Common myths about finding a house

Some of these are harmless. Some cost people money every month.

'The best houses are never advertised'

Partly true historically, increasingly not. Landlords advertise because empty weeks cost them money. What is true is that the best houses go fast, so the advantage belongs to whoever is looking regularly, not whoever knows someone.

'Agents always have the best options'

Agents have the options they hold. That is a slice of the market, not the market.

'You must pay a viewing fee'

No. This is not a normal cost in Bamenda and is one of the clearest signs of a scam.

'Rent is fixed and cannot be negotiated'

Rent is often firm; the advance frequently is not. Negotiate the advance.

'A higher rent means a better house'

It means a better position or a better finish, quite often. It says nothing about water, which is what you will actually care about.

'You need a lot of money to move'

You need the advance, which is why we say start there. But the advance is negotiable and varies enormously between comparable houses.

'It is cheaper to rent far from town'

The rent is lower. Add daily transport for a year and the total is often higher. Do the arithmetic before deciding.

'Everything is taken already'

Houses become available continuously, all year. What varies is how many people are looking at the same time.