Renting realtor dilemma (real estate, apartments, rentals)

[missdiagnosis]

A little background...was working with a realtor to find a home to rent and we went as far as putting in an application on a home. Only to discover that I didn't think the realtor was doing much of their job and there were too many errors with the process. Needless to say, it out me off getting the home, so I could essentially 'fire' them. A

While I really like the home, am I able to find someone else to represent me in way of another realtor on the same home or should I just discuss with the landlords realtor?

Not sure what the real estate laws are in MD

[Baghead]

Why in the Sam Hill would you use a realtor to rent a house? Approach landlord, meet terms, rent.

[Lilac110]

Originally Posted by Baghead

Why in the Sam Hill would you use a realtor to rent a house? Approach landlord, meet terms, rent.

I'm actually considering having an agent take me around in July. It will cost me nothing and he'll go to bat for me with the landlords. This fellow comes highly recommended by a friend who used him to find a house to rent. She's very no-nonsense and not afraid to tell someone what's what, and she said he's not the type to upsell, try to push areas and places I don't want or features I don't need, etc. I will have limited time to scout places out when I'm on my recon mission down there and don't want to waste it checking out places that do not meet my requirements.

[cjmeck]

You can certainly call the listing agent for the rental. Or if you want another agent who is representing you; then by all means, call the agent's broker and asked to be reassigned to a different agent. I'm honestly having a hard time understanding how it was the realtor's fault you didn't get the house; once an application is placed, it is out of the realtor's hands. The rental market is crazy right now; there are usually several applications on the good properties.

[russelltee]

If the application is in, the Realtor doesnt really influence the process of whether you get the rental or not. That decision is up to the landlord.

@Baghead asked why would you use a Realtor on a rental....you would because there are numerous properties that are only listed on the MLS, so the only way to get access to see and apply for that proeprty is through a Realtor/Real Estate agent.

Disclosure: I am a Realtor.

[richrf]

I don't understand some of the comments here.

Of course a realtor effect your ability to rent. If the lessee isn't paying the realtor than the lessor sure is. It the lessor gets two offers to rent, one which requires a payment to a realtor (typically one month's rent) and the other one doesn't then chances are the one that doesn't require a realtor payment will get the nod.

Realtors are expensive but may provide a valuable service if they are capable. Unfortunately my experiences with realtors suggests that no one looking out for the buyer since everyone is pushing for a fast sale.

[sarahstark]

I had a great experience with a "locator" that worked at RentalsGoneWild. I almost signed with a realtor until I call that company. They didn't have me sign a contract, the rent amount was exactly what it was on the landlords site.

If I had to guess, I don't think hiring an actual realtor should change the process of getting a rental or not.

@baghead, I would if I don't have the time to sort through the hundreds of scams or bad listings. Also to obtain access to listings not advertised on generic Rolodex sites like zillow.

[richrf]

Originally Posted by russelltee

If the application is in, the Realtor doesnt really influence the process of whether you get the rental or not. That decision is up to the landlord.

@Baghead asked why would you use a Realtor on a rental....you would because there are numerous properties that are only listed on the MLS, so the only way to get access to see and apply for that proeprty is through a Realtor/Real Estate agent.

Disclosure: I am a Realtor.

Not sure this is correct. I believe I can see all of the rental MLS listings on sites such as Zillow, Realtor.com and Redfin

[richrf]

Originally Posted by sarahstark

I had a great experience with a "locator" that worked at RentalsGoneWild. I almost signed with a realtor until I call that company. They didn't have me sign a contract, the rent amount was exactly what it was on the landlords site.

If I had to guess, I don't think hiring an actual realtor should change the process of getting a rental or not.

@baghead, I would if I don't have the time to sort through the hundreds of scams or bad listings. Also to obtain access to listings not advertised on generic Rolodex sites like zillow.

It is true that landlords will pay the fee for services such as RentalsGoneWild, but still a landlord can choose to rent to a lessee that doesn't have an associated fee if both are requesting the rental at the same time. There is a cost to using any realty service. If it is a tight market it is up to the landlord whether to pay the fee.

One other important point. Realtors and services such as RentalsGoneWild only work with apartments that agree to pay theit fee. All others are excluded from the search. This means the client may not be seeing the most attractive offerings.