Finding Your First Apartment

So you are ready to be an adult and your first step is finding your first solo-apartment. You don't want to live with roommates and you *think* you can afford to live on your own (more about that later). How do you navigate this process? What kinds of things should you look for?

Step 1) Figure out the geographic area you want to live in. Things to consider:

• How long is my commute to work (don't forget to account for traffic)
• How close am I to significant other/family/friends?
• What is the cost of living like in this area? Can I afford to live here?

Step 2) Get a list of apartments that are in that area. Don't limit yourself too much in this step - include some apartments that may be a little further from your ideal location than you would like, and some apartments that may be a little pricier than you would like.

Step 3) Visit the apartment complexes and take a tour. Most places can accommodate you on short notice; just make sure to call ahead.

Things to ask on your visit:

• Find out ALL of the rent costs and extra fees - apartments often charge extra for amenities that you don't even care about, such as what types of counter tops are included or what floor you're on within the building.
  • If they can't give you a set price because all of their units are priced differently, ask for a list of the cost of all of the available units and a corresponding list of what amenities they have to offer.
• Find out how much it will cost to rent month-to-month after your year lease is over. Usually when you are getting ready to move, you can't time it perfectly to coincide with your lease ending, so it's nice to be able to switch to month-to-month...but some apartments charge you a ridiculous amount for this. One apartment I looked at charged $300/month extra to go month-to-month!!!
• How does laundry work? My Tip: If you can afford to get a unit with a washer and dryer built in, DO IT. Using a building laundry facility is a pain, and going to a laundromat is a nearly insurmountable pain. If you have to do this, expect to buy new underwear to put off doing laundry, because you'll NEVER want to do it.
• Is parking free? Can guests park for free?
• What security measures do you take to ensure your residents' safety?
• Do you allow pets, and if so, how much extra does that cost? Even if you don't have pets now, this is a good question to ask!
• What do you do to an apartment when the tenants move out? Some complexes repaint and recarpet, others simply clean. Getting new stuff when you move in is always nice, and if your apartment merely cleans AND allows pets...well, make sure you get to see the apartment you'll be renting before signing anything. There's nothing quite like entering your new apartment to find the remnants of cat pee odor in the carpet.

Keep a comparison chart of everything you learn, and figure out the best value for your money...and what you can afford!

***Pro Tip:*** Don't let anyone pressure you into signing a lease until you can compare all of your options. That being said, go through this process quickly, because apartments can go quickly, and rates can change frequently. I'd recommend trying to visit all of your prospective apartments and making a decision within a week or two - and within a couple of days if you're looking in a high demand area.

Step 4) Read the fine print before you sign. You will probably need to sign a year lease, and that lease will probably be a bajillion pages. Make sure you read it carefully to determine what sorts of activities may result in you losing your security deposit, and to see if anything weird is against of the rules - like having a grill, or displaying certain objects in your windows, or hanging specific types of window treatments.

Step 5) Start getting ready to move in! This means packing (carefully), buying basic furnishings and cookware, and trying to make sure that you have everything you need (hint: you won't. Trust me. It's impossible to expect everything).

A final note....

• Make sure you can afford the apartment you choose! If you can't, you may consider looking for roommates.
• Don't underestimate the advantage to paying higher rent but getting your utilities included. Some apartments include water and gas, and a few include all utilities. This can be extremely helpful, and also a nice perk if you like to take long showers or to crank up your heat in the winter.
• Don't forget to think about traffic patterns around your apartment. Choosing a high traffic area can be stressful, kill your gasoline budget, and cause you to spend way more time than you'd like waiting to turn left out of your driveway.
• If you can afford it...stay close to the places you go - the less driving you have to do, the more money and time you'll save. The places you go include work, favorite stores, favorite recreation areas, and the homes of friends and family members.

Good luck! Happy apartment-hunting!