How to Shop for Your First Apartment Home: Tips to Live By on Your First Apartment Search!

Moving Out of Your Parent's House? Here are a few key pointers to help you find the PERFECT place for your first apartment. 

There comes a time in everyone’s life when it’s time to move on. Time to leave home, time to graduate from college, time to take a job somewhere different. No matter why you’re moving on, you’re going to need somewhere to live once the move’s been made. Now, if the idea of picking an apartment seems as daunting as pulling a jumbo jet with just your pinkie finger, never fear. As an experienced (and successful) apartment shopper, I’ve got the process boiled down into a few basic steps to make the process as easy as it can be.

1. Money, money, money. Before you even start shopping, figure out your budget. What can you afford? Remember, this isn’t just in rent, but in renter’s insurance, water, electric, cable, your car payment and insurance, what it’ll cost you to travel to work, to eat, savings, student loans, etc. Take that number on rent and housing bills and cement it in concrete in your mind. You can compromise on a lot of things, but don’t ever let your wallet be one of them.

2. What are you looking for? Once you’re sure about your price range, figure out your list of wants and needs. Here’s an example of what my list looked like.

Wants	Needs
Open floor plan	2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
2 sinks in master bathroom	No more than 25 minutes from work
Top floor of building	Pool and fitness center on site
Garage	Lots of storage

 3. Do your homework. Before you seriously consider anywhere, do some causal shopping (if you can visit the area) and use the Internet (we used apartments.com) to get an idea of what’s available in your area and price range. Eliminate places that don’t match your “Needs” column and develop a list of the places you want to seriously consider. Then, build your Binder.

4. The Binder: Your apartment search Bible. Each place to be considered should have its own section. In the section for each one, put any materials collected in the casual shopping phase, like publications given to you at the leasing office, floor plans, etc. At the front of the binder was a notebook for taking notes during the formal shopping phase and a checklist of wants. The more checks a place got during our visit, the higher up on our list it went.

5. Then, it’s time to shop, seriously. Devote at least two days to visiting different apartments and plan to spend 45 minutes to an hour at each one. When you get there, take your license (they’ll need to show you places) and bring your binder with you. People will either be aghast or impressed, but either way, they’re more likely to take you seriously. Typically, the leasing agent will show you the facilities and take you to see a model or a vacant unit and talk with you about the complex. Take pictures on your phone and notes in your notebook. If you see something you like, request a quote based on your availability. Prices can fluctuate literally from day to day, but the quote they give you traditionally lasts 48 hours so you’ve got time to decide.

6. And the winner is…After a long and exhausting shopping trip, go get a nice dinner, have a glass of something you enjoy and consider your options. Consider the materials in each section, your checklist at the front of the Binder, your notes, your pictures and the gut feeling you had when standing in the apartment. Weigh each of these variables carefully, then make a choice. Pick the one that’s right for you, fill out the application (most are online) and get ready for a lot more paperwork. But, in the meantime, congratulations! You’ve found an apartment!

This may look like a lot to go through, but trust me, it’s worth it in the end. You’ll be so grateful for your Binder and that you took the time to work your way through the process. It’ll all turn out great in the end and before you know it, you’ll be saying, “Home sweet home” in your new digs.

Here is a great place to Start

MOVING IN FAQs: Here are a few tips for before and after your move

WHAT TO DO WHEN MOVING – BEFORE AND AFTER

There are many things to think about before and after moving into an apartment home. I have created a list of highlights to keep in mind so your big day isn’t so overwhelming.
BEFORE MOVE-IN

• Call or visit your current leasing office to figure out how much is due so your account balance is at zero upon move out. Don’t forget to ask if there are any requirements needed before you move-out, like cleaning.
• Schedule and be present for your move-out inspection at your current apartment community. Get a copy of the move-out inspection sheet after you and the appropriate staff member signs it.
• Get in writing how much money is due before you move-in. This would include your rent, security deposit and any other additional fees at your new apartment community.
• Call, pay and schedule the connection of power, gas, cable, internet and home phone line.
• Get renters insurance from your car insurance company or another company. Additionally, make sure they fax over a copy of your policy to the leasing office.
• Get quotes from prospective moving companies.
• Change your address with the United States Postal Service. You can do this in person or online, and it is best to do it at least 10 days before you move-in.
• Make sure you don’t have to work on the day of your move. If there are family members or friends helping you, follow up with them and make sure that their plans have not changed.
• Tell the leasing office what time they should expect you to pick up your keys and complete any paperwork before move-in.
• If you can, complete all paperwork before you move-in and pay what you can. It will save you time on the day of move-in. Who wants to think about money and paperwork on moving day anyways?
• Be present for the move-in inspection at your new apartment community and get a copy for your records after the appropriate staff member signs it.
• Get receipts or signed copies of all payments made from the point of payment of application, rent, security deposit payment, etc.
• Read your lease agreement carefully and ask questions before signing!

AFTER MOVE-IN

• Obtain a copy of your lease after the appropriate authority, most likely the Community Manager, signs it. Don’t just request a copy of the actual lease itself, but all of the addendum forms that accompanied it at the time of signing.
• Tape a paper with your name in your mailbox for the mail carrier in case his or her records hasn’t been updated yet.
• If there were any work orders/service requests made during your move-in inspection, call or visit the office the next day to ensure it was entered into their system and that nothing was overlooked.
• Now it is time to clean and unpack!
• Now that you have gotten all of those responsibilities out of the way, it is time to make the apartment home. For apartment living ideas, check out Apartment Therapy here. They have great tips large and small spaces.

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