Apartment agent or go on my own? (Houston: apartments, lease)

[houstonbim]

I'm moving to Houston shortly. What are the advantages to using an agent to help find an appartment. I'm wondering, if I do my own search and walk into a complex, like it, sign a lease, can I get a better deal if I don't have an agent? I know the complex will be paying the agent a finders fee, so I'm wondering if I could work out a better deal if no agent is involved?

Thanks!

[XodoX]

Using an apartment locator does not affect your rent at all. They get paid a referral fee out of the apartments advertising budget.

[modster]

The quality of the apartment locators varies a lot. Some are borderline useless and just give you a list and that's it. You could accomplish the same thing just tearing a page out of the yellow pages with the names and addresses. These are usually the ones that also tell you "....just put my name on the application, even if it is someplace I didn't send you, and I will pay your application fee..."

That's one thing if covering the cost of your application is a bigger priority than getting some real assistance. Some escort their clients, actually putting them in the car and taking them around. This is a sign of a better apartment locator. Also be aware that many run ads in things like the greensheet for apartments that do not exist, just to get calls. "Loft with jacuzzi tub and hardwoods, fifty-cents a month!" (Okay, I am exaggerating, but you get the idea).

I don't think using a locator will impact what you pay. You might start out with the internet, apartments.com and sites like that and check a few places on your own. If you don't find anything, then you could use a locator or even ask one of the sites for a referral.