Renting Homes - How To Find A Good Agent

If you are looking for a home to rent while working or studying in Singapore, it is absolutely crucial to find a good housing agent who can offer you a value-for-money place to rent, with good service. Nowadays, agents are a dime a dozen, and as a result, most of them suffer from a lack of professionalism in service provision. It is often that you will encounter agents who display a total lack of understanding for good marketing and customer service. Many of them use gung-ho tactics to pressure clients into making hasty and ill-informed decisions, resulting in unnecessary budget busts and poor visitor experience in Singapore.

How can you avoid all this? What precautions can you take to ensure that your interests are well-protected and house-searching experience be a pleasant one?

1) Do not rely on one agent
Many agents are in fact promoting the same units across Singapore. Landlords often engage a number of different agents - whoever gets a tenant first seals the deal. Do the same for yourself, find a number of agents and get a wider selection of units.

2) Do not be pressured
As mentioned, agents are prone to aggressive tactics like telling you that the unit will be gone soon so better decide now. They love to arrange for all prospective tenants to view a unit at the same time and start a bidding process. Singapore might be a small country, but there are more than enough home units to go round. One might be taken up today, but another will be made available tomorrow. Find the best unit and the best price for yourself, do not be fooled into the short supply market trick.

3) Make sure you read the fine print
Examine the lease contract details before signing. Ensure that you understand each and every term. Ask to clarify if unclear. Many tenants have fallen afoul of fine print not heeded. Understand any penalties and procedures included.

4) Contact the agent main office if necessary
Some agents are unscrupulous and are fond of a dirty trick or two. If you suspect anything fishy, make sure to call up the agent main office to clarify on any issue.

5) Get references
Just as much that you will listen to recommendations from friends, ask around for references of good agents. They might be hard to come by, but believe it or not, you can find agents who provide classy service and will find you the best deals.

Use the above points as your own references in finding a good housing agent in Singapore. House hunting can be a tough job, but the most important thing is to ensure your money is well spent, and a good housing agent is crucial in achieving that.