A long time ago I knew someone who's parents found them an excellent apartment at a great price in Boston. Great neighborhood, 2BR, nicely kept, off-street parking, you name it. Few years later they had to move since the owner was selling the place, and went on an apartment search by themselves (using an agency). Could not find anything anywhere near nice at that price point, and settled on something a lot more expensive.
I decided that their parents must have tipped/bribed the original agent to get at that listing (since none of these ever made it to any search site, not that there were many at that time).
I don’t know the story of course, but apartments are one of the largest profit growth centers for capital firms; most metros have experienced >50% rent growth in the past decade[0], for instance. Chances are a renter will never see a rent decrease unless they downgrade in a key area (specs, amenities, location) or are moving in very short intervals.
I decided that their parents must have tipped/bribed the original agent to get at that listing (since none of these ever made it to any search site, not that there were many at that time).