Especially when you live interstate or overseas. You’ve spent entire days travelling so you can attend inspections, wasting time and money looking at homes that are nothing like their online descriptions. And since you don’t live there, you don't know the suburbs or the local rental market. Should you look for an apartment close to work? Or rent a house further out, closer to schools?

You're competing with dozens of people for each property. You’ve submitted so many applications, but you get no responses. You’re beginning to wonder whether the agents give preference to anyone with a local rental history. You've got a deadline for your relocation: a new job, a place at uni, family commitments.