Retainer Fee

FAQ:
Q:  Why do you charge a Refundable, Upfront Retainer Fee?
A:  Purpose:  
  • We are a full service Real Estate Brokerage company, based primarily in Georgia, but also licensed in FL, NY, SC, TN, so you can rest assured that you will be working with an honest, professional company that has your best interest at heart.  You can find Elegance Realty on the Georgia Real Estate Commission website.
  • We dislike charging a fee, however, we need a commitment and security that clients are working exclusively with our firm.  A lot of time and expenses are invested by our Agents in assisting Tenants with locating rental properties.  Therefore, in order to ensure that clients are serious, qualified, and working exclusively with our firm, our policy requires that all clients sign an Exclusive Tenant Brokerage Agreement, and pay a Refundable $100 Retainer Fee. 
  • Advance payments helps us sift the serious clients from those who are dishonest, who double dip with other agents (who can also be dishonest), clients who are time-wasters, or those who use agents as a freebie service, to run around like a free taxi or research company and who will never buy or lease. 
  • ​​We have access to two (2) Multiple Listing Services (MLS), a list of all the real estate Property Management companies in the Atlanta Metro, and their qualification criteria, viewing & application processes. We check to make sure that each property is available prior to scheduling a tour. We can make your search much faster and more streamlined, to assist in getting you approved quickly, if you qualify. Unfortunately, because of our past efforts in freely providing such ample information, resources, and time, some clients have unfortunately taken advantage of, or used, our Agents, wasted their time, then disappeared, or even leased without notifying the property managers that we had been assisting them, leaving us out of any commission.
  • Do you know that some Agents who do not use MLS have their clients call those of us who do, for listings?  They have us do all the work, the research, and even the viewings because they don't have the tools of the trade.
  • Brokerage agreements are, unfortunately, not enough.  When we charge the advance fee, that removes the element of doubt, and it separates the serious clients from the others, and therefore, we as a brokerage firm feel confident in providing valuable information, time, and efforts in assisting them.
  • Tenant Representation: Read our Rental Services

Reviews from Past Clients:
Refunds:
Please be assured, we do not want to keep your money. We are typically paid by the landlord's representative.  Your fee will be refunded as soon as you lease through Elegance Realty, move into the home, and upon receipt of the commission from the Landlord, Landlord's Representative/Agent, or Property Management Company. {This is clearly specified in the Brokerage Agreement}.
 
In order to receive a refund, it is VERY important that you:
  • are aware that Elegance Realty is entitled to commission, even if you find a property on your own (per the terms of the Exclusive Brokerage Agreement), and
  • notify us of any rentals for which you intend to apply, and
  • notify all parties you encounter that you are under contract with Elegance Realty.
 
Non-Refundable:
Many clients have wasted our time for reasons listed below.  Retainer Fee is NON-Refundable under any circumstances other than those listed above.  If we are not compensated by the landlord's representative due to failure of client to protect our commission for the following reasons, and any others not listed below, the fee is non-refundable:
  • Tenant changes his/her mind about moving, and/or decides to remain at current residence, or move in with relatives or friends.
  • Tenant decides not to relocate to Atlanta metro, for any reason.
  • Tenant applies and is disqualified, not approved, or denied for any reason, not limited to:  insufficient income, poor credit, past evictions, bankruptcy, collections, judgments, felonies, and/or failure to submit all required supporting documents.
  • Tenant decides to work with, or signs a lease through, a private owner, another Real Estate Broker or Agent, or Property Manager who is unwilling to compensate Elegance Realty.
  • Tenant finds a property on his/her own, through a coworker, friend, family member, stranger, Craigslist, or other source.
  • Tenant leases an Apartment without placing Broker's name and company name on Guest Card and Application, and/or Apartment Complex refuses to pay Elegance Realty a Locator Fee.
  • Tenant has been provided lists of properties but chooses not to apply for any.

SAFE/SECURE PAYMENT:
STEP 3:  Upfront Retainer Fee:  $100
(Refundable, with exceptions listed above & on Brokerage Agreement.)  ​​fel
  1. Have you signed a Brokerage Agreement?
  2. Remit $100 Retainer Fee via PayPal. 
​
Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.​

Feel free to email or call our office at 678-757-5364 during business hours.

Continue to Steps 2 & 3 of Becoming a Client.

We look forward to helping you find your next dream home!

Warmest Regards,
Kemi Salako​
​GA/FL/NY/SC/TN Broker
Elegance Realty, LLC
678-757-5364
atlantatenants.com

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