Finding a Great Apartment to Rent Can Be Difficult if You're Not Sure of Your Requirements

When you move to a new city, finding an apartment to rent can be challenging. Being unable to physically inspect properties and unsure about the best neighborhoods and reasonable rent prices complicates the process. However, the internet is here to help. You can easily find the perfect home in your new city by knowing what to research and whom to contact.
Careful planning is crucial when it comes to renting an apartment. You want to avoid taking a chance and signing a lease in a neighborhood that doesn't meet your requirements or involves a complex daily commute. Before renting a moving truck, it's crucial to consider the essential aspects of your ideal apartment and the necessary steps to secure it. Investing time and effort into this process increases your chances of finding an excellent apartment. Here are essential tips to kickstart your search.

Features Found in a Good Apartment Rental

When searching for a rental apartment, some of the crucial factors that you should prioritize include:

Competitive pricing - As a tenant, it's essential to consider apartments that suit your budget. Analyze the monthly rent prices of the properties in the area that you wish to relocate to and consider a rate that fits you best.
Location/Proximity - Consider the rental's location and its proximity to its essential amenities. Factors like proximity to your workplace, quality of nearby schools, and availability of public transportation play a role. Before renting an apartment, thoroughly research the area's amenities and accessibility.
Safety and Security - It would help if you prioritized feeling safe in your rental. Thus, considering properties in neighborhoods with lower crime rates is desirable.
Parking - If you have a vehicle, you will require parking space. Consider an apartment with a parking garage or dedicated parking lot.
Storage Space - Ample storage is essential to avoid feeling cramped or needing to rent additional storage units. Explore options with a basement or garage, as they offer additional storage space if the apartment lacks sufficient storage.

Red Flags to Help You Keep Looking Elsewhere

Keep an eye out for these red flags to prevent the distress and dissatisfaction of despising your apartment and paying rent for an undesirable living situation.

Difficulty in Contacting the Property Manager - Despite your attempts to reach out via phone, email, and text, receiving no response is a clear sign of poor communication. If they can't even show you the apartment easily, imagine the challenges you'll face regarding maintenance or answering your questions.
Neglected Maintenance - Every apartment is flawed, and occasional issues are common. However, it's a major red flag if you notice numerous "out of order" signs throughout the property or broken items left unattended.
Rushed Apartment Tour - The apartment tour lets you assess if the unit meets your livability and comfort standards. If the property manager is rushing you through the tour, it signifies a lack of respect for your significant decision or an attempt to conceal potential issues.
General Lack of Cleanliness - Stained carpets, dingy hallways, overgrown lawns, or broken windows demonstrate a property manager's indifference towards making a good impression and tenant satisfaction. Don't simply rely on their word if they promise a clean unit between the showing and your move-in date.
Pressure To Provide Cash Upfront - A reputable apartment manager should not request a deposit during a showing or while you're trying to schedule one. Be cautious about handing over a check too quickly. Application fees for credit checks are typical, but handing over a hefty security deposit like $800 before signing a lease is unsuitable.

Resources for Finding Apartments

In the current era, the challenge in finding a rental apartment lies in the abundance of information available. Thankfully, online rental resources are tailored to cater to individuals regardless of their location or level of experience. To facilitate your search, here is a list of the top apartment rental sites that provide various tools, filters, and valuable insights to streamline your journey.

Rent.com - At Rent.com, you can access various search filters. You can search for pet-friendly apartments, properties with utilities included in the rent, and apartments with amenities like air conditioning, walk-in closets, washers/dryer, or disability access.
ForRent.com - This apartment finder gives you access to precise information about apartment complexes. Besides comprehensive details about property features like pet policies and proximity to shopping, you'll also find a photo gallery, videos, and floorplans accompanying numerous listings.
Hotpads - While conducting your search, this site, equipped with various features, provides a map view and a list view of the area. In the map view, you can choose property icons to access details and photos of specific apartment listings. Moreover, the photos available also include Google Street View for added convenience.
Zumper - Zumper understands the importance of pricing when it comes to your rental search. The platform provides median rental prices for specific cities, allowing you to gauge the cost. In addition, the map view showcases sample prices for rentals across the chosen area, giving you a clear idea of the price range.
Craigslist - Craigslist has long been a reliable choice (usually) for those searching for apartments, providing several listings on its local sites across the globe. You'll find countless reasonably priced apartments, often offered by individual landlords. While Craigslist primarily offers a list view of the listings, property owners and agents can include location maps and photo and video tours of the apartments.