This is the future of real estate— listing buyers and renters and having the property come to them. Real estate bringing.
Naked Apartments turns rental apartment hunt on its futuristic head. Rather than just apartments being listed (for free), tenants are listed. The search comes to them as brokers send them listings and compete for their business.
Here’s the skinny:
- Renters create a free anonymous profile that contains their credit score (tenants get a free credit check).
- Brokers or landlords send them offers, which includes apartment listings, commission rate (if any).
- If the Tenant accepts the offer, tenant agrees to exchange contact information with the broker.
- The parties make arrangements to see the apartment.
Brokers can ask to be rated by tenants.
Here’s the deal for brokers:
You know the most important pieces of information about a renter up front – their credit score, income, and the type of apartment they want. Based on this information, you can determine if a renter fits with a particular apartment before spending any time with them.
If you want to work with a renter, send them an offer, which consists of a proposed commission, up to 4 listings, and their profile. You can distinguish yourself from other brokers by requesting a review from a renter after you work with them. While the first 5 offers are free, you pay $2 to send an offer to a renter after that.
Because the important details about the renters are known beforehand, you’re getting valuable, quality leads. Naked Apartments gives you access to qualified renters, saves time, and gives you the ability to distinguish yourself with renter reviews.
About Naked Apartments:
We were tired of brokers doing the old “bait and switch,” advertising a great no fee apartment in the no-fee section of Craigslist and then telling us the apartment was gone when we called but that they “have a great apartment just like it for a fee.”
We were tired of showing up at apartments and finding that the broker couldn’t locate the key to the apartment after being a half hour late. Most frustrating was that fact that we were expected to pay 15% commissions regardless of the quality of service.
Let’s be clear: we aren’t trying to build a site that cuts the broker out. We think that good brokers should be fairly paid for what they do. After all, good brokers don’t have it great either – a bad rap, a ton of wasted time and no great way to reach worthwhile renters.
Should real estate brokers and agents list their buyers on their websites?
h/t Justin Bradley Farrow (an old blogging friend and fantastic photographer in NYC)
Related Post:
Technorati Tags: real estate search, naked apartments, rentals
