While property sellers or buyers often use the services of a real estate agent, this is rarely the case when it comes to rental properties. Many prospective tenants want to avoid paying commission and prefer trying it on their own instead. Yet there are clear advantages to using a real estate agent for rental properties too. The detailed market expertise of a real estate agent is just as helpful for tenants as it is for buyers, sellers or landlords. Furthermore, a real estate agent saves you time in your property search and offers professional support until the contract is concluded.
Why use a real estate agent for rental properties?
Save time and nerves searching for property
A professional real estate agent has an exact overview of his catchment area. Especially in these times of housing shortages, such market expertise should not be underestimated. Most rental properties are no longer advertised in the well-known internet portals, but brokered directly to personal contacts. Due to an outstanding network, the real estate agent is the first to know about new properties on the market and is also familiar with properties already on the market.
After consulting with you about the base rent you are willing to pay, the utility costs, the furnishings and the location, the real estate agent will be able to tell you exactly which properties match your requirements and which properties are worth viewing. This saves you time and frustration. After all, reality is often quite different from the photos presented on internet portals. Another big advantage for using a real estate agent for your property search is the time factor. Reading up on a property market you are not familiar with and gathering information about individual rental properties takes time.
Competent advice from start to finish
Moreover, a real estate agent handles the communication with the landlords to get more information and arrange viewings. But a real estate agent does more than just broker rentals. Moving is a complex endeavour, and a real estate agent can advise you on which residential areas best meet your needs. Where is the nearest nursery school? How far is it to the nearest supermarket? How good is the public transport system? A real estate broker can help answer these questions and save you lengthy research.
And once you have found your dream property, he can also speak to the landlord on your behalf about improvements to the property or other benefits. A real estate agent is a skilled negotiator who represents your tenant interests, while at the same time showing the landlord that he is dealing with an earnest tenant. A real estate agent will help you during contract conclusion and clarify any unresolved questions with the landlord.
The obvious advantages for using a real estate agent in a highly competitive property market are the time savings and the professional advice. The benefit of having a competent partner at your side to assist you in all real estate matters should also not be underestimated. The real estate agents at Engel & Völkers with their many years of experience and outstanding market expertise will be glad to assist you.