10 Apartment Shopping Mistakes

You are ready to look for an apartment and you have some idea what you want, but you are not clear about some other things.  Before you go out in search of that dream suite, you might want to have a better picture as to what your needs might be.  When you do this, you save yourself and the apartment staff some time.  In discovering more about your apartment needs, think about these mistakes that many apartment shoppers turned renters have done. 

One. They have underestimated square footage, closet space, cabinet space and more.

 

Once the furniture and many other items were moved in, they realized that the place was just too small to hold all their stuff.  Of course, disappointed, they walk into the leasing office wanting to make some changes.  Sometimes arrangements can be made, but other times they can't be because the apartment communities large suites are already filled. 

Two. They are unobservant of community, neighbors and pets.

 

During the tour, an apartment shopper might be so impressed with the look and feel of the community that he or she overlooks a particular ethnicity that lives there that they don't particularly like, numerous renters with pets, or areas of the property that aren't so nice.  Once moved in, he or she begins to feel like the apartment community is not what they had in mind.

Three. They overlook needed repairs and falsely assume management will get to them after starting the application process.

As mentioned elsewhere on this blog, never sign a contract until needed repairs are fixed.

Four. They fail to open up cabinets, check along baseboards and other places for signs of insect or rodent problem.

This point has been made much on this blog.  It is unfortunate when a resident finds that they will be having a few roommates simply because management fails to keep on top of pest control.

Five. They fail to flush toilet.

Most shoppers don't bother to touch anything, but it would make sense to press a lever, turn a knob or do something in the suite to test that it works.

Six. They don't turn on faucets.

 

The water may or may not be on in the suite.  Sometimes it isn't because the next renter will have to have it turned on.  However, you can at least turn the knobs to see if they will fall into your hands.

Seven. They don't check light switches and electrical outlets.

Notice the lighting, will it be feasible?  Will you need to buy lamps for every room and corner?  (Keep in mind, some places will not have electricity turned on until a new renter moves in.)

Eight. They don't test appliances and windows.

These items may be workable.  But there are those suites where the windows are painted shut or glued.  Appliances may not operate because they are not turned on yet, but be sure.  Perform a test on a later date before you move your items into the suite.

Nine. They don't look for signs of molds and mildew.

If you see any black, green, gray or strange colors growing off of any piping, wall, baseboard, or elsewhere, that just might be a sign of a bigger problem.  Also, use your nose when walking the
suite.

Ten. They ignore bad smells.

Sniff for a gas leak, a rotten smell, a musty odor, or other odd smells in community hallways and in the suite.  Follow your nose.  Tough odors don't go away on their own, sometimes they have to be cut out.  Insulation behind a wall that had a leak, must be removed and a wall might need to be replaced.  Carpeting that once was walked on by a pet will need to be removed.  There are plenty of things that you will need to keep your nose wide open about especially under cabinets and in closets.  Just imagine, if the odor doesn't go away, it just might start to sit on the clothes hanging in your closet or the furniture in your place.

 

In closing, consider looking at other things while touring the rental property such as: the proximity of shrubs and trees near windows and doorways and check amenities like the community pool, playground, workout facility, and play area. If nearby parking is important to you, think about the walking distance to and from your future residence. Another thing that might make or break your moving into a certain community is the length of travel time from job to home and whether the traffic is slow moving.

 

All of these signs will keep you from having to go to management one day with this statement, "I don't like the apartment, I thought it was..."

 

 

Nicholl McGuire

Guest Cards: Good Leasing Agents Follow Up

I know it can be irritating to receive a phone call from a leasing agent about a property you just visited, but keep in mind, they are just doing their jobs.  You filled out a guest card when you toured the property. After you left, the leasing agent is supposed to file your information and then contact you either the same day or within a 24 hour period to see how your apartment shopping experience is going and what might he or she can help you with.  At a later date, the agent will call again to see how everything is going.  The visitor will most likely update the staff and request not to be contacted again if he or she has already found a place.

Sometimes prospects are not completely sold on their decision to move elsewhere, other times money is a temporary issue, a desired suite is not available, or maybe a guest is just looking for now.  Whatever the reason, there is still that possibility that a visitor just might change his or her mind and return to the property.

One of the issues I have noticed over the years with some leasing agents is they didn't bother to follow up with visitors after their first visit; therefore, they missed out on a potential resident.  Competitors made the necessary contact and made their offers just a little more sweeter. 

Consider this, a leasing agent who failed to follow up literally lost the company thousands of dollars!  Taking a moment to make a simple phone call just might be the best thing a prospect and a leasing agent could do for one another.  The potential resident could share his or her concerns and how might they be addressed.  The leasing agent could offer more options.

So if you are the leasing agent or the visitor do make the time to follow up with one another.  Share what is on your mind.  Is there an additional incentive being offered by the competition?  Would you have liked to look at more available suites?  Is there another property with the same company better suited for the prospect?  You will never know if you don't follow up.

Winter Time is Slow Moving for the Apartment Industry

Attempting to seek your ideal spot during the winter isn't an easy feat.  Most renters are not interested in moving during this time of year unless they have to.  So when the timing is off and the pickings are slim, it is best to shop for now rather than commit to anything you aren't completely sold on.

As for the apartment industry, many staff utilize this time to push those suites that have been sitting for awhile.  They will lure shoppers by offering deals such as a discount on the first month's rent.  They might even include some freebies, coupons, services, or upgrades.  However, do keep in mind this question, "Why has no one rented this apartment yet?" 

There are many factors as to why a suite sits for months.  Sometimes it is in an unsatisfactory location in the building such as: near noisy water piping, a trash chute, or high traffic area.  Look around the suite.  Notice how hot or cold it is.  Pay attention to details such as flooring, windows, pipes under sinks, electrical outlets, and appliances.  Also, use your nose when touring an apartment unit and complex.  You will discover that some units have issues with molds and mildews.  If you should smell a strong bleach smell throughout the suite, most likely someone was doing more than just cleaning.  This person most likely was trying to kill some molds somewhere in the unit.  Look for evidence.

To your success in finding the apartment you so desire!

Contingent Upon: Two Powerful Words to Ensure Things Get Done

Prior to collecting the prospect's money to hold an apartment, the future resident signed my former employer's standard form that detailed all transaction such as how much was received from the prospect to hold the apartment, when other payments are expected, etc.  But there was just one thing that we, the leasing staff,  didn't anticipate was when our potential leaseholder signed her name and then included: "CONTINGENT UPON THE FOLLOWING THINGS WILL BE DONE PRIOR TO MOVE-IN..."  She proceeded to list the things we said during the tour that would be fixed.  Her expression after signing her name said it all, she meant business.  Do what you promise or else.

Sadly, I must admit that many renters don't get what they want because they are just too happy about the amenities or the exterior to look real close at cover ups, false promises, and more that some owners, managers, and leasing staff claim they will "take care of..."  Then when move-in day comes, the same screen with the hole is still there, the missing knob from one of the drawers is still off, and the shower head that doesn't work has yet to be replaced.  You might know the feeling.

So be adamant, don't pay unless things go your way!

Nicholl McGuire

6 Signs You Don’t Want to Move-In With Someone

Sometimes we agree to move in with people out of desperation, emotional commitment, and other reasons.  However, we are making a bad mistake when we choose to move in with someone anyway when there are many red flags all over the place!  Here are a few signs to pass on signing an apartment leasing contract with your potential roommate, boyfriend, girlfriend or relative.  (For sake of space and time, the person in this writing will be referred to as “He”).

One.  He shows up late to an appointment without his half of the money.

Two.  He lies on his application.

Three.  He appears to be too friendly with everyone who is living there including flirting with the staff. 

Four.  He tells you one thing and you find out another about the suite and then another and another.

Five.  He attempts to cover up something about his past by talking over what the apartment leasing consultant or manager is telling you both, changing details, ignoring facts, or attempting to argue.

Six.  He makes false promises on what he is going to pay and do while in the suite and when you question him on things he becomes irritable, impatient, and even goes so far as to tell you what you will and won’t do in an angry tone.

There are other signs you should pay attention to like your future roommate’s mannerisms, the kind of questions he asks or doesn’t ask, whether he communicates with staff about his account, and any warnings that others around you might be giving you about your roommate.  Also, notice how this person organizes his current atmosphere.  Is he or you often clean or unclean?  Do you have a long history of financial issues with this person? 

When you pay attention to the early signs before committing to a leasing contract, you can save yourself future problems like showing up one day in court because you can’t seem to pay your rent due to your irresponsible roommate.