You might have thought that real estate agents are only for buying or selling a home. They can actually help you find a rental property too. In fact, there can be certain advantages to using a real estate agent in finding the right rental property for you.

How can a real estate agent help you find a rental property that's right for you? Here are just a few reasons you should hire one.

You Are Moving To A New City

One of the top reasons you should hire a real estate agent to help you find a rental is that you are moving to a new city. If you have never visited that city before and perhaps you are moving there due to work, then a real estate agent can help you find not only the right rental for you but also the right neighborhood too.

An agent can talk with you about what your needs are in a neighborhood. For example, do you want to be closer to work? Does the area have to be walkable or accessible to transit? They can show you around the city while taking you to see different rentals.

Get First Look At Apartments

Many rentals are listed on the MLS system, but in a hot market in which there are many renters and not enough inventory to go around, they will go fast once they are listed to the public. A real estate agent will get these listings before the general public does. This means they will contact you if they find one that is suitable for your needs before the bulk of searchers can find it.

You will be able to take a look and perhaps even sign a rental agreement on your perfect choice long before the rental hits the open MLS market.

You Will Get Negotiating Power

It might be possible to get a better price on your rent too when you use a real estate agent. Real estate agents have negotiating power and experience to bring to the table. It is possible that they can get you a lower rent then what would have been advertised. They can also negotiate a reduced security deposit, get better terms to your lease, or get needed work or repairs done before you move in.

You Will Find The Right Rental For You

When you use a real estate agent to find a rental, you will most likely find the right one for you. It is time-consuming to search through listings online or drive around looking for for rent signs. Then you must make an appointment to see the rental without always knowing if it will suit your needs.

A real estate agent has the available information on each rental they will take you to beforehand. They will ask you what you need in the home and only take you to those listings that suit your needs. This cuts down on the time commitment and disappointment of searching. An agent can help you find the right rental for you more easily in many cases than it is to find it yourself.