Saturday, August 13, 2011

Make A List When Looking For Apartment To Rent

By Elaine Danniel


Preparation is the best approach to looking for apartment to rent. Put together a package of useful papers and a dedicated plan. Use another useful system to get that apartment.

Trying to find a place to live is not unlike seeking employment. The applicant needs to fill out an application, have it reviewed, get an interview, an offer and finally, the apartment. Use this format for creating an apartment search and find that a lot of the difficulty is removed from the process.

Building a renter's resume is a good first step. A renter's resume will have the current address and renter history of the applicant, including a full list of past landlords with addresses and phone numbers. Include notes of interest such as a good knack for gardening, having tools for home repair or experience with home ownership. Recommendation letters, if they can be obtained, are always good and should be attached to the back. Print out a good, clean copy and keep that in its own separate folder to be used for photocopying when required.

There are free apartment rental application forms on the internet. Download one, print it out in the very best handwriting and then save that to be copied and included in the packet. If the potential landlord is a large company, they may have their own forms that require filling out, but most renting is done at the hands of the small business person, so prepared forms make things easier and keep everyone happy.

Pets can present a challenge, but not if one is prepared. Again, create a resume, but this time for the pet. Write up all the good things people have said about the pet, perhaps add a note from a pet-sitter or a former roommate. Include a positive letter from a former landlord. This forethought shows consideration and responsibility.

Make a very clearly defined budget. Be sure to list all expenses relative to the apartment. Finding a great apartment outside of town is no good if it costs twice as much to get to work. Look at other expenses, the distance to a favorite market, the auto mechanic or the gym. All expenses pertaining to living need to be adjusted to the location. Think about changing preferences--a different grocery store maybe--if a better apartment is in a different location.

The complexity of this endeavor will require thoughtful plans and follow through. While there are many online resources, free and available to all, newspapers still list apartments for rent in the classified ads. A Sunday paper is a good place to start in a city, but some areas focus real estate ads on a different day of the week. Check the local paper.

List all the apartments that fit needs, wants, budget and distance. A complete list is needed for double checking and review. Choose only the apartments that will really be seen, call the potential landlords and make the arrangements to view them. Prepare the packets listed above and create an elevator speech, a short talk on goals, future plans and the reason for moving. Try the speech out on someone honest who will give good feed back. Take notes down in a notebook with a page dedicated to each apartment. Bring a camera and take pictures for future reference.

Deliberate carefully because it is a big commitment. But don't wait too long! Apartments disappear quickly. Looking for apartment or other Whitby real estate to rent does not have to be an unpleasant task.




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