Whether you are off to college or you have been relocated to another location by your company, you will have to admit that finding an apartment can be a drag. And I mean it’s because you’re literally dragging yourself around town in search of an apartment that doesn’t cost much.
Depending on the city you’re in, finding the best place to settle down depends on how much rent you’re willing to spend. Some markets are far more competitive than others. But hopefully you can find the best place for your budget and with all the amenities you desire. Here’s how to make your apartment search a bit easier.
Set Your Criteria
Before you even decide going on an apartment hunt, you will need to decide on your specifications first. This comes as an essential step in setting your budget and making it easier to find an apartment that’s suitable.
Your criteria should include such factors as the number of desired rooms, the size of the apartment, the proximity from your workplace, and the inclusion of added amenities. If you are a student, you might want to prioritize off-campus apartments that are close to the university. Aside from that, you can also add in a smoking area and facilities for pets. Once you have finished well-defined checklist of your specifications, you can now go on a hunting spree.
Go Online
Nowadays, you can save yourself the trouble of searching for an apartment on foot. There are tons of websites with listings of affordable dwellings within a certain locality. Aside from that, you can also bring your hunt to social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. The best thing you can is to advertise your search within your network. This way, your friends and their mutual connections can see your ad and refer you to a seller.
Also, once you’ve located a place that you think may be great, do a search in your area to discover if there are necessities like a grocery store, gas station, restaurants, or other conveniences nearby that will improve your quality of life.
Use Apartment Finding Apps
Modern technology has no doubt made everything easier and more convenient for all of us. For apartment hunters out there, mobile apps such as Zumper and Zillow Rentals offer the best experience. With a customizable search engine and GPS integration, these apps are a valuable asset in finding the best deals in the market.
Don’t Just Scratch the Surface
In most cases, a budget-friendly apartment can only be obtained through an effective negotiation with a Realtor or a landlord. But don’t be surprised if you’re told that the rental price is good as it is.
The objective of renting an apartment compels Realtors to keep as much information as possible about a piece of property as possible to themselves to avoid scaling down its cost. For all you know, an apartment might have issues that should decrease its actual price. So, to be safe, it’s best to appraise the property yourself by asking questions, testing appliances and giving the place a good once over before you agree to any terms. If you do find issues, insist on a lower monthly fee for issues such as a broken faucet and even a busted up elevator until they are repaired.
Share with a Friend
When all options fail, and you can’t find a place which you can afford, consider taking in a roommate. Moving in with a good friend may be an option to consider, but can also put stress on a friendship if you’re not extremely compatible. You may want to look for roommates at your school or workplace, or in general classified ads but make sure you interview them thoroughly before they move in. If you’re the primary on the lease, get a deposit as well to lessen the financial burden.
Moving can be a fun and exciting experience which opens up tons of opportunities. Don’t let the stress of finding a new place spoil that because there are plenty of fantastic spaces out there waiting to be discovered!
