Rental Estate Agents

E

Edwe

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I am having a horrendous time trying to rent property in Cape Town and I don't really understand why. Was hoping someone with a rental agent's perspective could enlighten me.

When I contact agents, I usually get them to send me available rental unit listings very quickly, but as soon as I express interest in any specific property, they lose all interest, start ignoring my mails, reject my phone calls etc. I can't even get most agents to take me for a viewing.

I have this experience every single year, from multiple agents and, from my perspective, we are pretty decent candidates (professional, married couple, with combined income in excess of 4 time rental amount, no dogs, no children, good credit scores on XDS, TransUnion, TPN). I have never had a late payment nor caused damage to anything in my life. Why are estate agents shunning us? There are two free properties for which I have committed to putting down the deposit immediately, but the agents are still advertising on gumtree and property24, and doing viewings while ignoring my offer... any ideas? :confused:
 
You're probably looking too eager and they think something is off. Trick when buying anything is to look completely disinterested, make them work for your business.
 
ScottulusMaximus said:
You're probably looking too eager and they think something is off. Trick when buying anything is to look completely disinterested, make them work for your business.
Click to expand...

Well I am pretty darn eager... getting kicked out of my existing rental at the end of the month because it has been sold and I need somewhere to live.
 
Edwe said:
Well I am pretty darn eager... getting kicked out of my existing rental at the end of the month because it has been sold and I need somewhere to live.
Click to expand...

Well there's your problem... I've just been through this, here's what I did:

1. Search online(property24 etc), anything that remotely takes your fancy contact
2. Phone/SMS, don't email, pretty sure estate agents are allergic to emails
3. First contact just inquire if the property is still available, nothing more
4. If it is talk more and list out your requirements, if not ask for something similar
5. Drop a hint that you're looking at many properties
6. If it seems nice arrange a viewing, look positive but not excited, again hint that this isn't your only option
7. Within 24hrs of viewing say you'll take it and go from there.

If you hint you have other options they'll speed things along to get your money in case you end up going elsewhere.
 
ScottulusMaximus said:
Well there's your problem... I've just been through this, here's what I did:

1. Search online(property24 etc), anything that remotely takes your fancy contact
2. Phone/SMS, don't email, pretty sure estate agents are allergic to emails
3. First contact just inquire if the property is still available, nothing more
4. If it is talk more and list out your requirements, if not ask for something similar
5. Drop a hint that you're looking at many properties
6. If it seems nice arrange a viewing, look positive but not excited, again hint that this isn't your only option
7. Within 24hrs of viewing say you'll take it and go from there.

If you hint you have other options they'll speed things along to get your money in case you end up going elsewhere.
Click to expand...

Imagine if one had to do this while buying groceries.
 
Rental agents are generally rude/give-poor-service/slow-to-respond if the demand for what they are selling is high. Same with every industry.
 
Thanks for all the advice. Think smallearth hits the nail on he head. I can't afford to wait 24 hours in this part of the city. Rentals are usually gone in about 2-4 hours.
 
crackersa said:
when is your lease agreement supposed to end?
Click to expand...

December, so not premature. I was just under the impression that I would be able to renew the lease. But no biggie, because it's not a nice property and too small for our needs. I will move gladly.
 
Edwe said:
I am having a horrendous time trying to rent property in Cape Town and I don't really understand why. Was hoping someone with a rental agent's perspective could enlighten me.

When I contact agents, I usually get them to send me available rental unit listings very quickly, but as soon as I express interest in any specific property, they lose all interest, start ignoring my mails, reject my phone calls etc. I can't even get most agents to take me for a viewing.

I have this experience every single year, from multiple agents and, from my perspective, we are pretty decent candidates (professional, married couple, with combined income in excess of 4 time rental amount, no dogs, no children, good credit scores on XDS, TransUnion, TPN). I have never had a late payment nor caused damage to anything in my life. Why are estate agents shunning us? There are two free properties for which I have committed to putting down the deposit immediately, but the agents are still advertising on gumtree and property24, and doing viewings while ignoring my offer... any ideas? :confused:
Click to expand...

Ah yes, the rental industry in Cape Town, you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

As for the gumtree and property24 issues. I have lost count in how many times I have enquired about a place that has already been let. Updating their online profiles is probably the last thing on the list of the things that estate agents should do.
 
konfab said:
Ah yes, the rental industry in Cape Town, you will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.

As for the gumtree and property24 issues. I have lost count in how many times I have enquired about a place that has already been let. Updating their online profiles is probably the last thing on the list of the things that estate agents should do.
Click to expand...

It goes even beyond not taking the ads down. I had this conversation with an agent last year:

Me: I'm interested in the townhouse you are advertising

Agent: Sorry, it was taken yesterday

Me: Oh, okay...wait... you updated it on Gumtree only 45 minutes ago

Agent: Yes, but it's taken

Me: So why did you upload it to Gumtree if it was already taken?

Agent: To generate interest.

Me: Oh, so you have other similar properties available in the area?

Agent: No.

Me: !?!?!?!!!!??
 
Edwe said:
It goes even beyond not taking the ads down. I had this conversation with an agent last year:

Me: I'm interested in the townhouse you are advertising

Agent: Sorry, it was taken yesterday

Me: Oh, okay...wait... you updated it on Gumtree only 45 minutes ago

Agent: Yes, but it's taken

Me: So why did you upload it to Gumtree if it was already taken?

Agent: To generate interest.

Me: Oh, so you have other similar properties available in the area?

Agent: No.

Me: !?!?!?!!!!??
Click to expand...

Like I said:
scum and villainy
Click to expand...
 
Edwe said:
I am having a horrendous time trying to rent property in Cape Town and I don't really understand why. Was hoping someone with a rental agent's perspective could enlighten me.

When I contact agents, I usually get them to send me available rental unit listings very quickly, but as soon as I express interest in any specific property, they lose all interest, start ignoring my mails, reject my phone calls etc. I can't even get most agents to take me for a viewing.

I have this experience every single year, from multiple agents and, from my perspective, we are pretty decent candidates (professional, married couple, with combined income in excess of 4 time rental amount, no dogs, no children, good credit scores on XDS, TransUnion, TPN). I have never had a late payment nor caused damage to anything in my life. Why are estate agents shunning us? There are two free properties for which I have committed to putting down the deposit immediately, but the agents are still advertising on gumtree and property24, and doing viewings while ignoring my offer... any ideas? :confused:
Click to expand...

Sounds about right...or they show you the crappiest places...whats with people not cleaning up, when they going to have viewings...anyways. I am not renewing my lease,...so landlord is looking for a new tenant. Very central, very secure, ...its in Green Point, across from the Stadium...I have lived here for 4 years, but bought a place earlier in the year, let me know if you interested.
 
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