Looking at apartments for rent can be tricky. There will always be something you over look or some question you forget to ask before you sign the lease. The trick is to know the really big issues that people often forget about in their search for the right size at the right price. These things are, of course, the most important. But certain apartments that are 'a steal' could be cheap because they present their own problems. You may want to pay a bit more for a smaller place and actually be happy there.
One thing to figure out is how this is going to affect your commute to work. Drive through the area to experience morning traffic. Find out if the roads get plowed and salted in the winter. Look for bad intersections that could be dangerous or traffic lights that stay red for an annoyingly long period of time. You must think of your car, since it is the other huge purchase apart from a place to live. There should be gas stations and car garages near by that you trust and are reasonably priced.
Find out all you can about the neighborhood for your apartment rentals. Look at the list of crimes in the paper and see if your town is the residence of any of these offenders. Is the school good? Are there street lights on the street? How far is it from the police station? Drive around at all hours to see what you think of it.
One of the ways landlords can take advantage of you is by not providing many services and sticking you with hidden costs or not taking care of you properly. Ask not only about what utilities you have to pay but if the landlord takes care of trash removal, house repairs, snow plowing, and on-site washers and driers. Check out the house's insulation to make sure you will not be throwing your money away on the heating bill.
Get a very specific list in writing from the landlord about what you can and cannot do in a house. You do not want to be surprised by not getting your security deposit back when you move out. Some do not like pictures or shelves to be nailed to the wall, but they will not tell you because then they can keep an extra month's worth of rent. Ask about growing gardens, pets, smoking, and painting.
Good apartments should come with a few appliances like a dishwasher and fridge. If there is room, a washer and drier should really be included. Some may even give you a vacuum cleaner in order for you to keep the apartment well maintained. Make sure to look at the stove and find the fire alarm. If there is no fire alarm, do not move in. Inspect the plumbing--the sinks and the shower should all be clean and in good condition.
How much space do you have in your current home? Do you need more? Measure your big furniture and check for closet space in the new apartment. Is there room in the basement to store things? Does the kitchen have enough cabinets? You should have ample space in linen closets and the medicine cupboard.
The landlord is another aspect of the apartment. This person must be willing to take care of your needs and respect your space, just as you will respect his or her property. If you do not like the person or have heard bad things about him or her, consider finding a different place. Ensure that you have multiple ways of contacting said landlord in the event of an emergency. - 32196
One thing to figure out is how this is going to affect your commute to work. Drive through the area to experience morning traffic. Find out if the roads get plowed and salted in the winter. Look for bad intersections that could be dangerous or traffic lights that stay red for an annoyingly long period of time. You must think of your car, since it is the other huge purchase apart from a place to live. There should be gas stations and car garages near by that you trust and are reasonably priced.
Find out all you can about the neighborhood for your apartment rentals. Look at the list of crimes in the paper and see if your town is the residence of any of these offenders. Is the school good? Are there street lights on the street? How far is it from the police station? Drive around at all hours to see what you think of it.
One of the ways landlords can take advantage of you is by not providing many services and sticking you with hidden costs or not taking care of you properly. Ask not only about what utilities you have to pay but if the landlord takes care of trash removal, house repairs, snow plowing, and on-site washers and driers. Check out the house's insulation to make sure you will not be throwing your money away on the heating bill.
Get a very specific list in writing from the landlord about what you can and cannot do in a house. You do not want to be surprised by not getting your security deposit back when you move out. Some do not like pictures or shelves to be nailed to the wall, but they will not tell you because then they can keep an extra month's worth of rent. Ask about growing gardens, pets, smoking, and painting.
Good apartments should come with a few appliances like a dishwasher and fridge. If there is room, a washer and drier should really be included. Some may even give you a vacuum cleaner in order for you to keep the apartment well maintained. Make sure to look at the stove and find the fire alarm. If there is no fire alarm, do not move in. Inspect the plumbing--the sinks and the shower should all be clean and in good condition.
How much space do you have in your current home? Do you need more? Measure your big furniture and check for closet space in the new apartment. Is there room in the basement to store things? Does the kitchen have enough cabinets? You should have ample space in linen closets and the medicine cupboard.
The landlord is another aspect of the apartment. This person must be willing to take care of your needs and respect your space, just as you will respect his or her property. If you do not like the person or have heard bad things about him or her, consider finding a different place. Ensure that you have multiple ways of contacting said landlord in the event of an emergency. - 32196
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