fair?

Do you have a link to the apartment?

i'd rather not... but would appreciate your thoughts
1

you can always ask... but be prepared for a no

Negotiation is the key word...if you want to pay $3200 offer $3050.never go to the price you want to eventually pay...the LL will counteroffer and you're off and running. LL's are very nervous and willing to give one-three months rent..

yes i could... just didn't want to be a jerk about it.. i do have an issue with paying so much to a broker... something but not 15%

Where are you looking. I was looking downtown (financial district) and renters paying a broker fee is a relic of the past. But then again, so is paying anything close to the ask!

Is it a condo? I would buddy-up to the broker, and press them on how negotiable, what they think owner would accept, whether they prefer simple rent drops or incentives, broker fee, etc.

I've found brokers pretty talkative, since they want to get a deal done.

On the little information you provide, I would offer $3200 and owner pays broker fee. Then, when they counter, maybe you go for $3300, or maybe you stick with $3200 but throw the broker a bone.

There's no crying in baseball, and there's no need to consider fairness is real estate (with the caveat that you have to act legally). Your job is to get the apartment you want for the lowest price that the landlord is willing to accept. Go ahead--offer $3200, if the landlord think that's acceptable, he'll accept. If not, then he won't. No one is doing anything illegal.