Saturday

House, Townhome or Apartment?

How do you know whether you will need an apartment, town home, or house?  Sometimes people are juggling between all three. Here are tips that might help you make a decision that you can live with for at least a year.

1.  Evaluate everything you have right now.  How much are you giving away, keeping and throwing away?  Once you start clearing out some of the clutter, you will be able to better determine exactly how much space you will need in the future.

2.  Consider your roommates and their stuff.  How many people are living with you and what sorts of things will they be doing in your new household?  For instance, if a hobby takes up too much room and money is definitely an issue when renting your next place, then consider finding ways to take the extra activity, large items, and memorabilia elsewhere until you can have a bigger space.

3.  Think about how might new housing better serve your family/friends.  What problems do you hope your new environment will solve and what challenges might it create?  Can you live with the pros and cons?  Not enough bathrooms might be a problem, but then again maybe not depending on how many people live in the dwelling.  Special amenities you might do without especially if you rarely used them in your last place.

4.  Cost is a factor, so avoid the temptation to get something that will negatively impact your finances.  How much money for housing is too much?  Have you checked your budget?  Could you stand to save more money?  Is it necessary to live in a certain neighborhood, have special features, and live near a shopping mall?  Remember the more you think you need, the more you will pay.

Note some other concerns about your new residence such as how large or small bedrooms are, closet space, kitchen and dining room areas.  If you have fewer items decorating your rooms and make good use of wall, cabinet and closet space, you will be able to fit more.  Find out how to organize your next place at: The Organizer

Nicholl McGuire a blogger, author, poet, speaker and mother of four.




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.


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