So, you're looking for an apartment; it's essential that you choose well. Most landlords require that you sign a lease, and most leases are for an entire year, so you'd better make sure you are happy with where you live (unless that isn't where you spend most of your time).
let the hunt begin
There are always the classifieds and ads on the community bulletin boards at the grocery store. The best way to find a place is to drive around neighborhoods that are appealing to you, check out if any of the buildings have "For Rent" signs, and take down the numbers. Sometimes it's possible to view the apartments without an appointment, so this method is a big time-saver.
location, location, location...
Decide whether you'd like to live in the city or the suburbs. The advantage to living downtown is that you are in close proximity to everything: restaurants, movie theaters, shopping districts, and other entertainment. If you work in Manhattan and your place is on the Upper West Side, this would be another advantage. Ideally, the thought of sparing only a small amount of time traveling is also very appealing.
The disadvantage of living downtown is the cost, and depending on where the building you choose is located, it could prove to be very noisy.
If you think you might prefer the suburbs, then consider the travel time to get to work. Of course, this may not even be a factor to you, but some people consider their time to be extremely valuable. Rent tends to be cheaper in the burbs, which is a big plus, but if you don't own a car, you might find getting around to be a bit of a hassle, especially if you hate arranging your life around a bus schedule.
know what you want
Ask yourself the following questions:
1- How big do you want or need your apartment to be? Are you looking for a 3 1/2 or a 4 1/2? Do you want a bedroom and an office? Do you want a dining area separate from the kitchen? Do you want a funky balcony to raise your individually named pigeons? These are all things you have to consider before you even agree to visit an apartment; you don't want to waste your time, or the landlord's.
2- Do you want a newly renovated apartment? Perhaps this is not an issue for you, in any case, you want to look for a place that is well maintained.
judge the building by its cover
How can you tell whether it's the place for you before even stepping into the building? Here's how:
1- Look at the lawn; make sure the grass and shrubbery are well kept. Take note if there's any trash lying around (no, the neighbors aren't the trash). This says a lot about the general upkeep of the property.
2- How about the windows; are there any broken ones? Does the building have storm windows, or does it look like a cold, winter draft nightmare? If so, then heating may be costly.
3- Consider the general condition of the building. Is it in good shape?
take a look around
Okay, so you decide to see the apartment. Sometimes the tenant is still living there, so you must consider what the apartment will look like without their furniture and with yours instead, no matter how much you like their spaced-out lava lamps. Being able to picture yourself living there is a good sign.
Take note of any cracks in the walls, or whether a paint job is needed. If so, then ask the landlord if he will agree to paint and repair the walls. Do not get tricked into painting it yourself! Check out the closet and cupboard space; is there enough room for all your belongings?
Don't forget to look under the sink; make sure the plumbing is in order and that there are no bugs crawling around. Try the tap; make sure the water pressure is strong enough. Check out the bathtub and ask yourself, "Would I dare take a bath in there?"
If the current tenant is present, use this golden opportunity to get the skinny on what it's like to live there. Ask why they're leaving, if the neighbors are noisy, and if the janitor is quick to make repairs when things go wrong. You might want to do this in the absence of the landlord in order to get the whole truth.
interview the landlord
Now the important part; ask the landlord the following questions:
* How much is the rent?
* Are heating and hot water included in the rent?
* Are there any city taxes to pay?
* Are there any other extra fees?
* Is there any parking?
* Is there any building security, and what kind (cameras or guard)? If not, at least make sure that a key is required to enter the building, otherwise it's an open door for burglars, beggars or worse (some relatives!).
Don't forget your gut instinct as well. No matter how many good points there are to the apartment, don't let that overrule an uneasy feeling about a certain place.
Make your apartment hunt fun and it will motivate you to persevere in finding the best place for you. If you follow all the aforementioned tips, you'll be sure to find the most suitable available apartment for you, and then you can concentrate on the fun part: shopping for items like a big-screen TV, a Jacuzzi, and a killer leather sofa for your new home.
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