Question about lease terms

[Longhornliz]

I'm looking for an apartment to relocate to in the next few months. I'm using apartments.com and apartmentguide.com to find places im interested in, but when I follow up at the communities they rarely quote me the prices listed on the website. I know they arent bound to offer what is on the website, but do you think they will negotiate? I've never tried to negotiate with a managment company before and I'm not sure if they would just laugh at me.

Your thoughts?

 

[Antilles]

That probably depends on the vacancy rate in your area. If the vacancies are high, you could probably negociate. If the vacancy rate is low, then forget it. They won't bargain with you when they know they can get their price elsewhere. You'd also probably have more luck bargaining with a smaller outfit. Large companies may not give their rental agents the authority to bargain.

It is frustrating to see one price and then be quoted another. They usually get around that by saying "starting at". The only units they are likely to have that low are the crappy ones, ie right by the lobby and the elevators (meaning noisy).

Your state must have some sort of landlord and tenant or tenant protection act. You can probably google it. It might prove helpful before you sign a lease.