REFERENCE ARTICLES ABOUT
APARTMENTS:
Articles depicted from eHow.com
HOW TO
CHOOSE AN APARTMENT |
HOW
TO CHOOSE A RENTAL APARTMENT |
HOW TO RENT
AN APARTMENT
HOW TO
CHOOSE AN APARTMENT
Choosing an apartment to live in can be a big
decision. There are many factors to consider,
and you will need to think carefully about which
apartment you choose. This article will help you
learn how to choose just the perfect place to
call home
Step 1
Think about location. This is probably one of
the most important aspects to consider. You will
need something that is relatively close to your
work or school. With gas prices rising, this can
really affect your monthly expenses. Consider
which part of town appeals to you as well. One
good way to do this is to drive by the apartment
complex and the surrounding area during the day
and at night to see what kind of activity goes
on in your pending neighborhood.
Step 2
Ask questions about lease options. Many
apartments will require you to sign a six-month
or yearlong lease. You can be responsible for a
lot of money, if you move before this period of
time is up. If you are not sure you want to stay
in a particular area very long, it is best to go
with the six-month option, and decide at that
point if you want to extend your lease.
Step 3
Consider paying the rent. If you are on a fixed
budget, you need to be aware of the monthly rent
payment to see if you can afford it. If you are
thinking about a roommate, you can split the
rent in half. However, be careful about who you
let live in your home (link to related article
in the Resources section).
Step 4
Have your deposit ready to go. This can be
anywhere from a couple hundred dollars up to the
amount of the rent. Be sure you add this in to
the cost of renting a new apartment.
Step 5
Does the apartment have washer and dryer hookups
or an on-site laundry facility? If not, you will
have to take your laundry to a Laundromat. This
can take up a lot of time and also can get quite
expensive. Don't overlook this important factor
when deciding on what apartment to choose, if
this is an issue for you.
Step 6
Think about furnishings. Many apartments come
with furnishings, such as sofa and tables. This
will usually cost more than an unfurnished
apartment. You also might consider the cost of
replacement if you damage something.
Step 7
Do you have pets? If you have a pet, you may
have to pay an additional deposit. On the other
hand, many apartments do not allow pets. This
can be an important factor if your pet is dear
to you.
Step 8
Look at the parking availability. Many
apartments will have parking lots; however,
several others will require on street parking.
This can raise the possibility of vandalism or
other damage to your car. Try to locate an
apartment that has a lot or other type of
parking facility.
Step 9
Think about the amenities offered. Sometimes the
defining difference in choosing an apartment can
be as simple as the complex having a
pool or weight room. Check to see what each
complex offers before making your final
decision. Also check to see what amenities are
free to renters versus ones that you must pay an
additional fee to use.
Step 10
Who pays the utility bill? Does the rent include
electric, gas, water, sewer, or trash? If not,
you will be responsible for these bills as well
as your rent.
Step 11
Does an apartment manager live on-site? If so,
are they available to handle any problems that
might arise? If not, you may have to wait until
a weekday to get any problem handled. Always
make sure you have the apartment manager's phone
and address handy.
TOP PAGE
HOW
TO CHOOSE A RENTAL APARTMENT
Choosing a rental apartment is a serious
endeavor that will affect all aspects of your
life. The right rental apartment will affect
your safety, your stress level, your comfort and
possibly even your health. Here are some tips
for choosing a rental apartment
Step 1
Choose your neighborhoods carefully. Use the
Internet to check the reputation of different
areas of the city. Look at crime reports for
your area as well as the reputation of the
public schools (even if you never plan to use
the schools). Better schools and lower crime
rates will mean that the neighborhood is more
desirable and safe.
Step 2
Choose your landlord carefully. Make sure you
choose a landlord who is easy to get along with
and who communicates well. Take note of whether
or not they answer phone calls and how long it
takes them to get back to you. Ask them how they
handle emergency and late-night calls. Speak to
other tenants to find out if they are
responsive, and if they make repairs on a timely
basis.
Step 3
Look for rental apartments that offer amenities
like a workout room or a
pool and recreation area. Make sure your
actual apartment is comfortable as well by
checking the windows and doors for signs of
drafts to make sure your home will be warm and
comfortable.
Step 4
Check your prospective apartments for safety and
health issues. Look in cabinets and under sinks
for signs of moisture, mold and pests. Look up
at the apartment ceilings to ensure that there
are no plumbing problems that will cause you
distress and affect your health and enjoyment of
the apartment.
Step 5
Compare prices of apartments. Take a good look
at the price patterns in each area. Avoid
renting the cheapest apartment you can find, or
at least find out why it is so cheap. Chances
are the landlord has lowered the price because
it is not up to par in some way. Remember, if an
apartment seems too good to be true, chances are
it is.
TOP PAGE
HOW TO RENT
AN APARTMENT
Do you need to rent an apartment? There are
several factors to consider when you decide to
rent an apartment. Deciding between long term to
short term apartments and furnished and
unfurnished apartments are just two of the major
decisions when choosing a rental property
Step 1
Before you begin looking at rental properties,
make a list of all of the amenities that are
important to you. How many rooms do you need?
How important is laundry, off street parking or
a dishwasher? What amenities do you need, and
which can you live without if necessary?
Step 2
Think about price. What is the maximum amount of
money you can spend per month? Keep this total
amount in mind at all times, and do not exceed
your maximum budget. If apartment fees do not
include utilities, make sure to lower the amount
you can pay for rent, since you'll also have to
pay for utilities like heat, cable and internet.
Step 3
Decide whether you are interested in short term
apartments or long term apartments. A short term
apartment would be good for a short term stay,
like when you are renovating your home, or if
you need this apartment until you can find
permanent living arrangements. A long term
rental is good if you plan on living there for a
year or more.
Step 4
Decide between a furnished apartment or an
unfurnished apartment. Furnished apartments will
likely cost more, but if you don't have any
furniture and don't plan to buy any furniture,
renting a furnished apartment may be a good
option.
Step 5
Choose a location or several locations in which
you would like to rent an apartment. Limiting
where you want to look makes searching much
easier, and you can view more than one apartment
in a day if the apartments are near each other.
Step 6
Decide what kind of living arrangement works
best for you. Would you prefer to rent an
apartment in a big apartment building where you
can meet a lot of people, or a home that is
divided up into two or three apartments?
Step 7
Consider major factors, like proximity to public
transportation or to your job. If you need
to take a train or bus, is that possible from
your location? Also, consider whether or not an
apartment allows pets. This may not be an issue
now, but it may be if you decide to get a pet in
the future.
Step 8
Think about your
outdoor needs. If
gardening is important to you, choose to
rent an apartment in which you are allowed to
plant a backyard
garden. Your landlord may even appreciate
this and reduce your rent in exchange for
backyard maintenance.
Step 9
Before calling any property owners, make a list
of all of your needs and of any questions that
you may have. It is best to ask all of your
apartment rental questions in advance to avoid
any surprises later.
Step 10
Be prepared to have a security deposit and
credit check. If you can not provide either of
these, be ready to explain why and work out a
compromise with your landlord.
Step 11
Start searching for apartments. You can use
Craigslist.com, your local newspaper and other
websites such as apartments.com. You can also
hire an apartment location or real estate
service, which will find apartments that fit
your needs for a fee. Word of mouth is also a
great way to find apartments that fit your
needs. If you are calling landlords yourself,
keep track of who you have called and spoken to
so you do not miss out on any great apartments
or call anyone twice.
Step 12
Set up a feasible and appropriate move in date.
You may have to pay rent in two locations at
once if you are leaving your old apartment, so
try not to overlap your two apartment rentals
more than necessary. Also make sure not to leave
a gap between rentals.
