topic Re: Question for Realtors in Community Chat

Question for Realtors

beach-mom — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 19:47:09 GMT

DS is apartment hunting. He is doing this on his own with no roommate (first time).

He found his "dream" apartment a week ago. He emailed the landlord to set up a time to sign the lease and never heard back. He tried a second time. Nothing. Turns out the girl looking at the same apartment at the same time took it. DS said she seemed uninterested during the tour and asked no questions about utilities and other things. Of course he did! I guess she liked the answers they gave him! But I think it's rude of the landlord not to at least answer his email, saying the apartment was rented.

He looked at one late yesterday afternoon that was also already rented, but the landlord later contacted him, told him she was also a realtor, and asked him to send her a list of what he's looking for and price ranges. She has some apartments for him to look at. My question is since he's working with a realtor for the first time will he have to pay any commission? TIA!

Re: Question for Realtors

Love my grandkids — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 19:51:31 GMT

@beach-mom Your son needs to ask the realtor!!

Re: Question for Realtors

Cats3000 — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:01:08 GMT

Landlord never told him the apartment was rented? He's learned at least one lesson in life. Some businessmen care; others don't.

Your son is old enough to look for an apartment? Will the realtor charge a commission? Why doesn't he ask the realtor that question?

Let him function on his own.

Re: Question for Realtors

lolakimono — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:00:38 GMT

@beach-mom wrote:

He looked at one late yesterday afternoon that was also already rented, but the landlord later contacted him, told him she was also a realtor, and asked him to send her a list of what he's looking for and price ranges. She has some apartments for him to look at. My question is since he's working with a realtor for the first time will he have to pay any commission? TIA!

@beach-mom

No, he should not pay anything.

I think I know what state this is, based on your posts.

Re: Question for Realtors

Natureluvr — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:02:34 GMT

Some collect a commission from the apartment owners and some collect from the tenant. Definitely advise him to inquire before they go out to view the apartments.

Re: Question for Realtors

beach-mom — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:17:06 GMT

Thanks for your posts everyone!

@lolakimono - I just wish he weren't so far from us! But he has been since he left for college!

@Cats3000 - Of course he's doing this on his own. I never asked him about it. DH and I were just curious. He's always been very independent!

Re: Question for Realtors

50Mickey — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:18:39 GMT

@beach-mom Rentals in hot real estate markets are as hard if not harder to find than homes for purchase. If he finds one next time and it is in a decent area with affordable rent he needs to move on it ASAP. Don't let people get to you with with saying that he needs to do this on his own. When my daughter graduated from college and moved away from home for her first job mom and dad went with her to look at apartments and ask questions that she would not have known to ask at 21 year old. But this year she purchased her first home, a condo in Chicago and she did it all on her own without any advice from mom and dad. They learn and It sounds like he is moving in the right direction. I wish him luck in finding his dream apartment.

Re: Question for Realtors

Sooner — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:19:19 GMT

Your son needs to research this issue and do his own looking and asking. He should run his questions by you, and chat, but he needs to do this on his own. If he doesn't understand this time, he never will.

Re: Question for Realtors

beach-mom — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:26:52 GMT

@50Mickey wrote:
@beach-mom Rentals in hot real estate markets are as hard if not harder to find than homes for purchase. If he finds one next time and it is in a decent area with affordable rent he needs to move on it ASAP. Don't let people get to you with with saying that he needs to do this on his own. When my daughter graduated from college and moved away from home for her first job mom and dad went with her to look at apartments and ask questions that she would not have known to ask at 21 year old. But this year she purchased her first home, a condo in Chicago and she did it all on her own without any advice from mom and dad. They learn and It sounds like he is moving in the right direction. I wish him luck in finding his dream apartment.

Thank you @50Mickey- that's really sweet of you! I'll let you know how he makes out.

Re: Question for Realtors

beach-mom — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:32:20 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
Your son needs to research this issue and do his own looking and asking. He should run his questions by you, and chat, but he needs to do this on his own. If he doesn't understand this time, he never will.

@Sooner - He is! We are too far away to do anything anyway. It is his first time BY HIMSELF, but only because he's not looking with roommates he would be living with! He will handle this just fine!

Re: Question for Realtors

50Mickey — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:35:23 GMT

@Sooner,

I don't agree with this but I know many parents feel like once a child graduates from college or turns 21 they should be able to move out on their own with no help from the parents. This is his first time finding an apartment on his own and signing a lease. If his mom wants to help him a little so what? Next time he will have the knowledge to do this for himself.

Re: Question for Realtors

Desert Lily — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:33:57 GMT

@beach-mom Some realtors are also in the business of property management. They receive 10-20% of the monthly rent from the owner of the property as their fee. They may also receive a finder's fee. Your son may have a credit check, security deposit, and an extra fee if he has any pets. The current cost of rentals is exceptionally high. I hope he has very good luck in finding something he likes; he's already lucky to have caring parents like you.

Re: Question for Realtors

Janey2 — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:46:27 GMT

Wow! He is your child and you can always help. If it were a friend doing something for the first time and asked for help I am sure all of you would be happy to help with a situation. Everything you do for the first time can be hard. Help whenever possible.

Re: Question for Realtors

TurnerGal — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:55:43 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
Wow! He is your child and you can always help. If it were a friend doing something for the first time and asked for help I am sure all of you would be happy to help with a situation. Everything you do for the first time can be hard. Help whenever possible.

@Janey2 Yes I agree, it is "OK " to help your son with his first apartment or the first time he is buying a house. My son graduated from college and needed an apartment with two new graduates and I went with him and pointed out things he would not have realized. He ended up with a really nice apartment that he is happy with. The landlord was a little leary renting to three young college boys but I think because she saw the parents she was more ready to rent to them. Apartments where he lives goes very fast. They sometimes have 10 people on a list to help.

If your son is still asking for help in 5 or ten years that is a problem, but helping now is good parenting.

Re: Question for Realtors

Tessa Mendoza — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 20:57:55 GMT

@ beach-mom - Your son is not experienced in apartment hunting and all that goes along with it. No reason you can't lend a hand and give advice. I would (and have) do the same. He's still your baby and will not need help forever.

Re: Question for Realtors

Citrine1 — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 21:25:42 GMT

@Cats3000 wrote:
Landlord never told him the apartment was rented? He's learned at least one lesson in life. Some businessmen care; others don't.

Your son is old enough to look for an apartment? Will the realtor charge a commission? Why doesn't he ask the realtor that question?

Let him function on his own.

Completely rude and unnecessary response.

Re: Question for Realtors

Citrine1 — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 21:28:16 GMT

@beach-mom Sheesh, you ask a simple question and end up with a lecture on parenting skills. I know, I should be used to such responses by now.

Re: Question for Realtors

Sooner — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 21:44:13 GMT

@50Mickey wrote:
@Sooner,
I don't agree with this but I know many parents feel like once a child graduates from college or turns 21 they should be able to move out on their own with no help from the parents. This is his first time finding an apartment on his own and signing a lease. If his mom wants to help him a little so what? Next time he will have the knowledge to do this for himself.

@50Mickey That's what I said. He should research the issue and sit down with mom to see if he has missed anything. And yes I do believe when you are 21 it's time to grow up. You aren't a kid or a child any more.

Mommy shouldn't have to hold your hand or sign for you.

Re: Question for Realtors

Greeneyedlady21 — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 21:54:01 GMT

@Citrine1 wrote:
@beach-mom Sheesh, you ask a simple question and end up with a lecture on parenting skills. I know, I should be used to such responses by now.

Yes, that's how it goes on these forums. Lots of perfect experts on other people's lives.

Re: Question for Realtors

suzyQ3 — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 21:54:47 GMT

Heck, my daughter just turned 49 -- if she ever wants our help, we're here.