How to Find a Great Apartment or House to Rent
If you are moving and you need to find a new apartment or house to rent, there are several ways to do so. There are many resources at your disposal, ranging from searching the Internet to the "old-fashioned" method of driving around to find the home that is right for you. The following provides some perspective about how to tackle the process.
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Instructions
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Determine what you can afford. To determine what you can afford, you need to take a look at what you can spend on housing and utilities in comparison to your income. It is best to keep all of these figures separate in your budget -- for example, water, electricity and trash -- so you can easily compare different properties that may have different packages. For instance, you may find one rental that includes all utilities for a higher rental payment and another property that does not include any utilities but has a lower rental price. The lower rental price may be deceiving; make sure you take into account your additional monthly bills.
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Do your research. If you are moving to a new neighborhood in the town you currently live in, pay a visit to the area and take a walk around. Get a feel for the neighborhood and think about whether you will be happy there or not. If you are moving to a new city, do Google searches on the neighborhood or area of town you are thinking about moving. If you don't have a particular area in mind, these searches can also help you find out what is in your price range and which neighborhood fits your lifestyle the best. Also, don't be afraid to talk to people. Even if you don't know them, many people are willing to talk about where they have lived, where they would like to live and the pros and cons of the different areas of towns.
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Start looking for listings. The local newspaper in the area is a great place to start; however, often times these ads won't include pictures or much of a description. Also, it is not nearly as convenient or as fast as using the Internet. Most landlords, even small local landlords, will have their listings online. Craigslist is a great place to start. Also check out Apartments.com. Simply by doing a Google search, you will find more listings than you could ever hope for. If all else fails, drive to the area you want to move to and look for "For Rent" signs and call the number posted. This may just be simple enough to work.
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Hit the pavement. Go look at the places you have chosen from the listings. You will need to call the landlord or property manager to schedule an appointment. When you go, make sure you are prepared. Ask any questions you may have and bring the information you will need to fill out a rental application, such as employer information, credit references and your previous landlord's contact information. Take your budget along with you, as well as a note pad and pen to write down anything that you have questions about or anything you want to remember about the property later. Also, it is a great idea to take your camera. Sometimes, you may see so many places in one day that they all start to blend together. Having photos to reference is a great way to refresh your memory later. Be observant while you are visiting. Take note of noisy neighbors, busy streets and anything else that you may be sensitive, too. Also, if you are looking to rent your new home for more than the initial lease term, make sure that the landlord is not planning on selling your new home after your lease is up. Of course, no one can promise to lease to you again, but at least you can see what their plans are as of now.
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Make your decision. Be sure to consider all financial ramifications, such as what kinds of rental deposits are required and how long the lease term is that is offered. Filter through all of the information on each home you saw and compare the amenities in each. Match your priorities to the home that offers what you need. If you have pets, make sure you take that into consideration. Sometimes landlords will charge more in the deposit or monthly rent for pets or they may prohibit them altogether. Choose the place where you thought you could make a nice home for yourself when visiting them.
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