My real estate agent is charging me 1500 dollars?

When using a broker 1 months rent as usually the standard fee.This guy seems to be doing a lot more for you---kinda like a manager which is outside the normal duties of brokering an apartment....If no contract is in place you are free to haggle with him--otherwise -pay his fee-and be thankful he is handling the situation...You are out of state and in no position to try to find someone else at this point.