Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Another option is to keep your eye on postings on Yahoo group Beijing Café, or even
post your own request there. Postings here are word-of-mouth, so it's most likely it will be
a happy tenant leaving a good experience and wanting to help their landlord find a replace-
ment.
Finally, there are usually real estate agent offices located close to every housing commu-
nity. If you've found an area and a compound that you like, chances are there is an office on
the block that covers that property. English is unlikely to be a strength in these offices. If the
complex has a property management office, you might also want to go in and ask directly if
they know of anything going. If you're lucky you can bypass the agent altogether and deal
directly with the landlord.
Now that you're armed with some clear requirements, it's time to meet the real estate agents
or deal directly with a landlord. Again, if you're going to be working with an internation-
al company, then things should be straightforward. At times some people worry that their
agent has a biased relationship toward certain properties, and absolutely, this can be true.
Some housing companies may “encourage” realtors to push their properties, especially dur-
ing low seasons. An agent having good
gu
ā
nxi
(relationships) with certain complexes isn't
always a bad thing, however, and at times it can work in your favor. Agents with the best
gu
ā
nxi
are likely to be the first to hear about new properties on the market. If you believe
your agent hasn't done a wide enough search for you, ask them to look farther afield, and if
they resist and give excuses, then simply find another one.
You need to be a little more savvy with local agents, and it's wise to use several agents
in the same area rather than just one, as they often cover the same properties but quote dif-
ferent prices. Make sure you give them your list of specifications up front, and make it clear
you do not want to look at anything that doesn't fit that criteria. Agents have been known
to take people to several terrible apartments first and then finally to one that by comparison
looks amazing. If you're dealing with them over the Internet, be clear that they need to send
you genuine photos only.
While local real estate agents will do almost anything to suck you in, it's worth remem-
bering that they are on your side, in the end. They do need your business, so when it comes
to negotiating with a stubborn landlord, they can in fact be your friend. The inflated prices
don't always come from them but rather the hungry landlords.
Unless you're dealing directly with a landlord, it's also possible that a finder's fee may
arise. In Beijing this is typically equal to one month's rent. Though not a rule, in practice
