Hello Street Easy, Three weeks ago I found a no fee apartment online listed through a landlord is an "Owner, Manager and Developer" of apartments, they charge no fee because everything is done in house. I really liked the apartment and found it a good deal, so I spoke with the company on the phone where they quoted me a good price. Then my roomette, who was also assisting in the apartment search,... [more]
Hello Street Easy,
Three weeks ago I found a no fee apartment online listed through a landlord is an "Owner, Manager and Developer" of apartments, they charge no fee because everything is done in house. I really liked the apartment and found it a good deal, so I spoke with the company on the phone where they quoted me a good price. Then my roomette, who was also assisting in the apartment search, found a broker. The 1st broker showed my roommates dad (roommate couldn't make it) the exact same apartment that we had previously looked at online, however this time he wanted a fee. Finally two weeks went by and the apartment was still on the market, I decided to use a different broker than my roommate, broker 2 took me on a tour of the city and also showed me the same exact place but wanted a fee! The odds of 2 brokers showing us the same place that we already found was a weird coincidence. Beside that we really like the place and want to make an offer. My question is, we found the place first and talked to the management company first. It just happened to be that broker 1 and broker 2 showed us the exact same place that we had previously seen online for "no fee." So can we just go around both of the brokers and rent from the management company directly? Or do the brokers deserve a fee? Also, if the management company signs us directly to the lease, will either broker 1 or 2 see our names and then say "Hey we want our cut because we showed them this place!", even though we found it online first. At this point is there a way to go around the brokers?
Really looking forward to getting some help on this! Thank you!
[less]
Response by pier45
over 9 years ago
Posts: 379
Member since: May 2009
There are so many posts on this subject. If you rent it now, both will try to collect a fee. It's only no-fee if you rent from the management with no broker involvement. Save yourself a headache and let that apartment go and find another.
BTW the odds are actually pretty good that two different brokers will show the same place if it meets your requirements. The brokers are looking that the same public listings as you are for no-fee apartments.
Ignored comment.
Unhide
Response by Aaron2
over 9 years ago
Posts: 1693
Member since: Mar 2012
When the broker said 'meet me at the front door of #X east Y street, why didn't somebody say "Is that apartment 3G? We've already contacted the managing agent about it." If the broker let you in, and waited around while you looked at the apartment, he provided a service to you, and you probably should compensate him for his services. I see lots of apartments on line. The broker who contributes to closing the deal gets paid.
Ignored comment.
Unhide
Response by 30yrs_RE_20_in_REO
over 9 years ago
Posts: 9876
Member since: Mar 2009
Did any of you sign anything?
Ignored comment.
Unhide
Response by fieldschester
over 9 years ago
Posts: 3525
Member since: Jul 2013
>If the broker let you in, and waited around while you looked at the apartment, he provided a service to you,
Is the service opening the door and waiting there?
'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
There are so many posts on this subject. If you rent it now, both will try to collect a fee. It's only no-fee if you rent from the management with no broker involvement. Save yourself a headache and let that apartment go and find another.
BTW the odds are actually pretty good that two different brokers will show the same place if it meets your requirements. The brokers are looking that the same public listings as you are for no-fee apartments.
When the broker said 'meet me at the front door of #X east Y street, why didn't somebody say "Is that apartment 3G? We've already contacted the managing agent about it." If the broker let you in, and waited around while you looked at the apartment, he provided a service to you, and you probably should compensate him for his services. I see lots of apartments on line. The broker who contributes to closing the deal gets paid.
Did any of you sign anything?
>If the broker let you in, and waited around while you looked at the apartment, he provided a service to you,
Is the service opening the door and waiting there?