Some apartment rental brokers, also known as locators or finders, may suggest that it’s difficult, time-consuming, and frustrating to find a suitable apartment in downtown Chicago. They’ll tell you that you need their help and that their services won’t cost you anything. However, considering all your options can help avoid unnecessary costs.
Here’s YoChicago’s take on the top five reasons why it might be better to explore apartments on your own, based on our decades of experience and knowledge of the downtown apartment rental market.
#1 – It’s faster, easier, and safer to find apartments on your own
Before you begin looking for an apartment, it’s critical to decide where you want to live. If you’re new to Chicago and will be working downtown, we strongly recommend that you rent within walking distance of where you work or a short walk to public transit that gets you to work efficiently. If you work in the suburbs, rent in a location with convenient train or expressway access to your office.
Once you have a clear idea of where you want to live, YoChicago’s neighborhood apartment guides (on the right side of this page) list every major building in the downtown neighborhoods. Our guides include near real-time rent and availability info, video tours of many apartments, and objective reviews. In a short time, you’ll be able to identify the buildings worth visiting. Building websites make it easy for you to set up appointments, and many welcome walk-ins.
If you can’t find the type of apartment you want at a rent you can afford, consider adjusting your criteria for apartment size, features, or amenities before opting for less convenient neighborhoods. Where you live can be more important to your experience of the city than the apartment itself.
#2 – You’ll get more accurate, up-to-date info from the buildings
Broker ads often contain outdated or misleading information. To avoid this, use YoChicago’s guides to go directly to building websites where you’ll find current info about availability, rent, and other details.
#3 – Brokers might not show you all the best apartments
Brokers might say they can show you everything, but that’s not always true. Some buildings don’t work with brokers, and brokers may prioritize the buildings offering the highest commissions.
If you want to make sure you see all available options, it’s a good idea to use YoChicago’s resources while also considering the insight a broker might offer about off-market or exclusive listings.
#4 – Brokers can’t always get you the best deal
Brokers might say they can negotiate a better deal for you, but most agreements brokers have with buildings restrict them from negotiating rent on your behalf. You can often negotiate directly with buildings, but working with a broker doesn’t always mean you’ll get a better deal.
#5 – You should carefully choose your broker
While there are honest, knowledgeable brokers in Chicago, ensuring you’re working with someone licensed and experienced is important. Many rental services have a high turnover of agents, which can lead to inconsistent service.
If you prefer to work with an apartment rental broker, consider contacting a major full-service brokerage firm and asking for an experienced agent who works with renters.