The statistics show that every year over 40 million Americans move to a new home, so if you are considering a move you are in good company.
If you are looking for a new apartment you are probably wondering how you can maximize your time and still find the best apartment at the right price. It is actually possible to get the best of both worlds by understanding how you should go about apartment hunting.
Here are some apartment hunting hacks you can use to find an apartment that suits your budget and needs.
1. Timing Is Everything
Just like there are good times of the year to move, there are good times to go apartment hunting as well. Most people do not want to move during the colder months, so you will have less competition between November and February if you are searching for an apartment.
March and April are also not bad times but there may be some competition as people prepare to move when the warmer months approach. When graduation and summertime hits, you are likely to face some stiff competition, so plan ahead in order to be ready for the November to February period.
2. Online Research Is A Must
Before the internet, you had word of mouth, real estate agents and newspaper ads to help you find an apartment. These are still available but today you also have Yelp.
If you use Yelp to find businesses you may not be aware that you can use it to find an apartment. Yelp is great because large apartment buildings in big cities will often have reviews there. You can use this information to narrow your search.
3. Look For Security
You need to consider the security of any building you are interested in. Find out if your landlord intends to hire a security guard or has already hired one to protect the building.
You may be thinking, “Why should I look for a building with a security guard?” and if you are looking at things from your landlord’s perspective you may be wondering, “Why hire a security guard to protect your apartment building?”
The truth is that such a move not only protects you, but it also protects the landlord from potential lawsuits about security. A security guard will be on spot to prevent violent acts and they make great eyewitnesses. This is especially important in troubled neighborhoods.
Even if no security guard will be provided for the building, find out the security systems or measures that have been put in place.
4. The Use of APPS Is One of the Newest Apartment Hunting Hacks
Did you know that you can also download apps to help you find an apartment?
If you didn’t, now you do!
These apps can help you find amazing neighborhoods and also give you reviews on apartment buildings. You may also find out interesting facts, from whether they allow pets in the building to whether they have roomy closet space.
Download a few of them from the Google play store and take some time to see what you can find out about the areas and buildings you are interested in.
5. Don’t Overlook New Buildings
You may be thinking that a new building will be expensive. While this may often be the case, sometimes the opposite is true.
Some new buildings are like startup businesses seeking customers. Sometimes you will get a free month of rent or some other incentive as the landlord strives to fill up the building with tenants.
Final Thoughts
If you want to rent an apartment then you need to use the best apartment hunting hacks available. This will help you to find a suitable apartment and get the best deals.
Fortunately, there are several tactics that will help you to find the right apartment. Use the ones discussed here consistently and you should be well on your way to finding the apartment of your dreams.
If you would like more helpful life hacks then please visit our blog.