Question re: Brokers when renting a house

Since we haven't had luck purchasing a home- we have been thinking about renting one more year- but instead of renewing our lease for our apt., renting a house (that way we get the extra space and backyard we are longing for)

Anyways- I have been looking through papers, different real estate websites and craigslist, and recently came across a house we really like..

Here the thing- I absolutely loath the broker. He is the most arrogant person I have ever met. We are always made to feel rushed, yesterday he was 20 min late to show us this home (our 2nd go see) so we waited 20 mins with my 2 yr old in the cold

Most importantly he was really trying to push this other house on us (which we hated) and it came out in conversation that, that homeowner was a friend of his...

Basically if we decide to lease this house we leave a deposit, they check our credit and then we go to the lease signing, and at that point we meet the homeowners (aka our new landlords)

Does this make sense? I mean I guess technically I'm meeting them before I sign the lease- but the sole purpose of that meeting is to sign the lease...Its really important to me, that the landlords are good, honest people. (I mean it seems that they care since they are putting in alot of upgrades to get the house rented. But Im still weary when it comes to leasing from someone privately)

I wish I could meet these people and let them know this "business man" is doing nothing for their business. (Actually he is deterring people from the home)

Any advice???

Re: Question re: Brokers when renting a house

The other house he is pushing is it also a rental?
How is he pushing it on you? It sounds like he could be being unethical, you might be able to bring a case against him.
If you like the house though, I wouldn't let the broker deter you from renting.

Re: Question re: Brokers when renting a house

that's pretty much how it's done. I would aks to meet the landlords first. frankly, I would want to meet my new tenants first.

Re: Question re: Brokers when renting a house

We pay our rent to the broker and she puts it in the bank for our landlords (SO STUPID because they live across the street).

We don't really like her as a person at all, but it works in our favor too because when we have problems we can get her to act as an intermediary.

Where are you looking? Holbrook still?

Re: Question re: Brokers when renting a house

Well- he started off by by talking "down" about the house we are interested in (this is before we saw the house, and he insisted on showing us the 1st house- which like I said turned out to be a friend of his)

He is very arrogant and basically- the house was left in poor, poor shape from the last tenant- and the landlords had to do alot of remodeling (all new carpets, paint, doors, and kitchen) The broker consistently makes remarks like the landlords are doing us a favor by doing this- when IMO they aren't do us any favors. They are doing this for themselves so they can get the home rented (I don't know anyone who would rent a home that had nails sticking out of the floor)

To be frank- he is just a sleeze, and since he makes me so uncomfortable I'm so leary about signing anything with him...

I understand the only way to lock us in to it (for them not to sign it off to someone else) is for us to sign a lease- but should I really sign a lease before the "work" is done...

I mean the broker keeps telling me that in my lease it will state that A. B & C are to be completed prior to move in- but I'm scared that only half the job will get done, and then Ill move in and be screwed...

Message edited 12/22/2007 9:31:52 PM.

Re: Question re: Brokers when renting a house

Nope, wouldn't do it.

Walk away. There are others out there.

Re: Question re: Brokers when renting a house

Re: Question re: Brokers when renting a house

you could contact the homeowner. I just think that there are plenty of rentals out there that can give you what you want.

I would not rent anything until the work was 90% done. If it doesn't get done then you are stuck with a half finished apartment and there will be nothing you can do except move out and that's after you gave your deposit and rent. good luck getting that back if you break your lease. even if the lease says this and that will be done, there's no guarantee.

i would not want to be in that position. If you have an agent who can contact the broker, see if that works.

Re: Question re: Brokers when renting a house

If the house is listed on MLS Stratus as a rental, your agent should be able to get the homeowner's phone number off there and contact them directly for you.

I personally would walk away. I wouldn't sign a lease to a house that wasn't "complete." Also, you shouldn't have to sign a lease in order to secure the house prior to it being finished. A small deposit should suffice and then sign once everything is complete.