When I moved to Lisbon I massively underestimated how fast rentals go. I lost two flats because I didn't have paperwork ready to sign on the spot. Is it this intense everywhere, and how do you get ahead of it?
Had every document ready as a pre-made packet before viewings even started. Made the actual difference on two applications where speed mattered more than anything else.
Lost three flats before I learned this lesson, painfully relatable.
Went through an agent specifically for speed, even though it cost a fee. Worth it in a market moving this fast.
Mild disagreement — agents didn’t actually help me, direct landlord contact was faster in my specific city. Seems to vary a lot by market, worth testing both.
Following, market here is apparently just as brutal.
OP here — the paperwork-ready tip seems to be the common thread in this whole discussion, wish I’d known before losing those first two flats.