Rewards for using apartment search engines

Question

I've noticed that a couple apartment search sites, namely mynewplace.com and rent.com offer rewards ($100 per) for naming them as a referral source to the leasing office. Does this really work? Does the apartment have to pay them a fee for advertising their complex once I note them as the referral site? Also, if this does work, am I allowed to name more than one site as a referral source? Thank you!

Answer 1

It really works! And it's fabulous. But be careful, apartment complexes usually offer pretty sweet deals for new residents. Like-an entire month free. If you take the $100 deal you forfeit the free month. It's one or the other.

I really like www.moveforfree.com, they will literally move your stuff from your old place to a new one. To me, this is move valuable than a free month, because it saves me time,labor and money on a truck.

Here's what I would do : Search through your favorite engine, and if one catches your eye, call and ask what their specials are. Then pick your poison.

And yes, the apartment pays a small "finder's fee" from their advertising budget. You can only list one referral source.