The perfect apartment is out there waiting for you. When
you’re ready to head out on the search for your next home, will you know what
you’re looking for? There are many different things that each of us look for in
a potential home. No matter who you are though, there is a basic list of things
that everyone should be thinking about when they begin apartment hunting.
While the specifics may vary, this list is a great
starting point to focus on when you start running between complexes, looking at potential apartments.
Location
The relative locale from your home to work, family, your
favorite restaurants, and everything else you find important is essential. Make
sure to take into account for how long your work commute will become and what
businesses, like grocery stores, banks, and restaurants, are in the immediate
area. Long daily drives can be almost as heartbreaking as having to change
grocery stores.
Pet policy
If you are bringing a pet along, make sure to look into
the pet policy ASAP. Landlords are not likely to budge if their policy doesn’t
allow them, so there’s no need to look at apartments if Fido won’t be able to
move in with you. Checking into this from the start can save you some time and
stress.
Storage
When you take the first tour of a potential home, make
sure to check every nook and cranny for available storage. It can be a real
hassle to finally get all of your boxes moved into your new apartment just to
find out you have nowhere to put half of it.
Appliances
Make a list of what appliances you are looking for in a
home. If you want a dishwasher as well as a washer and dryer, it should go on
your checklist, that way you can quickly write off apartments that do not fit
your needs.
Heat and air conditioning
For most locations across the United States, the climate
you’ll be moving to will call for a heater or air conditioner at some point
during the year. Look into whether or not the apartment has heating or air
conditioning installed. If you are fine with using a personal unit, make sure
to check in with the landlord to find out if installing your own is allowed.
Being comfortable in your own home is a must!
Parking
For some people, the parking situation can be a make or
break detail for their home. Check and see how many, if any, spots come with
your unit. If you have more cars than spots allotted to you, check out the area
to see how available residential parking is during peak hours.
Outdoor area
The outdoor space for an apartment is often an overlooked
detail before the first tour. It can be very nice to find out that a yard or
patio comes with the unit. If not, you can always look into what other outdoor
amenities the complex offers, such as a pool, walking trails, tennis courts, or
other options.
Office availability
Whether you have a minor disturbance call to make or need
serious help at the apartment, its very important that you know the
availability of your landlord. If you are looking into a smaller set of
privately owned homes, this can be a small issue if there is just one landlord
doing everything, but larger complexes can sometimes mean it’ll be days or
weeks before you hear back on a problem.
Noise level
Before your tour, make sure to visit the area at the
busiest times of the day to see how much ambient noise is caused by the
surrounding neighborhood. Some things to look for inside of the home are how
shallow the walls may be and how many of them are shared with your neighbors. Skipping
this step may leave you surprised at just how much of your neighbors’ lives you
can hear from your own home.
Security
Take into account any
safety concerns that a unit might have beforehand. Is there onsite security? Do
they patrol at night? Is the apartment located in a busy area, and if so, look
into the crime rates. Keeping yourself and others in your home safe should
always be a top priority.
As you hunt down your new home, keep this list in your back pocket. A game plan can make the decision process that much easier!
