| Apartment hunting can be very daunting for some | | | | Doing this will allow the renter to see if there is an |
| potential renters. Often the variety of options | | | | opportunity to either make improvements on the |
| available to these renters is a source of | | | | amount of monthly spending to allow for the renting |
| overwhelming frustration for the renters. With so | | | | of a more expensive property. The renter can also |
| many appealing options it can be difficult to choose | | | | determine whether or not they feel there is the |
| just one. However, there are some tips which can | | | | opportunity to negotiate a lower rental rate on a |
| help to ease the process of apartment hunting. The | | | | particular property. |
| process of finding the perfect apartment can be | | | | When initially researching properties, the renter does |
| broken down into three simple steps. The first step | | | | not necessarily have to visit each property. Most of |
| is to set a budget. Next the renter should research | | | | the pricing information can be obtained from |
| their available options and then comparison shop to | | | | resources such as Internet websites, newspapers |
| determine which option is the best. | | | | and rental magazines. Since pricing is the primary |
| Set a Budget First | | | | concern at this point, the initial research will enable |
| For many renters the most important consideration is | | | | the renter to eliminate properties which are too far |
| how much they are willing to spend on an apartment | | | | out of their price range. |
| per month. For this reason it should come as no | | | | Comparison Shop |
| surprise that the first step in the apartment hunting | | | | Once the renter has narrowed down his list of |
| process should include establishing a budget. Renters | | | | possible apartment complexes to a more manageable |
| should consider their monthly income and subtract | | | | number it is time to start visiting these properties. It |
| out all of their monthly expenses from this amount. | | | | is during this step that the renter will really get a feel |
| Monthly expenses should include all bills which are paid | | | | for the quality of the apartment as well as the |
| regularly as well as money spent on food, | | | | amount and quality of amenities offered by the |
| entertainment and miscellaneous items each month. | | | | complex. This is very important because this |
| The renter may also wish to subtract out an | | | | information can be used to decide between |
| additional amount to allow for some savings each | | | | properties which are otherwise very similar. |
| month as well as emergencies. The total left after | | | | The comparison shopping process is also worthwhile |
| these subtractions is the amount the renter is able to | | | | because it gives the renter some bargaining power in |
| spend on an apartment per month. Once this amount | | | | negotiating more favorable rent rates. Renters who |
| is established the renter will have a better | | | | have visited a number of apartments likely have a |
| understanding of the type of apartment they are | | | | good idea of the going rate in a particular area for a |
| able to afford. | | | | particular size apartment. These renters can use this |
| Research Available Properties | | | | information to potentially convince some leasing |
| Once a budget has been established, the renter | | | | agents to lower their prices at least a little bit. There |
| should begin researching the properties which fall | | | | will not likely be huge drops in price from these |
| within his budget range. It is likely to consider | | | | negotiations but it will likely be enough to be |
| properties which are slightly above the range as well | | | | considered worthwhile. |
| as properties which are slightly below the range. | | | | |