By Cameron Miller (@CLT.TheCameronMiller on Instagram) on July 30, 2025

If you’re moving to Charlotte and feeling overwhelmed by all the apartment options, you may come across something called an apartment locator. These services can seem like a dream — someone offers to help you find a place for FREE? But before you start working with one, there are a few important things to understand.

What Is an Apartment Locator?

An apartment locator is essentially a referral-based agent who helps renters find apartments that match their budget, move-in date, and lifestyle. Once you lease a unit, the locator gets paid a commission from the apartment complex for sending you their way.

This means you, the renter, don’t pay anything out of pocket. That’s a huge benefit, especially if you’re moving from out of state or don’t have time to tour a dozen places on your own. Most locators will send you a list of options, set up tours, and even help you compare floor plans or navigate different parts of the city.

Here’s What Most People Don’t Realize…

While apartment locating services are free, they’re not totally unbiased. Locators only show you apartments that are currently offering commissions — which means there could be dozens of great places that never make it onto your list simply because they aren’t paying the locator.

This doesn’t mean the locator is doing anything shady — that’s just how the business model works. Think of it like a recruiter who only places candidates at companies that pay them. They're still helping you, but the pool is limited.

If you want the full picture of the Charlotte apartment market, it’s important to supplement what your locator sends you with your own research, or work with someone who’s being transparent about how they operate.

Be Careful With “Net Effective Rent”

Another thing to watch out for is how rent is advertised. Many locators and apartment websites promote what’s called Net Effective Rent, which averages the total lease cost over your lease term after specials are applied. For example, let’s say a studio is priced at $1,400/month, but they’re offering 2 months free on a 14-month lease. Some locators will advertise that unit as $1,200/month, because that’s the average rent when the discount is factored in.

While that number looks more affordable, your actual monthly rent is still $1,400, not $1,200 — and that’s what you’ll be paying every month after those free months are used up. At Charlotte Apartments, we always list the true base rent so there are no surprises. We want you to know exactly what to expect on your lease and monthly payments from day one.

What Makes Charlotte Apartments on TikTok and Instagram Different?

That’s exactly why we started Charlotte Apartments — a social media-based apartment marketplace designed to flip the script on how apartment locating works.

On our TikTok and Instagram pages, we give out the names of the apartments we feature. No gatekeeping. No vague “one-bedroom in South End” listings. We believe you should know exactly what you're looking at, and where it is.

Not only do we show full walkthroughs of available units and amenities, but we also include nearby restaurants, light rail stops, and neighborhood vibes to help you decide if the area fits your lifestyle. It’s not just about rent — it’s about what it feels like to live there.

We partner with select apartments who want help reaching new renters online and we make sure to clearly label and showcase those communities. 

So, Should You Use a Locator?

If you’re short on time, new to the city, or just don’t know where to start, working with a locator can be a great option. Just make sure you understand how they get paid and what that means for the apartment options you're seeing. See our preferred locators below and sign up to get started!

And while you're apartment hunting, follow Charlotte Apartments on TikTok and Instagram to see apartments for yourself before you even tour. We’re making it easier — and more transparent — than ever to find your next place in Charlotte.

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Check out more posts like this on The Ultimate Moving Guide For Charlotte, North Carolina