10/29/2024
Hi all 👋🏻
Renters, I want to talk to you about Negotiability.
I feel like the majority of us are conditioned to accept what we are presented with, but I think that that conditioning is the result of struggle and desperation, and that it creates a cycle for us of being taken advantage of - in this case, by landlords.
I want you to know that you as renters hold power, too.
I recently had my mind blown by clients who do not share my same past lived experience; ie they are not desperate, and they are not struggling. Their approach to applying for (and securing) a lease was completely foreign and inspiring. So here’s what’s I learned:
Case 1: Clients had a super strong application, but did not want to pay the half month realtor fee -
Me being a conditioned workhorse says “Gosh, I dunno, I don’t think the landlord’s going to go for that….”
And the landlord DID GO FOR IT, which saved them almost $1500 !!!
Takeaway: Worth a shot!!! What was the harm in asking ? Literally nothing.
Case #2: Client is Not under a time crunch, and really just wants to find a place that feels great. They message me about a house that’s listed at $4,500 “Steph, tell the agent we can do $4,000”
Me, regular old gal who’s worked since age 13, short circuiting thinking: ???? BuT iT SaYS $4,500 ???
Takeaway: Client and landlord land on $4,150 (!)
So keep in mind these things:
If you have a strong app (if you’re not sure what makes an application strong, message me and we can polish yours right up), and you see a rental you like, but it is Just Outside your comfortable budget, make them an *Offer* … Shave a little off the top for yourself, or ask them to pay the realtor fee, or just let me help you strategize ! Remember that without you, all that landlord has is an empty building with bills to pay.
As I always say, which Michael Scott said that Wayne Gretzky said, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take - so go for it. You deserve better. 🎯
