saff

having real issues trying to find a property

There are three of us, all professionals, aged 23 - 30, but so far all the estate agents are lying, incompetant and rude.

one has just told me 'I've another call coming through' before hanging up on me, another took our deposit, forgot to put our application in and another did the same and then the owner ''chose someone else'' and they didn't return the deposit for 2 weeks (went about 8 days before even telling us!)

getting tired of trying now, out of 8 agencies, only one had friendly, seemingly competant, and helpful staff!

anyone else had problems trying to find a place?? not happy with the treatment so far, but aus has been otherwise perfect.. I guess estate agents are ****s wherever you go!

deb68

Debs hubby:

I am in no way defending anyone here but at the minute i suppose it's a busy period for the agents trying to get best deals for owners, and tenants in. We had issues at start of our adventure here. But like most things they pan out and all becomes good in the end.
Three 'pros' like your selves and you sound all deflated already, come on guys chins up and have a go

saff

Ah I suppose you're right Mr debs! Just a bit of a pain as I'm kipping on a sofa bed After giving up my room (long story) in an apartment that work provided for two weeks!

Think it's just a shock to the system compared to the UK where they bend over backwards to get you in! The whole holding open days at 2pm makes it hard! Can't realistically take any more time out so would happily settle for a garden shed!

stephenjames

Just a thought. Have you tried Gum Tree for accomodation/ rental etc. There is loads on there.

Weebie

There is a lot of money in Perth (well AUstralia in General) If your not going for a place where the rental is high I can easily see why the estate agent probably doesn't give a shit.

saff

Rental is reasonably high at 900 a week, but there seems to be so much demand they just don't care..

Tried gumtree thanks mate it's great for 1 bedders but seems a nightmare with 3, people get bombarded with calls so get an agent in!

HelenTD

saff, which suburbs are you looking to rent in?

saff

Not too picky Helen, looking mainly around Scarborough, Cotteslow and Freo, not too picky if there's nothing available that said!

HelenTD

I searched on www.realestate.com.au for Scarborough, Cottesloe, Fremantle and Mosman Park, left tick there for surrounding suburbs. I put in 3 bedrooms and maximum rent of $600 pw and it found 180 places. If you take off surrounding suburbs, it comes up with 103 properties. Some of these results are for properties just leased, some say that there are no more viewings as there are applications pending. Quite a lot are new listings and new ones would appear every day. A lot seem to have weekend viewings, and also lots with "contact the agent" to set up appointments for viewings.

Have a look through and note down the real estate agents who seem to have a lot of properties in the suburbs you are interested in, and call them directly, or visit their offices and introduce yourselves, and pick up any hard copy listings they have. Two agents we have dealt with who seem very decent are Caporn Young (just listed 3x2 in Scarborough $550) and Nexus/Acton Coastal, the North Beach office (Acton have a 3 bed house listed at North Beach for $700). Acton do have other offices, BTW. I have heard negative things about Ockerby and O'Rourke, but others may have had more positive experiences.

There have been a few threads on here giving great tips for successfully renting your first property in WA. A few landlords might be nervous about 3 young people sharing a house, so try to promote a professional image when going to viewings. Do you have references ready and every other piece of paperwork to help you with your applications? Applications require all sorts of details, but basically they want maximum assurance that you can pay the rent, that you won't damage the property and that you won't create problems for the neighbours.