For every brand-new apartment dweller and those who have been there, done that, making the decision of where to move is important. You want to make the right choice for your future temporary home, but how do you find the perfect complex?
If you’re searching without a plan, it probably seems like every apartment you’ve looked at has a non-negotiable issue.
Before you hit the online ads or step foot in another home for a tour, it’s time to regroup and come up with a better method. This expert advice will have you skipping the trash and finding the treasured “perfect apartment complex” in no time!
1. Start With a List
Every successful endeavor begins with a list, right?
In your case, you will need two of them: Things You Want, and Things You Don’t. Grab a sheet of paper and a pen, split the page down the middle, and start brainstorming.
Under the “Things You Want” heading, add the features of an apartment complex that you absolutely must have first. These essentials are usually factors like a safe place, distance from a certain location, and number of bedrooms.
Once you’ve listed your necessities, draw a line under the last one and start another section for things you would love, but aren’t must-haves. These could be amenities such as:
- A dishwasher
- Laundry facilities on-site
- Extra storage space
- A pool
- A large backyard
- Extra privacy
Once your “yes” list is made, move on to the other column. Make a list of things you know you can’t live with so you remember not to settle later when you’re hunting. Take this list with you to every complex you visit and read it over each time!
2. Make a Detailed Budget
Renting an apartment is a little like buying a house. You can’t look at the monthly cost and decide if you can afford it that way. There’s a bit more that goes into it.
You’ve probably already expected that you’ll need to pay for utilities and WiFi. But there are a few other expenses to consider in your budget.
Make sure you’ve allowed room for extra bills like:
- Garbage/sewer
- Water
- Pet fees
- Deposits
- Security systems
- Laundry
Sometimes, apartment complex rates include certain utilities in the monthly rate. Knowing this upfront helps you budget better. For instance, if the water and garbage/sewer are included, you can afford a higher rent.
Always plan out your budget before you start apartment hunting. That way, you’re not tempted to look at places you can’t afford.
3. Check With Reputable Sources
Scams are everywhere today, even in rental places. When you go through sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, the rentals aren’t vetted. There’s nothing governing their policies, and you could end up with a good deal or become a victim of a scam.
It’s best to check into apartment complexes directly or go with a rental agent. Then you know for sure you’re dealing with someone reputable.
Most of the time, these places are going to require a background and credit screening. Even if you think that one or the other of these could get you denied, it’s still safer than going through a private landlord.
Let the representative know upfront about any issues that could make you seem less-than-desirable. You might be surprised at how far honesty and integrity get you!
4. Look for Places With Your Essentials
Always shoot for the moon, they say. This idea works with apartment searching, too. If you start with the cream of the crop, you can work your way down to something that fits you perfectly.
As long as you are looking within your budget, everything you’ll check out is potentially yours. Why not be picky, then?
Start narrowing down places before you even tour them by eliminating the ones that don’t have your essentials. Because apartments are the new norm in real estate investments, there’s a lot of competition.
Developers want to entice people to their rentals, so they offer reasonable rates for high-end amenities.
Now, entire communities of rental houses shift the way tenants view “apartments.” This wave of horizontal housing gives renters the privacy of their own home without the drawbacks of an expensive mortgage.
Don’t settle for the first thing you see in your budget. Use that list you made and keep hunting!
5. Get the Deets From Other Tenants
You’ve found what you think is the perfect place, but never take it at face value. Check the reputation of the complex out before you sign a lease.
One way to do this is to talk to other tenants, particularly those that are going to be your possible neighbors. Are they satisfied in general with the way the facilities are run? Do they all seem to have the same complaints? Try to ask your neighbors where to hire assistance for their right to light surveyor when renting in an adjoined apartment.
Of course, expecting everyone to give the place a five-star rating is not realistic. But are the complaints things you can deal with if they’re true? Does the person stating them seem like a reasonable person or a regular complainer of all things related to life?
Look up reviews online, too. Google and ApartmentRatings.com are two quick references to get a feel for the complex’s legitimacy.
If all looks and sounds good, you’ve found your just right place!
Conclusion
Don’t get stressed out with the never-ending hunt for the perfect apartment complex. These tips will map out the route straight to the door of your next home!
