Negotiating with a Leasing Agent is tricky. We have seen our fair share of gimmicks and helped clients get better deals. Here are 3 steps that you can follow when dealing with unscrupulous Austin area apartment and condominium leasing agents.

Step 1: Do some research find out what is available on the market. If you are looking to rent an apartment or condo in the Austin, Round Rock, or Cedar Park area then you should set aside about 20 hours over a 2-4 week period so that you can find some apartments or condos that you like through process of elimination.

Step 2: After scheduling an appointment with each and every apartment complex (so they don’t have you sitting in their lobby for over an hour!), be sure to let them know you are still not decided and have a few more places to see. Ask them to reconsider giving you a better deal, you will need to do this when searching on your own since you don’t know which apartment leasing deals they have been giving new tenants recently.

Step 3: For god’s sake don’t negotiate the deal on your own. Get a smart friend, relative, or a Realtor for that specific area that you trust and is talented and knows which deals were recently given to other new tenants.  Otherwise the leasing agents at the apartment complexes will try to throw you a bone when you could have gotten a much better deal.

What was your most recent nightmare with a leasing agent? Do tell, I am sure it’s a good story…I think I have heard them all.

About the Author: Cynthia Villasenor is an Austin Area Realtor with over 20 years of experience. She has won various customer service awards and helped over 5,000 families find homes and apartments. She would love to help you find your next home (condo or apartment) and is never too busy for a referral.