Are you ready to upgrade to a new apartment? You may have a list of non-negotiable needs and a list of flexible wants already written out, but even so, an apartment search can be a difficult process. You’ll need to think about budget, location, commute, safety, and more. We’ve done the research and included a few tips to make your apartment search a little easier.
Think About Ways to Meet Your Budget
Your list of necessities may have outgrown your wallet. What can you do to still keep the apartment features you want without going over budget? If you are going to live in an area with good public transportation, you can save on commute costs or even sell your car and buy a bike.
If you need to keep your ride but still want to cut costs, think about recruiting a roommate. With a roommate, you can live in a safe location with a great commute to work and still meet your budget goals. Make sure you hold roommate interviews, and choose someone with a steady job and a personality that will mesh with yours.
Come Prepared to a Showing
When it comes to looking at apartments in low-turnover areas, time is of the essence. We’ve seen new apartments in Charlotte, NC go on the market one day only to be leased by a tenant in less than 12 hours. When you go to look at an apartment, bring pay stubs from your job and a tax return to show that you’ve been consistently employed. If they require prior landlord contact information, make sure you have their number and address. They make even need a reference letter.
Use Technology to Locate an Apartment
Technology is a double-edged sword. It can help you find an apartment quicker—but it helps other renters, too. You’ll need to act fast and use some of the most popular services like Zillow.com or the apartments.com app. These apps and websites are a big help because they allow you to filter by budget, pet needs, location, and more.
Pay Attention to the Details
How’s the water pressure in the shower? Is the basement filling with water after a strong rain? Do all of the drains empty quickly? If you’re renting an older apartment, clogged plumbing, poor water pressure, and flooding can cause real issues. They may seem like little things, but they can create massive headaches in no time.
