1) Consider what your interests might be. People change. What may have been most important when you were looking for a place about a year or so ago may not be now. Re-evaluate what your apartment preferences are and write them down.
2) Check out the location you desire to live. Will it be close to work or further away? What does the area offer that would be beneficial to you and your family?
3) If you are thinking about moving out of town, make plans to visit first. Sometimes people do apply online for an apartment without seeing it first and all works out, but other times it doesn't. If you are picky, sensitive to noise and smells, it is best to see the place in-person. Plan those personal or vacation days so you can check the apartment community and the nearby city out.
4) Don't seek out the cheapest, rather seek out quality. Don't seek out a place with all the bells and whistles if you know you won't be utilizing everything. You know what you can afford, but you don't have to settle for less and you also don't want to be at a costly apartment with little money left-over for groceries.
5) If you haven't wrote out all your current expenses, you might want to do that before you sit down with a leasing professional. It is embarrassing and a waste of time and money (application fees) when you view and apply for an apartment that is clearly out of your price range. Although the professionals can be most helpful, they are also salesmen and women and their jobs are to get those vacant suites occupied.
6) Lastly, what is your timeline? So many people don't have a clue when they are moving yet. This can be a problem because the apartment you really like will not be held for you, the prices change often and you most likely won't get the best deal, and leasing professionals as well as prospects don't like to chase one another down for a response. Know when you plan to move-in!
7) Once you know your expenses, what you can afford, where you want to live and most of all your move-in date, schedule your appointments, stick to them and make a decision. List which apartments you like best to least. If you should be late or can't make it to a showing, communicate this to the staff. First impressions can be lasting ones! So be courteous and professional from the start!
Happy apartment shopping this year!
Nicholl McGuire is the author of What Else Can I Do on the Internet and the owner of this blog.
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