Finding your next apartment doesn’t have to be stressful, as long as you plan ahead. You should know your budget and desired features or amenities by the time you start viewing properties. It’s important to be realistic about your budget and what you can afford. While you may want a large place with tons of space, your budget may have room for a one-bedroom. Prioritizing your needs before house hunting will help you find the perfect place to live that meets all of your requirements. Here are a few tips for finding your next apartment.
- Define Your Budget
To begin your search for an apartment, you must first determine your monthly rent budget. Many landlords require tenants to earn a certain amount, such as 3x the monthly rate per month, to ensure they can make rent payments. You should also take into account your own budget.
Consider your monthly expenses as well, to make sure you don’t fall behind on bills or debts. Even if you earn at least three times the monthly rent, you may still not be able to afford an apartment based on your other expenses. Therefore, it’s a good idea to check your finances to see how much you can realistically afford to spend on rent.
- Do Your Research
You can begin your apartment search online by filtering listings based on your criteria and budget. You can use various sites or a Google search to find apartments where you want to live and browse their websites and reviews. When researching different apartment complexes, check for the amenities and other features you want in a home. For example, confirm that the apartment allows pets if you have a dog or cat before submitting an application fee. You can also look at parking costs, laundry facilities, and stores nearby to make sure it’s in a good location and can give you everything you need. If you have plants or canvas prints on your walls, you’ll probably want to look for a spot with lots of windows and natural light.
- Reach Out
If you’re interested in learning more about an apartment, contact the owner or management company. Before deciding whether or not to schedule a tour, inquire about floor plans, prices, utility costs, and any other questions you may have. Many listings make it easy to get in touch by giving out phone numbers and email addresses.
- Narrow Your Options
It’s in your best interest to educate yourself as much as possible on the various housing options available to you in your area. Tours can be time-consuming, so it’s best to narrow your search before you begin scheduling. You might not have weeks to spend going on property viewings so scheduling a few tours in a day can be helpful.
- View Options in Person
Always view your potential apartment in person before signing a lease so you understand exactly where you’ll be living. Rental scams frequently use a bait-and-switch tactic luring prospective tenants in by telling them about a home online and then telling them it’s unavailable when they decide to apply for it, leaving them with few options or stuck with an apartment that has problems. Sometimes online photos don’t paint the whole picture of an apartment. Many landlords stage apartments and can hide issues in photos, so you’ll want to see everything for yourself.
When you tour apartments, don’t be afraid to look closely at potential problem areas. For example, always check the ceilings for signs of leaks and ask questions about any issues you see. Viewing apartments in person also gives you access to someone who can answer all of your remaining questions about the apartment or the community, facilities including concerns about parking, what’s included in rent, income requirements.
- Read Reviews
If you are having trouble deciding which apartment to apply for, reading reviews can be an excellent resource for narrowing down your choices. If you’re still interested in the area after seeing the apartments in person, read some reviews to see what others think. No matter how lovely the apartment is, you should still find out as much as possible about the building’s management or landlord. If, for example, current residents of one community complain that maintenance issues go unresolved for months on end while residents of another community rave about it, you can rule out the former community.
- Apply
Once you find an apartment you like, you can start the application process. Most landlords and management companies require a fee, so it’s best to only apply to a few apartments at a time if you’re on a budget. Some communities may post their applications online, but you can contact the manager and have one emailed if they don’t.
- Read Your Lease
You may be so excited about moving into your new home on lease signing day that you fail to read the entire contract. Unfortunately, this can leave you in hot water if something goes wrong with your apartment. While all of your questions about the apartment and the community should have been answered, the lease may have a policy that surprises you. For example, if you inquire about pets, they may have told you they allow pets, but the lease may discuss limitations on the type and size of pets allowed.
Happy apartment hunting! When touring potential homes, always use your best judgment and be aware of the various costs associated with renting, such as utilities, trash pickup, and pet fees.
