Tenant Representation in Austin, Texas

Looking for a home to rent in Austin? Let me tell you a secret. Most residential renters don’t realize they have access to an incredible resource to help them find a home… and in most cases, the homeowner-lessor will subsidize the cost for this resource completely.

What is residential tenant representation? Just like it sounds, it’s when a real estate agent or broker works exclusively on the behalf of a person seeking a property to lease. The agent’s or broker’s responsibility is to put the tenant’s interest first and help them navigate the rental market.

Here are the benefits of working under tenant representation:

1. Gain access to more properties and neighborhoods. Most renters browse websites like Zillow, Trulia, or Apartments.com to find a rental home. When you enlist the help of a real estate professional, your options can expand to include soon-to-be-listed and privately listed, off-market properties. 
2. Save time and boost efficiency. When you’re on your own hunting for a rental home it’s up to you to contact each homeowner or property manager and schedule a tour. This can be super frustrating for many reasons: perhaps you get no response, the home is already leased, or the lessor’s schedule doesn’t align with yours. When you enlist the help of a real estate professional, they will coordinate tour schedules for you, weeding out the unavailable properties and ensuring you have access even if the lessor’s schedule doesn’t sync up. 
3. Secure the best deal. Just like in resale transactions, there’s always room to negotiate and position your offer competitively to win a deal. Working with a competent real estate professional can help you gain an advantage over other potential tenants that are looking at the same or similar properties. Before even touring a property I like to ask lessors if there are any applications in hand, what are the needs/motivations of the lessor, etc. I also try to negotiate inclusion of appliances (refrigerators, washers and dryers do not always convey in Texas) and specific repairs or maintenance. Any information that is uncovered can be used to position your application favorably. 
4. Get support, referrals, and helpful resources along the way. You may have questions and needs before, during, and after signing a lease. For example: What’s the best strategy for presenting my application if I’m self employed or do not have rental history? Can I move myself into a highrise building or do I need to hire a licensed mover? Who’s responsible for lawn maintenance and pest control? An experienced real estate professional will be able to answer these questions and offer support where needed. 

Finally, when you’re leasing a property from a private homeowner or even from a property managed apartment complex, the lessor will typically offer the tenant’s representative a referral fee or portion of the first-month’s rent for guiding the tenant through the pre-leasing process. As a result, the entire process is smoother and more satisfactory for everyone. Win-win!