Are rentals negotiable?

[michigancat]

I'm getting ready to rent a house in Michigan, and will I piss people off if I ask them to drop their rent?

Just seems like such a sh*tty economy up there that they should kiss my feet just for calling them.

[JTKSU]

I'm getting ready to rent a house in Michigan, and will I piss people off if I ask them to drop their rent?

Just seems like such a sh*tty economy up there that they should kiss my feet just for calling them.

As long as they're not still making mortgage payments, or you don't ask for a rate lower than their mortgage payment, yes.  (I don't know what Michigan's property tax is like, that may or may not be a factor.)  I know several people that have had trouble with occupency rates, and have had to "deal" with potential tenants, in regards to monthly rate.  Also, the security deposit is generally negotiable as well; provided you have decent credit and references.

[michigancat]

I'm getting ready to rent a house in Michigan, and will I piss people off if I ask them to drop their rent?

Just seems like such a sh*tty economy up there that they should kiss my feet just for calling them.

As long as they're not still making mortgage payments, or you don't ask for a rate lower than their mortgage payment, yes. 

I don't give a sh8t if they're making mortgage payments or not.  In Michigan, they should be thankful they're only losing $50/month on their rental property IMO.

I just didn't know if this is something that is normally "done".

thx for the advice

[Trim]

There's nothing wrong w/negotiating in that situation.

Send them a link to American Pie 2 where 5 kids were able to pay for that giant house in Michigan by working as part-time painters and say you want that deal.

[sys]

conventional wisdom = poor house sale = strong rental market.


might be a good time to buy a foreclosure and hire some unemployed person to mow the lawn/shovel snow.

[chum1]

poor house sale = strong rental market.

This is absolutely true.  Rental markets are in fact doing well right now.

[AzCat]

What part of Michigan?  If it's within 50 miles of Detroit you should just be able to drive around, take your pick, pry the boards off the windows of your chosen homestead, and move right in.  They'll thank you for coming. 

[JTKSU]

poor house sale = strong rental market.

This is absolutely true.  Rental markets are in fact doing well right now.

QFT.  A good way to judge the rental market is to check the apartments section of the newspaper.  If a ton of complexes have crazy move in specials, the rental market blows.  You look in the paper right now, and very few complexes are offering much at all in the way of specials.  He can still offer the owner what he would like to pay, the worst the guy can do is say no.  If he is eager to lease the unit, he'll come down on the rent. 

[steve dave]

There's nothing wrong w/negotiating in that situation.

Send them a link to American Pie 2 where 5 kids were able to pay for that giant house in Michigan by working as part-time painters and say you want that deal.

pffssst 

[michigancat]

It's a beach town, so it's really slow in the winter.  I've seen the same sh*t advertised for a long time on craigslist.  I've seen some $50 off during winter specials, too.

[willie83]

The more desirable you can make yourself seem to the landlord, the better chance you have for a reduced rate. Landlords like quiet, clean, mature people who know how to fix little problems. Kids and pets are a negative. Don't show them your posts on KSUFans.com.

[greasd up deaf guy]

The more desirable you can make yourself seem to the landlord, the better chance you have for a reduced rate. Landlords like quiet, clean, mature people who know how to fix little problems. Kids and pets are a negative. Don't show them your posts on KSUFans.com.

Rusty doesn't have children. He eats babies.

[pwrcat1]

What part of Michigan?  If it's within 50 miles of Detroit you should just be able to drive around, take your pick, pry the boards off the windows of your chosen homestead, and move right in.  They'll thank you for coming. 

[Kat Kid]

It's a beach town, so it's really slow in the winter.  I've seen the same sh*t advertised for a long time on craigslist.  I've seen some $50 off during winter specials, too.

benton harbor?

that is NOT a beach town.

[michigancat]

It's a beach town, so it's really slow in the winter.  I've seen the same sh*t advertised for a long time on craigslist.  I've seen some $50 off during winter specials, too.

benton harbor?

that is NOT a beach town.

NOPE.

[catdude33]

I put "peel and stick" tile down in the bathroom of my rental which was previously carpeted and my landlord knocked the price off of my rent.  Cool huh!  So maybe tell them you will put "peel and stick" tile down on every floor in the place.  You might get to live there for free for a while!  HTH!

[michigancat]

I put "peel and stick" tile down in the bathroom of my rental which was previously carpeted and my landlord knocked the price off of my rent.  Cool huh!  So maybe tell them you will put "peel and stick" tile down on every floor in the place.  You might get to live there for free for a while!  HTH!

ha!  I was looking at some pics a landlord sent me and thought about doing the exact same thing!

Very easy, looks nice, BTW.

[Kat Kid]

It's a beach town, so it's really slow in the winter.  I've seen the same sh*t advertised for a long time on craigslist.  I've seen some $50 off during winter specials, too.

benton harbor?

that is NOT a beach town.

NOPE.

j/k bro

j/k

 

[michigancat]

[Kat Kid]

here's a hintski:

tell them you r an out of work auto worker.  Flash a faux union card and you should be in the door!

[frankencat]

Call Wm Shatner, he'll help you negotiate

[SkinnyBenny]

It's a beach town, so it's really slow in the winter.  I've seen the same sh*t advertised for a long time on craigslist.  I've seen some $50 off during winter specials, too.

benton harbor?

that is NOT a beach town.

Maybe not, but it is an obscure Freaks and Geeks reference.  Is it on "Benton Harbor Drive"?