Just two months ago, one of the neighbouring units (number 9) here in Shelley Gardens was rented for $300 per week. It has 3 bedrooms and a garage, they’re all only about 6-7 years old, so fairly modern and comfy. Good size rooms etc. Not much different than ours here at number 6!

Now, number 10 is on the rent market too: but with no garage and one less bedroom. Asking price? $330 per week — nowhere near the same value as its direct neighbour at $300 per week. I haven’t compared the insides, or the backyard areas, but I don’t think it warrants such a price difference. From the pictures we’ve seen of both places, nothing strikes as that much different.

It doesn’t seem to have been tenanted yet, and was actually for sale at one stage, but the sale was withdrawn. It’ll be a disappointed tenant who paid more, but got only 2 bedrooms instead of 3, and no garage!

That’s where Google/research/internet comes into play. If you know your market, and keep an eye on research for some time in your area of interest, you’re less likely to get a poor deal like Unit 10 Shelley Gardens, and you’ll be in a much better position to bargain.