I recently moved into my very first apartment and found the entire hunting process extremely stressful. When I looked up tips for apartment hunting on Pinterest, the advice I found was very unrealistic: hop in the shower to test out the water pressure or, my personal favorite, ask the landlord if you can spend a night in the place before committing to it. I am sorry to break it to you but most landlords will roll their eyes at questions like these. I hope I can offer valuable and useful tips for anyone searching for their very first place!
1. Know what you want in a place
When looking for your first apartment it is important to lay out a list of things you are looking for, or a list of things you AREN'T looking for. Of course there are the basics such as where you want to live, how much you can afford to spend, and when you are looking to move. But also think about if you are willing to have a roommate? If so would you rather move in with someone else or have someone else move in with you? How many bedrooms do you want? How long are you willing to commute?
For example, I knew that I didn't want to have a long commute to work, I didn't want a roommate, and I didn't want to live in a studio apartment. Even just knowing what you DON'T want in a place can help you narrow things down in the long run.
2. Don't limit yourself to Apartments. com
There are so many different websites out there to find a place. The first place to check is Facebook! Post a status saying you are looking for an apartment and see if anyone you know is ending a lease, knows a place for rent, or knows someone looking for a roommate! Friends are always the most trustworthy people in your network so why not ask them first?
Hop around different sites too. I frequented Zillow, Apartments.com, Realtor.com, Trulia, Craigslist, as well as various local rental websites as well. By checking various sites you can see what is being offered at different price points throughout your ideal location. Also don't be afraid of listings that don't have pictures. If you think the listing sounds great but are skeptical of the details, go drive by the location yourself!
Also be warned that many listings may actually be student housing, subletting, or shared living in disguise. So before you commit to anything make sure you get all the details!
3. Know the process could have a quick turnaround
Depending on the city or town you are looking to rent in, there could be vast competition for a place. So if you find an apartment you absolutely love, the process can move very quickly! I ended up signing a lease just two weeks after looking at my first place.
Don't be afraid to ask for a rental application on the spot, it shows the landlord, and any competition, that you are ready to take the next step into renting! Now you don't necessarily have to go home and fill out that application right away, but it is good to have.
4. Visit as many places as you can
Pictures don't always tell the real story, so if you are really interested in a place call to set up an appointment. For example, I found an apartment online that was absolutely beautiful: it had granite countertops, new appliances, new kitchen cabinets, and beautiful hardwood floors. The apartment that I ended up touring had hardwood floors but everything else about the place was not as the pictures described. Although there probably is an apartment that looks exactly like those pictures, it was not the apartment that was available.
5. Bring a family member with you, if possible
Especially when you are young, some landlords may not take you seriously. However if you bring a family member with you, it shows the landlord that "I am taking this matter seriously, and I want my mom/dad/family member to see the potential place I am looking at too." Your family member may also think of questions you hadn't even thought of, especially since they most likely have gone through some form of house hunting before! However make sure whoever you bring is aware of what YOU are looking for in an apartment.
6. Bring questions!!
This may seem like a simple tip, but don't be shy during your visit. This could be your potential home! Make sure you get all your questions answered. It will also show the landlord that you did your homework beforehand and that you have a genuine interest in the apartment.
7. Notice how the landlord treats you
The landlord is the primary contact you will have if you move into your new place. If the landlord gives you a bad vibe, it could mean the place is not for you, even if you love the apartment itself. The landlord of the first apartment that I toured treated his job from a businessman perspective. Renting was his side job, and he made it clear that it was not his first priority to be letting locked-out residents back into their building. He had very strict rules and was very blunt about how he operated his rentals. We were in and out of the apartment in less than five minutes and he had another potential client waiting outside the door as I left. Right away I knew that would not be the apartment I chose. Not because I hated the place, but because I hated the landlord! It is important to feel respected by the landlord so if you get a bad vibe, walk away!
8. Take pictures and videos
It may seem odd to be taking a video during an apartment showing, but this is the best way to remember every detail about the place you are looking at! That way you can go back and look at certain aspects of the apartment without actually having to visit the physical location.
9. Check out the place at night
It is important to note what kind of lighting the apartment building has. If your building has a parking lot check to see if it is lit properly...or is the lot mostly in darkness? What about the hallways? You want to make sure you feel safe at night, both inside and outside of the building.
10. Move in the winter
I began by apartment search in late November, and although I wasn't initially planning to move in to a place right away I am glad that I did! Not many people want to be apartment hunting in the winter, especially in Maine where I live. This meant that there were not as many people looking at various apartments. Which means you may not have to jump as quickly on a place since there will be less competition.
Also since I found my apartment in December, I ended up getting a lot of apartment essentials as Christmas presents! This was amazing because apartment living really begins to add up , especially if you live on your own. So putting items like pots and pans on your Christmas list will save you money in the long run!
11. Don't forget about utilities!
I made the mistake of not fully realizing how much utilities would cost me each month. At my particular apartment, the website only informed me that heat was included. I instantly recognized that I would need to add electricity to my monthly bill, but I completely forgot about internet. Sure it may not seem like a necessary utility at first, but as a millennial I surely cannot live without it! Another thing to consider is if you want to purchase cable. I think most people my age are opting or various streaming services such as Youtube TV or Hulu + Live TV. If you are a Spectrum customer, you can add Spectrum Streaming to your Internet plan for only 21.99/month.
Great, you've found a place! Here are some tips for the lease signing:
12. Read every word on the lease
13. Take notes of the things that stick out to you
14. Bring a family member or friend for an extra set of eyes
15. Ask questions about anything you don't understand
16. Make sure you get a copy before you leave!
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