4 Tips to Finding the Perfect Apartment
Finding the perfect apartment to call home can be a tough process. And if you're in the market for housing with little time to spare, the search can become even more daunting. Many times we hear of people rushing to rent the first available apartment they stumble across, only to regret their choice shortly after moving in. Choosing where you live shouldn't be a rushed decision, especially if it's a rental that requires a contract. This week, The Lodges at Rolla is sharing with you 4 tips to finding the perfect apartment. Hopefully these will help as a guide to navigate you more easily and confidently through the apartment searching process.
1. Figure Your Budget First
All too often, when people start looking for homes, they don't consider their budget in advance. What ultimately happens is that they find a property that they fall in love with, only to have their dreams broken when it comes time to actually rent the property and find out they can't afford it or they don't qualify financially because of their income or credit score. Or, on the flip-side, on paper their finances seem to cover the cost of the rental, but when they actually sign the contract and begin paying the monthly bills, they quickly realize their spending habits don't allow for such a high rental rate and they're scrambling to relearn a new way of spending. Talk about stressful!
So, before you even begin looking at properties, figure out what you can afford and what your income and credit will allow. There's more than just covering rent that you should factor into your budget. Figure out what utilities you'll be responsible for, if the location of the property is going to add to your travel expenses, if any upfront deposits are required and do you have the funds to cover it, etc. The more precise you can be with how renting a property will affect your overall monthly budget, the more prepared you'll be to sign a contract.
2. Make a List of Must-Haves
An apartment is an apartment, right? Apartments are meant to be short-term living quarters, so what does it matter what kind of amenities are offered, right? WRONG! Big time wrong! The amenities that are provided with a rental can determine your overall satisfaction with your living situation, and can potentially save you some big bucks!
Do you pay for a monthly gym membership? You'd be hard-pressed to pass up an apartment complex that has an on-site gym that's available for use by all tenants. Do you have pets? You certainly don't want to rent an apartment that doesn't permit pets on its premises. Do you lack personal transportation? Renting an apartment that's within walking distance to shopping and more is going to be a key must-have! Would a rental be more within your budget if rent includes some utilities? You absolutely should be asking that question when you're looking!
So, make a list of your 'Must-Haves'. When you find properties that offer you the things you NEED, then you can look at the extras they offer that you WANT.
3. Schedule Property Viewings
Now that you've got your list of must-haves and know the budget you can afford, it's time to shop! You can easily locate potential available properties that fit your criteria by doing a quick online search for apartments in your local area. Once you've got a list of properties you're interested in, reach out to the property managers and landlords to schedule an in person walk through of the properties.
Pictures can be deceiving, so it's highly important that you personally see the property before signing a contract. Plus, actually walking through the apartment can give you a better idea of whether your belongings will fit, if the apartment complex is suitable to your lifestyle, and the location and security of the property.
4. Sleep On It
You've walked through several properties over the course of a day that made your list of potentials. You think you've found the right apartment for you, and you're ready to sign the contract! But have you thought about possibilities with unbiased consideration or are you letting your emotions run the show? It's best to wait a day or two before signing a contract. This will allow you time to really mull over your choices and determine more confidently which property is best for your budget and lifestyle. After taking time to really think over every aspect of renting, you'll be better equipped to sign that rental agreement with confidence that you've found the perfect apartment for you!
Be Sure to Check Out The Lodges at Rolla!
With these 4 tips, we hope you'll be more confident in finding the right apartment for your lifestyle. Our primary goal is to provide you and the Rolla community with the best amenities and the finest housing location. We consistently work on improving our facilities and operations, and we always work hard to listen to our residents and respond to your needs. With a great home environment and excellent hospitality, you will not find a higher quality community at a better value in the Rolla housing market!
1. Figure Your Budget First
All too often, when people start looking for homes, they don't consider their budget in advance. What ultimately happens is that they find a property that they fall in love with, only to have their dreams broken when it comes time to actually rent the property and find out they can't afford it or they don't qualify financially because of their income or credit score. Or, on the flip-side, on paper their finances seem to cover the cost of the rental, but when they actually sign the contract and begin paying the monthly bills, they quickly realize their spending habits don't allow for such a high rental rate and they're scrambling to relearn a new way of spending. Talk about stressful!
So, before you even begin looking at properties, figure out what you can afford and what your income and credit will allow. There's more than just covering rent that you should factor into your budget. Figure out what utilities you'll be responsible for, if the location of the property is going to add to your travel expenses, if any upfront deposits are required and do you have the funds to cover it, etc. The more precise you can be with how renting a property will affect your overall monthly budget, the more prepared you'll be to sign a contract.
2. Make a List of Must-Haves
An apartment is an apartment, right? Apartments are meant to be short-term living quarters, so what does it matter what kind of amenities are offered, right? WRONG! Big time wrong! The amenities that are provided with a rental can determine your overall satisfaction with your living situation, and can potentially save you some big bucks!
Do you pay for a monthly gym membership? You'd be hard-pressed to pass up an apartment complex that has an on-site gym that's available for use by all tenants. Do you have pets? You certainly don't want to rent an apartment that doesn't permit pets on its premises. Do you lack personal transportation? Renting an apartment that's within walking distance to shopping and more is going to be a key must-have! Would a rental be more within your budget if rent includes some utilities? You absolutely should be asking that question when you're looking!
So, make a list of your 'Must-Haves'. When you find properties that offer you the things you NEED, then you can look at the extras they offer that you WANT.
3. Schedule Property Viewings
Now that you've got your list of must-haves and know the budget you can afford, it's time to shop! You can easily locate potential available properties that fit your criteria by doing a quick online search for apartments in your local area. Once you've got a list of properties you're interested in, reach out to the property managers and landlords to schedule an in person walk through of the properties.
Pictures can be deceiving, so it's highly important that you personally see the property before signing a contract. Plus, actually walking through the apartment can give you a better idea of whether your belongings will fit, if the apartment complex is suitable to your lifestyle, and the location and security of the property.
4. Sleep On It
You've walked through several properties over the course of a day that made your list of potentials. You think you've found the right apartment for you, and you're ready to sign the contract! But have you thought about possibilities with unbiased consideration or are you letting your emotions run the show? It's best to wait a day or two before signing a contract. This will allow you time to really mull over your choices and determine more confidently which property is best for your budget and lifestyle. After taking time to really think over every aspect of renting, you'll be better equipped to sign that rental agreement with confidence that you've found the perfect apartment for you!
Be Sure to Check Out The Lodges at Rolla!
With these 4 tips, we hope you'll be more confident in finding the right apartment for your lifestyle. Our primary goal is to provide you and the Rolla community with the best amenities and the finest housing location. We consistently work on improving our facilities and operations, and we always work hard to listen to our residents and respond to your needs. With a great home environment and excellent hospitality, you will not find a higher quality community at a better value in the Rolla housing market!
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