Tips on finding the best deals on rent

             ARTICLE                        

                                                                          BY

                                                        MANYARA J CHIURA

                   Tips on finding the best deals on rent

The competition for rental homes is heating up as more Zimbabweans seek homes.  This increase in demand is driving up rents in some areas, especially highly demanded areas that are close to the CBD e.g. Eastlea, Hillside, Belvedere, Braeside.

As more and more people decide to rent longer… we will face a rental market that is going to be tighter for a period of time.

For those looking for a new rental, that means they’ll have to roll up their sleeves and do some homework before settling on a place — and they’ll also have to be more savvy when negotiating rent.

Below are six tips for getting the best apartment deals.

  1. Know how to work rental websites

To find a great rental, you have to know how to search for one. And for many, the search begins online.

It’s important to know which sites will help you find what you’re looking for.

2. Word of mouth can be powerful

In addition to surfing the web for listings, tell friends and family members that you’re looking for a place, too.

Whether it’s at a dinner party or online through Facebook, tell acquaintances what you’re looking for — they may have a great lead.

3. Consider a single-family home

Bargain hunters may consider renting from accidental landlords, single-family homeowners who are renting out their condos and houses because they’re having difficulty selling them in this market.

These properties are often priced lower than other rentals, partly because they may not come with the same level of amenities but also because these owners may be more motivated to get their places rented.

4. Look beyond the rental listings

Not finding something you’re interested in? Start looking at the for-sale listings. People typically aren’t selling these days unless they have to, so they may be willing to rent it out to you instead.

If a house has been on the market a little too long, you can approach that owner or that Realtor to rent out the unit. That might be a good way.

If it’s on the market and taking a long time to sell, it puts a lot of stress on the owner hence you may be providing some relief to that seller or that owner.

5. Assess whether rents are fair

After finding a place you’re interested in, search comparable rentals to make sure that the rent price is competitive with the rest of the market.

With printouts of comparables as proof, you can negotiate with a landlord for lower rent.  If you’re in an area with a lot of competition for rentals, understand that you may not get the price you want.

Even then, there’s always room to negotiate a little bit, as long as you’re willing to let the place go.

6. Go ahead and flaunt your good credit

If you have good credit, mention that to the landlord,Credit makes a big difference because there aren’t too many people who have great credit, she said. With so many people dealing with job losses and missing bill payments, those who have good credit really shine.

If you’re in the position to present a great credit report, make that known when negotiating on price

-THE END-

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