Time and again, ever since my association with Grabhouse, I have been asked the question “Why Grabhouse?” My reply to them is always “Why not?”
About a year ago I started the broker-free group on Facebook called Flats and Flatmates (Mumbai) out of frustration. In my line of work, I have come across various rental deals gone wrong only because of the presence of a broker. Lies, deceit, lethargy, overpriced deals are some of the highlights of the laboured interaction with brokers but what really pinches is to have to pay the exorbitant brokerage fees over and above the high rentals that we are required to shell out to live in a mega-mad city like Bombay. I had no inkling that the group would soon attract a huge number of member requests and within a year it would turn into a 7000+ strong group!
During this course, I discovered and met like-minded people who were, in their own way, helping the seekers find accommodation or tenants without the involvement of brokers. Along came many proposals to collaborate, to generate revenue, to monetize the group, to buy out the group, etc. but none of them appealed to me. So when Prateek Shukla, the founder of www.grabhouse.com, asked me for a meeting in July 2013 I agreed to it with a what – the – heck attitude not expecting that this meeting would lead to a long-term association.
What struck me foremost were the sincerity and the intensity of the young entrepreneur not to mention his humble and down-to-earth approach. Even though I gathered that the lad was highly qualified and that his startup had received the backing of well-known investors what impressed me more were the different hats of compassionate nature that he had donned. So here was someone for whom money wasn’t everything – an entrepreneur with a heart. It was then that I decided that I would like to associate with this startup that was taking full and honest efforts in helping people meet their requirements in the rental property space. When Prateek explained to me what he had conceptualized for his site, it was as if it was being designed as per my orders! J He had everything – an easy and appealing website, ratings of the property, verifications, mobile app, phone assistance, etc. over and above the unique flyer ads of people looking for or offering accommodation that can be posted directly on Facebook. It was then that I decided to partner exclusively with Grabhouse.
Today, I am glad I took the decision as with the help of this association, I am not only able to offer to my group members a variety of property and tenant options but I can ensure quick attention to the requirements as well.
I invite all the Rodinhooders to try out the site. Some of you must be seekers too. Your valuable feedback would help us improve the service.
Snehal Agrawal Sharma
FB group Flats and Flatmates (Mumbai)
Creator & Admin