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SeniorsTop 5 Questions Senior Citizens Should Ask Before Leasing An Apartment

Seniors have special needs that should be considered when looking to find their next apartment. Whether you’re a senior looking to find your dream one bedroom apartment or you’re looking to find an apartment for an elderly parent or relative, we at ApartmentSearch encourage you to ask these 5 questions before committing to a new home.

ApartmentSearch_Friends-MovingShopping for an apartment is more challenging than ever before with the wide variety of new apartments to choose from, as well as the rising rent costs in certain regions. Many Americans are paying higher rent costs – rates rose four percent in April to reach a median $1,364, according to Zillow, but they are getting more bang for their buck. As a result, weighing all the different apartments in various neighborhoods in your city can often seem like a daunting task.

ApartmentSearch is here to help. There are many ways to simplify the process the shopping process – and choose the apartment home that is right for you. Our top tips include:

Woman Holding Laundry BasketWhen you’re looking through the amenities for apartments to rent, you may notice that a unit includes “washer/dryer hook ups” or connections, rather than a shared laundry room. Now you have to make a tough decision: rent a washer and dryer, buy them, or go to the laundromat. If you’re not sure how to approach the issue, take a look at these tips first to help make an appliance choice that works best for you and your budget.

Think about your future

v's headshotQ & A: Virginia Miner, senior area manager of Destination Services for ApartmentSearch

Whether you are moving to a new area because you graduated, are taking a new job, are newly retired, or for any other reason, there is so much to learn about your new destination. In the midst of all that is involved with moving to a new area, finding the best apartment for you can often seem overwhelming. Here, Virginia Miner, senior area manager of Destination Services for ApartmentSearch, explains how to find the right apartment for you.

ApartmentSearch: For those seeking a new apartment, what is the first thing they should do?

ApartmentSearch_Tax-DayApril 15 is a wake-up call for many of us. It is a time when we re-evaluate our finances, determining where we are spending our money and how we can save more of it. Unfortunately, for those who live in a home, the “saving money” part of the equation seems elusive. Every time they feel like they are making progress on bills and savings accounts, some new expense comes along to hamper their goals. An appliance stops working. A water pipe breaks and floods the carpet or wood flooring. The sod has to be replaced after a rough winter and pressure from the HOA.

There is an endless list of unplanned-for expenses that pile up. And these are not even the regular, monthly expenses. In addition to high utility costs, homeowners are paying mortgages, property taxes, lawn and landscaping fees, and a host of other home repair and upkeep expenses. The burden of mortgages – which are still disproportionately high after the housing bubble burst – and the other expenses is what has led many homeowners to switch to apartment living.

City business peopleWith a growing economy, US workers are taking more risks and relocating for new positions across the country. Thirty-six percent of employers plan to increase their hiring of full-time, permanent employees this year, according to CareerBuilder’s 2015 U.S. Job Forecast.

Tech companies and all types of corporations are hiring hundreds of new positions in Austin, Texas; Seattle, Wash.; Lincoln, Neb.; Charlotte, N.C.; Fort Worth, Texas; Columbus, Ohio, Minneapolis, Minn.; Denver, Colo.; and Oklahoma City, Okla., and many other U.S. cities. Let’s say your company – or potentially a new company – asks you to move across the country to take one of these full-time positions. Are you prepared for everything that is involved with relocating for a job across the country?

Household Kitchen AppliancesWhen it comes to living in your first apartment, it’s difficult to know what kitchen items you’ll need right off the bat. Most of us know that kitchen tools like silverware, plates, and can openers are essentials but what about small appliances? Even if your 1-bedroom apartment has a small kitchen, there are a few gadgets that will make your life much easier. When it comes to kitchen appliances, here are our top recommendations:

ApartmentSearch_Piggy-BankIf you’re living life on the college kid budget, then you’ve probably asked the question, “Do you have a discount for students?” at your favorite food stop. If you’re new to the student life or are looking to save a couple pennies, here are some starter tips to get you on the discounted path.

Find Expert Resources

A grad student, victory-lapping senior, or online forum could have all the golden knowledge you need to eat or shop cheaper. Beyond the usual spots around your campus, there could be somewhere you never thought would sympathize with your college going that will happily knock 15% off your taco bill.

Couple Signing Apartment LeaseSo you finally found the absolutely perfect apartment for rent? Before you pop that bottle of champagne and kick back to celebrate, take pause; there may be a few considerations your new property manager or owner didn’t mention. Here are the key questions to ask before you take the renting plunge.

What amenities are included?

What is the parking situation like? Where do residents wash their laundry? What appliances come standard? When moving into a new complex, it’s easy to forget that not all apartments are created equal. Some complexes may require assigned, paid parking spots or don’t have a laundry facility on-site. Asking about the amenities can help narrow down your choices.

Friends Moving Into New HomeGenerally, multiple bedroom apartments save each tenant some money compared to renting a one-bedroom or studio apartment by yourself. Of course, this leads to the dreaded roommate dilemma. Maybe you have had a bad roommate experience, or have never had a roommate at all. Thinking about trying a “blind” roommate? Use these tips to avoid setting yourself up for disaster and have a pleasant experience in your apartment while saving money on rent.

Do: Seek Practical Resources

Where you look for a roommate should depend on your situation. If you’re in college, there are usually resources for students to find roommates. Even if the university doesn’t provide it, there can be Facebook groups, or an outside resource online like RoomSync to match roommates at specific colleges.