Guests: Kay and Marcel

    Nationality: Germany

    September 4, 2010

Kay and Marcel are Jiaotong University's international students. They contacted HomeStayGlobal one month before their arrival in Shanghai. They had very detailed requirements, but they filled out our application form as quickly as possible, which helped the process speed up. Thanks to the application form, the landlord was able to see the guests' requirements, and quickly agreeded to make a contact with them. On the day of their arrival, they came straight to our office from the hotel, and we drove together to their new home.

From their German letter to Homestayglobal: "Danke HomeStayGlobal!"

Guests: Susanna

    Nationality: Germany

    September 14, 2010

A German high school student Susanna used Homestayglobal to find her a homestay in Shanghai. She was staying in Shanghai for only one month. With us, she successfully found her homestay in the famous French Concession area and a nearby mandarin school.

Guests: Christian

    Nationality: Australia

    November, 2010

Christian is a businessman from Austrailia. He produces red wine, and decided to come to Shanghai to market his company. He contacted us 2 months before his arrival. He was only interested in homestay to learn Chinese faster. However, we encountered several problems with the first host, so we immediately changed to a different family. He established very close bond with the new host family. He teaches the host's daughter English, and the host teaches him Chinese. They even came to our annual weekend activity: Chinese Cultural Club. Now HomeStayGlobal not only have business relationship with the host and the guest, but also formed friendship among them.

Guests: Devin Jackson

    Nationality: NY / US

    November 11,2010

Devin, an intern student from New York, didn't have a place to stay in Shanghai. He was searching for a place and had no luck. Luckily, he found Homestayglobal. In short amount of time, we found several apartments that fit his budget and his location. We showed him every options to make sure his stay was as comfortable as possible. We've noticed that his arrival time to Shanghai is in the late night, so suggested him to book a hotel in advance. He agreed and easily booked even at a special price with our help.

On his first morning of Shanghai, we went to look at apartments together. After Devin made his decision, we helped him move in. Now Davin and his landlord formed a deep friendship, the A'yi (the landlord) even taught him how to wash his clothes by the washing machine and how to cook Chinese food at the weekend.

Devin is one of our special guests and a good friend. This is what he wrote: "When I first arrived in Shanghai, I was extremely lost. I had been searching online for housing for about 2 months. Most of it was unaffordable. Thanks to HomestayGlobal, I was able to secure housing at an affordable rate. Due to my inability to speak fluent Chinese, I would never have found a housing. The staff was extremely friendly and went out of their way to make sure I had a place to stay and they even took me all over Shanghai to make sure I saw all of my options. I can't explain how much I appreciate their help."

Guest: Six French Students

    Nationality: France

    February, 2011

It might be one of the chilliest winters during the past 10 years. Six young French students, 4 boys and 2 girls, who will study six months in Shanghai Normal University , arrived in Shanghai when it was still in the Chinese New Year holidays. They were full of curiosity to this oriental legendary city and wanted to settle down as soon as possible to enjoy new life. They were quite smart as they had contacted some real estate agents before departure. What they need to do was only calling them and arranging visit to the apartments which were provided by the agents.

As agreed, Lea, a girl of this group, who had contact with HSG Team by email, informed their arrival and left a mobile phone number in her mail. A HSG Team member called and confirmed the visiting time with them.

During the following 2 days they visited lots of apts. Though their budget was deduced for some reason sharply, as a professional service provider, HSG Team were still able to provide them with some suitable apartments. As a result, 3 students made a decision and signed a 3 bedroom apartments in a high-level residential area located in Xujiahui. The day was happen to be Valentine's Day, so all the girls and boys took it as a special lucky day.

After seeing this, the other 3 young students entrusted HSG as the only representative for their housing. They hope to live more close to People's Square, the real downtown of Shanghai though it was more difficult. Finally it took them only 1 more day to find a satisfied apartment thanks to the assistance offered by HSG Team.

After their settlement, this group of young men has established friendship and kept contact with HSG. During the later months they have recommended 6 new guests including another group (3 students) to HSG Team.

Why successful ? Our tips:

If you come with some friends, you can find an apartment to be shared with each other in order to control the budget and you can take care of each other as well.

If you're in a group, you may choose one as a main representative communicating with the owner and paying the rent.

Make a plan and early positive action are more important.

Guest: Ilan

    Nationality: France

    March, 2011

Ilan, a kind French boy, as a special friend is well known in HSG Team. Because he got to know HSG by his friend and he kindly recommended friends one by one to HSG after his experience.

Ilan is a University student in Shanghai and he only stay here for 4 months, as we all know, the most owners preffer to rent their apartments to long-term guests, and normally they request minimum 1 year staying period. We worried about his short-term staying. But finally, we found a service apartment owner and persuaded her to accept a fair price and 4 month lease. To let Ilan settle down ASAP, HSG Team even gave up the service charge which the owner part is supposed to pay. On the other hand, Ilan accepted to pay the whole rents when sign the contract (it means he paid 4 months rent together and plus another one month rent as a property deposit) instead of the regular rule - paying 3 months in advance.

As local regulation, when less then 6 months, the internet service is difficult to register and far more expensive than usual, one of the HSG Team members moved her internet to Ilan's apartment for helping him out.

PS: Recently, Ilan called to us that since he has successfully gain an intern job in Shanghai, he will stay here another 6 months. He becomes able to keep his rent as same as before, which once seemed a little expensive but soon become quite fair in a price raising market .

Why successful ? Our tips:

If you could only stay in Shanghai less than 6 months, it would be very difficult. It was reported that about 90% owner only accept 1 year lease.

In case you really need a short-term apartment, you can try some service apartment or hotel apartment, the price would be more expensive but still cheaper than living in a hotel and it looks like your own "Nest" and real home.

It's very useful that if you can accept one – off payment. (Pay the whole rents and deposit one time.)

The last useful trick is: you sign one year no matter how long you will stay but leave the deposit to the owner as compensation if you must leave before the expiry of contract. Be careful, you must think about your budget and whether the loss of deposit is worthy.

Guest: Kelly

    Nationality: Viet Nam

    April, 2011

Kelly, a lovely Vietnam girl who found HSG Team by internet and called directly to request an apartment closing to Jiujiang Rd (People's Square) where her office is located. After confirming the details of her requirement, the HSG called her back in 20 mins and recommended her 2 apartments. Kelly replied at once that she would like to visit them at the same day 2pm. when visiting the 2nd apartment, Kelly made a decision on spot, and she chose the one in a service apartment building, with basic furniture but big space and more quiet.

During the price negotiation, Kelly was smart to tell that she can sign 2 years and willing to pay 1000RMB as an earnest money. The owner likes this cute girl at the first glance and she is more than happy to sign 2 years with Kelly, as a happy ending, she was kindly to reduce a bit rent as the first price was already quite fair on the market.

Now, Kelly has lived there for about 2 months and she takes the member of HSG Team who helped her as one of her best Sisters in Shanghai, they frequently go to gym and have dinner together, sometimes even go to Karaoke together~

Why successful ? Our tips:

It's very important to make sure of the details of your requirement, don't always change your mind. It can help your agent to recommend the proper apartment to you and to avoid wasting time.

Make a decision ASAP, don't hesitate. 1) Good apartments are quickly taken and the info is updated immediately. 2) Owners like quick response.

Pls confirm your visiting time with the agent as earlier as you can. Some owners have to work and some lives very far away, the agent has to male balance between both sides.

Showing your sincerity, such as signing a long-term lease or paying reasonable earnest money shall help you get lower price.

Guest: Ele

    Nationality: Italy

    May, 2011

Ele, an independent lady from Italy, comes to Shanghai for establishing a new branch for her company. She did it efficiently when looking for an apartment. Before contacting HSG Team she had already visited about 20 apartments in 3 days including the very day when she just arrived in Shanghai. But why there no apartment satisfied her though her budget is high enough to find a nice apartment? After showing her 2 nice apartments, HSG Team member can't help asking her about it. She said with a sorry but affirmative smile :"You will know I'm really picky. "

Later, the staff said, "Yes, Ele is really "picky", but in fact she has a kind of serious attitude with special requirement." Since what she was finding is not only a nest for living but also a small decent and efficient office. As most local agents can't communicate with her smoothly because of the language barrier, and as a result both sides were puzzled in the communication.

The 2nd day, we visited an apartment located in a hotel-apartment building in famous Jing'an District and only 10 mins walking distance to Metro station. Ele was satisfied at the first glance with the apartment. "I like it!" she can't help shouting out with a beautiful smile.

To say Ele is a difficult guest, another reason is that she needs invoice. In such a case there's more than 5% rent has to be paid as tax. After careful calculating, her kind host is willing to help her to do so.

Finally, again happy ending! Ele becomes one of our best friends now and we go out for coffee and film and discuss about life as well~

Why successful ? Our tips:

Let your agent know your Special Requirement clearly, sometime, the agent would be puzzled by "guessing game".

Choosing an agency which can supply multi-language service, at least, English service is very important.

Is it really necessary to ask for invoice? It will spend you more money, normally around 5% of the rent. Though some owners say "Yes", they can pay for that, but think twice you will know "like tree, like fruit." BUT, you must ask for a receipt each time you pay the money and do keep it well.

Guest: Kwan

    Nationality: Thailand

    May, 2011

Kwan is our first guest who comes from Thailand. She will study at an internetional fashion design school.

" In fact, I'm not suprised at all when the first time I saw such a tiny-shape girl at the lobby of Pacific Hotel ," said by a HSG team member: "she is already an adult yet always mentioned her "Mama" when we contacted by e-mail in the last 3 months and I thought Kwan might be a tiny and spoilt girl each time I replied to her. But I'm really amazed by her prettiness and likability. And so does her kind mama."

In Kwan's case, it was full of troubles during the process. Such as one of the owners, whose apartment satisfied Kwan, couldn't get to Shanghai during those days and therefore we were not able to insure if we can get enough certifications for register within 3 days in order to avoid being punished the local police station. We finally had to gave up this apartment. Then, the HSG team found another apartment that was very close to her school and everything was great except that it was too big to Kwan……

Finally, all of us fell in love with an apartment located in downtown with a really quiet, nice and safe living environment. And Kwan can easily take Metro to her school after 4 stations.

Because our service, Kwan's mama said to HSG Team member that she would be reassured since she knows that Kwan has a friend in Shanghai. Indeed, we also like this lovely girl.

PS: Kwan is a very careful girl, she even printed some of important e-mails ( including our suggestion, charge level and a local map etc.) before her arrival.

Why successful ? Our tips:

Before you making a final decision, pls make sure that everything is ok. Such as registration in police station. 90% owner only accept 1 year lease.

For girls, pls keep safety in your mind, though Shanghai is safe town.

Take care the key points which you once discussed with your agent, make a note or print it if necessary.

If you have some relatives or friends in Shanghai, you can discuss with them.

Guest: Pilar & Erene

    Nationality: Mexico & Italy

    May, 2011

"When you know them, you will like this pair of sisters as me. "—HSG Team Member

Pilar and Erene said they knew each other for many years. From the University time they lived and travelled together and now they come to Shanghai for a new "exploration."

Of course, before that they need a nest. They called HSG Team after searching online. They told us a high level budget. Considering they're just graduated students, we recommended 3 apartments with reasonable prices, including one nice apartment on 5th floor without elevator. As they know each other for long time it's very easy for them to make a common decision. They are young and full of energy, and their principle is that joy is most important, at last they chosed the one without elevator. Smart, and brave as well.

By the way, Pilar and Erene have found an intern job in Shanghai now. Maybe someday you will happen to see them walking on street talking and laughing. Moreover, there's an episode, they don't know both sides (including the owner and guest) must pay the service charge, and they thought that only the owner side must pay it. After they understood that they too have to pay service charge, they hoped to pay by credit card. It is solved of course in the end but in this market we only accept cash and bank-transfer, so please remember this regulation when you pay the rent.

Why successful ? Our tips:

If you have lots of requirements, list them by importance and then you will know which is not so necessary that you can neglect it.

As we all know, we believe cash in China and credit cards are not always useful.

Sharing with friends which you can easily make a common decision.