11 Things You NEED to Know Before Apartment Hunting
Apartment hunting in the time of coronavirus is a struggle. Every apartment complex is handling the situation differently and some are not offering any tours at all. But this is all part of the process of finding your apartment. As my sister and I embarked on our journey to find our new apartment, we knew we wanted it to be quick and efficient. WE wanted to make sure we got a good sense of what was available and that we knew what our priorities were. Here are 11 things you need to know before apartment hunting.
READ: The Basic-Starter List of Your New Apartment Needs (Free Template)
READ: Easy Steps to Finding a New Apartment (Free Template)
You may not always see the exact unit.
Sometimes you may be looking for a unit that the apartment complex doesn’t have available yet, AKA the tenants are still living there but have provided a notice that they’re leaving. They can still show you other units that are similar floor plans and features. Make sure to ask what the differences are between the unit you would be renting and the one that they are showing so you get a better idea of what you would be getting.
Have your list of set questions and bring a notebook.
Once you’re with the leasing agent, it can be easy to get swept up in the bustle of their sales pitch. Reference the list of questions about your “must-haves,” features, and price. Ask about the move-in date. Ask about any specials they have going on. Ask if there are other units becoming available. And take notes about what they say. You may be seeing many apartments and they will easily start blending together if you don’t take notes.
Take snacks or plan a lunch break.
If you schedule multiple tours back-to-back, make sure to schedule a one-hour break during meal hours so you’re not exhausted, hangry, and impatient. You want to be focused when talking to leasing agents. Otherwise, bring some snacks and water to hold you down.
Take pictures!
Like I mentioned, apartments will start blending together in your mind after the 4th or 5th tour. If you really like an apartment, take plenty of photos that you can reference later. Some apartments have virtual tours available but they may not be the exact unit you would be moving into. Worst case, you don’t need them. But it’s the worst when you want a quick refresher of what the apartment exactly looked like and you can’t remember.
Agree on the general location.
The location is one of the many factors when looking for an apartment. For us, it was a priority to make sure the location was right for us. Have a real conversation with everyone who will be living with you and come to an agreement: are there any areas/locations that are a deal-breaker? (That’s one way to narrow it down). What do we need to be near? Shopping areas? Schools? Bars? If the commute is an issue, you want to check how everyone’s commute will be affected depending on miles and traffic.
Think long and hard about your budget limits.
Halfway through our apartment hunting, my sister and I had to re-think our budget. Once we saw what we would be able to get with our initial budget and what we could get for a couple hundred more dollars, we had to re-evaluate your personal budgets and our list of must-haves.
Don’t be woo’d by the model units.
One of the units we saw when touring was fully furnished. It was nice to see how the furniture fits in the space but I caught myself getting drawn in and distracted by the bright colors, cute decor, and matching furniture. In reality, we are starting with a blank slate. When you find the unit you want, you’ll get to make it your own.
Watch out for scams.
The scammers are out here trying to trick you into paying first and last month’s rent, plus a large security deposit. But they “can’t show you the apartment” because they are out of town or they stress the importance of not disturbing the current tenants. They may say they are offering a lower price because they want to find someone who will “take care of the home like it’s their own.” If it’s not a reputable leasing company and they won’t show you the unit, run, run away fast. And never send anyone money because they say “the unit will go fast.”
This is not the time to be shy.
Because of the spread of coronavirus, many apartments are offering Virtual & Self-Guided tours. During our apartment hunting, we took mostly self-guided tours. We would check in at the leasing office with an agent. They would provide us with maps and directions to open units to tour. Some offered to answer questions in person and some were contactless and were available to answer questions only by phone. No matter the format, you need to make sure to ask ALL the questions on your mind. Double check your list before saying goodbye. And if you have a question later, CALL!
If you can be flexible with your move-in date, you’ll have more options.
One of the main things I wish we would have done is be more thoughtful about saving up the up-front costs that come with moving. Apartments with move-in dates at the beginning of the month had more deals because they will be going empty otherwise (AKA losing money). But your move-in date is when you have to start paying rent.
If you’re flexible about the timing of your move, capitalize on that and find good deals once apartment complexes are desperate to fill a unit.
Be realistic.
There may not be a “perfect” apartment out there. Don’t be paralyzed by perfection or indecision. Re-visit your list of what’s important to you, your budget, and imagine yourself living day to day in the space. Follow your instinct when it comes to finding your next apartment! Remember, this is just the first step of creating your comfy home!
