First of all, congratulations on all the hard work it takes to become poised and ready to go out on your own and find your first apartment! This is a big moment. Celebrate!

Finding your first apartment home can feel like a daunting task, so we thought we’d put together some basic tips on how to land and love your first apartment.

• Review your finances. Before you embark on your apartment search, you must first decide what you can afford in your current budget. Ideally, your income should be approximately three times the amount of your rent. Consider what other larger monthly expense you have including car payments, insurance, credit cards, etc. Once you determine what you can afford to pay in rent, you’ll want to check your credit report. The higher your credit score, the better when it comes to apartment hunting. Be prepared for extra expenses in addition to the first month’s rent including a security deposit, utility deposits, moving expenses, and stocking up your fridge!
• Know what you want. It’s a good idea to make a list of what you want in your first apartment home. Do you want a patio or balcony? Do you want a community with a pool and an on-site fitness center? Do you prefer a washer and dryer in the unit? Are you looking for a studio or a one bedroom apartment? Do you want to cozy up by the fireplace? All these wants and needs go on your list. You should know you might have to make a few compromises, but chances are, if you begin your search with knowing what you want, you’ll get it – or close to everything on your list.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The leasing manager is there to help determine if the apartment they have for rent is a match to what you want, so make sure to ask questions about the apartment, the community, the leasing document, and policies including pets and parking. They probably have some fun tips and information about the neighborhood, too! Leasing managers are a great resource in helping you find your ideal apartment home.
• Decide what neighborhood you want to live in. It makes your search so much easier if you know ahead of time what area of town you want to live in, especially since the apartment listing sites are organized by neighborhood and zip codes. Take into consideration how far your work commute will be, what the public transportation is like, and what’s within walking distance. Search apartment homes that are in alignment with what you like to do and where you spend your time. If you spend a lot of your time on the trail and in parks, see if you can live near your favorite park for at or under your budget. Same thing goes for downtown or your favorite coffee shop.
• Measure your space and furniture. Moving day just got a lot harder if you find out that your brand new couch or your favorite desk doesn’t fit in your new space. Make sure to measure your furniture and your space and plan out where the larger items will go.
• Be prepared to sign the lease and bring these items! Chances are, there will be other people looking at the same vacant apartment you are, so come prepared. Have your identification with you, your printed out credit report (the management company may do their own credit pull, but if you have your report, it’s helpful), your bank information, current pay stubs, and the ability to make a decision on the spot, if need be.

Renting your first apartment home is something you’ll never do again – so enjoy every step of the journey!

-The Weidner Team

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