Finding an apartment can be difficult, especially when it’s your first apartment. Once you find the right one, you may also find out that the landlord runs a background check on lease applicants—and he or she wants your permission to run one on you.

But fear not! Tenant background checks are pretty standard. Landlords and property managers use them to confirm a possible renter’s identity and trustworthiness. Read the rest of this entry »

When you’re hunting for a bargain, timing can be everything. We’ve all browsed sales waiting for the right time to buy a television or car—holding off for seasonal savings such as Black Friday. But did you know there’s also a best time of year to rent an apartment?

If you know you’re going to be moving in the next couple of months, and are wondering when the best time to rent an apartment is, read on. Read the rest of this entry »

Life can change rapidly nowadays. Job transfers, new relationships, and exciting opportunities can have anyone looking for new housing — fast! What happens when such changes lead to friends and family asking if they can crash at your place? Do couchsurfers belong on the apartment lease?

The answer depends upon the circumstances. Here are three common situations that we get questions about. Read the rest of this entry »

Dorm life: convenient for getting to class, low-maintenance, and ideal for socializing and making friends.

Off-campus living has some serious perks, too. You enjoy more privacy, a room to yourself, and a new sense of independence. No more community bathrooms you have to share with thirty other people, either. What a glorious thought!

Your school may not share much information about off-campus housing, but we’re here to get you started with need-to-know info. Don’t get caught by surprise. Read up on the top five things you need to know before renting an off-campus apartment. Read the rest of this entry »

There’s a season for everything, including leaving your beloved parents’ house. Whether you’re headed off to college or just moving into your first apartment, your parents are about to be flying solo at home. Put these tips to use to help make the transition easier for them! Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re like most new college graduates (or if you’re a student who’s about to graduate), you’re eager to find a job and perhaps you’re itching to settle down in a big city.

But where should you scratch that big-city itch? There are so many choices!

Here’s a list of five of the best cities for recent graduates (in alphabetical order) that you should consider as you map out your life after college. Read the rest of this entry »

A serious relationship with the right person can change everything for the better. You love spending time with your significant other, and maybe you’ve been daydreaming about what it would be like to move in together. No more separate rent payments and no more leaving to go to your own house after a great night out. Plus, you could spend all the time you want with his/her awesome and adorable dog. But is moving in together truly the right decision for your relationship? Pay attention and watch for these 5 signs that could mean your daydream would lead to disaster. Read the rest of this entry »

Monthly rent: every renter pays it, and every renter hates it. However, if you want to keep a roof over your head, it’s an unavoidable expense. Sadly, rents have been soaring in areas all over the country, even outpacing home values. So, what can you do when it’s poised to go up? You might be surprised to find that your hands aren’t necessarily tied. Get tips to avoid a rental increase from your friends at ApartmentSearch! Read the rest of this entry »

Ever moved somewhere, excited to start fresh and eager to explore, only to realize that you need to go…furniture shopping? Bleh. While you may have heard of furnished apartments for corporate travelers and last-minute movers, you may not know that they’re a super smart choice for off-campus housing, too. Dare we say, an A+ option? Check out our five reasons! Read the rest of this entry »

Where do you call home? For that matter, how do you define your home? Is it the place from which you hail, or the place you lay your head when you go to sleep each night? Is home a quiet place of seclusion, or a rambunctious meeting place for friends and family? What each individual calls home is very different. But at the same time, all of these concepts are innately the same. It is just part of the transcendent concept we call home. Read the rest of this entry »