How to Find an Apartment That's Perfect for You
By Ron Leshnower, About.com Guide to Apartment Living / Rental
So, you've decided you want to be an apartment dweller... Good for you! The next step is to find the right apartment. To make your apartment search go as guickly and efficiently as possible, you should first take a moment to decide what you want and answer key questions, such as whether you prefer to live with roommates or wish to live alone. You've then got to prepare to deal with potential landlords and watch out for common stumbling blocks along the way. Here are resources to help you conduct a productive and successful apartment search.
Making the Right Decisions
It's easy to go out there and visit many apartments after reading listings in newspapers or on the Internet. But a smart apartment search involves deciding what you need and how to find it efficiently. Here are useful resources to help you.
- Find the Right Apartment Without the Stress
- Should You Live With Roommates or Live Alone?
- How to Find an Apartment in a Certain Building
- How to Decide Between Renting a Studio or a One-Bedroom Apartment
- Create a Budget to Determine What You Can Afford
- Fixed-Term Lease or Month-to-Month Rental?
- Search Multiple Apartment Listings at Once
- Get Free or Low-Cost Advice from a Housing Counselor
- Find Privately Owned Subsidized Apartments at Lower Rents
- Find Out Who Makes the Best Roommates
Dealing With Potential Landlords
What might a new landlord need from you if you want to rent an apartment? Is the rent negotiable, and is there any way of getting around that pesky income requirement? Find out here.
- How To Comply With a Landlord's Request for a Letter of Employment
- Give Sample Letter of Employment to Your Employer
- Negotiate the Rent With a Landlord
- Mention Pet at Start of Apartment Search
- How a Guarantor May Help
Avoiding Stumbling Blocks
From the day you begin your apartment search to the day you move in to your new home, you're likely to encounter at least a few bumps in the road. With a bit of knowledge, you can prevent these stumbling blocks from derailing your efforts to find the perfect rental. Here's some help.
