Owning a home isn't for everyone, particularly those who are just
starting out in their careers. Of course, while shopping for apartments
may not be as involved and complicated as looking for a house, there
are still some important things to consider if you want to find success.
By taking your time, determining what you can afford, and knowing what
you need, you can get a place you will love. Here is a guide to finding a
great place to live.
Design Your Budget
Don't
go into your search for apartments without knowing how much you can
spend. It's tempting to go about this backwards. You see what the
average place is going for and then you try to shoehorn it into your
income. Make a few cuts here, work some overtime there, no problem! This
is bad and could be a one way ticket to an eviction in your future.
Make sure you know how much you can afford, conservatively. Include
utilities and your deposit (which may include first and last month's
rent up front).
The Neighbourhood
Nice apartments in shady
areas of town are to be avoided when possible. You'll be far better off
with a so-so complex in a really nice area of town. Of course, the most
important consideration will be your immediate neighbors. Feel free to
judge, since this is who you'll be living with for the next year or so,
at least. Take a drive around and make some observations. Do the people
seem friendly? Is this a place you would be proud to bring your
friends? Think about these things carefully before you commit to moving
in.
Features
One way to avoid being dazzled by things that
really don't mean that much (a fold-out ironing board for someone who
has never ironed a stitch of clothing, for instance) is to make a list
of some of the features that are essential. These could include a
liberal pet policy, a strict noise clause, or a pool. Anything you can
think of that you would like to ideally see in the apartments you look
at should be added to the list. At the same time, however, remember to
keep an open mind. Unless you live in a metropolitan area, your choices
are going to be limited. Don't make an inflexible feature list so long
that you would have to build your own complex to meet all of your
demands.
To add, renters may have to extend their patience especially when they're looking for apartments in big cities like Chicago or New York. Homes in these areas are usually hard to come by because most of them are just too expensive unlike some apartments Temple TX.
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