Tips for Using Apartment Finder Services

Apartment Finder and Real Estate Service Companies are companies that receive a commission from their contracted property owners or property management companies usually equivalent to one month's rent in order to help locate and refer potential renters and home buyers to available apartments or houses. These services have been successful in assisting hundreds of students. Before you choose to work with one of these companies, review the pros and cons list below so that you can make an informed decision before choosing to use these services or search on your own.

Pros

Provides good housing resources.
Saves potential renter/buyer search time.
Most provide free service to apartment seekers and home buyers. Many services include, housing resource listings, building tours, neighborhood information, and assistance with leasing/purchase arrangements.
Rental rebates offered by Property Management Companies usually end during late spring and early summer. Apartment Finder Services offer users up to $100 off first month's rent all year around.
Sometimes rental rates are reduced if secured through a finder service.

CONS

Finder assistance is restricted to property owners/property management companies in which the apartment finder service has a partnership.
Some apartment finder services may encourage renters/buyers to select certain places to rent over others. Their motivation to “make the sale” may influence them to guide potential renters/buyers toward higher-priced buildings or ones that are not necessarily the best fit for the renter.
Large group tours may not offer enough individual attention to apartment seekers who have questions.
On occasion, more than one Apartment Finder Service is contracted with the same Property Management Company or Landlord. If you choose to work with more than one finder service, you are only eligible to receive rental rebates offered through the first apartment finder service you choose to work with.
Property owners/property managers will sometimes run special rental promotions that only apartment seekers not using an apartment finder service qualify to receive upon leasing. Some of these include refer a friend rebate or security/first month’s rent waived. Apartment Finder Service Companies are usually not privy to that information, because it reduces their commission opportunities.

If you decide to work with an Apartment Finder Service to locate an apartment, please consider the following tips to get the most out this service. Here are some sample questions to ask apartment finder representatives:

What services do you offer to apartment seekers? Are all services free?
What neighborhood(s) are your specialty areas?
I am not familiar with the Chicago area, what important information can you provide about relocating to Chicago?
What is the process of working with you? How do you operate?
Will you be available when I need you? How hard will you work for me?
Do I really need an apartment finder service? What is the advantage of using an apartment finder service when I can conduct the search on my own?
Do you know any tips to getting a great deal on an apartment? How can I get the best rental rate?
How much money can I save using your service instead of going directly to a property management company?