Getting your own apartment and moving out of your parent’s home can be an incredibly freeing feeling. You finally get your own space and can decorate it how you want, make your own rules, and get some independence.
However, in order to make your new apartment your home, you first have to find an apartment to rent. While some cities are easy to rent in and finding a place will be simple, this isn’t always the case. Some cities are very competitive, and you need to be on your toes to be able to find an appropriate apartment.
Without any further ado, let’s go over a step-by-step guide to renting your first apartment in a city that is competitive.
Do Some Searching
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The first part of getting your own apartment is to begin your search. While this can be done in person, it often makes sense to begin online. UMoveFree has a list of different types of apartments, and there are several online resources that will have a list of available units in your area that you can check out.
These searches can help you learn more about a particular building or unit, to help you make your decision easier. Also, if you have specific needs (such as places that are pet-friendly) then many of these resources will allow you to filter your search to make sure you only end up looking at places that work for you.
Set a Budget
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Before you get too serious in your search, it is also a good idea to set a budget. You want to know just how much you can afford to spend. There is no use looking at and considering dozens of units that are well over $2000 a month, if you can only afford to spend $1500.
Also, with the average monthly rent climbing in the USA, having a budget is very important to ensure you aren’t accidentally spending beyond your means. Take a look at how much you bring in each month, and the other expenses you have, and decide how much you can afford to spend on an apartment.
While thinking about the rent is important, it isn’t the only cost that you need to consider. You also need to think about utilities, rental insurance, parking, and potentially others.
Act Quickly
If a city has a very competitive market when it comes to renting apartments, you need to be sure to act quickly. Many units won’t be available for more than a couple of days in many cases, before someone fills the vacancy. So if you see a place you like, consider booking a viewing quickly.
Also, make sure you have all of your paperwork prepared as quickly as possible. There are many documents needed to rent an apartment, and you need to have all of these ready to show as soon as possible. Many people will apply for an apartment right at the viewing, and if you wait too long to think about it, you could miss out.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should rush into a bad deal or a bad unit, but if you find a space that you like and will work for you, you should make your serious interest known to the landlord or rental company as soon as you can.
Find Ways to Make Yourself a More Attractive Candidate
If you are set on applying to rent a specific unit, there are unfortunately no guarantees that you’ll get it. If you want to give yourself the best chance of finding a unit in a competitive city, you need to do all you can to make yourself the most attractive candidate possible.
This includes things like being prepared, responding to emails and calls quickly, and having references if at all possible. You need to show that you will treat the unit well, and will never miss a rent payment. Things like offering a few months upfront, or paying slightly more in rent each month can both help in some cases, too.
With any luck and with the right application, you will be chosen to rent the first apartment of your dreams.
In conclusion, we hope that this guide has been able to help you learn how to rent your first apartment in a competitive city.
