Apartment reviews are funny things. Just like everything else on the Internet, you have to take them with a grain of salt. Some apartment reviews are clearly written for the benefit of others by an unbiased Good Samaritan. Other apartment reviews are obviously the vitriolic spewings of a dissatisfied tenant or possibly a competing apartment complex.

You’ve probably seen apartment reviews like the ones at the sites we mentioned in our earlier blog about apartment ratings. But how do you form a valid opinion from the apartment reviews you’ve seen? Can you pull valid information from apartment reviews that are angry and biased? Can there be misinformation and propaganda in helpful apartment reviews?

Here are some apartment review tips we’ve collected:

Look for a Common Thread in Apartment Reviews

If one apartment review talks about the sparkling cleanliness of the complex’s pool, that’s a good thing. If five reviews, written in different styles, laud the pool’s condition and the apartment maintenance, you’re probably looking at some factual information.

Throw Out the Best and Worst Apartment Reviews

There are always people who will love or hate an apartment complex, and apartment reviews reflect that. Since you’re working on finding an apartment that will work for you, not for the extreme optimists and extreme pessimists, try to ignore the most extreme comments that you see.

Fake apartment reviews will often appeal to your emotions by mentioning rats, roaches, bad attitudes and slow service – or on the positive side, flowery friendly encounters with residents or an apartment manager who may or may not exist. Control your reactions to these apartment reviews. They may be true; they may be false. If you scare at the first mention of an apartment’s pest problem in a review, you may be walking away from a great place.

Certainly, if you spot an apartment review that lays it on thick, complaining of rodents, fleas, noise and bad service, you are probably reading a fake apartment review. Read the other reviews for the apartment complex and see if they confirm or contradict the original review writer.

Inspect the Apartment Review Writer’s Facts and Style

If someone is trying to spread bad publicity about a competitor through fake apartment reviews, he or she probably has a lot to do. Not only are there many competing apartment complexes in every neighborhood, but there are at least three major apartment review websites. That means the fake review writer has little time to do a lot of writing. As a result, fake apartment reviews are often short, sloppy and light on details.

Real apartment reviews sound like a letter from someone you know. They often cite facts, dates, locations and most importantly, details about the specific apartment complex. A fake apartment reviewer probably doesn’t know the apartment complex as well as a true resident.

Keep an Eye Out for Apartment Review Dates and Authors

It’s common sense, but if you see a lot of strong apartment reviews – whether negative or positive – posted during a short span of time, that should raise your eyebrows. Also look for strong reviews that appear on different apartment rating websites by the same user or people with similar usernames.

Consider Renting a Place with ApartmentSearch Apartment Rewards

This tip isn’t really apartment review-related, but not many people know that you can earn a substantial apartment-search reward by finding a place at ApartmentSearch.com. All you have to do is find it here, mention us to your leasing agent when you apply for the apartment and then claim your apartment reward! With all the cool apartments you can find at ApartmentSearch.com, why not do it online and earn some cash at the same time? The extra scratch might make a nice dent in the security deposit!

Hopefully these tips will make it a little easier for you to find an apartment that fits your needs! Good luck searching, and don’t forget your moving checklist!

Apartment Ratings at ApartmentRatings.com

Apartment ratings at ApartmentRatings.com give people the chance to read real apartment ratings by real residents. In fact, this site has over 579,000 apartment ratings of residences all over the country. There are quite a few funny reviews, and of course there are plenty of livid ones and positive ones. Reviewers on this site definitely aren’t afraid to speak their mind, and it’s a good thing — you can be warned about potentially unsafe apartment complexes or unhelpful management by viewing the apartment ratings on this site. It is free to use.

Apartment Reviews: No Shortage of Apartment Ratings

ApartmentReviews.net is another place to find great apartment ratings. Like ApartmentRatings.com, you can search this site to find apartment ratings of residences all over the country. The mantra of this site, similar to other apartment ratings sites, is to “help others choose the right apartments.” Talk about good karma — reviewers on this site are also honest and helpful, and clicking on a state on the map will lead you to a page listing cities in that state. From there, you pick your city, and you’ll see a list of apartments along with peek at the score of the apartment. Apartment ratings include factors like security, parking, management, appearance and maintenance.

College Apartment Reviews at RateMyApartments.com

RateMyApartments.com seems to be more aimed toward the college crowd, with a focus on college apartment reviews. This can definitely be a helpful tool for students who have little or no experience in renting a college apartment. Many new renters might make the mistake of signing a lease for a place that’s the cheapest, or the place that looks the nicest. But failing to check out apartment ratings is a huge mistake that they’ll undoubtedly realize down the road. This site makes moving into that first place easier for college students. Users must choose their state and then the college they’re attending. After that, they’ll be taken to a page that lists apartment ratings for complexes near that school.

Any views and opinions expressed on ApartmentRatings.com, ApartmentReviews.net, and RateMyApartments.com are strictly those of the author and not shared by ApartmentSearch by CORT. ApartmentSearch by CORT does not endorse, guarantee, or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of these facts, views, or opinions. ApartmentSearch by CORT specifically disclaims any and all liability for any claims or damages that may result from facts, views, or opinions of individuals or organizations not affiliated with ApartmentSearch by CORT appearing on this Site.