Apartment in Berlin

[ItsMe]

Hello,

on page 237 of the Book Tim writes

Enormous apartment in the trendy SoHo-like Prenzlauerberg district of Berlin, including phone and energy $300 U.S. per month

I am German and have been in Berlin some time. I have never seen a furnished apartment of average size for less than 750 Euro. Which is $1000 U.S. and without phone and energy.

For the mentioned 300 US$, which is about 240 Euros including energy, you might get a single room (120 sq ft.) in a shared flat in the worst suburbs.

This calculation really frustated me, because now I dont know if I can beliebe anything Tim wrote.

Can you tell me, where I can find an enormous apartment for $300 U.S in Berlin? Thanks in advance.

[JSimpson]

Agreed I only spent a month or so on a study abroad in Dusseldorf, but my travels and the costs there don't lead me to believe that the figure Tim quoted is feasable.

Did Tim possibly travel through there 10-15 years ago? It could have been possible maybe, but I've also done some checking for Chile and find the prices to be over what he quoted as well.

[captaink]

Yes, very old numbers.
But then, that is subject to change everywhere. Rates in Berlin have been going
uphill since it became the capital, anyway.

::captaink::

[Batman]

Originally Posted by JSimpson

Agreed I only spent a month or so on a study abroad in Dusseldorf, but my travels and the costs there don't lead me to believe that the figure Tim quoted is feasable.

Did Tim possibly travel through there 10-15 years ago? It could have been possible maybe, but I've also done some checking for Chile and find the prices to be over what he quoted as well.

Perhaps Tim didn't settle with the retail price - maybe he negotiated those rates?

I have a friend of mine that gets great deals by ngotiating for things all the time

7 out of 10 times when there is space available he gets upgraded from coach to first class on flights for passing the attendant $20

I am fairly certain he isn't just calling someone and accepting the price

[Marcie]

He just posted an answer to this question in the current comments of his blog, FYI:

Hi Conrad,

The apartment I rented was on Schonhauser Allee, right above the Thai restaurant on the corner, about 3 blocks from Eberswalder (spelling?) Strasse station. It’s a great area.

The key? I negotiated well. It started off at around 750 Euros and then I got it down to 300 for the space and an additional 25 or so for energy. I used a separate unlocked cell phone for calling friends, etc. To find it, I used the Zitty and Bild weekly magazines in Berlin.

I hope that helps! Learning and practicing creative dealmaking is key for getting the most from the least. It’s not that hard — it just takes a few dress rehearsals on smaller things to then tackle homes, rentals, cars, flights… the whole lot.

Cheers!

Tim

[Batman]

Originally Posted by Marcie

He just posted an answer to this question in the current comments of his blog, FYI:

Hi Conrad,

The apartment I rented was on Schonhauser Allee, right above the Thai restaurant on the corner, about 3 blocks from Eberswalder (spelling?) Strasse station. It’s a great area.

The key? I negotiated well. It started off at around 750 Euros and then I got it down to 300 for the space and an additional 25 or so for energy. I used a separate unlocked cell phone for calling friends, etc. To find it, I used the Zitty and Bild weekly magazines in Berlin.

I hope that helps! Learning and practicing creative dealmaking is key for getting the most from the least. It’s not that hard — it just takes a few dress rehearsals on smaller things to then tackle homes, rentals, cars, flights… the whole lot.

Cheers!

Tim

Ok I am feeling pretty darn cocky right now

[Vagabond]

Still seems a little weird because it doesnt really have anything to do with negotiation tactics or skill. If the going rate is $750 per month then i dont care how good of a negotiator you are what incentive does the renter have to give it to you for 40% of the price? Just doesnt seem realistic.

That being said, hasnt apt prices in Berlin increased quite a bit in the last 3-5yrs.. maybe this was a little ways back.. but then again he did say the going rate was $750 so idk

[Marcie]

The renter will be getting 0 if it's not rented, so I guess the incentive is to get something instead of nothing!

[Batman]

Originally Posted by Marcie

The renter will be getting 0 if it's not rented, so I guess the incentive is to get something instead of nothing!

Like priceline without the rentor having to pay a commission

[Vagabond]

Originally Posted by Marcie

The renter will be getting 0 if it's not rented, so I guess the incentive is to get something instead of nothing!

I feel like that strategy is only applicable to things like flights and cruises because once the cruises/flights leave then theyre getting 0. But taking 60% off rent is unheard of, of course this could be skewed since i'm from new york which has some of the most expensive and in-demand real estate in the country. id love to see time pull that here