Everyday, many people across the country go online to find an apartment. The apartment hunting process can be quite daunting and exhausting, so we have put together a simple step by step guide to finding an apartment online.
Narrow Down Your Options
One of the good and bad things about the internet is definitely having lots of options, some great, some not so great. However, it does make the search more efficient, affordable and easy. Despite this, it still helps narrow down your options by having a list of requirements that are non-negotiable for your apartment. For example, here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Should I share my apartment with a roommate or live alone?
- Should I rent a 1 bedroom apartment or a studio?
- Do I want access to a balcony?
- Is it important which floor I’m on?
- What is my maximum budget?
- Do I want a furnished or unfurnished apartment?
Research the Local Area
Real estate search engies have come a very long way and you can easily narrow down your search by cities, neighbourhoods and even exact street names.
When you want to find an apartment, websites will show you a broad range of local data. This data can include everything from crime rates, recent home sales, local schools, transport and amenities and even large employers nearby.
Beware of Scams
Even though looking for apartments online is a lot easier and efficient, you still need to ensure that you’re being diligent. Unfortunately, there are scammers online who will put up fake listings and ask for security deposits in order to take people’s money.
If someone feels too good to be true, it usually is! Ensure that you always view a property before signing anything or giving away money and do some background research on the landlord or agent that you’re using in case someone has had previous negative dealings with them.
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Read our previous blog post here: Rental Property Maintenance Tips for Landlords