Commissions

Isn't someone who's taking on an $11,000/month rental in a much better position to afford 15% of the first year's rent than is someone taking on a smaller amt?

It is whatever you agree to. If you're shopping at that level, you may have greater leverage to negotiate a lower rate.

I do these kinds of high-end rentals (usually for executives who are relocating from out of town) and the extent to which commissions flex is dependent on the market -- are there two apartments that fit your criteria, or twenty?

Commissions are always negotiable, but like everything else, you'll have better luck in a market niche that slower, and worse luck in a market niche that's hot.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

suggestion: Tell the broker you'll pay the full freight but you want a month's free rent, otherwise your only willing to pay a XX (say 10% to 12%) commission.
Kind of like when you put a blackjack dealers tip as a bet on your hand. You do well they do well.

This offers an incentive to fight for your month free which is an 8% savings on the year, if not, you want (@) a 4% savings from the commission.

Of course in a very tight market some options are just not available.

>Isn't someone who's taking on an $11,000/month rental in a much better position to afford 15% of the first year's rent than is someone taking on a smaller amt?

alanhart, as usual, is right. Why should the commission structure penalize lower income renters?

>Commissions are always negotiable, but like everything else, you'll have better luck in a market niche that slower, and worse luck in a market niche that's hot.

Broker doesn't care if she waits another month for the full commission paying tenant, owner be damned.