At one point or another, you’ll probably have to deal with apartment hunting. For some, online searching and taking tours is exciting. For myself, it’s exhausting.

You find the perfect place: the floor plan works, it has the amenities you were hoping for, and it’s in the area you want to live.

That’s when you check the most important factor: how much does it cost?

If you have my luck, it’s just outside your budget. But your move out date is quickly approaching and you haven’t found a viable alternative so you sign anyway. What if you simply negotiated a better deal with your landlord?

You can do that? Yes, and in fact, my guest today is here to teach us how.

Since 2003, Justin has developed and managed apartments, rental homes, and student housing across the United States. Seldomly, has he had to negotiate with tenants, but who could blame them? There is a misunderstanding and lack of resources around this topic. That’s when Justin decided to fill the void and wrote “Rental Secrets: Reduce Your Rent, Get Better Value, and Create Quality Communities.”

In his book, Justin shares stories about his landlording experience and the inside scope on the real estate industry so renters like you are better equipped to negotiate your next lease.

Show Notes:

[2:19] What Leasing Agents mean when they say “rents are comparable with the market”

[10:19] How Justin got into real estate

[23:49] When is the best time to look for an apartment?

[27:49] What to do before you start looking for an apartment

[36:08] Understanding vacancies to find a hidden gem

[41:09] How to collect information about a future apartment community

[46:47] Negotiating with small real estate investors vs corporate investment groups

Favorite Quotes:

[20:52] “I look up in the rearview mirror and I see the refrigerator that I just bought flying out of the back of the truck.”

[37:18] “They’re trying to collapse the options. You’re trying to expand them. Expanded options means more power for you as the renter.”

[42:39] “If the property is being managed properly, the property manager should have no problem with you talking to the residents about what’s going on on the property.”

[46:15] “It’s really about knowing what your situation is and thinking through the offerings that are presented to you so you can make the best choice for you.”

More of Justin Pogue:

www.RentalSecrets.net

justin@rentalsecrets.net

Twitter: @RentalSecret

IG: @RentalSecrets

More of TSIR:

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