Whether you’re searching for your first or third apartment, finding a new home can be a very stressful endeavor. There are so many different aspects that go into choosing the right apartment, so we’ve highlighted some of the most important ones to keep in mind.
Decide on an area.
Once you’ve narrowed down where you want to live, whether that’s because it’s close to your work or in an area you love, it gets easier to search for apartments. Many rental sites use location to help organize results, and you can also try googling keywords like “rental properties in [city name]” or similar terms. If you’re still deciding, then try to keep it to no more than 3 different areas so you don’t get overwhelmed searching.
Know your budget.
The general rule is that you want your rent to be less than 30% of your monthly income. Keeping that in mind, also try to gather estimates for other monthly costs like utilities, internet, gas, payments, and food. Once you have all that, you can plan your budget and give yourself a range for rent. Depending on the season you’re apartment hunting, you may be able to score a good deal. Typically, since the winter months are not seen as the ideal time to move because of weather, rent can be lower.
Take a tour.
The best way to get a feel for your future home is scheduling a tour. If you’re out of state or prefer online, many properties are starting to offer virtual tours when requested. However, being on the property and driving around the area will really let you get a feel for the location, the building’s exterior, and other amenities around. Plus, it can be hard to envision the space transformed from only a video.
Ask questions.
Don’t be afraid to come prepared to the tour with more questions. If they weren’t already answered on the rental property’s site or you want confirmation, this is the time to do it. Some good questions to ask are:
- Are the laundry facilities in-building and do they take coin or card?
- Is the off-street parking permit only?
- How much does parking cost, or is it included in the rent?
- What’s the average cost of utilities?
- Are the units cable/internet ready?
If you’re in the Twin Cities area looking for a new apartment, give our office a call to see our current availabilities. Tycon Companies manages nine different properties around the metro. We want you to Love Where You Live.
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