Rental Beast Blog

Moving in the midst of a global pandemic may be stressful, but for some Americans it’s unavoidable. While home sales have slowed to a halt, many renters still plan on going ahead with their rental transactions. And, if you’re still thinking about making a move, consider reaching out to a local expert and taking advantage of the knowledge of a real estate expert! While you might not be able to give your agent a friendly handshake (at least, for the foreseeable feature!) their help is more important now than ever. Scroll down to check out 5 reasons why renters should use a real estate agent.

1. Real Estate Agents are Local Experts. 

This is what we think really sets one real estate agent apart from the next. Real estate agents do much more than choose a home that fits your lifestyle (Although, they’re great at doing that, too!) Real estate is conducted a street level, and, with lock-downs and stay-at-home orders sweeping across the nation, if you’re not familiar with the part of town (the city, or even the whole state!) you’re about to move to, a real estate agent’s on-the-ground expert advice will be invaluable. GoogleMaps might give you some sense of a neighborhood, but nothing beats experience. You can trust a real estate agent to give you the inside scoop on everything from their favorite snacks at a local cafe, to how painful your morning commute will be, to how safe the neighborhood is at night.

2. And, they know properties!

It can be tough to understand what your choice of unit really looks like. Is the master bedroom really that big? Is that a dishwasher in the kitchen? You can go on a virtual showing, or check out photos online, but real estate agents have, often, been inside the apartments you want to check out. They can give you an unbiased, honest assessment of your choices. Also, real estate agents know, and, may have even placed a tenant inside the apartment and can let you in on what residents like and dislike about their living spaces.

2. They are Trusted Advisor

Remember, a real estate agent is on your side, not the landlord’s or property owner’s. Real estate agents have spend time growing their knowledge, and are ready to give you expert, informed advice on market conditions and the best negotiation techniques. If you’re new to renting and feel overwhelmed by the leasing-signing process, a real estate agent can guide you through the intricacies of a lease and decode any tricky legalese.

3. Virtual Showing and Walk Through Know-How!

Don’t limit yourself to checking out photos of apartments online. Enlist the help of real estate agent to lead you through a virtual showing and talk you through the features and amenities of the apartment, and the neighborhood.

If you’re checking out a vacant apartment (and leaving your house doesn’t violate any local or state order in your area) your real estate agent can lead walk-throughs of vacant apartments and send you videos. You’ll be able to see the apartment in real time and imagine your furniture and life in a new apartment.

4. Tech Tools at Their (and Your) Disposal

Real estate agents have access to a whole suite of tech tools to simplify the leasing process–contact-free! These include virtual showing tools, online application tools, and advanced searching capacity. And, your real estate agent expert is always one phone call or one Skype call away.

If you’ve spent any time searching for an apartment, you probably know how tricky it is to find a database with a comprehensive list of rental units. Rental Beast agents have exclusive access to properties sourced directly from property owners and smaller landlords.

Search through our rental beast database to check out some exclusive listings, and fill out an interest form to be connected to a real estate expert who can help your home search.

5. When you’re ready to buy a home, your agent is one call away!

Were you one of the thousands of Americans who stalled their homeownership plans because of COVID-19? It’s tough to change course, and a real estate agent can help you do so seamlessly. And, once you’re ready to step back onto the path of homeownership, a real estate agent can guide you through the difficult process of buying your first home. For real estate agents, business is personal.

If you’re still ready to rent, real estate agents are ready to assist! Start searching for your perfect apartment.