I am still amazed by the number of people that attempt to search for an apartment on their own. Finding an apartment can be a full-time job in this market. And while technology has made the process much easier, having an expert guiding you can save a lot of time. In fact, in the time it takes to scour craigslist ads for ones that aren't scams or duplicates, set up individual showings with each landlord that may or may not show up, and negotiate the lease terms, you could have already been moved into your new apartment had you used a good rental agent.
A good and experienced rental agent can be invaluable when searching for the perfect apartment. They will compile a list of apartments that match your needs, drive you to see only the ones that interest you and guide you through the application process. They can also be helpful with those challenging searches like apartments that will take a 70lb dog and which landlords may be negotiable with bad credit and lease terms. And since the landlords and property managers pay the broker fees and commissions, these experts are available to you free of charge. But choose your agent wisely.
An agent is only as good as the broker/agency he or she works for. The greater the agency's inventory of apartments, the greater the selection you'll have to choose from. Many of the smaller agencies only have access to listings on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), a small percentage of the apartments available in the market. The Apartment People, for example, has more than 10,000 private listings plus MLS access to maximize your selection. Another important factor in choosing an agent or agency is their experience level. The Apartment People has been in business for more than 25 years and our agents and support staff average almost 5 years of experience. That is more than most agencies combined have been in business. So when it comes to finding an apartment quickly and easily, put one of our experts to work for you. But don't take our word for it, click here to read what others have said and to start your search for the perfect apartment.
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