Questions to Ask When Apartment Hunting
When it comes to apartment hunting, there’s a lot of questions that you need to ask – both to yourself and the leasing agency – so that you ensure you’re getting everything you want and it’s the appropriate living situation for you. Apartment hunting can be a hassle if you’re not sure what you’re doing, so we’re taking this as an opportunity to offer some guidance on how to hunt for apartments like a pro. If you follow these tips, not only will the apartment hunting process become easier, but you’ll also be more likely to find the exact place you’ve dreamed of living. So, let’s start at the top, shall we?
Location & Budget
Out of all the potential factors that will determine where you ultimately live, location and budget are at the top of the list. Most apartment search sites allow you to filter down by both of these attributes. When it comes to budget, you want to make sure that your rent is affordable for your income level. Apartment leasing offices want this, too. It ensures that you’ll always have enough money to be able to take care of your obligation. A good rule of thumb to follow is that your rent can be a maximum of 30% of your monthly income. For instance, if you make $3,000 a month, then your monthly rent should be around $900 per month. Leasing offices use this formula as well, referring to it as the rent-to-income ratio (RTI, for short). Figure out your own RTI and then apply budget range to the rent amount filter on the apartment search website.
You’ll also want to set your location. Obviously, the denser the city is, the higher the rent is typically going to be. If your apartment is in a lower population suburb, rent is generally more reasonable in those areas. When picking a location, try to think of it in terms of commute. Ask yourself how long it will take to get to work, to the store, to major attractions, and where your friends and family live. Ideally, you can find something that is central to all the major places you’ll be frequenting. A lot of people try to find an apartment close to work because they know it will save them hundreds in gas money over the course of the year.
Once you have your budget and location set, you can get a little bit more detailed about what you want out of an apartment and narrow down your choices.
Amenities & Floorplans
Now that you know your budget and potential areas you want to live in, you can now narrow down your search even further. Do you want a studio or one-bedroom apartment? Do you want a two-bedroom so that you can convert the second bedroom into an office? Or do you want to get a three-bedroom for your kids or roommates? Determine how many people are going to be living with you, and then narrow down the floorplans by the amount of bedrooms you need.
If the apartment’s management group is on top of things, they should have plenty of high-quality photos and/or a virtual tour so you can click around and get acquainted with the place online. Try to pay attention to things like the lay-out, flooring, countertops, fixtures, and other aesthetic factors. These will give you an idea of how old or new the apartment is, or if it’s been recently renovated. Also take note of the square footage. You want to make sure that you have enough space for your belongings so you don’t feel cramped.
Once you’ve identified a few good floor plans, you can start looking into the list of amenities that the apartment offers. This is where apartments really show their true colors, because some offer virtually nothing beyond the unit while others tout an extensive list of amenities that will make you feel like you’re living in a luxury hotel. Another good rule of thumb to follow is that amenities equate to savings in some instances. If your apartment features a workout center, swimming pool, and complimentary dry-cleaning service – then these are now three things you won’t have to pay for with a third party. Sometimes amenities don’t have cash value, but they bring about security or other forms of value. Covered parking and building security are a couple popular ones. Apartments with bark parks and pet spas are a big lure for dog owners who value their furry friends as family.
To recap, make sure you’re getting all the space you need along with the main amenities that bring personal value to you. Apartments with tons of amenities cost more, but they’re worth it if you make regular use of them and they add convenience to your life.
Book Some Tours
You should now be at a point in the process where you’ve narrowed things down to a few potential places based on budget, location, floorplan, and amenities. Now it’s time to actually see if these places look good in person. Call out to your top picks and book an appointment with them. Apartment tours generally take under a half an hour, and they will either show you the specific unit you’re thinking about renting or a unit with a similar floor plan. If you’re not looking at your exact unit, make sure to ask about things like paint, fixtures, flooring, and so forth. You want the most updated unit possible that’s in pristine condition.
This is also your chance to ask about the management group, the community, and what the local area is like. Remember, you’re going to be on a contract for a year, so it’s important that you not only like the unit itself, but everything beyond your front door as well. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and definitely inquire about any move-in specials that the management group might be running.
Start Searching for Apartments for Rent
The quickest way to kick off your apartment hunt is by searching the phrase “apartments for rent near me.” That should bring up numerous listings in your local area that are currently up for lease. If you’re looking for a vibrant area with affordable cost of living and plenty of amenities,apartments in Kansas City are located all throughout the metro and Johnson County area. Kansas City apartments are perfect for those who want to live close to the action downtown or prefer the quiet life of the suburbs. They have something for everyone.