When should i start searching for an apartment

Then, when you are done, call each building to confirm features. Remember to visit a variety of online sources, not just apartment listing websites, but direct individual community websites, and you might even consider 3 rd party marketplaces of course you should be very careful of scams and illegitimate rentals on third party marketplace sources.

Generally, you would start your research about 2. This is a good way to see the place and picture yourself living there. On your apartment tours, be sure to look at multiple things like apartment features, safety features, surrounding neighborhood, landscaping, and proximity to workplaces or public transport.

If you have to commute to work, how long does it take and how would you get there? If you have school kids, how far is the nearest school? Consider all these factors during your apartment tours. The good thing is new apartments hit the market almost daily.

To make an apartment building look attractive to tenants, great landscaping is key. Not only does it add to the aesthetics of the building but it is also a calming influence on residents. But good landscaping is way more involved than planting a few trees. Here are But what does it mean? And how is it different from renting through a property management company? This guide will explain this to you in more Bring a tape measure and be sure to measure the building entrances and hallways, as well as the apartment itself.

Ask whoever is showing the property as many questions as you can during your walkthrough. Here are some questions you should ask your property manager:. Once you have these questions answered, you should have a better idea about what the apartment and building include.

Next, you will want to ask one of the most important questions of all. Something that many people will want to be certain to ask about is if their pets are allowed. Pet policies vary among different apartment complexes and most will not allow them without a fee. Be sure to take your time as you go through the complex and the unit. When property managers show their units, they often have a lot on their minds with other tour groups, current tenant issues and operations to take care of.

They may try to take you through the viewing as fast as possible. However, this is their job and you can take as long as you like to view the apartment. Take some of their time to make a connection by talking about yourself and asking questions so they remember you. This might make them more likely to choose your application over another.

Oftentimes in homes and commercial buildings, there are places where the internet does not work. Any room in an apartment can have signals interrupted for countless reasons. Make sure to go through each room to check for service and locate any dead zones in the unit. Living with roommates will allow you to get the most out of your time and money. Roommates can make living more fun and much more affordable.

Many people live with roommates for years after they need to so they can save money for future living expenses. Oftentimes people get overwhelmed while apartment hunting and forget to check the places and items they had prioritized. Try making an organized list of all your wants and needs in an apartment. You can check off your list as you go through your tours and use that information to create pros and cons that will help you finalize your decision.

Some apartment complexes and real estate agencies are known for bad practices. Be sure that you Google the company and read reviews to gather background information before your tour. Most listings will always give you a general place to reach out to if you are interested. However, if you are serious about the listing and want to get moving quickly, you should use any contact information that is listed.

Many times there will also be a phone number of the person showing the apartment that you can reach out to directly.

If you feel that there is room to do so, you should try to negotiate the price of rent. A good time to negotiate prices is when the unit has a lot of problems that need to be fixed. You can also negotiate if the building or unit does not include the amenities that you desire.

The property manager might be willing to sacrifice some of the rent if it means you will sign a lease. To avoid too much stress and frustration, start early and take it slow. Just like you have an apartment moving timeline, create one for packing. Preparing to move is also a great time to declutter your home. Clean out closets, cabinets and drawers, donating what you can.

Why move it if you're never going to use it or wear it? Once all this is done, try to pack a little more each week, keeping your everyday items for the very last.

Getting to the last two weeks before a move means it's time to hit the high gear. Now is the time to confirm everything and avoid last-minute stress.

Also, keep packing. If you continue to do a little at a time, you won't end up pulling an all-nighter before the movers come. You've made it. Moving day is within your reach. The anticipation can make it hard to concentrate, but hunker down to get last-minute details managed. Done right, your big move should go seamlessly, thanks to your apartment moving timeline.

While there's always the risk of the unpredictable, by the end of the day, you should find yourself lounging in your new apartment. The biggest decisions facing you should be where to order takeout from and which box to unpack first. Before you get too involved, take some time to meet your neighbors and even go for a walk around your new neighborhood.

You've come a long way since figuring out how and when to start looking for apartments. Enjoy your new place. Lesly Gregory Lesly Gregory has over 15 years of marketing experience, ranging from community management to blogging to creating marketing collateral for a variety of industries.