| If you are like many people who are relocating to a | | | | such firms will know anything about the |
| new city, you know by now how frustrating it can | | | | neighborhoods that you want to live in? Look at |
| be to find an apartment that is right for you. It is | | | | where the firm has offices. Firms are most familiar |
| difficult to make appointments to see apartments | | | | with the areas where they have offices. |
| when you are available, the landlord is not available or | | | | 6. Are the agents knowledgeable? |
| the apartment is just not as advertised. The solution | | | | When you call a firm and speak with the firm's |
| is to work with a professional apartment location firm | | | | agents are they knowledgeable? Can they answer |
| for your next apartment. In selecting a firm, here is | | | | specific questions about the apartments for rent? If |
| what you should look for: | | | | not, do not use that firm. Work with a firm that has |
| 1. Is the firm comprised of professional Realtors and | | | | only knowledgeable agents that know the properties |
| licensed rental agents? | | | | for rent and the neighborhoods where those |
| Many firms employ inexperienced people just out of | | | | properties are located. If an agent cannot answer |
| school or just out of work who are looking for a | | | | specific questions, look elsewhere. |
| temporary gig until they can find a real job. Avoid | | | | 7. Doe the firm charge a fee? |
| those companies. A good apartment search firm will | | | | Ask the firm what fees there are for their services. |
| employ only licensed real estate salespersons or | | | | Most firms that rent apartments are paid by the |
| leasing agents. These people see their job as a | | | | landlord and not the tenant. However, some forms |
| career and not just a temporary paycheck. The | | | | also charge application and credit report fees. Before |
| results you will get are similarly professional. | | | | you start working with a firm, ask what these fees |
| 2. How does the firm get its listings? | | | | are and get it in writing. Expect to pay a reasonable |
| Apartment location firms employ various means for | | | | fee of $50-75 including your credit check. |
| obtaining the listing for the apartments that they list. | | | | 8. How are showings handled? |
| Some employ call centers where employees sit at | | | | It is also important to consider how each firm handles |
| banks of phones calling potential landlords that they | | | | the actual showings for its apartments. Are you |
| have located through scanning classified | | | | meeting the agent at the properties? Do you know |
| advertisements. The quality of these listings can vary | | | | the city well enough to find your way around to the |
| greatly. Often, the apartments have not even been | | | | different properties? A good firm will meet you at |
| viewed by the agency prior to listing and the people | | | | their offices and then drive you to each appointment. |
| who are asking you to rent it are not even familiar | | | | You can relax while the agent locates each property |
| with its amenities. Go with an office that finds quality | | | | and while the agent drives take in the areas |
| apartments through hard work and referrals. Ask | | | | amenities. |
| how the firm gets its listing. Do landlords come to | | | | 9. Does your agent listen? |
| them or do they employ cold calling tactics? Only | | | | The number one frustration expressed by tenants is |
| firms that put the best effort forward in obtaining | | | | that the agent did not listen to their particular |
| the listing will have the best apartments to show. | | | | preferences and instead showed them properties |
| 3. How does the firm market its listings? | | | | that were not in the areas they desired or simply did |
| Take a careful look at how each firm handles it | | | | not meet their needs. Many felt that they had |
| marketing. Does the firm have just a bare bones | | | | wasted their time. If you notice that your agent is |
| description of the property? Are there detailed | | | | showing you properties that are out of your price |
| photographs of the inside and outside of the | | | | range, not in the neighborhood that you want or are |
| properties? Are its amenities fully described? Work | | | | simply not as described to you, then stop working |
| only with firms that have detailed descriptions of the | | | | with that firm. A good apartment service listens to |
| properties that they renting. If the firm did not take | | | | you. |
| the time to get the details, how can you trust that | | | | 10. Do you feel comfortable with your agent? |
| they will show you the properties that you want to | | | | As the client, you have the right to demand good |
| see. | | | | service from courteous, knowledgeable and |
| 4. Does the firm have a web site? | | | | professional agents. If ever you are uncomfortable |
| Many real estate firms offer properties for rent from | | | | with the service that you are receiving, simply stop |
| time to time but few are dedicated full-time to the | | | | working with that form and contact one that is lives |
| rentals. Take a good look at the firm's web site. Is it | | | | up to your standards. Never feel pressured into |
| dedicated to finding apartments for people? Or, as is | | | | making a decision that you will regret. A good firm will |
| common, is the firm's true business the sale of | | | | never employ pressure tactics but will invest the time |
| properties. Does the firm have detailed descriptions | | | | with you in making a good decision. |
| of the properties it rents on it web site with | | | | Finding an apartment can be a good experience if |
| photographs? | | | | you choose the right firm to assist you. Selecting |
| 5. Where is the firm located? | | | | that firm should be undertaken with serious |
| Is the apartment finding service in the city itself? If | | | | consideration because the choice you make will |
| so, what neighborhoods does it have offices? There | | | | impact you significantly. It is after all your home that |
| are many "national" firms that seek to rent | | | | is at issue. Select a firm based upon these |
| apartments but hey often have no physical presence | | | | considerations and you will no doubt succeed. |
| in your area. Avoid them. Can you really expect that | | | | |