[sea_otter]

Is there any good agent out there that you guys recommend? I've been dealing with Midland and Centaline but ain't 100% happy with them. Thanks

[KnowItAll]

What are you not happy about? Are you 60% happy or 90% happy?

Also, whats your budget? We work with a couple.. but they tend to operate in the $30K+ range and also not knowing what you're unhappy about prevents me from recommending them.

[stanleystanley]

Everytime I walk in an estate agent, I prefer to talk with the female for renting and the male for selling or buying. I seldom talk with the thin one and those who look very smart. Why? Just a habit.

[saltwater]

Whereabouts have you been looking? I have a good agent that works around Robinson Road if you're interested?

[larac]

Jamie at LJ Hooker on Caine Road was good. I met her because she sits right by the door. All the apartments she showed me would have been ok, they were close to my location, facilities and budget criteria and were of a style that would work for an expat. We didn't end up using her because I had several agents working for me at once and ended up with an agent exclusive to a building we liked but if we moved I would go to her - some of the others showed me all sorts of stuff that was nothing like what I wanted but she had a good understanding of what I was asking for and her English was pretty good which certainly helped.

[sea_otter]

Thanks for the info guys. I wasn't entirely happy with them because I don't think they are working on my best interests. I have been dealing with 3 of them (one male, two female) and they are reluctant to negotiate the rent. They want me to stay close to the asking price, i.e. no more than HKD1,000 down, to earn more commission.

I'm looking around Happy Valley area.

[HVHongKong]

Are you still looking at Happy Valley? How big a place are you looking for? What's your budget? I have a studio for rent, ideal for two people at Happy Valley, we may be able to save some agency fee if you are interested. Let me know if you're still looking, and I can arrange for viewing of the studio.

[sea_otter]

We are looking for a min of 2 bedrooms though and don't want studios.
thanks HVHongKong!

[wongsg2005]

Hi sea_otter,

If you wish to save agency fees, maybe you could read some of the ads put up by owners in GeoExpat Classifieds. Recently, I put up 2 ads, both are for 2-room apartments in 2 distinctly different locations and environment, viz. Kornhill (588 s.ft) and Park Island (710 s.ft. plus balcony), but both are reasonably close to Central. It is interesting to take a look, at least to familiarize yourself with Hong Kong. However, they are only available by end Jan / early Feb.