Finding the perfect apartment is definitely not easy and it's generally a good idea to have some professional assistance. Sure, you might be able to find a suitable place on your own eventually, but this could take a lot longer than necessary. A much better idea is to engage the services of a rental agent or apartment rental company. This article examines some of the key advantages you obtain when using this type of expert help.
Listings
Everyone has access to rental listings on websites such as Craigslist or in the classified section of the local paper, but these listings are often quite limited. Not every apartment for rent is necessarily listed in this type of media, which makes finding some rental units quite difficult. Rental agents, however, have access to various MLS, or multiple listing services databases. These extensive databases typically contain far more listings than the average person can find on their own. This saves you a great deal of time, as you don't have watse time tracking down properties that are not widely advertised.
Depending on the practices of the specific agent or rental company involved, they might or might not check sources other than their own MLS databases for listings. If you decide to hire an agent, make certain that they check all available sources for rentals.
Fee
Another important advantage of using an agent is that they typically receive their fees from the property owner. The fee can vary, although 10 percent of the annual rent or an amount equal to one month's rent is typical. Less often, the agent obtains their commission directly from the tenant or charges a small upfront fee. Of course, if at all possible, you should choose an agent who does not charge the tenant any fee.
Landlords
Some landlords prefer to deal with tenants who are affiliated with a rental company. They want to avoid the time-consuming task of performing backgrounds checks and dealing with the various paperwork involved in tenant selection themselves.
Also, if you need to enter into a negotiation with the landlord about the rent or some other matter, then having an agent act on your behalf can be helpful. They generally have a lot of experience in this area and can often negotiate terms that are favorable to you.
Having an apartment rental company in your corner clearly makes searching for a new place to love much quicker and more efficient. If you are looking for a new apartment, contact a local apartment rental company for assistance.
Share