Comments on: How to Get a Good Deal on an Apartment http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/ personal finance tips, tricks, and commentary Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:22:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Scarlett http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-215752 Scarlett Wed, 23 Mar 2011 02:54:09 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-215752 Apartments on busy (main) roads tend to be cheaper because of the "poor" location. We got used to the traffic noise pretty quickly. The house we ended up buying is near railroad tracks, and I hardly notice it, having become accustomed to traffic noise in my apt. Apartments on busy (main) roads tend to be cheaper because of the “poor” location. We got used to the traffic noise pretty quickly. The house we ended up buying is near railroad tracks, and I hardly notice it, having become accustomed to traffic noise in my apt.

]]> By: Ryan http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-137188 Ryan Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:09:07 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-137188 I start with location first, usually within a mile radius from where I'd like to be, then use craigslist and apartments.com to get a general idea of prices. After that I use comparables (similar to home shopping) to use when negotiating with the landlord. It's hard to argue with facts, so it helps, especially if they're motivated. Did you have to sign a long term lease or were you able to find short term? That's usually another sticky area for negotiation. Ryan @ Plantingdollars I start with location first, usually within a mile radius from where I’d like to be, then use craigslist and apartments.com to get a general idea of prices.

After that I use comparables (similar to home shopping) to use when negotiating with the landlord. It’s hard to argue with facts, so it helps, especially if they’re motivated.

Did you have to sign a long term lease or were you able to find short term? That’s usually another sticky area for negotiation.

Ryan @ Plantingdollars

]]> By: John DeFlumeri Jr http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-136962 John DeFlumeri Jr Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:04:10 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-136962 Plan it out in advance--yes. Don't fall in love with just one apartment---yes. This is a good article, and I like the way you suggested asking for a lower rent. John DeFlumeri Jr Plan it out in advance–yes. Don’t fall in love with just one apartment—yes. This is a good article, and I like the way you suggested asking for a lower rent.

John DeFlumeri Jr

]]> By: Felicia http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-136958 Felicia Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:47:42 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-136958 You should also include Craigslist apts section in your apartment hunting. They've found me apartments and roommates, who turned out to be best friends. You should also include Craigslist apts section in your apartment hunting. They’ve found me apartments and roommates, who turned out to be best friends.

]]> By: Dan http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-136957 Dan Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:27:00 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-136957 Move in the winter time? My apartment complex reduces rent for those that move in the winter time because it's not peak moving season, and harder to get people in the units. From what I've noticed online, it's probably a discount of 10% or so. When you consider these apartments are renting at prices between $1000-$1300, it makes a difference. Move in the winter time? My apartment complex reduces rent for those that move in the winter time because it’s not peak moving season, and harder to get people in the units. From what I’ve noticed online, it’s probably a discount of 10% or so. When you consider these apartments are renting at prices between $1000-$1300, it makes a difference.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-136955 Daniel Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:21:32 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-136955 Is there any concern that there are a lot of scams on craigslist? This summer it seemed like everything was a link to an external scam site or an offer for incredibly cheap rent from someone who was "living abroad". Is there any concern that there are a lot of scams on craigslist? This summer it seemed like everything was a link to an external scam site or an offer for incredibly cheap rent from someone who was “living abroad”.

]]> By: Laura http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-136954 Laura Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:29:38 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-136954 I heard from a friend the other week that he lowered his rent over a hundred dollars and had utilities included by renewing his lease. He shopped around and found a much cheaper deal and when he presented it to the office they matched it just to keep him. I heard from a friend the other week that he lowered his rent over a hundred dollars and had utilities included by renewing his lease. He shopped around and found a much cheaper deal and when he presented it to the office they matched it just to keep him.

]]> By: Craig http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-136953 Craig Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:11:27 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-136953 It is very difficult to get a good deal but now with the economy being poor may be your best time. Apartment complexes may lower rent. Always look through craigslist and through friends as your best bet with finding new apartments. It is very difficult to get a good deal but now with the economy being poor may be your best time. Apartment complexes may lower rent. Always look through craigslist and through friends as your best bet with finding new apartments.

]]> By: fairydust http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-136952 fairydust Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:04:19 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-136952 Congrats on finding a place that works for you! I hope your new house search goes well!!! Congrats on finding a place that works for you! I hope your new house search goes well!!!

]]> By: Daniel http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/12/08/how-to-get-a-good-deal-on-an-apartment/comment-page-1/#comment-136949 Daniel Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:04:26 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/?p=3691#comment-136949 A friend of mine moved into an apartment that was being vacated by a friend of hers. Since there was no break between tenants, the landlord was willing to reduce rent. If you can find someone who is moving out, you may be able to get a discount and your friend may get a bonus for referring you! A friend of mine moved into an apartment that was being vacated by a friend of hers. Since there was no break between tenants, the landlord was willing to reduce rent. If you can find someone who is moving out, you may be able to get a discount and your friend may get a bonus for referring you!

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