"Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail
shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds."

Although I am not a postman, when I make a commitment, I'm true to my word.

As many of you know, I've been helping a friend with a few of his rental properties in my neighborhood.  He has a modest four suite apartment building which is literally four blocks from where I presently live.  When I first started helping him out, three of the suites were vacant.  Since January 1st, I rented both of the two bedroom suites and one of them is already occupied.  The second couple is moving into their suite this weekend.  That left me a one bedroom suite that is still not rented.

Last Friday, during a horrible snow storm, I got a call from a woman inquiring about the one bedroom apartment.  After a lengthy conversation, we made an appointment later that day for her to tour it.  As the day went on, the show kept piling up, but I had made a commitment, so off I went to the appointment.

She loved the apartment, but still had two others to look at before she made a decision.  I gave her an application, told her about the application fee, then back out into the snow to head for home.

Late yesterday afternoon she called me.  She had looked at the other two apartments and they were both nasty and over priced.  She loved that fact that the suite I showed her had hardwood floors that are in great condition, it was freshly painted, plenty of closet space and had a gas range in the kitchen, it was perfect for her, she decided to drop off the application to me along with the fee and proceed with the rental.

"One last question before I drop off the application and the check.  Is the rent negotiable?"

My answer:

"Of course it is, but I thought $550 was quite reasonable.  How high are you willing to go?"

Give me a break!  I only negotiate DOWN when it's my idea, and UP when it's theirs!

So, I still have a one bedroom apartment available in Fairport Harbor.

Interested?

The rent is either $550.00 or as high as you are willing to go!

Don't forget to check out 

The answer, The Star.......................

Make it a great day! 

Please visit my website at www.shakenwithatwist.com or e-mail me at roger@shakenwithatwist.com

Please check out my brother Anthony's website.  

He owns a dog walking and pet sitting service in Fort Lauderdale.  

You, or someone you know may need his services some day.

http://www.dailydogwalkers.com/

 
This post has been included in Ohio Real Estate News Cuyahoga County, OH Real Estate News
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37 Comments on Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail..........................

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JAN
18
2012
4 Featured Posts

Ha!  You crack me up.  This blog definately didn't go in the direction I thought it would.  I enjoyed reading it.
4:13pm • #18
122,087 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Great blog post... I am to an age where I would have rearrainged the snow appointment if I could (ie. I had athe contact info)... Hope the renter is still looking....
6:37pm • #19
221,255 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Oh I know Rog-I was walking around today in sunny 80 degree weather and got a little sweat goin on the brow!
7:21pm • #20
779,318 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

LOVE your reply and so did dad...I had to run right out into the kitchen and tell him when I read it...he had a good laugh and said "perfect!"
8:02pm • #21
226,949 Points 2 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

May be you should consider to become a part time apartment locator. You have great experience, negotiation skills and a vision that will help your clients to make a decision.
8:21pm • #22
560,204 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great answer.  I have a better one for you today.  We are currently having a run on rentals so incredible that I have a waiting list of unmatched tenants with homes. 

So when someone in this market ask me if I think they are negotiable on the rent, I say sure, they will either take your lease now or someone else's later today when I call all the folks I have waiting. 

It's starting to sink in when someone looks at one in the morning and it is available and then shops around and comes back in the afternoon and it is gone.  Then suddenly they are ready to sign the next one they see.
9:33pm • #23
874,027 Points 48 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

HA! That is so funny! $550 sounds VERY reasonable. How many apartments come with hardwood floors?
10:15pm • #24
1,651,981 Points 134 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Roger, That is amazing isn't it?  If she wasn't ready to rent at $550, why did she look at it, then call you back, etc..  Sometimes I do not understand other people!
10:33pm • #25
357,123 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That is too funny Roger. I could use that every day of the week!
11:13pm • #26
282,637 Points 11 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great answer BU-FU! People are so funny, they always want something for nothing! I'm glad the uglier places were way more expensive!
11:18pm • #27
564,433 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ahhhh Roger ~ and I thought it was going to be a happy ending.  Maybe she may come back... I hope!
11:30pm • #28
JAN
19
2012
235,736 Points 10 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hi Roger--if anything on Maui was $550 a month it would be gone in a heartbeat.  Apparently she didn't know the deal she had. Also good that you don't want her as a tenant.  I am sure you will have it rented soon.  You have the magic touch. 
1:13am • #29
982,414 Points 79 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

No snowmobile Lou, but I'll get there!

Have fun with it Q Man, hope it works for you as well.

Thanks Chris Ann, feel free to use it at any time.

Glad you enjoyed it Kathy, thanks for dropping by.............

The building is four blocks from where I live Debbie, so once I knew I could get out of the driveway, no need to cancel.  Thanks.

It's a good thing I like you Mr. G.  ;~)

LOL.............glad to hear Idol like my response too Sharon.  Tell him I said thanks!

Thanks for the great compliment Anna, it's something to consider.

Love your come back Kevin..............and I know it works too.  Thanks!  I have a feeling I'll be hearing from her again.

It's an old buildiing Joni, and for years the floors were covered with carpeting, but right before the last tenant moved in, the carpeting was removed and the floors refinished.  They are beautiful.  $550 is the going rate in my area for a one bedroom apartment.

She was sure she was going to get it at a lower rental rate Judi............I guess she had no idea who she was dealing with that day.

Have at it Shar, hope it works for you as it did for me.

She'll be back when she finds out there is even more ugly stuff out there BU-FU............then I'd like to raise the rent to $600, but I can't...................LOL.

I'm not worried about it Dawn, the suite has only been vacant since Christmas Eve and it's not even completed.  It's getting painted today and cleaned on Tuesday next week.  

When I was doing rentals in Manhattan, a studio apartment came available for $725.00...........we had 22 applications on it the first day it was on the market Janet, so I know what you're saying.  That was a "steal" in Manhattan.  BTW, my prospect got the apartment.  You're right, I don't want her as a tenant, she'll be a pain the entire time she's there.  All I can hope for is that someone else rents it just in case I hear from her again.
6:32am • #30
610,443 Points 40 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Gotta love this, Roger.  Still, can't hurt to ask.  And, where are the photos for this apartment?  
10:18am • #31
378,625 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Roger, 

LOVE it!  This is a brilliant answer to folks wanting to negotiate down.  It's priceless that folks who like the best unit, BUT want to get it for the least amount.  

We find the leasing market very strong here, so negotiate up all you want.

All the best, Michelle
12:52pm • #32
473,896 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Wow Roger! LOL, what kind of an economy are we in when a rentor thinks a rental fee is negotiable! I love your response. Not sure I would have been that quick on my 'feet' ;).
2:14pm • #33
1,333,710 Points 128 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I do like the way you negotiate. BTW ....we no longer call them mailmen..letter carriers or some other such term is the 'in' right now.

Margaret
10:29pm • #34
135,693 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good for you Roger, I love your way of thinking! I almost would bet she'll be back!
11:36pm • #35
JAN
22
2012
463,387 Points 9 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Roger-I love that response. Smart and funny.  Good for you my friend.
9:45am • #36
NOV
11
330,867 Points Outside Blog

Thank you for sharing your blog; we need Real estate Professionals to share their comments and information regarding their markets and experiences. Thanks again from beautiful Sunny San Diego.
11:57pm • #37

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