Rental v. Buying Dilemma...advice?

[jdm2008]

Originally Posted by 67chevy

Ok, thank you.
The apartment we live in now, we found on craigslist.
Are there realtors that look for rentals and can help negotiate prices? I would like to find someone who can find us what we are looking for and negotiate the cost of utilities into the rent price if possible.

Yes there are Realtors that research rentals.

But they do not generally negotiate on your behalf, they usually work for the landlord.
And you pay a 1 month rent fee up front.

Realtors are more common and useful, in the urban northeast(and other major cities) where housing is in short supply and you are one of many applicants for desirable apartments.

[Squirl]

IMO, the only chance you have of negotiating getting your utilities paid is if you rent an apartment of condo in a complex built before 1970 where all the units share common meters. Those are typically "all bills paid" apartments. But there are several condo communities where all the homeowners pay the utility bills by either paying by size of place ($ per sq ft, based on the bill) or each unit pays an equal portion. In those cases you may rent from an owner who is willing to give you a firm price. I own such a condo and do a flat rate for my tenant b/c its easier for me than sending him a separate utility bill each month. But, for my other properties, the tenants make their own utility arrangements and I certainly wouldn't sign up for utilities on a tenant occupied property unless I was going to financially benefit from the arrangement.....which means, as the tenant, if would not benefit you.

[jdm2008]

Originally Posted by Squirl

IMO, the only chance you have of negotiating getting your utilities paid is if you rent an apartment of condo in a complex built before 1970 where all the units share common meters. Those are typically "all bills paid" apartments. But there are several condo communities where all the homeowners pay the utility bills by either paying by size of place ($ per sq ft, based on the bill) or each unit pays an equal portion. In those cases you may rent from an owner who is willing to give you a firm price. I own such a condo and do a flat rate for my tenant b/c its easier for me than sending him a separate utility bill each month. But, for my other properties, the tenants make their own utility arrangements and I certainly wouldn't sign up for utilities on a tenant occupied property unless I was going to financially benefit from the arrangement.....which means, as the tenant, if would not benefit you.

Also on illegal apartments where the landlord has no choice but to include utilities to avoid the town finding out.