Monday, August 16, 2010

How to down talk and bargain with apartment rent prices?!?

My roomie and I are moving into another apartment community within the area.. and we have tons of amazing options.. but whenever I (or we) go to check them out, they tell us the price is like $20-$80 higher than what their websites and ads say!!





A friend of mine did some serious bargaining with the leasing agent and was able to get what they said was a $640 1br apartment for like $480.





What are some suggestions on how to bargain to lower the rent?


HELP!How to down talk and bargain with apartment rent prices?!?
You need to do some research with the apartment building and ask some questions during the walk-through.





You want to ask questions such as: How many empty units are there? Find out how many different units there are also. For example, studios, 1 or 2 bedrooms. Also try to find out how long the unit or units have been empty. Try not to look too excited when doing the walk-through.





If you can get the person that is showing you the apartment to answer some of these questions then you will be in a better position to negotiate with the building owner. For example, if half the building is empty and has been for a long time then they may be willing to lower the rent. Also, if you imply that you have several options open, they may be willing to lower the price to get you to move in with them an not some where else.





Last but not least make sure you point out things that the apartment does not have. My favorite is if the unit does not have a dishwasher. I immediately tell the landlord that I really would like a dishwasher and that I saw a unit down the street that had one.How to down talk and bargain with apartment rent prices?!?
Most landlords DO NOT negotiate! I do not know how in hell your friend got someone to come down that much - that is rarely ever done. They must have been really desperate for a tenant.





You can always ask, but I would NOT count on it. You really need to look at places that are in your price range.





EDIT: If you start putting down the units and pointing out flaws then they are not going to want ot rent to you at all, much less lower the rent. You will just piss them off.
The problem with trying to negotiate on an apartment is that the industry is highly regulated by Fair Housing laws. This means that they have to offer the same price to all different prospects, and the fine is STEEP.
Rise Up,





Is that your answer to EVERY QUESTION? I'm flagging it.

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