One apt, two brokers, 12% fee -what to do?

Thanks for your input, folks!

eekahil

in Real Estate - Rentals 12 years and 3 months ago

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eekahil | 12 years and 3 months ago

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There’s an apartment that looks interesting but it is listed by 2 different brokers from 2 different firms. Same base rent but both brokers are asking 12% fee. I want to see it but am paralyzed at how to proceed.  Should I email both and say that I’d like to see it from whichever one lowers their fee the most? Should I try to find LL and see if I can go through them instead of brokers? I don’t want to be a stinker but I don’t want to have to pay 12% – especially not arbitrarily. Thanks!

ejalbk | 12 years and 3 months ago

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The only advice I feel confident in giving you is that if you try and go around the brokers and directly to the landlord, he/she may feel (with good reason) that you’re not completely trustworthy. In addition, if the landlord gave the listing to brokers, it likely means he/she doesn’t want to be bothered with advertising it, showing it and perhaps qualifying the potential renters so seeking him out may backfire.

snarkolepctic | 12 years and 3 months ago

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You’re not really in the driver’s seat in this market so trying to play hardball with the realtors probably isn’t going to cut it. Vacancy rates are low, and even though you aren’t willing to pay 12%, other people are. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to ask if the fee is negotiable.  If you really can’t stomach paying a fee, you’ll  probably have to stalk Craigs List no-fee ads. Good luck!

eekahil | 12 years and 3 months ago

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See, a big part of the dilemma is that it’s the same listing and 2 brokers.  What do I do, flip a coin? I’m overthinking it, but if I’m giving someone a fee, I’d rather it be the nicer of the two!

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 3 months ago

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Yes, just call one of them.  You can’t work with both of them and if you start with one and then go to another there will be trouble. Besides, with this hesitation, it’s probably rented already!!!

brokelin | 12 years and 3 months ago

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What should have mattered to you was not which broker was ‘nicer,’ but which one would have gotten you the lease.  As you had no way to tell, you call each and if you leave messages, go with the one who called you back first.  Broker is irrelevant, as is their niceness.