Yes, Renters Do Understand That ApartmentRatings.com Is Generally Negative

This is an actual post on Reddit about an apartment community:

"About to sign a lease with this Houston apartment complex........

Waterford on Westheimer. Just wondering if anyone has any nightmare stories? They've only been around for one year, but the complex is beautiful, rent is good, garage included, VERY close to my new job.

I have already google'd and have seen the 2-3 bad reviews, but I am not worried about them. The place is too new to elicit all the good reviews. You know the pissed off people are always the loudest.”

And here is one of the responses:

“Did you get the reviews from apartmentratings.com? I usually used that site, but like you said, the negatives tend to overpower to the positive reviews.”

Here is the entire conversation: www.reddit.com/r/houston/comments/e7mc6/...s_houston_apartment/

Hat tip Scottcmu

Someone told me this the other day, and I was happy to hear it. As a logical person, I know that the complainers are the loudest, but I know people look for reviews online now more than ever! I know I do when purchasing an appliance or a car.

Plus, I'm totally annoyed with apartmentratings.com for not promptly or completely fixing a posting issue I had and for not updating the information I gave them, even though they promised me they would. I almost think they are sort of a scam for the apartment managers, as they don't deliver what they promised and basically ignore us (the apartment industry side). Of course I'm used to vendors that cater to me like the publications and service providers. I'm spoiled that way.

As an investor I also like to check out the online reviews before making an offer. I generally not ice the reviews I find to be very negative regardless of how the apartment looks. I usually try to find anything that may be mentioned a number of times like parking issues, safety issues, etc.