Anyone have experience with big apartment complexes and getting the best prices at them, especially since they use software now to do demand-based pricing?
I'm moving to a pricey area in a big city due to my job location and the lifestyle I prefer (lots of nature nearby, walkable to local businesses, etc.). And I need to be in a complex with a gym & pool because I practically live in those outside of work, so smaller complexes without that are out. I accept I'll have to pay more because of where I want to live and I'm ok with that, but I am curious if there are ways to work with these big complexes and get better rates.
When I signed my last lease, prices dipped heavily, but then went up $200 a month in just one day! I still got it at a low rate, but it taught me that these demand-based pricing systems they are using can change the prices a lot overnight.
Are there certain days/times of the month where you'll get lower pricing if you sign leases on those days? (I'm thinking like cars where you get a better deal at the end of the month)
Are there ways to negotiate? For example, I have really good credit. I plan to already sign a 15 month lease.
I've heard summer is the worst time to move because prices go up, is that accurate? Sadly I need to move in June this time, but if this is true, I'll sign a 15 month lease to move that date for the future
Some things I've done before that worked:
1) Overheard the manager offer someone a $500 move-in special. Made note of the manager's name and then used that to get the same special.
2) Used a free apartment hunter that offered free moving services if I put their name down as the referral. This didn't save me on rent, but got me $400 off my move
3) Approached a friendly neighbor and put them down as the person who referred me (vs. an apartment hunter) and we split the $500 referral bonus she got from it.
Any advice on this is appreciated!
I'm moving to a pricey area in a big city due to my job location and the lifestyle I prefer (lots of nature nearby, walkable to local businesses, etc.). And I need to be in a complex with a gym & pool because I practically live in those outside of work, so smaller complexes without that are out. I accept I'll have to pay more because of where I want to live and I'm ok with that, but I am curious if there are ways to work with these big complexes and get better rates.
When I signed my last lease, prices dipped heavily, but then went up $200 a month in just one day! I still got it at a low rate, but it taught me that these demand-based pricing systems they are using can change the prices a lot overnight.
Are there certain days/times of the month where you'll get lower pricing if you sign leases on those days? (I'm thinking like cars where you get a better deal at the end of the month)
Are there ways to negotiate? For example, I have really good credit. I plan to already sign a 15 month lease.
I've heard summer is the worst time to move because prices go up, is that accurate? Sadly I need to move in June this time, but if this is true, I'll sign a 15 month lease to move that date for the future
Some things I've done before that worked:
1) Overheard the manager offer someone a $500 move-in special. Made note of the manager's name and then used that to get the same special.
2) Used a free apartment hunter that offered free moving services if I put their name down as the referral. This didn't save me on rent, but got me $400 off my move
3) Approached a friendly neighbor and put them down as the person who referred me (vs. an apartment hunter) and we split the $500 referral bonus she got from it.
Any advice on this is appreciated!
