There’s no doubt about it: searching for a rental apartment is tough. You want to find the perfect place, one that is well-located and matches your lifestyle and budget. The list of qualifications is long. This can be especially difficult for those of you who are relocating and can’t visit the apartments in person. But fear not. By asking these key questions and following these tips, you’ll be moved in to your new dream home in no time.
Be Honest
Boston area-based residential real estate broker Albert Lynch’s first tip: Be sure to search for, and be honest about, exactly what you want. Items you’ll want to look for include the location, budget, nightlife, amenities and whatever else is important to you.
“Have your checklist ready as to what is important to you, knowing that you might have to be flexible, as your wish list and your budget may not be equal,” says Lynch.
What to Look For During an In-Person Visit
If you can visit your apartment in person, you’ll want to ask yourself the following, advises Lynch:
-Does this location make my commute simple?
-Are there things for me to do in this neighborhood?
-Is there shopping nearby?
-What are the amenities the building might offer, such as parking, common meeting room space, a pool, and a business center?
-Does the building look like it is maintained well?
-Is there laundry in the building?
If you are looking for an apartment in a multi-family home, look at the neighborhood, the condition of the building and the condition of common area space like hallways.
Something else to look for when you’re touring places is how courteous the office staff is. If the staff is polite and treats you well, you’re probably in a good place, says Lynn Edmondson, regional manager for property management company Wendover Management headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Florida.
If you have issues with the community, move on, says Lynch.
“My advice: Go with your gut,” he says. “Keep looking, because your new home is still out there.”
What to Search For Online
Although it’s best to tour an apartment in person, you might not be able to if you’re moving to a new city and won’t have the time or the money before you relocate to see communities for yourself. Melanie French, the executive vice president of operations at Atlanta-based property management firm Cortland Partners, advises asking a colleague or friend in the city to check out the complex in person on your behalf.
If you don’t know anyone who could do this for you, you’ll want to evaluate the community as best you can, even if it’s just over the phone or via email.
“Because customer service is such an important part of residing in an apartment community, you should call the office and ask the community to take a 360-degree video of the apartment home for you. They should be willing to do this. If they’re not, you may have your decision right there,” says French.
If you have to conduct your search online, French advises you to look at multiple different apartment communities. In general, you’ll want to avoid places that only feature photos of the exterior, as that may be a sign that the interior is not up to snuff.
Find a reputable website that offers multiple high resolution photos and videos, that way you can get a detailed view of the community you are looking at.
If you’re afraid of taking the plunge and trying to rent an apartment without seeing it first, try sticking to the same management company.
“Generally, you can assume that a company that has apartment complexes in multiple cities provides a similar quality of living in each of its communities. So, for example, if you had a pleasant experience with an apartment community in one region, you may look to see if they have a property in the new city you are moving to,” says French.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
If you can visit (and here’s a list of questions you should ask when you’re checking out places in person), you’ll want to pay close attention to the state of the apartment building. If things are run-down and in disrepair, you’ll probably want to avoid that specific community.
Edmondson also advises avoiding apartment communities that have rent prices that are well below the average. You’ll also want to carefully consider places that provide flashy move-in specials.
“Low-quality communities that aren’t able to contend with nearby competitors often try to entice residents with flashy signing bonuses. Take a second to consider what the community truly offers. If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably too good to be true,” says Edmondson.
Positive Signs
If there’s a waiting list for the community, you’re probably looking at a good place. If the apartment is in a good location, the property looks well-maintained and is priced competitively, you’re probably in a good place, says Edmondson.