An Apartment Search Guide to Renting Your First Place

Renting your first apartment can be pretty exciting. You’re looking forward to having your own place, new neighbors and a new view, but then there’s the whole moving thing you have to deal with first. It can be a pain — boxes and boxes (and more boxes), heavy furniture, endless packing and then unpacking. Here are some pointers on renting your first apartment that might make things a little easier.

• Find an apartment. Okay, okay — so this one’s obvious. But we had to put it in here, as it’s essential to you actually renting your first apartment, and because you want to do it right. Rent an apartment that you’ll be happy living in. Consider location, size, price and amenities. Figure out what’s important to you and rent an apartment you can call home. Other things to consider are whether the apartment complex will allow you to have pets, whether it’s a smoke-free apartment and the length of the lease.

• Set up necessary utilities for your first apartment. You’ll want to ask your apartment manager or other relevant person about which utilities you need to set up before moving in. It’s different for every place, but you may need to, for example, call the electric company and the gas company to set up service so that the lights and hot water will be working on the day you move in. You can also ask about cable, phone and internet services. It’s ideal to find out about these things at least a couple of weeks in advance to be absolutely sure you’ll have them when you move in. This is one of the primary problems for people who are renting their first apartment; they’re usually unfamiliar with these delays.

• Get furniture for your new apartment. If you’re renting your first apartment, you’re going to need some stuff to furnish it so you at least have a place to sleep and sit. There are many ways to go about this, like getting hand-me-down furniture from family and friends, going to thrift stores, renting furniture or buying new furniture. Measure the pieces to make sure they’ll fit where you want them to.

• On the day you’re moving into your first apartment, you’ll need a way to get everything there. Decide how you’ll go about doing this by planning in advance. You may need to rent a truck, hire a moving company or ask a friend or two for help. Having your belongings packed safely into boxes can make loading and unpacking easy, especially if you clearly mark your moving boxes. Also, confirm with your landlord what’s required to get the keys to your first apartment on move-in day. You wouldn’t want to show up with a truckload of your belongings only to be turned away.

• Once you’re moved in, it’ll take some time and effort to make your new home feel like home. Decorating your first apartment can be really fun and it can show off your personality.

These are just a few of the many things you’ll need to take care of when you’re renting your first apartment. Don’t miss our Moving Checklist, which is a great way to organize the tasks related to your move so you don’t forget anything. Happy renting!

Renting an Apartment Wisely

Apartment renting advice isn’t hard to find. Ask around, and we’re sure you’ll get a ton of great apartment renting tips. Everyone has stories, advice and “secrets” for apartment renting. And at the end of the year when a lot of people are at the end of their leases and trying to find an apartment for the new year, these renting tips can really come in handy.

Use Apartment Search Websites

There was an interesting article recently in the Denver Post that gave some tips for apartment renting. So what’s the number one tip on their list? They say, “Seek web help in picking apartment features.” They suggest using apartment finding websites for helping in renting the townhouse, condo or apartment complex that works for you. When using a site like ApartmentSearch.com, you can browse apartments for specific features, like number of bedrooms or laundry facilities. Following this apartment renting tip, says the article, is a great way to get an idea of how much you’ll be paying in rent and which neighborhoods may be a good fit for you.

Don’t Be Tricked into Renting by a Low Apartment Rent

Another helpful apartment renting tip from the Post is to avoid choosing an apartment based on perceived value. Basically, you don’t want to go renting an apartment just because it seems like a good deal without also considering location and features. For example, apartment renting in a dangerous neighborhood just because it has a low price might be a mistake.

Don’t Visit That Apartment – And Then Do

Calling an apartment manager before you stop by to check out an apartment complex is another useful renting tip from the Post. Their reasoning: Over the phone, you’ll be able to simply get a quote, without letting an apartment locator try to wow you by showing you around. You can compare this quote with what you found on the apartment search website you used too.

Of course, the Post also says that if it’s possible, make sure to visit prospective apartments yourself to get a feel for what you’d be renting. If you’re apartment renting for a long-distance corporate relocation or time is tight, you may find yourself renting an apartment blind.

Make Your Apartment Needs List Before Renting

One of our favorite apartment renting tips is to make a list of the features you’re looking for, the rent you can afford and where you’d like to live. As you look at apartments, take notes on what features each one offers so that when it comes time to go renting your new home, you’ll be able to reference which ones best fit what you’re looking for.

Following these apartment renting tips may mean a little more work, but the effort will really pay off when you find the perfect apartment for your needs!

Rent an Apartment Using Our Handy Guide

Renting an apartment can be a daunting task for anybody. There is always that fear hidden in the back of your mind that you are going to be stuck in an apartment you don’t like for the term of the lease. Knowing that the fear is in all apartment dwellers, we have composed this rent-an-apartment checklist of items to assist you in picking out the right apartment.

Internet and Cable

Internet and cable television hook-ups or access may not be first on your mind when you are looking at a potential apartment, but they might become important after you have moved in. Take note of the location of the hook-ups and whether or not that location will work for your needs. If you don’t notice internet or cable hook-ups, ask the leasing agent the status.

Laundry

Laundry facilities are another important item to check off your list when looking to rent an apartment. If your apartment doesn’t have washer and dryer or hook-ups, you will want to find out if there is a community laundry room on the property. If not, remember that you will need to use a laundromat, so their proximity to the apartment complex is a factor.

Storage

When walking around the apartment, make sure that there is enough closet space to fit your storage needs. There may also be a separate apartment storage room for your extra items; ask your leasing agent about this before you rent.

Phone Reception

In a time when most people have just a cell phone, having good cell phone reception in your apartment is vital. If you’re trying to find an apartment, while you’re out looking at complexes, call a friend and walk around the entire apartment and check the strength of your cell phone reception. If you can’t make a phone call, you might need to rent an apartment elsewhere.

Utilities

If the utilities aren’t included in the rent, your summer and winter utility bills can be a huge shock. When you rent an apartment, be aware of climate factors like direct sun exposure, strong winds and proximity to ponds or lakes that might freeze in winter. Ask about the utility bills, insulation and “green” construction. If you can, discuss utility costs with a current resident in private before renting an apartment.

Necessities

Finally, you might consider checking the proximity of gas stations, grocery stores, drug stores, etc., before you rent an apartment. Although this may not weigh into your final apartment decision, it is good to know how far you have to drive when your gas light is on and you’re late for work.

We hope that this checklist will come in handy when making your rental decisions, but if you still need help, give us a call. We are more than happy to assist.