Tips For Finding A Good Apartment

Finding an apartment that you love that fits your lifestyle isn’t always as easy as you’d hope. It takes time to find just the right fit, and there are many factors to consider. You want to ensure you have enough space in a good location, and you also want to know that the other tenants and leasing office are easy to work with. 

Many people have had experiences where they ended up with a bad neighbor or an apartment that was falling apart, and you don’t want to lock yourself in with an apartment that won’t make you happy.

Thankfully, there are some factors to look out for during the apartment hunt to help you in the process. Here are some tips for finding a good, safe apartment that you’ll love. 

• Make a wish list.

While you might not be able to get everything you want depending on where you live and your budget, you should make a list of your top priorities. You’ll want to know the elements of an apartment you absolutely must have. It could be access to schools or that the place is close to public transportation. Or, maybe you require being close to a park. Your must-haves will depend on you, so first, add these to your list. Then, you can add some things you’d like to have but that aren’t necessary. 

While in an ideal world, it would be easy to find everything on your list, including top priorities and lesser amenities, this isn’t always the case. You area may have limited options, or your budget could be a factor. Focusing on your goals and the lifestyle you want will help you make a good decision in the moment. You won’t feel like you have to act right away on an apartment that might not fit your end goals. 

• Avoid scams by looking at a few signs.

Few things are more upsetting than finding the perfect apartment and it ending up a scam. Unfortunately, housing and apartment scams are plentiful, so you must do your due diligence to keep yourself safe from scammers. The Federal Trade Commission recommends keeping an eye out for these things to help avoid a scam:

• Search the rental company online: You’ll want to make sure they have a reputable website and are legitimate. Luckily, many rental companies such as CrownLuxuryManagement.com are upstanding and trustworthy, and they’ll usually have an online presence that’s easy to find.
• Ask for a tour: If the property is legitimate, you will be able to get a tour of the unit or at least the outside of it.
• Be careful of wire transfers or cash payments: If a rental company wants you to send them money suddenly or asks for unsafe payment methods, it’s best to look elsewhere.
• Trust your instincts: If something feels off, there’s a good chance you’re right. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

If you do a bit of research, you can avoid scammers and find an apartment that is right for you without all the stress.

• Visit during the daytime and nighttime.

A good way to get a sense of the area is to explore during different times of the day. You’ll notice things such as where the light faces, the feel of the neighborhood, and the general feel of the location. You don’t need to go into the apartment multiple times, but walking or driving through the community more than once can help you see if you’d like to live there or not.

While this might not tell you everything about your neighbors, you’ll also get a better idea of how busy the building or complex is and the noise level.

• Get the information of the landlord of the rental property.

It’s important to know who to contact about questions. When choosing an apartment, make sure the landlord or rental company is easy to communicate with and ask them questions like how the maintenance process works. Asking even a few questions like this will help determine if you’ll feel comfortable with the people you’re renting from.

While most reputable rental companies will provide similar levels of care, there are some red flags to keep in mind. For example, if they are nearly impossible to get a hold of while you’re trying to get the lease signed, they may not be easy to work with moving forward. 

• Do some self-inspections of the property.

While most people like to put their best foot forward when meeting someone new, you can assume the same for a rental. The person leasing the apartment will want it to look as good as possible, so there may be some issues that aren’t as prominent. While you may be thinking about factors like the unit’s location, size, and price, it’s also good to inspect the property briefly for any glaring issues. You can look inside cabinets or inside closets. Just take a bit more time to look more closely. 

One piece of advice many people don’t know is to bring a phone charger with you to check some of the outlets. Keep in mind that the older an apartment building is, the more likely it will have some issues. So, while you might have to keep your expectations in reason, you also want to be treated fairly. 

Give Yourself Time

The final tip on how to find a good apartment is to try and give yourself extra time. The more rushed you are, the more difficult and stressful the process tends to be. Instead, you’ll be able to find a better fit and process the options if you give yourself an extra month or so. If you have more time to look and decide, you can also do more comparisons of rates in the area. 

Finding a new palace to live is always an exciting time, and by following this guide, you can avoid some of the common pitfalls and stressors of apartment hunting. May you find the place you’re looking for and enjoy it!