First Time Renter? Here Are Some Great Tips!
Whether you’ve finished college, got your first job, or you’re just ready to move out of your parents’ place, renting your first apartment is a big milestone. It’s an exciting time with lots of new freedoms, but also lots of responsibilities.
You want to be well-prepared for the whole apartment experience – from finding an apartment to moving in – and that means doing some preparation. If you’re wondering what you should be doing as your search for your new place, here are tips to keep you on track.
- Create a Budget: First and foremost, create a budget. You want to make sure you do not “bite off more than you can chew.” Make a list of all of your expenses and bills, along with all of your income. Many people suggest that you spend no more than 30% of your income on rent, but you need to do what works for you. Additionally, make sure you have enough saved to cover deposits and other expenses (such as furnishings, household goods, etc.).
- This is also a good time to consider whether you need a roommate in order to make apartment living work for you.
- Decide What You Need: When you start looking at apartments, you can get a pretty good idea of what you’ll need to make your apartment a home. Start a list of must-haves and create a separate list of wants. Then begin deciding how you’ll find all that you need. Do you have anyone who can donate some items to you? Can you shop second-hand for things? What will you need to buy new? Your must-haves will impact your budget – so be sure to create a detailed list.
- Tour Your Apartment and the Facilities: You can probably do a lot of the legwork of finding an apartment by visiting websites. Most apartment complexes provide a lot of information via their webpages, but there’s nothing quite like seeing the place in person. Be sure to take a tour of the apartment and the facilities. Make sure that what you’ve seen online matches up to what you see on your tour.
- Be Sure You Know What Utilities Are Included: After you’ve visited so many apartments, you may forget what each apartment included for utilities. If you’ve narrowed down your choices, be sure you are clear on what is included and what is not. Some places may include all utilities, others a select few, and some none at all.
- Ask Important Questions: Also, be sure to ask any questions you may have. You don’t want to sign a lease and find out that your apartment or the facilities don’t match your expectations. You’ll want to know about parking, trash, amenities, etc.
- Fill Out Your Application: Once you’ve picked a place, begin the application process. Usually, this involves filling out a form, doing a credit check, and paying an application fee. If you don’t have a credit history, you may need to have a guarantor who will also go through the credit check process. They are guaranteeing the rent will be paid.
- Read the Lease: Before signing on the dotted line, take the time to read your lease completely. If there are portions that you don’t understand, be sure to ask someone to explain.
- Purchase Renters’ Insurance: Lots of people may not think about getting renters’ insurance, but it is definitely something you should consider. It can help cover damage to your belongings from things such as fire, water damage, and theft.
Finding your first apartment is exciting – and maybe a bit stressful with so many things to think about. But use these tips and some guidance from family and friends to find a place that fits your budget and makes you feel at home.
Recent Posts
Showing 95 comments
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Thanks so much for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Hi there are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you need any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submitmy comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all thatover again. Anyhow, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
Great article post.Much thanks again. Great.
Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone!Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forwardto all your posts! Keep up the great work!
Greetings! Very useful advice within this article!It is the little changes which will make the biggest changes.Thanks a lot for sharing!
This is a excellent blog, will you be interested in doing an interview about how you developed it? If so e-mail me!
Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next post thanks once again.
It’s hard to find experienced people for this subject, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Hey, thanks for the article.Thanks Again. Fantastic.
Appreciate you sharing, great article.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.
Great article.Really thank you! Want more.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Looking forward to reading more. Great post. Want more.
Fantastic article. Great.
Good day! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.Please let me know. Thanks
Thanks so much for the post. Really Cool.
Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity: it must be produced and discharged and used up in order to exist at all.
Thank you for your blog article.Really thank you! Fantastic.
plaquenil pregnancy chloroquine phosphate brand name
I’m curious to find out what blog system you are working with? I’m experiencing some minor security problems with my latest blog and I’d like to find something more safe. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on work it film.Regards
ivermectin paste for humans ivermectin for eczema
I value the post. Really Great.
I really liked your blog article.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
Hey, thanks for the blog post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
It’s actually a nice and useful piece of information. I am happy that you shared this usefulinfo with us. Please stay us up to date like this.Thanks for sharing.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog. I am hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own blog now 😉
john hancock center apartments apartments in middletown de paris apartments for sale
Really informative blog post.Really thank you! Awesome.
Good info. Lucky me I recently found your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I’ve book marked it for later!
Hey, you used to write fantastic, but the last several posts have been kinda boring… I miss your great writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
Hello.This article was extremely interesting, especially since I was browsingfor thoughts on this matter last Wednesday.Feel free to surf to my blog post — decreased libido in women
A big thank you for your post.Thanks Again. Great.
Genuinely no matter if someone doesn’t understand then its up to other viewers thatthey will assist, so here it happens.
It’s a jealous article. It’s very awesome and innovative. Who happen to be you to write that special article?
Im grateful for the article post. Want more.
Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make critically posts I might
When someone writes an paragraph he/she maintains the plan of auser in his/her mind that how a user can be aware of it.Thus that’s why this post is amazing. Thanks!
Great info. Lucky me I found your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I have saved as a favorite for later!
It’s going to be end of mine day, however before finish I am reading this great piece of writing to increase my experience.
Hi, this weekend is nice designed for me, since this occasion i am reading this impressive informative post here at my house.
It’s going to be end of mine day, but beforeend I am reading this fantastic paragraph to improve myexperience.
I’m not certain the place you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time finding out more or working out more. Thank you for great info I was on the lookout for this information for my mission.
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
Hi, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this blog post.It was inspiring. Keep on posting!
Great, thanks for sharing this article post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
Thanks for sharing your info. I really appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting for your next write ups thanksonce again.
Fantastic blog.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
I loved your article.Really thank you! Cool.
If you need to age well, always be certain to understand something new. Learning is essential at every stage of life.
best ed pills specialty pharmacy pharmacies near me
Really appreciate you sharing this blog article.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
I really liked your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
This is one awesome article. Really Cool.
Thanks so much for the blog.Thanks Again. Will read on…
Thanks so much for the blog.Thanks Again. Really Cool.
I value the article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!Extremely helpful information specially the last part 🙂 Icare for such info a lot. I was seeking this certain information for avery long time. Thank you and best of luck.
canadian pharmacy venice fl envision rx pharmacy help desk
Im obliged for the blog post. Really Great.
Thank you ever so for you article post. Great.
wow, awesome post.Really thank you!
Great, thanks for sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Really Cool.
I am so grateful for your article post. Want more.
You possess a distinct capability. Your blogging talents are very good. Gratitudes for promoting content over the internet and schooling your users.
Hi there! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for yourexcellent info you’ve got right here on this post.I’ll be returning to your blog for more soon.
I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thank you again
I really enjoy the blog.Much thanks again. Really Great.
what is good credit score check credit scores get my credit report credit score free
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog article.Much thanks again. Want more.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely comeback.market
Really informative article post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Hello colleagues, nice paragraph and fastidious arguments commented at this place, Iam really enjoying by these.
clomid treats clomid order online – clomid for sale
I will right away snatch your rss as I can’t in finding youremail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any?Please let me know in order that I may subscribe.Thanks.
Nicely put, Appreciate it. canadian pharmacies without an rx
I really enjoy the post. Great.
Im thankful for the blog article.Much thanks again. Really Great.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog article.Much thanks again. Cool.
Great, thanks for sharing this article post.Really thank you!
I truly appreciate this article. Really Great.
Hey, thanks for the blog. Really Cool.
This is my first time go to see at here and i am truly impressedto read everthing at alone place.
I value the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.Loading…
755842 38680baby strollers with high traction rollers need to be much safer to use compared to those with plastic wheels- 39727
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog article.Much thanks again. Cool.
It’s difficult to find experienced people on this topic, however,you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I absolutely loved every little bit of it. I have you book marked to check out new stuff you postÖ
Great, thanks for sharing this article.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Normally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very great article.
There is certainly a great deal to find out about this topic.I like all of the points you have made.Here is my blog … skin protection
I really enjoy the blog.Really thank you! Great.