Apartment Hunting
Finding a Rental
Rental units are posted on many different sites with most landlords either looking for tenants themselves or hiring a property manager to handle it. When a landlord or property manager lists a rental unit with an agent, it goes onto the multi-list (MLS) alongside residential and commercial property that is up for sale. This being said, I only have access to the properties that have been listed in this manner. While this includes most, it does not mean all, so if you found a specific property online but it has not been listed with an agent, I may not have access to it.
Download my app to search rental listings.
Getting started
Apartment hunting is not as much of a process as buying a house. Email pterry@goldstandardpittsburgh.com or send me a text at 412-608-3501 to let me know you are looking for an apartment. We will set up a time to talk, in which I will be asking some basic information about location and price range.
As mentioned earlier, I only have access to properties listed on the MLS for lease. Once I know what kind or property you are looking for, I will send you an email with general information on properties that I can take you to.
HOW I'M PAID
Payment for my services come from the owner of the property that created the listing. They will offer either a flat fee or a percentage that is based on one months rent. In a sense you could say that payment for the two agents comes from your security deposit, which you will pay regardless so why not have legal representation?
More than being able to show you property, I can help build your lease contract, apply for the property and communicate needs and wants to the owner.
When you use a real estate agent, you sign a tenants contract that will bind you to your agent, or me in this case. This contract does not cost you anything to start or anything if you end up not using my services but it does guarantee that I will be compensated for my services if you do. It shows to both the listing brokerage and my brokerage, Realty One Group, that we have established agency.
Scheduling a walk-through
This is very similar to scheduling a walk-through of a house someone is looking to buy. Once you find an apartment you want to look at, give me a list of some days and times that work best for you to view it and I will get in touch with the listing agent and owner to set up an appointment.
Don't just call me and start rambling off a property that you want to see in an hour. Agents drive all over the place, go in and out of meetings, classes, have paperwork to process and sit open houses. Casually get in touch with me and we can schedule days and times to meet or review forms.
How to apply
When you find a property you want, you'll will be required to fill out an application, usually through the brokerage that listed the apartment. Having good credit, work history, and a clean record increases your odds but nothing is guaranteed. Equally, if you know there is something that might come up in a report, we can detail this to a landlord. In the end, they make the final decision.
After this, you either have the apartment or don't. If it is the latter then we simply repeat the process till we find your next apartment! If there is an application fee, you may be required to fill it out again. This is not something the agent has control of, it depends on the procedure of the company that generates reports.