Ask for free month rent normal around here? (Dallas, Lewisville: apartments, leasing)

[CTmanTXbound]

Hi,

I'm moving my family of 4 down to Flower Mound/ Lewisville area (from CT).

We will rent for first year to see if we like it. Kids are 3 &1 (not in school)

Just wondering if it is normal to get a free month or something similar when renting a 3b house or apartment in the ~$1400-$1700/ month range?


Thanks in advance

[BigDGeek]

Originally Posted by CTmanTXbound

Hi,

I'm moving my family of 4 down to Flower Mound/ Lewisville area (from CT).

We will rent for first year to see if we like it. Kids are 3 &1 (not in school)

Just wondering if it is normal to get a free month or something similar when renting a 3b house or apartment in the ~$1400-$1700/ month range?


Thanks in advance

Very very unlikely. With all the people moving here it's a landlord's market.

[FalconheadWest]

Vacancy rates are very low which means less incentives for renters. If vacancy rates were higher, offers are made to entice people to rent one place over another.

[rob3240]

You have the opposite situation happening here. The rental properties I own, when they come up on the market I am getting 10 + applications at one go and sifting thru the top candidates which today will mean the family that has offered to pay 6 months in advance as goodwill gesture with superb credit. Your primary concern will be in actually securing a home which I am sure you can do. Good luck and just be as awesome as you can be when dealing with the rental situation because remember a home owner or service will be ultimately choosing who will win the rental. One time there was a guy with superb credit and high income, but had 2 dui's on his record, risky bet for me because if he got a 3rd dui he would be in jail and then- who would pay the rent?- I can be picky as most people can be nowadays. just keep that in mind. Cheers!

[rob3240]

Sorry I didn't see the apartment question- for sur eyou can get a free month or even two months free with a longer apartment rental! those are everywhere.

[Squirl]

I am a landlord and have gotten offers higher than what my rental rate is.....there is a lot of competition for houses. However, I think some of the newer apartment communities sometimes have incentives. Of course, they probably recapture that "first month free" in the total contact price. But if you are low on get in funds, those nice terms of first month free probably can make sense. You could contact some apartment finders and ask who has move in specials. You may not find "free" first month rent but you might find pretty low deposit amounts for apartments. Houses...not gonna happen!

[Sushi cake]

My experience say that nicer the place, less chances of freebies. As far as homes go, its common practice for tenants to offer higher deposits and extra $100 or so to secure good properties.

[sossie]

I doubt it-you may get a lower rate on an apartment in one of the bigger apt complexes that you lease for 12 months-we leased for 4 months and there was a $200 month difference in that and a 12month lease. I find it unlikely that someone who is leasing their house out would do that

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by CTmanTXbound

Just wondering if it is normal to get a free month or something similar when renting a 3b house or apartment in the ~$1400-$1700/ month range?

On a house, be prepared to have 4-6 other people trying to lease.
You need to have your application pre-filled out to move quickly. (make copies)

Hope you have stellar credit.

[bencronin04]

Don't be harsh everyone, they obviously don't know the current market in North Texas.

The probability of you finding a house that will give a month free in that area and this current market is highly unlikely. Now, is every house going to have multiple applicants the day it hits the market like others are trying to portray, no. Some may, but you will still find houses that do not. Good luck on your search and welcome to Dallas!