Probably the second biggest mistake prospective renters make before they call the landlord, is not reading the entire ad. A lot of the questions you may have, are probably already answered in the text for the ad. Say for example, you see an ad for an apartment for rent on Craigslist, Zillow, Trulia, HotPads or some other apartment rental resource. The landlord has already taken the time to figure out how much rent he’s asking for.
They have already listed some details about the apartment you may be interested in, and they have already listed any characteristics for apartment you might want to avoid as a renter.
For example, if the ad reads “no pets allowed” or “non-smoking building”, then that is information you should already know before making the call. If you had read that in the ad first, then you probably would not have even called the landlord if you had a pet. If you get the landlord on the phone, and asked him if you can have a pet and the ad already says “no pets allowed” then you have shown the landlord that you probably do not follow instructions well.
This may go against you in the landlord’s final decision whether or not to rent you the apartment. I get it. You are busy too. You may have been looking at a hundred rental ads an not even be sure which one you are calling. Maybe you have even created a list of questions you are asking every landlord you call. These are probably important matters in you determining whether you want the apartment.
You should take a moment before calling the landlord to review the ad to make sure it is a match. Let’s face it, you could save yourself some time too by reading the ad. Otherwise, you get on the phone, ask questions you should already know the answer to, and end up wasting the landlord’s and your time. Although it may be an innocent mistake, it puts you in a less than favorable light to be considered for the apartment.
This can also work very well for you if you have read the ad. If you have seen in the ad that utilities are not included but do not see a heating source, then a good question to ask the landlord might be something like “I see that the apartment does not include utilities, how is it heated?” This shows the landlord that you have taken the time and consideration to read the ad and understand a little bit more about the apartment before you even call.
One of the biggest mistakes I have seen happen is when a prospect gets on the phone and they start asking the landlord a series of questions for information that is already listed in the ad. Missing one or two details from the ad may be acceptable.
After all, you probably have been looking at a lot of different apartments and the landlord should understand that the process can be daunting for you as well with all of the information to try to remember.
But, if the street name is listed in the ad, and you have to ask what is the street; or it says no pets in the ad, and you ask can I have a pet. Or even if the ad says no utilities are included, and you ask are utilities included.
Or even worse, the ad states how much the rent and move-in funds requirements are, and you have to ask. Then you have pretty much set yourself up as someone who the landlord probably will not want to rent to for not taking the time to read what they have taken their time to write about the apartment before you called.
Do you have any ideas on this topic you could share to help our online community? Please chime in to share a comment or review.
Warmest regards,
Brian Lucier
Belaire Property Management
Regional Property Manager
(978) 448-0669
info@belaire.co
www.belaire.co
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