Hello My name is Lakisha Akbar, and I’m a Texas Apartment Locator. So, what that means is I can help you or anyone else find an apartment located in the state of Texas, especially within the 4 major cities.
Just to name a few cities within Texas:
- Atascocita
- Austin
- Baytown
- Conroe
- Dallas
- Houston
- Humble
- Katy
- Kingwood
- Magnolia
- Missouri City
- New Caney
- Porter
- Richmond
- San Antonio
- Spring
- Sugar Land
- Tomball
- The Woodlands
- and many other cities…
Free Service Apartment Locating Done For YOU…on behalf of a Real Estate Brokerage…
Now that we got that out of the way, some of you probably never heard of the term Apartment Locator. No worries most people don’t know what an apartment locator is and what they do, myself was included.
As a result, when most people do hear the term Apartment Locator, they tend to think it’s a scam but, if you were to hear someone say the term Real Estate Agent, what would you think? Most people would automatically think of an agent that helps people sell their property or an agent helping people buy a place.
But, did you know there’s this little niche called Apartment Locating? Or as our real estate commissioners would say a Rental Locator.
Either way, an Apartment locator, Apartment Locators, Rental locator, or the word Locator, are the same terms.
Above all, an Apartment locator, is still a real estate agent. In fact, they’re a licensed real estate agent that solely focuses on helping renters, not buyers but, renters. In Texas, we are licensed as Texas Real Estate Agents.
And in most cases, when an agent tells you that they are an Apartment Locator, that person typically does not locate rental homes.
What we focus on is people who are looking to rent, whether it’s a condo, luxury apartment, penthouse, corporate housing, senior community, townhome, and in some cases student housing. The point is, all the rental properties we locate are apartments.
Locator Services Are They Really Free?
This question is asked a lot. Are the services really free ?
Yes, the services are actually free. Zero. Zilch. Nada. There’s really no catch.
However, you may come across some Locators that will charge a small fee for their time, meaning they charge you to speak with them and generate a list. And then there’re others that will charge a fee for touring apartments with you.
Either way, every Broker or company works differently but, in most cases apartment locating services are free to you.
With that said, the brokerage firm I’m with we service many people everyday so we don’t actually tour the properties with you because, technically the leasing agent will do that anyways but, the good news is that our locator services is totally free to all, and we will help schedule your tours for you. How cool is that?
How Is Apartment Locating FREE?
As you know by now, our services is really free and that’s because, when you list your locators name on the application, because he or she did refer you. We then send an invoice to the apartment complex and they will in return pay us a referral fee, but that doesn’t happen until a month later after you move in.
So, again, you as the client will not be charged anything, but, the apartment complex is billed and they pay us for referring you to them.
Is Locating Services Still FREE When They Say Hire A Licensed Locator?
That word “Hire” just throws us all off. But, no worries even if you hire a licensed locator the locating service is still free.
To sum it all up, when hiring a licensed locator, it simply means that the real estate agent with your consent of course, has know turned you into a client, which requires us to put your best interest first.
For example, if we offer a $50 rebate just for listing our name on the application, it can only be offered upon your consent. Similarly, if we offer to find you an apartment the service is with your consent. The way you give us the consent is by filling out our digital form, or guest card. So, essentially, it’s like we are representing you, once you decide to use our service.
Regardless, we as agents have the knowledge of market rental rates. And in many cases we’ve built up a strong relationship with the apartment communities. Therefore, at times were given specials that aren’t advertised or available to the public.
In addition to this, it also important to know that if one locator can’t help you, we have a professional referral network of other locators that we can refer you too.
For instance, if you’re searching in Fort Worth, no problem. We can find you someone that specializes in Fort Worth. Or Florida. So to answer your question directly, YES even when you hire a licensed locator the service is still FREE!
How Do I Find Apartments That Aren’t Listed Online For FREE?
Although, it’s about to be 2023 there are still many businesses including apartment complexes that do not operate a website. So, if you can’t find an apartment online that simply means two things. Either, their website is not easily accessible or that apartment complex doesn’t have a website at all.
In short the best way to find an apartment online is by using a locating service. They use a paid database (Almost like an MLS) which has access to almost all the apartments within your location.
Besides, it’s really free.
Do Realtors Charge A Fee For Finding You An Apartment?
Of course, this will be based off of your location. But, in most cases the Realtor doesn’t charge a fee, they work the same way as a locator, when it comes to apartment locating.
They help you find a new apartment, you list their name as the referring source, and then they bill the apartment complex after they’ve confirmed you moved in. Here’s were the issue may lay but, it’s sometimes an easy fix.
A Realtor usually works with a Traditional Brokerage were they focus on selling and buying homes, and not renting apartments. So, that traditional brokerage has to agree to becoming an approved vendor for the different apartments in your location.
But, again, the locating service fee when using a Realtor is based off of your location and where or what you’re trying to lease. Typically, Realtors don’t focus solely on renters, because they mostly help sellers or buyers.
On the other hand, a locator works with a Broker that has a team of nothing but, Locators focusing on apartment rentals only. That same team also works with renters only.
In other words, as a specific niche based Apartment Locator firm, they are all ready registered with the apartments as an approved vendors.
Above all, at least you are aware now, that the Realtor especially in Texas doesn’t charge you the fee.
We’ll find An Apartment For You For FREE
With respect, using an apartment locating service like my brokerage firm where we specialize and focus on apartment rentals only, is one of the smartest ways of searching for your next apartment.
Especially if you live in a major city. And even if you don’t live in a busy city, I still think it’s a great idea to utilize locating services.
Besides, the no charge, we don’t ask credit deciding questions, because that is the property management job to do. An apartment locating service like myself will ask you questions that pertain to a guest card.
By the way, the information we ask for is used to tailor a list of apartments, so that we can be generate the most highly relevant results for you and send them to you. So, it’s best to be as honest as possible.
I’ll leave you on this note, whether your looking for an apartment or know someone who is please consider using a free apartment locating service. It’s what we do day in and day out!
Have You Ever Heard Of Apartment Locating?
So, what do you think about this topic? A service that is provided to the public for free, where they help individuals locate apartments. I mean if I were to give my opinion on the subject matter, I wish I would have known about this service years ago. So, would you use an apartment locating service? Why or why not?
Have you ever used an apartment locating service before? How was your experience? Good or bad I would like to hear all about it! And, yes I do respond to my comments.
To Sum It All UP
Apartment Locating is for anyone who needs help to find an apartment within your desired area. When you provide your apartment criteria, we take that information and enter it into our paid database. This database is only available to Licensed Agents. After we do that, we generate a list that is highly relevant to your needs. The list is sent over to you by email. You pick your top 3 best options, and we set up the tours for you. We don’t tour with you but, we are there for you every step of the way!
Before You Go I Have A Tinsy Winsy Request:
By the way, this site was built by me with you in mind, page by page, post by post. If you found anything at all helpful please share it with your friends, family, and strangers, who is searching for an apartment within the next 60 days.
I say 60 days because, most apartment complexes don’t know their availability beyond that. Either way, I would greatly appreciate your support and thank you so much!
Until next time, I wish you the best and all the success. Have an AMAZING day!
Your Apartment Pal
Lakisha Akbar
