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Thursday, 8/21/2008 Tips on Finding the Right Apartment
Finding the right apartment is not difficult if you know how to
manage the process. Here's how:
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Figure
out how much you can afford. Be sure to include utilities such as
electricity, gas, water, etc. Don't forget fuel for your car. Although
not a direct cost of renting an apartment, it will impact your
disposable income if the daily commute to work covers a long distance.
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Consider
the type of neighborhood you want to live in. What amenities do
you like? How far is the drive to work and shopping centers? What is
the crime rate for the area? If you have school aged children, how far
away are the schools, and are they rated highly? Are you looking for
quiet? If so, a building full of young children will probably not be
to your liking.
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Consider
items such as parking (distance from building, nighttime lighting),
acceptable pet policies, public transportation, security, laundry
facilities and number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
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What
floor would you like to live on? Generally speaking, most people
prefer the top floor. There will be nobody above to create noise. If there
is a view, the top floor provides the best vantage point.
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Call for
appointments to see your choices. Gather more information when
visiting the apartments. Ask about maintenance policies, security
deposits, down payment, etc. How old is the unit? Are appliances
included in the rent? If so, who will be responsible for repairs if
something breaks down? If there is a shared laundry room, how many
units use it? It can be a real hassle to share a common washer/dryer.
It's safer from a security perspective if each apartment unit has it's
own washer/dryer installed. Be sure to take notes for later review.
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When
ready to sign a lease, be sure to inspect the apartment unit carefully
for any type of damage. Point out any problems to the landlord and
have repairs made, or the damaged items listed as exempt in the lease,
before signing. You don't want to lose your security deposit when the
time comes to leave.
Apartment
living can feel like home once you have moved in. If it's quiet,
convenient, and has other features you like, you should be as happy as living in a house. |
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