Looking for the right apartment can be a huge task. The time spent on tours, filling out applications, and managing finances makes it easy to overlook many of the important things about a property.
A housing search checklist will serve as a map in which you organize your search and reduce stress by creating an organized checklist to help you locate a home based on your lifestyle and finances, while instilling confidence throughout each of those steps.
Why Should Tenants Use an Apartment Search Checklist?
Your checklist is your own personal resource that will help you have a much more successful and less stressful homebuying experience. Without it, you’ll likely find yourself making hasty decisions and missing important details due to the excitement of the process of finding the right property.
A checklist organizes you while allowing you to evaluate various properties side by side with each other on the same criteria. For example, a checklist can keep you laser-focused on finding the perfect space to implement playroom design ideas for kids or a small office far from noise.
A checklist also transforms you from a passive viewer to a well-prepared buyer and gives you back the power and control over the purchase process, saving you time, money, and possibly many headaches in the future.
Financial and Documentation Essentials
The first step you can take to secure a space is to get all your finances in order. Organizing your financial documents will show you are a qualified tenant who should be taken seriously as an applicant. This also shortens the time involved in the rental application process.
Proof of Income
The landlord needs documentation that you are able to consistently make payments on the rent. Get your last several paychecks, or offer letter, along with your tax returns. For those self-employed, your bank statements may serve as proof of income.
Landlords want to see that your monthly income is at least three times the amount of the monthly rent. Being ready with this documentation from the start will strengthen your rental application and clearly show you are better prepared than many potential tenants.
Credit Score & History
This is a brief overview of your financial capacity and maturity. A high credit score may help you make the approval process easier. You can view your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
If your credit score is low, be prepared to discuss any negative information on your credit history with honesty. Sometimes, providing a larger security deposit or having a co-signer can provide an additional layer of protection to the landlord’s concerns.
Budget Plan
In addition to rent, there are several additional costs you’ll be responsible for when renting a home, including utility bills, internet service, renters’ insurance, parking, and any pet fees. In order to develop a complete budget, consider using the 30% rule (the rule that no more than 30% of your gross monthly income should go toward your housing).
In addition to rent and budgeting for all of the above expenses, you will also want to include in your budget, both the costs associated with moving, such as hiring a mover or renting a truck and your initial security deposit in your overall budget.
Other Preferences
This is your “Wish List”, which includes items you would like to see in an apartment or rental property, and your “Must-Have List,” which includes items that you absolutely require in a rental property. Identify those things that are most important to you in a rental property and rank them accordingly.
For example, if you prefer to live in a quieter neighborhood, or if having a short commute to work is most important to you. Additionally, your apartment search checklist should also include preferences such as location priorities, extra features, and pet-friendly options. This way, you will be able to quickly eliminate properties that you know will not meet your needs.
Connecting Layout and Design to Your Lifestyle
Use a checklist to evaluate the property based on how well it supports your desired interior design and day-to-day routine.
- Layout Considerations and Flow – Think about how the flow of the space supports your lifestyle. An open-plan living area is ideal for entertaining and encourages a modern, minimalist design aesthetic, while a layout with distinct spaces can offer a better design style and more privacy.
- Lighting and Mood – Natural light is a critical component of interior design and well-being. Consider the placement of overhead and accent lighting, as this directly impacts the mood of the room and how you can display your decor.
- Dedicated Spaces for Work and Hobbies – Most tenants are looking for an area within their apartment as a workspace or a play area for children.
Being prepared during your search not only aligns with your preferred lifestyle, interior design, budget, and long-term plans, but it also gives you a sense of security that comes with making an informed decision.
Is it a Good Idea to Visit Multiple Rental Properties?
Yes, visiting multiple rental properties is a good idea since it gives you a better basis for comparison compared to seeing just one or two. At the same time, having different options will improve your preference, allowing you to decide whether that must-have balcony or large room is actually worthwhile.
Here are some tips to have a productive visit with multiple properties:
Test Everything Yourself
Interact with your potential apartment, rather than simply viewing it. Check the water pressure by running the faucet(s), flushing the toilet, flipping on lights to see if they work properly, and opening and closing all of the windows and doors.
Are you getting reliable cell phone coverage in each area of the apartment? The quicker you can find out about problems that could be an ongoing headache, the better chance you will have to avoid them in your new apartment.
Listen for Noise at Key Times
If possible, visit your potential apartment at various times of day. While a quiet weekday afternoon may give you a good idea of what to expect from your neighbors and traffic in your neighborhood, it does not give you a clear picture of how noisy your apartment will be on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning when the traffic and noise are greater.
Visit during these times to get a clearer understanding of whether there will be a lot of traffic noise, neighbor noise, and/or building noises such as pipes and elevators. This is the best way to determine if your new home will be quiet enough for you to feel comfortable before signing a lease.
Ask Specific Maintenance Questions
Northern Virginia property managers encourage tenant applicants to ask questions about requesting maintenance, especially during emergencies. So, instead of asking “Is maintenance available?” Ask: “How long does it usually take to get to me with a non-emergency repair?” and “Who can I call if I have an emergency water leak at 2 AM ?”
When the property manager has a clear plan to respond to repairs, you will know that they are running their business professionally and with a focus on you, which will give you greater peace of mind about where you’re going to live.
Evaluate the Answers You Receive
Notice the way that questions are being answered. Are they being very open and providing specific details, or vague and uninterested? The amount of detail a property manager is willing to provide regarding their policies and procedures is a good measure of how they may treat you once you are living in the rental home.
Conclusion
When you follow the checklist outlined here, you will take the chaotic process of searching for an apartment and turn it into a thoughtful, systematic, and successful one. You’ll go from simply looking for available units to having a house that matches your lifestyle, budget, and long-term plans.
The preparation you put into finding a place that is right for you will not only enhance your application but also give you the confidence and sense of security that come with making an informed decision.
