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!

How To Prepare For A Lease

Congratulations! You’ve decided to look for a new place to live which is an exciting time in your life. You’ve narrowed down your search from the numerous luxury townhomes you’ve looked at and now it’s time to move forward. With this new change, are you prepared to sign for a lease? Preparing for a lease can take some time but you should get all your proper documents and paperwork in order before you sign away. Be sure you have the following things covered before your lease starts:

1.      Renters Insurance. If you haven’t had renters insurance before, you may want to check some rates for the specific place you have in mind. Renters insurance is more than likely a must-have requirement in the lease agreement you are looking at. This type of insurance will cover any damages that may occur during your occupancy. Also, if you were to experience a loss of some sort, like a natural disaster, the insurance will be able to replace the things that were damaged.

2.      Security Deposit. Many times you will come across a lease agreement that requires some type of money up front. This is very typical when looking at townhomes, apartments and anywhere else that requires a lease. They may range from a nominal fee to upwards of a month or two’s rent. Don’t be discouraged if you face such a situation because these types of deposits are looking out for the landlord’s property. Just be ready to have some type of money set aside specifically for a deposit if needed.

3.      Credit Check. In addition to the security deposit, some leases will require a credit check before the process can be finished. With that being said, make sure you monitor your credit score and fix any problems it may have. This will increase your odds of securing a new place!

4.      Service Providers. Once you have the above checked out and in line, you should begin to look for service providers in the area you are moving to. Do you want TV cable service and internet? Hunt around online to find the best provider with the best deal to fit your budget.

5.      Utilities. Often times, you will need to put various utilities in your name like electric, gas and water before you officially move in. Be sure you find out what companies manage those utilities and set up the accounts to begin service on the day you move in so you can have those amenities active.

After you have everything ready to go for your lease, you can continue preparing for the move. Don’t forget to furnish your new luxury townhome so you can start living comfortably!

Bonus Tip: Make sure you measure your new place to ensure your furniture will fit. Take measurements of the entryways, stairwells, hallways and tight corners!