Finding a new home is a daunting process. You want the location, amenities, and neighborhood to be just right. Chances are high you’ll be signing a year-long lease, so you’ll want to spend extra time ensuring that you’ll feel safe and comfortable in your brand new dwelling.
When you’re touring potential homes, you probably already know to look carefully at the inside to make sure walls are in good shape, appliances work and there isn’t any extensive damage. But there are plenty of other factors that are easy to miss when you’re already overwhelmed with taking in a new space. That’s where Melanie G. French, executive vice president of Atlanta-based rental property owner Cortland Partners, comes in. French discussed just what potential renters should really look for and ask about when scoping out homes in order to find that perfect fit.
Ask About Service
Pay close attention to how the grounds are maintained. Are there dead bugs all over the halls? Is there trash in the pool? If the answer to those questions is yes, it may be a sign that the service staff isn’t attentive. Be sure to ask when the maintenance staff is available too. If the staff only keeps 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours during the week regardless of emergencies, that could be a problem if your air conditioner goes out over the weekend.
Check Out the Surroundings
Even if the interior of the apartment you’re looking at is immaculate, you’ll want to be sure the surroundings look good too. Do the homes in the neighborhood have broken windows? Are the lawns in bad shape? Do the other apartments seem to have window coverings or be occupied? Are there dead tree limbs all over? Is the landscaping well-maintained?
“Conscientious landlords will take these things into consideration and manage them so that you do not have to worry about them,” says French. Bottom line: If the inside is gorgeous but the neighborhood looks like it’s crumbling, it may be best to keep searching.
Visit the Area a Few Times a Day
Even if everything looks beautiful in the morning, that might drastically change depending on the time of day. Drive by in the morning, afternoon and evening to ensure your potential neighborhood isn’t a hotbed for suspicious behavior during certain times of the day. If you can swing it, try checking it out during the week and on one weekend day too.
Ask About a Master Key
“Renters should also ask the sales consultant if the community has a master key that opens all apartments,” says French, as having a master key is a major security issue. After all, you wouldn’t want your home to be an easy break-in target. “Communities in today’s world should use electronic key tracking systems that document when a key is signed out for a service request to be completed. This system logs in who accessed the key and when it was returned.”
Pay Attention to How the Staff Treats You
How important this varies from person to person, but if you’re the type who prefers to dwell in a community that feels welcoming, you’ll want to pay close attention to how the staff interacts with you.
“It is important that residents find a community where they are comfortable interacting with the community staff. Does the community team say hello to residents or acknowledge them by name when touring and showing you an apartment home and the amenity areas?” says French. If good customer service is important to you, be sure to pay close attention to the way the staff treats you from the very beginning.
“Always call the community and ask for a return call. If the team does not promptly return your call and stay in touch during the sales process, then they may be too busy,” says French. “Customers and residents are the reasons we have jobs; they should always be responded to promptly.”
Check out this printer-friendly apartment touring checklist to help you out during visits and these ways to stay safe when you’re touring apartments to help make your apartment search easier.