Apartment Locator vs. DIY (apartment complexes, mover, price)

[SsnTktHldr]

Is it really beneficial to go through an apartment locator when finding an apartment? Do they get you a lower price than if you just walked into a complex on your own? I know they get kickbacks from complexes for bringing people but do the apartments pass that on to you if you don't use a service?

[sapphire]

Apartment locators are worth it, IMO--their service is free and they know about all the properties, specials, etc. I guess you could probably get the special without a locator, too, though.

I always tried to use moveforfree.com--they will pay the mover for an across town move, and you still get any specials from the complex. Worked great for me when I was an apartment-dweller.

[stoneoak]

we used an apartment locator several times...for us, we definitely did not get any "discounts," but they do save you soooo much time by being able to narrow down the complexes that will fit your needs/wants (i.e: pets, security, cost, parking, location, pool, etc., etc.) Some, if you're lucky, will also be really honest about which complexes to stay away from due to poor management or crime.

We also found -- being new to a city -- they can direct you to apartment complexes that are maybe on a side street or are not greatly advertised -- apartments that we wound up loving, but would have never found on our own.