Sunday

Popular Sites Around the Web to Apartment Search

These nationwide sites have many listings, photos, and descriptions to help you determine whether visiting the property is worth your while.  Since Craigslist is typically comprised of real people promoting their own properties, be sure that you ask specific questions based on your needs and requests more photos if there isn't enough to view.  Also, find out the address of the place you are interested in and then search the property using Goggle maps.  Select the icon on the site that provides you with a walking view of the community.

Below are some of the more popular apartment search sites.

1.  Craigslist

2.  Apartment Guide

3.  Apartment Finder

4.  For Rent

5.  Apartment List


Remember to include where you saw the property when you visited and print the information out.  Sometimes special discounts are offered.


Tuesday

7 Things Renters Shouldn't Do When Seeking an Apartment

When people seek rental properties, they tend to do some things that will only cause them headaches in the future or worse jail time.  Think before you make a move that might cost you much legal, financial and emotional trouble.

One.  They lie on applications.

Future renters get off to a poor start with management when it is discovered they have lied about things like income, criminal history, who will be living in the home, debt, and more.  It is better to tell the truth and be rejected then to one day be faced with an eviction notice that most likely will damage your credit history.

Two.  They sublet even when they are warned not to.

Renters put themselves at risk once again of being removed from their suite when they say they are living at the home, but not really.  Therefore, a relative or friend can leave the apartment at anytime while putting the renter's good name in jeopardy.

Three.  They bring insects with them.

Knowing that one has had a serious insect problem in the last home, why would they take a chance on bringing all the infestation with them to their new home?  But people do.  It is always best to spray or use an insect bomb repellent on your items before moving them.  Check for nests that might live inside your furniture, electronics and elsewhere when you know you have a problem.

Four.  They expect the leasing office staff to do everything for them.

From wanting a date from the pretty blond seated at the desk to asking staff to handle their personal business and errand running, these are things that shouldn't be requested from the leasing staff.  Their jobs are to get renters into a suite and help them maintain it, but not handle their personal business.  Avoid the temptation to get the busy staff involved in your affairs.

Five.  They tell shady acquaintances where they are thinking about living.

Some renters are moving because they are having trouble with certain individuals from the last place or hope to cut off ties with others.  Yet, they will keep in contact with these troubled characters and then tell them where they stay.  When problems begin to show up, they act as if they didn't know someone behaved like this or that.  If you know or suspect that someone is annoying, troubled and the like, don't invite them to your new place.

Six.  They destroy their old apartment and then share this information with management.

Management isn't asking you why you are looking for a place or what happened at the last place to cause you to want to move for nothing.  They are looking for prospects to reveal what they did or didn't do at the last place.  So when someone says something like, "I was so angry one day I punched a hole in the wall, but I paid for it though...Then I got mad at my lady and broke the door handle--you know those handles are cheap anyway."  What this person is really telling the leasing consultant, "I'm a hot-head and I might be trouble for your company and my neighbors."

Seven.  They anger others by doing things that might put them at risk of losing their apartment.

Neighbors don't mind complaining about people who play loud music, have unruly children, and have far too many parties and traffic coming and going out of their homes.  When this happens, the leasing staff will most likely tally up the complaints and work to get the nuisance neighbor off the premises--don't let that be you!

Think about these seven tips.  Make adjustments to your current living arrangement as needed.  Then prepare to sit down with the leasing staff worry free.  Be sure that you are making every effort to be an ideal candidate.  Good suites come and go and if you see one you really like, you want to be the renter that stands out above all the rest!  You might want to get a few reference letters to take along with you in the future just in case you see a suite you got to have.

Nicholl McGuire also maintains a blog for people who are in intimate relationships or dating.  See here.

Wednesday

When Shopping for a Rental Property What Might You Bring?

1.  Driver's license, state id or other documentation if you live overseas.  If address is not current on your identification, then bring a bank statement or utility bill that shows your current address.

2.  At least enough money to cover an application fee and a deposit to hold the suite or security deposit if you plan to move in right away.

3.  Pay stubs for at least the past three or four months.  If you have yet to receive payment from your employer, bring a job offer letter that includes the amount of money you will be paid.

4.  Utility bill or other documents that show you are current on bills and paid off/settled debts ie.) bankruptcy discharge.  Sometimes conducting a background check will reveal that a potential renter has past issues that might hinder him or her from renting.

It helps to call the company you are interested in renting from to see if there is anything else you might need in case you decide to do business.

Things You Might Find Useful on this Blog

apartment shopping apartment decorating moving apartment organizing lease contract about this blog apartment problems maintenance property management apartment hunting how to rent an apartment landlords pest control roommates apartment searching eviction notice leasing consultants security deposit tenant screening Internet apartment shopping apartment move in apartment move out apartment noise blog owner first apartment how to organize apartment mold rent increases renting section 8 30 day notice apartment checklist apartment inspection apartment leasing apartment management apartment rental guides apartment rules apartment tour appearance bad landlords bankruptcy buying rentals curb side appeal disgruntled residents electricity fair housing furnace heat moving to New York City neighbors new apartment renters real estate relocation tips rental application renters senior adults senior housing shopping for the apartment shower toilet windows English phrases for apartment problem English phrases to rent apartment FEMA HUD Tokyo air conditioning amenities american disabilities act annoying visitors annual inspection apartment abroad apartment budget apartment furnishings apartment investing apartment marketing apartment mobile apps apartment pool apartment renovation apartment rent assistance apartment reviews apartment tips apartment townhome tours apartment waiting lists apartment workout apartments for rent approval process bad credit bad property management signs bad rental properties bed bugs bug proofing cable can't afford rent canada carbon monoxide cargo container cargo container apartments carpet stains children city apartment rentals clogged kitchen sink clogged shower drain community managers community party rooms couples court credit reports death discrimination domestic violence duct cleaning fall move in date gangstalking garbage disposal gas heater ghost stories gifts good residents guest cards guests haunted hoarding homelessness hot water heaters how to avoid rental scams how to find an apartment how to sell your stuff humor leaky roof living alone lofts move in date move in inspection move in specials move out date move out inspection move out parent's house moving to Houston moving to New Mexico moving with children natural disasters new neighbors no hot water in shower no job no rent cap odors on paying rent packing partial rent pets pipes problems paying rent public transportation qualifying quiet hours refrigerator rent to own rental fees rental housing help rental insurance renting a home renting apartments overseas resident retention second hand smoke serviced apartments snow plowing and salting snow shoveling still living with parents studio apartments suite upgrades tardy rent tenant laws tenant rights websites terrace level apartments thermostat trends types of dwellings unemployment unpacking utilities walk through wall paper water water damage water pressure what not to rent work order request