There are so many factors to consider when hunting for a new apartment home. It can be overwhelming, stressful, and hopeless at times, but it doesn’t have to be. We have come up with a list of major features that you will want to make sure that your next home has. You will still need to filter through the available listings in your area, but you will not forget to ensure your new home has everything you want it to have, and hopefully more!
Here are five major features to consider when you are on the lookout for a new apartment home!
Pet Policy
If you have furry family members, or if you hope to have some soon, you definitely will want to research the pet policies of the homes you are looking at. Some apartment communities do not allow pets, some have breed restrictions, some limit the number of pets you may have, and some are super welcoming to pets. This is a very important feature to research as you come across new apartment homes that appeal to you. You might be surprised at how welcoming some communities are towards pets, and you will love those that have parks and wash stations to keep your dog(s) happy, healthy, and clean!
Amenities
Beyond what they may offer for your pets, you will want to investigate the amenities offered from one community to another. The offered amenities, or lack thereof, might not be the biggest priority for you, but you should still take them into consideration for your overall quality of life when living somewhere.
If you are really into fitness, you might enjoy a community with a fitness center, swimming pool, or access to walking trails. If you like to host and entertain, you might want to look for a community with a clubhouse, barbecue area, or outdoor patio. Whatever your interests might be, the amenities offered can greatly enhance your life!
Security
Making sure you will feel and be safe is another very important factor to consider when apartment hunting. Some communities are gated, some feature security cameras and security guards, and some feature controlled access with passcodes or key fobs. These are all great ways to keep residents safe, but you will also want to investigate the surrounding areas. Even with all the aforementioned amenities, you still might not feel safe if the neighborhood seems high-risk.
You don’t want to gamble on your or your family’s safety, so make sure to do your research. You definitely will not regret it!
Location
The location of an apartment community is very important in terms of safety but also in terms of convenience. The ideal apartment community will be a reasonable distance from you or your partner’s place of work or school, your children’s school, your family and friends, and other major elements of your life. If you are moving within the same city, you will not want to have to restructure your life just to make living in a specific community work. You will want to find the right apartment community to fit into your life.
This still applies if you are moving to a new city or state. However, instead of finding a community that’s location fits into your current life, you will need to find one that fits into your anticipated life, i.e. your new job or school location, shopping hubs, etc.
Lease Terms
Sometimes finding the right home includes planning for the next one. Whether you are looking for a temporary or long term home, you will want to learn about the leasing terms offered by any communities that you are interested in. If you are only living in a city for the duration of a temporary job or if you plan to move in with a friend or partner soon, then you will want to look for short-term leasing options. If you plan to live somewhere for a considerable amount of time, then you will want to look for longer-term leasing options.
There might be other priorities that you look for in an apartment home. So, take the time to identify what they are, and add them to your own list of what you want and need in your next home. We hope that you found this post useful enough to refer back to it the next time you find yourself searching for a new home. Don’t let the stress of moving overwhelm you; make a plan and stick to it!