Category: housing

Seller: Hi there!  Are you interested in the apartment?
Buyer: I've been looking at it. Why did the last tennant leave?
Seller: The last tenant left because they bought a home of their own.  We are actually running a special today.  You can secure the apartment for the discounted price of $1800 if you sign the lease today.  Are you interested?
Buyer: I am interested, but that price is too much for my family. We have budgeted for $1000 monthy rent. We can pay our deposit today if that monthly price will work for you.
Seller: We cannot afford to rent for $1000.  What is the absolute highest rent you can afford?  If you cannot afford more, then we cannot rent to you.  
Buyer: We really like the home, and would hate to lose out on this offer. If you can include water and electric I can pay a total of $1500. The extra $500 will more than cover what we use, and would allow us to rework our budget to afford the higher rent.
Seller: I wish I could agree to that.  How about if I waive your security deposit and have you sign a 3-year lease.  This way you go into the rental with a bit of extra cash to allow you to reorganize your budget.  I can lower the rent to $1750 if you are willing to do this.  Water is included, but not electric at this price.  Deal?
Buyer: That is much appreciated. We can almost fit that into our budget. If you can take an extra $50 off, bringing the total to $1700 per month, we have a deal.
Seller: Deal!