[guateek]

We are moving to Winter Garden next week and we just negotiated a great rental price for 3 br and 3 Bath brand new home. People are acting like they are not desperate but after we walked away they would call us and ask if we could negotiate some more. Coming from the North East we think that we got a steal. It hink everything is negotiable if you really love the place and can afford what is being asked go for it but it does not hurt in negotiating. Good Luck

[riveree]

Here in Jax there is a ton of room for negotiating on an apartment....they're back to giving out free months and everything (it's been a few years since those promotions have been around).

On a house rental, not as much room to negotiate, and understandably so.

Still, it never hurts to ask, especially if you have something to offer - great credit for example.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by Prichard

I guess I'll be the odd man out on this one. First, let me state that I'm talking about Orlando.

People who've been here and know the real estate market also know the rental market. Basically, landlords are going to be renting their units for about the same rate in a given area based on square feet. A little less for older places, a little more for newer units in good condition. Right now no one who has purchased their investment rental in the last 3 years is covering their mortgage with rental payments. This tells you the market is soft on rental SF homes and condos. If the market is soft, then some people will be more desperate than others to get some rent in. This means that YES, rents are negotiable right now, if someone is on the higher side of the spectrum for what he's trying to rent out.

Basically what I'm saying is that the presure is downward, not upward - more or less a renter's market.

You may be a better deal but the down side you don't know for how long. If you are renting a place that is on the market you could get notice in a few months but in the mean time you have a good deal. One thing for me that will make me negotiable is if "I" want the tenet. Some tenants are very desirable and I have no problem making a little better deal, less money to move in even lower rent.

I ran into a guy about a week ago I have known for about 20 years and he told me he was having to find a new place and asked me if I had anything. I will the end of May and I really want him to move in. I won't have to advertise and interview people and I know what he is like. I mentioned it to my wife and she said call him before he finds a place and we will just charge him what he can afford, who cares.

All you have to do is remember your last bad tenant. Deposits may protect you financially but they can't make up for the hell a bad tenant can put you through.

[SKB]

Originally Posted by jhlcomp

The only time I see an incentive is if you offer to pay the rent one year in advance or 6 months in advance. Since most people are not in the position to do so, you can always ask if there are any discounts but don't expect one.

The south Florida area has a shortage of rental apartments. Houses are another issue given there are so many on the market. With so many homes on the market, some homeowners are considering renting.

It is not a good idea to offer to pre pay in advance any rent. In this market with so many people going into REO one could find themselves evicted and out all of that pre paid rent money.

Better to just negotiate the length of the lease.

[cariad]

Tampa Bay area-our personal experience.
We looked at a nice rental in a HIGHLY desirable area. we wanted that area, but the rent was higher than we wanted to pay and it didn't include any utilities, so we needed to think about it. The owner gave us the usual-someone else was also interested, yada, yada, yada.
When we called to say we had decided not to take it, he offered to lower the rent.
The house we ended up renting, the owner changed the no pet policy for us, and the rent was so reasonable for such a great place we didn't even try to negotiate for a lower rent.