Our new home?

We looked at a three-bedroom condo for rent in Encinitas this morning, and we think it will be perfect for us. Because the competition for a nice rental is so cut-throat, we showed up prepared with copies of our credit reports and a list of rental references.

The condo is on a quiet cul-de-sac in a residential neighborhood, which is apparently full of young families. There is a recreational area right behind the condo, which has a pool, playground, picnic tables, and basketball court. And because it's a condo, our lawn maintenance would be taken care of (even better: the landlord pays the annual HOA fees).

The outside of the condo isn't much to look at, but we love the inside. The downstairs was completely upgraded to include hardwood flooring in the living room, dining room, and kitchen, and it comes with new maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a washer/dryer. We would also be allowed to repaint if we choose.

The upstairs contains the three bedrooms, and has brand new carpeting and light fixtures. There is also a fenced in patio off the living room, complete with a full set of patio furniture. There's a one-car garage and lots of storage space.

The landlord said there was one other couple who has already turned in an application, but so far she hasn't heard back from them or received their credit reports. So we may be next in line if the first couple loses interest or doesn't respond in time.

We're keeping our fingers crossed!