Moving into a new apartment is always an exciting time but make sure you are prepared for the next chapter in your life. Use the tips below provided by Hornet Moving in Charlotte, NC to make sure you’re adequately prepared to find the best apartment for your next move!
- Budget – First and foremost, be sure to budget out your next apartment. You do not want to be in a situation where you could possibly be coming up short month to month. Also, talk with your landlord about any additional monthly charges that you may incur that may not be listed.
- Priorities – Consider your priorities and what matters most to you and others you may be living with. It helps to create a list and rank everything. Having it all laid out and sorted will assist you when it comes decision making time when.
- Questions are key – Develop a list of questions you will want to ask each apartment complex/landlord. Not only will this help you compare multiple answers but you will not find yourself forgetting important questions as well as eliminating multiple back and forth exchanges.
- Seasonality – Depending on the time of year, the listed rent rates could fluctuate. Especially during the summer time when more people are looking for new places. You will also want to consider the geographical climate during your move, to and where you are coming from.
- Specials & Promotions – Is your new potential apartment complex offering any specials or promotions? Sometimes you will be able to find offers such as discounted rent, waived fees, extra incentives, and more! Be sure to ask as they may be offering it but not openly advertising it.
- Stay Organized – When obtaining all of the necessary apartment information, put it all into a segmented binder, type it into a spreadsheet, or use another organizational method. You’ll want everything you need to know accessible when it comes decision time.
- Unit Location – Are their units above or below you? Are you near anything that could cause disturbances (24 hour gym, game room, trash chute, etc.)? These are things that may get overlooked at first and you end up finding out the negatives the hard way.
- Plumbing Review – It isn’t abnormal by testing out all of the different faucets, showers, toilets, and other plumbing outlets. You will want these up to optimal standards and not find yourself having to deal with any major issue.
- Car Insurance – Believe it or not, your car insurance rate can change one way or another depending on where you live. Make sure to give your car insurance company a call ahead of time to see what kind of rates you could be potentially looking at moving forward.
- Cell Phone Reception – Beyond checking the visual appearances and structures of a potential new apartment, give your cell phone a try in different rooms. This would be especially crucial if you plan on working from home.
- Read Reviews – Of course it is important to generate your own opinion as you will be the one living there but see what others have to say. If you’re seeing an overwhelmingly amount of negatives or positives about a particular location, you may be on to something.
- Time of Day – Come back and visit the apartment at different times of the day. You will be able to get an accurate feel of certain things you may not have before like the atmosphere, parking situation, noise, and more.
- Outlets – Give all the outlets a quick check and confirm that they are working properly. The easiest way to achieve this is by bringing a phone charger with you. Also check the type of outlet and usability – many kitchen appliances are three pronged.
- Windows – Take a look and test out all of the windows. You’ll want them to work properly in order to avoid any possible fluctuations of your energy bills during the seasons.
- Pet Policies – If not all, most apartments have certain pet policies, however some are more in-depth than a simple yes or no. Be wary of different pet factors such as deposits, rent, weight/breed restrictions, quantity, and more.
- Safety – What will your safety situation be like in case of emergencies? Make sure you are knowledgeable on safety precautions like fire alarms/detectors, extinguisher locations, fire escapes/paths, and how often those are checked.
- Visual Aesthetics – Be sure to closely examine the apartment in search of dents/cracks, chipped paint, stains, and more. Spotting these can contribute to larger underlying issues along with avoiding any additional charges when you eventually move out.
- Neighborhood – It is always a good idea to give the local neighborhood a walk/drive. This will give you a better understanding what the area is like as well as your distance to certain places such as grocery stores, restaurants, and more.
- Apartment Modifications – Ask what your apartment modification boundaries are and have a clear understanding of what you can and cannot do. This can be things like painting, wall mounting, picture hanging, etc.
- Read, Read, Read – After everything is considered, asked, and tested but before you sign anything, make sure you READ THE LEASE! You do not want to inadvertently agree to anything and be contractually bound to it for the next year.
There are certainly other factors to consider when you are selecting your new apartment but this will definitely get you off to the right start! Finding the right apartment doesn’t need to be stressful if you are prepared.
Bonus tip, if you are moving in Charlotte, NC or the surrounding areas, be sure to hire affordable and reliable movers. Contact us at Hornet Moving to schedule your next move!