Tips to find the perfect rented apartment

Renting has become a common aspect of modern living, as compared to a generation ago. With real estate prices continuing to soar the world over, and the youth of today preferring to ‘test the waters before diving in’, renting (be it an apartment or condo or house) has become is here to stay. But with so much choice out there, how do you choose a rented property that’s right for you and your family? And when it’s your hard-earned money that’s not going towards an investment or mortgage, but instead to a landlord, you want to make sure you’re getting the best. This article sheds light on some useful tips for finding the perfect rental apartment.

1. Location, location, location

This is a golden rule for renting or buying a house – get your location right and that’s half your house-search battle won. When I say get your location right I don’t just mean the most desirable part of town or the most expensive part of the city – I mean an area that fits in well with the needs of your family. If you are looking for rented accomodation for you and your partner, then choosing an area that’s close to your work and one that has a good social life makes sense; however if you have children then you will have to prioritise good schools in the area. So choose a location that is convenient, and feels homely at the same time. Websites such as rent.com can help you find the perfect rented apartment in your chosen location, so you have all your boxes ticked.

2. Utilise an apartment search resource

Even though your rented apartment might not be your ‘forever home’, it is still going to be home to you and your family for however long you choose it to be. So it’s essential you get the best option that caters to your family’s needs (practical) and still feels like home (personal).

A smart way to help with your apartment search is by utilising an online apartment search resource such as Zumper, which streamlines the entire process and gives you options based on your requirements. You can filter by location, price range, number of bedrooms etc and get alerts when a new listing that fits the bill is posted. And last but not the least, you are ensured to get quality listings as their inventory is updated in real-time, so you’ll always see new rentals first.

3. Know your ‘must-haves’ and ‘definitely-nots’

We all have certain visions of how we want our home to be – what kind of interiors, an open-plan kitchen versus an enclosed one, an apartment with a balcony or a ground floor one with a garden etc etc. Of course, you will never be able to tick all your boxes, and will have to compromise on some things, especially when you are renting, but knowing what you definitely want and don’t want helps make the viewing process simpler and less time-consuming.

4. Determine your rental budget

Sometimes, we may want a lot but your budget may not agree. Alternatively, if you want a three-bedroom apartment and nothing smaller, then you might have to consider a less expensive area. Either ways, knowing your budget (including monthly and annual outgoings) helps make the selection process easier.

5. Visualize and ask questions

This refers to when you are touring apartments. A space often looks different (even appears larger or smaller) in pictures than it actually is, so make sure you physically see an apartment before signing an agreement. Also, try and visualize your furniture and belongings in the space, whether it’s an empty space or if someone else’s stuff is there at the time of viewing. This is important as you need to imagine yourself living there – does the apartment fit your lifestyle? Does it feel like home? Can you picture yourself relaxing on your favourite sofa in this house?

Finding the right rental accomodation can be stressful, but keep these tips in mind and make the process easier and more fun!