Wondering how to find the best apartment for you? The idea of the “best” apartment certainly varies from person to person. There are many factors to consider when choosing a place to call home, some of which go beyond the basics, and may have an impact on your level of satisfaction with your new living situation. When choosing a new apartment, it is crucial to know what questions to ask yourself to find the best possible property.
Figure Out Your Lifestyle Preferences
Begin an apartment search by considering how your lifestyle affects your apartment needs. What do are you like? Do you need quiet? Do you need space? Are you seeking an active social life?
When thinking about how your lifestyle affects your apartment needs, the following factors must be addressed:
- Price: What is your living expense budget? How much can you put towards rent after you pay other living expenses?
- Work: Do you work 9 to 5? Are you in school? What is a commute you would be content with?
- Space: Can you fit your things in a studio apartment? Or do you need several bedrooms to accommodate a family?
- Children: If you have school aged children, consider school location. Is there a safe place for your kids to play outside?
- Social life: What do you do for recreation? What the proximity to restaurants, shops, your ideal outdoors?
- Transportation: Do you drive everywhere? Bike? Use public transportation?
- Pets: If you have a dog, where and how many times a day can you get them outside?
Know What Your Biggest Priorities Are
Get the answers to all of the above questions down on paper. As you begin your apartment search, you can refer to this list to ensure you only consider apartments that meet your criteria. Putting them in order of preference or necessity will help make a decision when choosing between apartments that have some, but not all, of what you want.
Once you know what you want, actually getting it will require being organization. Plan your moving schedule, take detailed notes while on apartment visits, and keep all of the related paperwork in one handy place. Creating an apartment search file is a great way to stay on top of all of the brochures, references, and applications you’ll accumulate. You’ll likely have a number of apartment hunting options, so it’s best to know what you want before searching to stay focused and not become overwhelmed.
Give Yourself an Advantage
Keep in mind that while you’re searching, there are many others out there searching as well. In areas where competition for the best apartments is heavy, give yourself an advantage by having all of your references and application items ready to go so that when you do find your dream apartment, you’ll be ready to submit an application immediately. Have your checkbook with you ready for the application and security deposit. With research and organization, it may be easier than you imagined to find your ideal apartment.
As a final note, most if not all apartment complexes today will require proof of renters insurance before you’re able to move in. Even if your building of choice does not require this policy, we still recommend it. Your landlord or property manager’s policy will only cover damage to the building in the event of a disaster; without renters insurance, your possessions could be gone for good. Much like an apartment, every renters insurance policy is different, and we’d be happy to help you find the right policy for your needs.
About Sine Insurance
At Sine Insurance Group, we are dedicated to providing you with custom tailored insurance policies to protect your assets. Our comprehensive packages have been expertly crafted to serve St. Louis and the surrounding areas for the past 25 years. For more information about our products, contact us today at (636) 947-1177.