It's springtime and you know what that means, more ads will be out for apartment and house rentals. There will also be those "too good to be true" ones too. Some will look something like this:
1. "Three months rent for free!"
2. "Pay just $100 to move-in!"
3. "We pay your first month of rent free!"
4. "Bad credit, no problem!"
5. "Beautiful, spacious apartment, walk-in closets, nice view...must see! Application fee waived, two months rent free, utilities included, free gift card if sign up during first visit..."
After you see promotions like this, there isn't anything wrong with asking, "Okay what's up with the place?" Consider the following:
1. Noise (freeway nearby, main road for fire, police and ambulance, barking dogs...)
2. Insects and rodents (hard to kill, every now and then like to come out and say "hi")
3. High turn-over (corporate isn't doing their jobs, staff position openings, residents dissatisfied)
4. Nearby construction (dirt, dust, noise)
5. Drug and alcohol businesses (addicts frequent the area, homeless might also be around)
6. Old, unsightly looking building (Would you bring your family and friends there?)
7. Poor, unruly residents and many children
8. Frequent maintenance problems
9. Bad telephone, cable or internet service in the area
10. Small bedrooms, closets and no special amenities
Now there are those apartment buildings and homes that have nothing wrong with them and management just might be feeling generous. Be sure you ask questions before wasting valuable time going out to see the place. Suggestions are: When was the building constructed and are there any upgrades? How close is the local police and fire station? How often does pest control come out to your property? Do you have any job openings, what is your manager's name, is there a corporate headquarters? Also, look up the location online including where the fire, police and hospitals are and check out the neighborhood.
Happy apartment hunting!
Nicholl McGuire also maintains Work Place Problems blog, here.
1. "Three months rent for free!"
2. "Pay just $100 to move-in!"
3. "We pay your first month of rent free!"
4. "Bad credit, no problem!"
5. "Beautiful, spacious apartment, walk-in closets, nice view...must see! Application fee waived, two months rent free, utilities included, free gift card if sign up during first visit..."
After you see promotions like this, there isn't anything wrong with asking, "Okay what's up with the place?" Consider the following:
1. Noise (freeway nearby, main road for fire, police and ambulance, barking dogs...)
2. Insects and rodents (hard to kill, every now and then like to come out and say "hi")
3. High turn-over (corporate isn't doing their jobs, staff position openings, residents dissatisfied)
4. Nearby construction (dirt, dust, noise)
5. Drug and alcohol businesses (addicts frequent the area, homeless might also be around)
6. Old, unsightly looking building (Would you bring your family and friends there?)
7. Poor, unruly residents and many children
8. Frequent maintenance problems
9. Bad telephone, cable or internet service in the area
10. Small bedrooms, closets and no special amenities
Now there are those apartment buildings and homes that have nothing wrong with them and management just might be feeling generous. Be sure you ask questions before wasting valuable time going out to see the place. Suggestions are: When was the building constructed and are there any upgrades? How close is the local police and fire station? How often does pest control come out to your property? Do you have any job openings, what is your manager's name, is there a corporate headquarters? Also, look up the location online including where the fire, police and hospitals are and check out the neighborhood.
Happy apartment hunting!
Nicholl McGuire also maintains Work Place Problems blog, here.
