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Apartment tips - 11 tips for Finding a Great Apartment!
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Location
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Great apartments are in great areas. The first step in finding a great apartment is selecting an attractive area. Apartments in upscale areas will be more expensive than apartments in less attractive areas. However, in many cases you will have a better apartment living experience in a plain apartment in an upscale area than in a deluxe apartment in a less attractive area.
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Basic Decisions
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The next step is Apartments 101. Set a budget for your apartment. Select the unit type for your apartment. Gather information the apartment management will require when you complete an application. They will want information on where you have lived, contact information for the landlord, where you work, how much you make, how long you've been there and a phone number.
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Online Search Service
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Find a quality online apartment locator service. Only use an apartment locator service which has information on all apartments in the metropolitan area. Some online apartment locator services only have information on 10 to 15% of the apartments in a city.
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Limit Options
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The online apartment locator service can help you limit the number of options to between five and 20 apartments, depending on how much time you have to review options. The more apartment options you review, the better your chance of finding your ideal apartment.
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If it looks too good to be true...
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WOW! -- an apartment has no application fee, no deposit, $0 first months rent and it's in the area I like! Be very careful of apartments offering deals this aggressive. In many cases, their resident profile is rough compared to other apartments in the area.
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Call
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Call and speak to the apartment leasing agents at various apartments. Are they friendly and professional? Are they knowledgeable? After speaking with them, do you feel this is a professionally run apartment complex whose staff will be attentive and service oriented?
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Visit Apartments
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The next step is to personally visit the apartments. Drive around the perimeter of the property. Then drive through the property if you can. Your observations will be meaningful. A clean, well-maintained apartment complex probably offers a better apartment living experience.
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Meet On-Site Staff
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Next, go to the office and visit with the on-site apartment staff. Ask to see both a model and the apartment you would occupy. Ask to walk through a large portion of the property. Are the buildings well maintained? Is there junk on the balconies? Is the property clean? Are there tough-looking people hanging out in courtyards during the middle of the day? What you see when touring the property is important.
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Maintenance
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Ask the apartment leasing staff about their maintenance policy. How long does it take for them to complete repairs? Are there any maintenance requests which have been pending for more than one week?
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Security
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Apartment complexes describe security as a courtesy patrol. Ask if they have a periodic courtesy patrol. Ask if there have recently been any criminal incidents at the property. Ask about the apartment’s policy regarding limited access gates. In other words, are the limited access gates usually operational?
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Speak to a Resident
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Speak to a resident at the apartment complex. Try asking the leasing agent if they will let you speak to one resident. Perhaps you can speak to someone who enters the office while you are visiting. An existing resident will probably give you the best available information regarding the apartment living experience at that property.
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Planning and organizing your apartment search will help you to find a great apartment at a great price. Try to start your search two to four weeks before you have to make a decision. Allowing adequate time improves your chance of getting a great apartment.
