Frequently asked questions

Yes — 100% free, every time. Apartment communities pay a referral fee when a renter I've worked with moves in, which is how the service is funded. You never pay a fee, and your rent isn't marked up because you used a locator.

Apartment communities budget for marketing and leasing costs, and part of that budget goes toward locator referral fees — the same way a hotel pays a travel agent. It costs the property far less than traditional advertising, so everybody wins.

The only form we require is the IABS (Information About Brokerage Services), which is a standard TREC form that explains the different types of real estate license holder relationships and the duties an agent owes you as a client. It's not a contract or commitment of any kind, just a required disclosure so you understand how we work together. Since our service is completely free to renters, there's nothing else to sign.

Yes, Emily is a Realtor® and licensed Sales Agent with Apex One Realty Group.

You tell me your budget, timeline, and must-haves through the contact form (or a quick call). I put together a shortlist of properties that genuinely fit, help you schedule tours, and stay in your corner through application and lease signing.

Emily will reach out to you within 24 hours of your inquiry to gather your apartment wish list.

We recommend starting your search around 10 weeks before your move-in date. By that point, properties typically start showing availability that lines up with your timeline, so we can give you an accurate picture of what's actually open rather than guessing.

When you tour or apply, just list Emily Shumpert and Apex One Realty Group as your locator on the property's guest card, and again on your rental application wherever it asks for a referral source or apartment locator. This is what ensures the property credits her for the referral, so it's an easy step but an important one not to skip.

• Income at least 3 times the monthly rent (most properties will ask for pay stubs, bank statements, or tax returns to verify this)
• Credit score of 600 or higher
• No outstanding rental debt
• No prior evictions or broken leases on your rental history
• No misdemeanors or felonies on your record

Yes — I regularly help with relocations and corporate housing needs. Let me know your timeline and I'll find properties that offer the flexibility you need. Please note we don't work with short-term leases.

I keep a running list of current move-in specials, waived fees, and deposit alternatives across my partner communities, and factor those into your matches automatically.

This is one of the most common situations I help with. I can set up virtual tours, walk you through neighborhoods over video call, and coordinate move-in logistics so you don't need to visit in person before signing.

As licensed real estate professionals, we're not permitted to answer questions about safety or any related demographic factors due to fair housing laws. We encourage our clients to do their own research about the areas and complexes they're considering.

That said, once we know what you're looking for in your apartment search, we can absolutely help point you toward complexes and neighborhoods that fit what matters most to you.

Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and the greater Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, including most surrounding suburbs.

Reach out anyway. If it's near one of my core metros I can often still help, or point you to a trusted locator who covers your area.