#renting in 1997 vs 2025

1997
We rock up to the local #realestate agent in a beat up Corolla. They hand us a clipboard with a printed page of all the houses available and a short description. They hand us the keys for all of the houses. We go inspect all of them, by ourselves, and when we hand the keys back we sign a contract for one of them. Sharehouse portion is $65/week. Happy days!

2025
Jesus. I don’t know. There’s apps you have to download. Inspections have to be scheduled. They are always at stupid times like 2pm Wednesday afternoon. The agent is a smug prick. You are rushed around the apartment with 30 other prospective tenants. It’s advertised at $650/week but you overhear another couple saying they are going to offer $690. Rent bidding is still illegal btw. If you want to apply, it’s too late. You should’ve pre-applied last week through this third party platform that charges extra for ID verification and you have to provide your bank details and three personal references and a whole summary paragraph of why you deserve a roof over your head. Ugh. #RantOver