The 5 Most Important Things to Consider BEFORE Beginning Your Apartment Search
You gotta know WHAT you want before you can get it
Finding an apartment can be
somewhat overwhelming... especially for an indecisive, commitment-phoebe like
myself. Not only must you choose a new
place from the seemingly endless options available, you often have to sign a long-term
lease that holds you to your decision for an entire year. To make the process more manageable, you
should gain an understanding of exactly what it is that you are looking for prior
to beginning the search. By identifying the 5 most important things to consider
when looking for a new place, I have composed a practical guide that will
hopefully assist you in finding the ‘perfect’ place more efficiently.
1- Location, Location, Location
The first and foremost thing to
consider when searching for a new place is location. Whether you are looking for an apartment in
close proximity to specific points of interest or want to live in a certain
neighborhood, determine the general area you would like to live.
If you do not have a particular area in mind, examine the surrounding
areas, making sure to acquire a good sense of the overall character of each
before making your decision. When
possible, visit each location to get acquainted with the environment and absorb
the overall feel of the neighborhood.
If you do not have the opportunity
to get a first-hand picture, get the candid opinions of others by talking to
friends or reading online discussion boards. Then, take a look at the neighborhood websites, read travel and city
guides, or read Wikipedia articles on the areas. Finally, utilize all official and government
provided information like census data: average age, average income, percent
renters, and crime. This last step is
often overlooked and can be the difference between finding the place of your
dreams and nightmares.
After narrowing down your search to
a general area, you must decide where you want to live within that
section. Are there particular points of
interest you wish to be near, such as a park in which you can jog or walk your
dog? Do you want to be within walking
distance of work, school, or nightlife? Will you rely on public transportation? Identifying specific points of interest and recognizing the desired
surroundings further narrows down your searching area.
2- Rent
The second
consideration is the amount you are willing and able to pay each month in
rental fees. You must determine your
price span and set a maximum amount for the rent. By searching within an established rent
range, you ensure that you only look at viable options. Remember, if you are planning on living with
others, this range should be established according to the constraints of the
lowest maximum. (For tips on how to check out the average rents for an area, click here)
Determine
the length of time you are looking to rent, as many properties require minimum
lengths of stay, generally for 6 months to a year. If you want or need a month-to-month rental,
your options may be reduced and you should expect slightly higher fees.
4- Building Size
Next,
figure out what type of building and unit you are looking for. There are various sizes of rental buildings
with differing numbers of units, from single family homes to large apartment
buildings. Recognize the positive and
negative aspects associated with each type. For example, townhouses boast greater privacy, but often lack many of
the amenities provided by apartment buildings. Conversely, apartment buildings generally provide more services, but consist
of a community-oriented living situation surrounded by others.
Units also
vary greatly with each building, in terms of both square footage and the number
of bedrooms available. You must consider
whether you are willing to live in a smaller place in a better location or if
you want a certain size living area.
As
mentioned above, the size and type of rental buildings greatly affect the range
of amenities offered. Because the respective
features vary greatly, it is necessary to specify the amenities important to
you, distinguishing your wants from your needs.
First, determine what necessary features must exist for you to even
consider it as an option-these features are your “deal-breakers.” For example, if you will only move somewhere
that allows Fru-Fru (your pet
Next,
create a list of amenities that you would like to have, but could live without
if necessary. Remember that just because
you admit that you do not need something
does not mean that you will be forced to live without it. The point of separating the wants from the
needs is to determine what a place absolutely must have in order for you to
even consider it. Further sort the
desired features according to their varying degree of importance.
By considering these five things, you will enter into the apartment searching process knowing what you are looking for. While the "perfect" apartment may not be available, you will have a much better idea of which apartments you should even consider and which ones you are definitely not interested in.
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