"Brokers are salespeople, so they inherently are looking to close a deal," Glass-Moore says. "If you start to feel artificially pressured by a broker or landlord to move quickly, that's not someone that you should be working with."
Searching for a rental and closing a deal is complicated, time-consuming, and can be emotionally draining, but don't just settle for a place because you're desperate to finish the process.
Of course, some markets move incredibly quickly — such as the New York City market — and making decisions at a fast pace is essential. To keep a level head, but still act quickly, Glass-Moore recommends preparing at much in advance as possible.
Check your credit score — Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and Credit.com all offer scores for free — as some landlords won't even rent to people with a score below 600. Also, make sure you have all of the required documents at hand, such as copies of bank statements, proof of employment, and letters of recommendation from previous landlords. It's also smart to fill out a template rental application.
"Especially if you're in a market where apartments lease up very quickly and there's stiff competition, you need to differentiate yourself by being the most prepared," he says.