Here are some guidelines based on my own experience searching for the right place to stay in. Even if it meant just staying for a year or two, you will still like to get the best deal out of those Money Sucking agents (not all, maybe around 90%?).
- KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. To me this is the most challenging task of all. Most people would only know what they want, when they have actually seen some units. Just remember to ask yourself this question every time you're viewing - "Why would I NOT rent this unit?". List them down for your future reference. Here are some of the criterias you need to consider.
- Budget range (eg. 1k-2k )
- Type of property (eg. HDB or Condo )
- No. of bedrooms (eg. 2 or 3 )
- Aircon requirement
- Storage Room available for use
- Lift Level
- High floor or low floor
- Furnishings (Basic or Fully)
- Location
- Once you achieve the first task. Visit these sites and filter out based on the criteria you have identified in the first task.
- By doing filtering, you don't waste your precious time viewing a unit which you would have known that do not satisfy your requirement. Remeber TIME IS MONEY!. You will spend also in your travel expenses like taking cabs going from one place to another.
- Do not make your decision on the spot. Most agents will try to talk you out or brain wash you just to close the deal on the spot. Remember that you are probably tired and stressed out from viewing units so please accept the fact that you can't think clearly and fairly at that moment. Go home and discuss with your flatmates before commiting. NEVER GIVE DEPOSIT ON THE SPOT UNLESS YOU ARE 200% SURE. Some lines they give:
- "Bring cash or cheque so you can make deposit if you like the unit"
- "If you don't take now, it will be taken immediately"
- "Units are being rent out like hotcakes"
- "Rental prices will definitely go up"
- "blah blah blah blah blah blah blah $$$$$$$$$$"
- Agents (not all, 90% of the time) control the price. They always give very high price for you to negotiate.
