Getting an Apartment

1
Getting an Apartment
2
Resources

• Great site put out by the US Postal Service
  www.MoversGuide.com
• Comprehensive and efficient. It will also give
  you an idea of what you should think about prior
  to your move (packing, change of address, etc.)
• Two of the biggest national apartment websites
  are www.Apartments.com www.Homestore.com

3
Spread the Word

• Tell people youre looking for an apartment.
• Youll be amazed at how many apartment never make
  it onto the rental market.
• Tell everyone.
• You never know.

4
Up front payments

• Depending on the city that youll be moving to,
  you may need a lot of money up front to get a
  place.
• At a minimum, most new apartments require at
  least one months rent up front. Other can
  require the first month, last month, security
  deposit , and a brokers fee. This works out to
  four months rent up front!

5
Apartment Lingo and Abbreviations

• Walk up no elevator
• Duplex two level unit
• Alcove partly enclosed area connected to a
  room
• Studio one room or one room connected to a
  kitchen
• Junior one-bedroom tiny room off the living
  room which may only fit a bed.
• h/w hardwood floors DW dishwasher
• EIK Eat-in-kitchen WIC Walk-in-closet
• W/D Washer and dryer

6
Brokers

• In some cities, youll have to
  use a broker. In other places, they dont
  even exist. Brokers can serve as a great source.
• Always low ball your price. If you can only pay
  800, tell the broker you can only pay 600.
  Youre going to hear Wow I dont have a lot of
  listings in that price range, but I do have
  apartments for 200 more.

7
Brokers

• Do not put your full faith in one broker. Use
  many. Youre going to pay one a lot of money.
  Make them work a little bit for your cash.
• Dont feel bad saying no 100 times. Theyre used
  to it.

8
Things to Check

• Make a list of things to check. Remember
• Light switches
• Air conditioner
• Appliances
• Noise level
• Hot water
• Proximity to subway

• Elevator
• Heat
• Leaks under the sink
• Windows
• Damages
• Parking

9
Things to Check

• Return to the apartment later and ask the current
  tenant or a neighbor a few questions. Youll get
  your first unbiased, honest answers all day. Is
  the apartment loud? Does the super
  (superintendent) own a wrench?
• Make sure you feel safe in the neighborhood.
  Visit in the day and night.

10
Signing the Lease Things to Look For

• Make sure the length of the lease is expressly
  written in the contract. Do not accept a
  month-to-month contract, or youll get booted.
• Determine who is responsible for fixing
  appliances.
• Confirm that your apartment will be cleaned (and
  damage assessed) prior to your arrival.
• Confirm that your security deposit is going into
  an interest-bearing deposit.
• Make sure your privacy rights are spelled out.
• Make sure everything is in writing.