Ten Reasons to Use A REALTOR When Apartment Hunting

We go by many names: apartment finder, locator, real estate agent, miracle worker, and REALTOR®. Regardless of the nomenclature, any person that assists others in finding an apartment to lease is a licensed Real Estate Agent. A licensed Real Estate Agent that is also a member of the local and national real estate associations is a REALTOR®, which aside from advanced training, also means they are held to an even higher standard of ethics. REALTORS® are commonly known for facilitating home sales and rentals. However, many REALTORS® specialize in apartment finding, and they are a unique breed! REALTORS® that also work in the apartment industry offer a higher level of service than you will get with a typical apartment locator or real estate agent. Working with a REALTOR® to find your next apartment rental is easy and will make the process so much more enjoyable. Here’s a list ten reasons to use a REALTOR when apartment hunting.

1. REALTORS® live in the neighborhoods they work. Because they live where they work, they know more about the area than anyone else. If you share a little bit about what you do for fun and what is socially important to you, they’ll be able to suggest a couple of neighborhoods to help you find the best possible match.

2. REALTORS® have first hand experiences at nearly every community. REALTORS® are always out touring new buildings and falling in love with the finishes, the amenities or both! Because of this, they tend to move frequently and really know what makes a certain community the best for you. Plus, they know about any quirks the building may have and if the staff is responsive.

3. REALTORS® know about all the latest deals and specials. We make it our business to know which communities are running specials and incentives. We know before anyone else when new construction is opening, and if those construction deals are killer! REALTORS® also know which communities offer Preferred Employer Discounts (PED) for individuals that work in certain sectors (teachers, civil servants, medical professionals are common candidates, plus oil and gas professionals in Houston.) This helpful knowledge can save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars.

4. REALTORS® save you tons of time. Have you ever called an apartment community hoping to get information only to reach a voicemail, an answering service or a call center? Have you ever received incorrect information from a call center? What about calling back, and still no answer? Part of our job is to make those calls, as many times as it takes, to get information relevant for your move. Plus, we have contacts with every community, and can often reach out to them on their personal phone to get information much quicker. On top of this, we register you with the community and arrange an appointment for you to tour, which saves you loads of time on shopping day. We do all the research and all you have to do is go look at your short list. Really, all you have to do is go look and make the final decision.

5. REALTORS® know where the closest CrossFit gym is! Or, anything else you might need. If you need to live close to a gym, dry cleaner, liquor store, music venue, coffee shop, grocery store, and library, a REALTOR® knows exactly which community is located smack dab in the middle of all of these. Stay in contact with your REALTOR after move in and they will continue to point you in the right direction.

6. REALTORS® know which communities have good management. Like I mentioned earlier, most REALTORS® have lived at nearly every community, or know someone who has. We receive feedback from colleagues, friends and previous clients about their experiences at the communities throughout town. We know if management is friendly, maintenance is quick, the gates work, or if there is always a lot of noise. We know more than YELP! We’ll steer you clear of communities that have a reputation for consistently disappointing their residents.

7. REALTORS® know how long it REALLY takes to get from point A to point B. We know if your office is downtown and you want the commute to be 5 minutes exactly what area your new home has to be in. We drive around all day, every day, and know traffic trends at all times of the day. We’re way better than Google Maps! In certain situations, a REALTOR® will accompany on your tours and drive you from property to property! We know the best routes, show you how to get around a new city, and point out local businesses that might interest you.

8. REALTORS® know the minimum qualifying criteria at each community. Most communities expect their residents to meet certain income, credit and criminal requirements. A REALTOR® will advise you of these criteria and assist you in finding the best apartment, should you come up a little shy in an area. Additionally, we know which communities accept co-signers.

9. REALTORS® know all about the pet friendly communities! We know pets are a part of the family and you can’t move without them. A REALTOR® knows how many pets a community will consider, if they have breed or weight restrictions and all about pet amenities. Many have on-site dog parks, runs, or even private yards!

10. REALTORS® are free! A REALTOR® earns a small commission from the community when a client they refer signs a lease and moves in. This comes directly out of the community’s marketing budget and costs you absolutely nothing! All you have to do is remember to list your REALTOR® as your referral source on the lease application of any community you apply to live. It’s that easy!

Do you have more questions about how a REALTOR® can help you find an apartment? Contact me today or reach out in the comments below!