Professional apartment locators save time, money
With increasing occupancy and rental rates, finding the perfect apartment in Houston can be a stressful and time-consuming endeavor.
The needs of renters vary, but so can the requirements of various apartment communities. For example, one community may not have units available for a particular timeframe.
Another may not allow large dogs. Others may agree only to long-term leases. As you can see, renters can encounter several obstacles during their search.
Finding an apartment, however, can be a whole lot easier if you hire a professional apartment locator. An apartment locator assists renters in finding apartments that will meet their needs and using one can save you a lot of time and money.
Apartment locators are familiar with the local area as well as specials being offered by communities in that area. Best of all, a locator’s services typically are free. Apartment communities typically pay the locator a commission based upon the lease term the tenant decides upon.
If you’ve never hired an apartment locator service, you may be unsure about how to proceed. There are a few basic things you must insist upon when searching for one. The Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston and South Texas offers these tips:
A locator needs a good reputation. Conduct online searches for the companies you are considering. Visit www.bbbhouston.org for a locator company’s business review. If you repeatedly run across negative information such as unanswered or unresolved complaints, you should probably cross the company off your list.
Locators must be licensed. Apartment locators are licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission and must be supervised by a sponsoring broker unless the locator, himself, is a broker. To verify licensing, visit www.trec.state.tx.us.
Experience is a must. An experienced locator knows how to match clients with apartments. Part of being experienced is knowing the market area well. In order to match you with the right apartment, the locator company you hire needs to know the area well. Houston is made up of many areas and neighborhoods. What appeals to a recent college grad probably is going to be completely different than what appeals to retirees. When considering various apartment locators, be sure to ask about the amount of experience they have.
Customer service should be a high priority. Your needs should be a locator’s top priority. While calling various companies, listen closely to how they respond. Choose the one that stands out for friendliness and good customer service skills.
The Better Business Bureau is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Every year, more than 87 million consumers rely on BBB Business Reviews and BBB Wise Giving Reports to help them find trustworthy businesses and charities across North America. For more information or to check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit www.bbbhouston.org or call 713-868-9500. Monica Russo is director of investigations and media relations with the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan Houston and South Texas. Send questions regarding homeowner issues to Monica Russo, Better Business Bureau, 1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77027, or e-mail her at mrusso@bbbhou.org. Include mailing address and phone number on letters and emails.