Beating the Competition: 5 Ways to Get the Flat You Want

Finding and securing an apartment these days is downright difficult.

But don’t be deterred, a competitive rental market doesn’t mean that you’re out of the running – all you need are some top tips from the property professionals.

And that’s where we come in – here are five fool-proof ways to ensure you get the flat you’re after.

Be prepared

Real estate agents will be inundated with applicants the minute an apartment becomes available. On the day of inspection, preparation is key. When attending the open house, have all your appropriate forms filled out and on hand – rental history, bank statements, references and ID documents.

The easier you make it for the agent, the more likely you are to secure the lease.

Dress to impress

First impressions really do count and if you turn up to an apartment showing looking disheveled, then you’ve instantly done yourself a disservice. That’s not to say you have to wear a suit every time you’re inspecting a property – just dress for success. Remember, part of the application process is convincing the agent that you’re the most suitable candidate for the lease.

Introduce yourself

Give the current state of the rental market; it’s safe to assume that for every property that becomes available, there are numerous applicants expressing interest.

So how can you cut through and make an impression?

The reality is most applicants will be on a level playing field – but if an agent has made a connection with you and remembers your face, you’ll be in running.

Never underestimate the power of a face-to-face conversation.

Ask questions

Showing interest is another smart tactic in the pursuit to find a property.

No matter how unrelated the question may seem, don’t be afraid to ask it.

The more you inquire and engage, the more your application moves up the ladder.

At the end of the day, a property owner actually cares about who is on the lease of their property. If you seem genuinely interested in the apartment, the agent will pass that information on. Then you’ll come across as a thoughtful and considerate renter – a very attractive quality. It’s also of benefit to you – if you’re going be living in an apartment, it pays to know the history of the building.

Follow up

Last not least, in the quest for the lease – learn to follow up.

Once you’ve pressed the flesh, inspected the property and handed in your application, check in with the agent. Whether it’s a quick call or an email, get in touch to see how things are progressing. They don’t say “out of sight, out of mind,” for no reason. However, there’s a big difference between following up and over stepping the mark. Don’t hassle and bombard, that will just create tension. The agent has a job to do and they need time to do it. Instead just remind them that you’re interested and then let the rest happen naturally.