5 Things You Need to Know When Working With a Rental Agent

When you’re searching for an apartment in a territory that is foreign to you, you are likely to feel overwhelmed. Whether you’re looking for apartments online or visiting listings in-person, finding a new place to live without the help of a professional can not only be time-consuming, but also difficult. To make this process easier, many people are now turning to rental agents or brokers that find the perfect residence for you.

Here are 5 things you need to know when working with a rental agent:

1. Do You Need a Rental Agent?

   Before you embark on finding the best broker, ask yourself if you even need one to find your dream apartment. The major downside of enlisting a broker is that they often come with rental fees, which can range from one month’s rent to 15% of annual total rent.

2. Does Your Apartment of Choice Come With a Fees? 

   Even if you discovered an apartment listing independently, it could still have fees associated with it. If you’re willing to pay the fee, that means you have an industry professional at your disposal because you just enlisted an agent. On the other hand, there are plenty of no fee apartment rental services that avoid these charges completely.

3. Is Your Rental Agent Reputable?

   Once you’ve decided to work with a rental agent, you need to investigate your options to make sure they are legitimate and successful. Many people prefer to do their research via the Internet, but If you can, ask your friends or the people around about the repute of the rental agent. I you can’t find a referral, you can always turn to a brokerage with good ratings on NYC real estate review sites.

4. Signing the Deal

   Before you sign a contract with a rental agent, don’t hesitate to ask some (or a lot!) of questions. You need to make sure you understand all the terms and agreements of what you’re about to sign up for, particularly when it comes to the fees you have to pay.

5. Not Right For You? Walk Away

   At times you might not be satisfied with what the rental agent is offering. At other times, the rental agent may be pressuring you to sign a deal that you’re unsure of. If it doesn’t feel right to you, don’t be afraid to move on to a new rental agent. In the end, your needs for your new home matter the most.

When you go through a no fee apartment search service, there’s essentially a virtual agent there for you every step of the way. Short Term Rentals NYC makes your search easier by working with you to find the apartment that suits your needs, while saving you the hassle of searching for an apartment in NYC alone.