Apartment hunting is a tedious process. While monthly rent is an important factor, you should never forget to look at the location, the people, the commute, the neighborhood, and the space – to name a few. This apartment hunting checklist includes all these factors that will influence your decision on where you want to live next.
Location is King
Location is key to apartment hunting. It determines the commute, the people, the neighborhood vibes, and the space.
- The Commute. Ask yourself how you will get to and from work. If you have a car, then parking and the time/distance you are willing to drive each day identifies your radius search. If you don’t have a car, your location is either walkable or accessible to public transportation.
- The People. Your family and friends are the center of your life aside from school and work. If you’d like to move to an area where your family or friends are, it helps to be close and have them nearby for social get togethers or in cases of emergencies.
- The Neighborhood. What neighborhood do you see yourself in? Do you love to work out? Find a location nearby a gym. Have a pet? Make sure the location is pet friendly and has pet-friendly parks. Love the nightlife? Then locate yourself in the prime locations of restaurants and bars.
- The Space. How large of a space will you need is often directly correlated to your proximity to the city. The closer you are to downtown, the more you are going to pay per square foot.
Savvy Tips for the Smart Apartment Hunter
- Ask your friends and network. Word of mouth can expedite your search with leads.
- Check your wireless and cell phone reception in every room.
- Test the water pressure in the shower and faucets.
- Move during the winter. November, December and January rent rates are at their lowest.
- Look inside all interior cabinets and drawers. This will save you time with any holes or damages early on.
- Test out the apartment for one or two days. Smaller apartment complexes will let you if you ask.
- Check your car insurance rate in that area. Car insurance rates vary by location.
- Measure your furniture. This will help save you time come move-in day to make sure your furniture fits through door openings.
- Ask other tenants what their average electric or heating bills are before signing any lease.
- Read the lease carefully, specifically terms and conditions.
- Check all outlet functions.
- Read reviews of apartment complexes and units.
- Don’t forget the newspaper classifieds.
- Check the smoking policies.
Let’s Get Started
When you’re ready to get into the game, here’s a few tips to get started.
- Define your budget. Identify your budget then start the search. Some landlords and property managers require minimum earnings to move forward in the application process.
- Research. Do your homework before narrowing down your selection.
- Connect and engage. Send emails and make phone calls to property management offices to inquire about available floor plans, rent prices, utility costs, etc.
- Consult a professional. A real estate agent can be an invaluable asset when it comes to finding a place with package rates and industry know-how’s.
- Narrow your search. Remove any apartments outside of your budget, location and requirements.
- Schedule tours. Check out a short list of apartments and tour them within one or two days.
- Make your pick. Low housing inventory in the U.S. means a quick property sell out. Make sure your decision is timely.
Apartment Ready with Allstate
Allstate Burbank can help keep you on your feet if you ever deal with any questions about your next apartment search or apartment hunting checklist. Get in touch with us to learn more about how Allstate Burbank can protect you, and make sure to visit me on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter to stay updated on all the latest news from Allstate.
