Apartment Hunting Tips: 6 Questions To Answer [Infographic]

Are you hunting for a new place to call home? If so, this reference guide will help you make the search much easier when looking for luxury apartments in NJ!

Falling Into A Cool New Place

Most agree that the summer unofficially begins during Memorial Day Weekend and then transitions into autumn when Labor Day Weekend comes around. Well, it's that time of the year again where the fall season is looming upon us and if you held out all summer long to look for a new home, things just might fall into the right place. While the real estate market is open 365 days a year, the summer is typically a hot time for home hunters but things aren't cooling down because the fall could be the prime time for you to warm up in a new place.

Why's The Fall The Perfect Time?

Finding a new home to move into during the fall season may be the best idea yet and here are a few great reasons why!

Mild weather - during the fall, you continue to benefit from warm weather that has lingered from the summer. This means you'll be able to fully check out homes during the open houses and inspect it from top to bottom –without sweat on your brow. Additionally, when you begin to move your belongings to another residence, you're less likely to experience inclement weather, which won't slow down the moving process.

Before holidays – according to HSH Associates, 20 percent of autumn buyers are emotionally motivated to find a new place before the holidays. The reasoning behind this is because these buyers want a new space to entertain family and friends right after they unpack!

Less competition – the market tends to see a decline in the number families looking for a home because they generally try to move before a school year starts. This makes for great news for first-time home buyers and childless couples because there's less competition on market. It reduces the chances of a bidding war and saves autumn home hunters a great amount of money.

Tax breaks – when the fall months roll around, home buyers could be eligible for year-end tax breaks! Owning a home can result in good dividends on tax returns because mortgage interest and property taxes are deductible from gross income.

Moving motivation – sellers are generally more motivated to review offers on their homes because there are generally less window shoppers looking, and less traffic means those who do come through have the sellers’ attention. This can make the process of finding a new home faster and easier than in the spring/summer months.

Are you these reasons enough to motivate you to find new townhomes in NJ during the fall? Start prepping your hunt by researching new homes, apartments and condos in desirable areas throughout the Garden State from Edgewood Properties!

Springing Into a New Shore Apartment Community

Did you know that spring is the busiest time of year for home and apartment hunting? And the New Jersey shore area is no exception! With the arrival of nicer weather, people are more inclined to venture out and tour prospective places to live, filling the market with tons of potential renters. That being said, it is better to start looking now than later. The earlier you start the process, the more rental options you will have and the more time you will have to choose. Consider the different areas that you would like to live in, and the type of lifestyle you are looking for so that you are informed going in. This will help speed the process and ensure that you get the most appropriate place for your needs and desires.

Searching for an apartment in New Jersey is really a win-win situation in terms of location. There are tons of communities with easy access to cities and jobs, nightlife and the beach. Even if you live pretty close to the shore, you can be within easy distance of Philadelphia and New York, and even the Poconos, Washington D.C. or Baltimore for weekend trips. With summer on the horizon, living near the beach is even more appealing, as proximity to it means that trips there will be frequent, easy, and affordable. With the right choice of apartment communities in NJ, you'll be able to enjoy a lifestyle that everyone you know will envy.

Towns that provide a great balance between shore life and suburban life are often nestled just outside of the major beaches. This gives renters the opportunity to be a short distance from the beach without having to pay shore rental prices. Areas like Galloway, Mays Landing, Neptune and a handful of others are situated within minutes of popular beaches and offer great community amenities that you may not find elsewhere. Take, for instance, an apartment community in Galloway – it can provide you with conveniences that you may not find in other shore apartments, such as ample parking, an on-site fitness center, and many others!

Parking is a bigger deal than you might think near the shore, where you may have had to circle several blocks for space during the summer. By finding a community that's close enough for a quick shore visit, but far enough away to avoid the worst of the crowds, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

These are just a few of the factors you'll want to consider when searching for an apartment near the shore this spring. Don't forget to look at the amount of space, the number of rooms, the utilities, and other specifications about the apartment before making any decisions. Remember: living close to the shore is great – but only if the property meets your specific needs!

On The Hunt: Things To Look For In A Luxury Apartment [Infographic]

Finding a new place to call home can be challenging, however, if you are looking for luxury apartments in New Jersey, check out this infographic to learn about the things to look for!

Apartment Hunting Tips

You may be getting tired of that old apartment you’re renting or perhaps you just need something to better accommodate your changing needs. Well, before you pack up all your belongings and sign a new lease at the first apartment you see, make sure you check out all your options! To help you find the perfect, new place to call home, check out these tips to help your apartment hunting run smoothly.

Make A List. Before you start touring apartments, make a list of your must haves. How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want? This may be the first thing on your list because just those two answers can significantly narrow down your choices right off the bat.  What types of features or luxury amenities are on your list? Remember, you want a place that will suit all your needs and have all the conveniences you want. Once you have your list, let the tours begin!

Location. Are you looking for a luxury apartment in New Jersey? Florida? California? Depending on where you are planning to move, you need to figure out where you will be moving to. Perhaps you are staying in the local community where you grew up or you are moving to an area closer to work. While making a list is important, it’s also important to know where you want to move.

Parking. Many apartment complexes have certain regulations about parking and figuring out what they are before you sign the lease could make or break the deal. Some allow for only one or two spaces per apartment and others just provide first-come-first-serve street parking. Make sure you investigate the parking situation because it could become extremely problematic. Just think – where will your guests park? Is that slender-spaced parking lot going to fit your truck or SUV? Be aware of the parking situation at every apartment so you know how convenient or not convenient parking will be. 

Neighbors. Parking and location aren’t the only factors in choosing the best apartment. Are the neighbors in your age range? Do they have kids? Take a closer look at the people who you may be living next to and see if their demographics fit your lifestyle. You want to find a place where you feel like you belong and have some sort of compatibility with. You never know if you’ll really need to borrow that cup of sugar from next door.

Utilities. Is the apartment you are checking out include certain utilities in the rent or lease agreement? Sometimes you will find that complexes will pay for a portion of your water bill or garbage removal. Either way, a complex that offers that can save you money in the long haul and can be an added perk. Make sure you read the fine print before you sign so you know if you are getting the best deal!

5 Things Every NJ Condo Should Have

The condo market in NJ is hot right now and there’s a good reason so many people are seeking out new condos in NJ: better units, better RA’s and better benefits. But not every new condo is created equal. Here’s what to look for to make sure you get your money’s worth:

1. Location. It may seem cliché but location truly is everything. When you start looking at condos you’re considering a long term investment. It has to not only look good but also have lasting value. New condos in NJ are spread all over the place, from key locations that will continue to be desirable to throwaway developments. Look at what works for you in terms of career, culture and family and you’ll find the locations with lasting value.
2. Privacy. One thing that many new condos in NJ are starting to concentrate on is privacy. True, a condo is a community and whether it is apartment-style or townhomes, the units will share walls. But for many years, condo developers made no effort to use intelligent layout, quality building materials, or landscaping features to provide noise reduction and privacy. Newer developments are starting to see the light and it makes all the difference.
3. Luxury. Now we’re talking. A condo is not only a place to hang your hat; it should be a step above other housing in the area. That’s because you are making an investment, and luxury units keep their value and appreciate faster than regular condos—by a long shot. If you’re considering new condos in NJ then focus on those with the quality building materials and complete landscaping and interior features to make your purchase worthwhile.
4. Amenities. In new condos in NJ, amenities consist of a lot more than just a fitness center—although that’s a good start. Many condo developments today will offer a club space where you can gather with friends and guests. Pools and saunas remain popular, and more new condos in NJ are also offering outside fitness options such as a landscaped walking/running trail as well. Sheltered parking, office facilities and other perks also put a condo a step above the rest.
5. Security. This is where you can’t compromise. Not all new condos in NJ need to be gated, but they do need to offer robust security solutions. That includes, at a minimum, complete round the clock camera surveillance.

What are you looking for in new condos in NJ?

What NOT To Look For in NJ Townhomes

What does luxury mean to you? To some New Jersey property managers, it means something different. There’s a wide variation in luxury townhomes in NJ but some shouldn’t even be allowed to use the term. Here’s what to avoid if you’re looking for a luxury townhome:

• “Furnished” with your old dorm furniture. Didn’t you leave this stuff behind some time in the early 2000’s? A lot of building managers try to get in on the corporate housing market by throwing together a few furnished rooms in the cheap. We’re sorry, but a Wal-Mart rug and a few garage sale couches are not the makings of luxury townhomes in NJ. Of course, if you like mismatched plates and one non-nonstick frying pan for all your cooking needs, maybe this is the pad you’ve been looking for. Otherwise, keep searching.

• Luxury as a marketing buzzword. Sometimes actually creating a luxury townhome in NJ is too much work or too much expense. I mean, think of the poor overworked building manager. Wouldn’t it be easier just to say it’s “luxury” and hope you find someone who doesn’t ask too many questions? Unfortunately that’s what all too many townhome managers do. Here’s what we recommend: look at some regular apartments in addition to luxury townhomes. If you find a “luxury” unit that’s indistinguishable from a regular apartment except for the price tag, keep walking.

• Amenities that are tacked on. Have you ever been told that a complex has a gym, only to find out that it’s two exercise bikes and a weight set in a closet somewhere? We don’t like that either. Amenities are supposed to be there to  make your life easier, more comfortable or more convenient—not just to check a box on an online listing somewhere. Whether it’s the gym, a pool, building-wide Wi-Fi or any other luxury, make sure that it works and that it lives up 100% to your expectations.

• Bubba’s Security. One thing that marks out the best luxury townhomes in NJ is robust security systems. But to some building managers security seems to be an afterthought. If a buzzer from the front lobby is the only thing keeping unwanted guests out, then that’s not luxury. Look for a 24/7 premises-wide camera system at a minimum. Some luxury townhomes in NJ even have security guards on patrol around the clock.

What do you look for in luxury townhomes in NJ?

Things to Bring When Apartment Hunting

Apartment hunting can be stressful. So don’t make the experience any harder on yourself than it has to be. Everyone looking for an apartment should have certain essentials that make finding the perfect apartment easy.

                                                                             

Tape Measurer

Don’t underestimate the value of a tape measurer when looking at potential apartments. Before going on the hunt, measure some of your larger pieces of furniture like your bed, couch or dining room table. Then, you’ll be able to double check that the apartment will fit all your things. Empty or perfectly staged apartments can be extremely misleading, so don’t just assume everything will fit.

Camera

Since almost everyone has a camera in their phone, this will most likely be the easiest thing to bring on an apartment search. If you are visiting several apartments in a row, take pictures of each one to help with the decision process. Otherwise, you might end up with a kitchen that is not as large as you remember it.

A List of Must-Have’s

Carefully craft a short list of one to three items that you must have in your future home. These are the ultimate items you can’t see living without or you’ll walk. Share this with the realtor before the apartment search. By having a short list, it should allow the realtor room to show you a variety of apartments.

References

Sometimes apartment hunting can get lethal, when there is one amazing apartment and several interested parties. If you fall in love with an apartment that will be fought over, having a list of references from former landlords or employers can help give you an advantage.

A friend

It’s always nice to have another set of eyes. When another person tags along, you are able to notice both positive and negative aspects that you might have otherwise overlooked. Just don’t bring a Negative Nancy who will find no redeeming qualities in any apartment. A friend should help point out things here and there, but otherwise let you form your own opinion about each space.

To successfully find the perfect apartment for you among the various luxury apartments in New Jersey, you’ll need the right tools. If you bring the above things on your apartment search, you’ll manage to snag the perfect apartment for you.