking for a place to rent in Cardiff

We are flying over to the UK early next week and I am totally overwhelmed on how to find a place to rent.  Do we need an estate agent?  If so, how do we choose one?  Will we be paying extra to go through an estate agent?  Will they only show us their properties?  etc etc.  Basically totally lost.

I have been looking on Rightmove but don't know what I should do if we find a place that looks interesting.  I have clicked on more information, emailing them, but never hear back.  We will be staying with family once we arrive but we would like to find a place as soon as we can.

Check Rightmove for places that you might be interested in. When you arrive in Cardiff, check Rightmove again to see if they're still available. If they are, call the agent on the listing to see the property, don't email them. The more flexible you are with availability the better. You'll see different properties with different estate agents. Definitely don't settle for one agent as you'll only see their properties and you want to see more than that.

When rented a property in Bath, I called the guy as soon as I saw the listing and he was showing it in 15 minutes to someone else. Fortunately, I was able to run up there and I told him before I left that if they didn't want it, I'd take it. I had two cats, so finding a place that allowed them was a bit of a tough slog, but it was totally doable. I found that trying to rent a place before I was there was completely useless.

When we rented in London, we went to neighborhoods we liked and just walked into estate agents' offices and asked if they had anything that fit our needs.  If you know what areas of Cardiff you're interested in, I'd try dropping in at an estate agents' office.

When you're checking through Rightmove, remember to only search for properties added in the last 7 days, anything older than that will likely be gone. Also if you can, phone, and at least get registered with several Estate Agents. Don't email Estate agents are rubbish about emails

I live outside Cardiff (in Caerphilly) and work in Cardiff, and I don't think the rental market is nearly as difficult as some areas.  It sounds as if the newness of the area and a new system combined with the stress of moving is getting to you.  There are some cities where it all disappears very fast, but I don't think it's as big a worry here. Keep at it and you'll find something.  What kind of property are you looking for?  Do you have special requirements?  Really, don't stress.  There are good places available, and you shouldn't have too much trouble once you get the hang of how it works.  Finding a new place is never fun, but you'll be able to do it okay.  If you have a bit saved for deposits, rent, any agency fees, etc, you should have no trouble.  If you are using housing benefits (from DH since you don't qualify at this point--assuming you're coming on a spousal visa) it's a bit more difficult to find people who are willing, but you totally still can find them.

Estate agents are different here than real estate agents in the US.  It's really more like a management office that you might see in the US.  They will have a slew of properties that they are paid to take care of and collect rent on, so of course they will only show you theirs as they won't make any money otherwise.  Generally the landlord will then pay them a portion of the rent.  Many also have an up-front fee. 

Rightmove is a good place to start as it will have places from a variety of sources.  If you have questions about different areas in Cardiff, let me know and I can help you out in knowing some of the nicer spots versus those to maybe avoid.  It isn't always clear-cut as it depends on what kind of things you are looking for, and sometimes there are very posh areas just blocks from areas that are lower-income and have some troubles, but if you have questions about specific flats or areas, I'm glad to help out if needed.  Of course, I just remembered you are moving with DH's family, so they should know the area too.

Good luck, let us know how you're getting on.  I hope you come to love South Wales as I have.  It will help if it stops raining enough for you to get out and enjoy this beautiful countryside.  There is so much that is fun around Cardiff!