Have you decided that you want to live on your own rather than with your parents? Maybe you've been living in a dorm and you have decided that you'd do better by getting an apartment. No matter the reason that you are looking for your first apartment, maybe you aren't quite sure how to progress in finding the best one for you. Here are some thoughts for you to consider.
Ask Yourself Questions
Ask yourself some questions that might help you to determine the apartment you want.
Obviously, the first question might be how much you can afford to pay for rent. You'll want to determine whether things like utilities are part of your rent.
Do you have a pet? If so, the next question might be whether or not the apartment takes pets. If you do, there might be a hefty pet deposit.
If you don't have a car, does that mean that you want the apartment to be on a bus route?
Do you want your apartment to be close to your school or close to places like museums, theaters, and art galleries?
Are you going to need to buy, rent, or borrow furniture for the apartment, or will you be renting a furnished one?
Visit an Apartment Rental Company
Once you have answered those questions and any others you might have, think about going to an apartment rental company. By doing so, you'll have an agent who will be able to find the best apartment for your needs. He or she will have a list of apartments that are available right when you need it. In addition, the agent might be able to get special perks for you. For example, the deposit might be lowered or the first month's rent might even be waived.
Even if you don't get any special discounts from using the rental company, you'll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that somebody is helping you to find an apartment that meets all of your needs. Think of writing down everything you want in the apartment and taking the list with you. Be ready to compromise, though. For instance, maybe you had your heart set on an apartment on the first floor. You might have to settle for one on the second or third floor to get the other things you wanted.
If you do use an apartment rental company, be sure to give the name of the company to the apartments you look at. Even though you might not be charged for the help you receive from the rental agent, he or she will be compensated for referring you to that particular apartment.