APARTMENT SEARCH TIPS

Apartment hunting can be a pain in the butt, and after sifting through dozens of not-so-right rentals, the process of searching for a new apartment can seem like a daunting and frustrating feat. If you’ve ever had to look for an apartment, you know the process can be nerve-racking; even more so if you are new to a city or are looking in a competitive market like Valparaiso where hoards of people show up to every open house.

There may not be a way out of doing the legwork, but these 11 tips can help you get organized, set your priorities, search smart and stay focused every step of the way to land you that perfect apartment.

1 – NARROW YOUR APARTMENT SEARCH

Focus on a favorite neighborhood or two (such as Valparaiso, Indiana), but remember to be smart about it. Balance things like charming shops and a vibrant community with factors like price and access to transportation. Narrowing your search to a specific neighborhood or area will help streamline the process, since you can easily hit multiple open houses in a single morning.

If you are moving to a new city, there is no better way to learn about the neighborhoods than to spend some time walking around — so get out there and explore Valparaiso.

2 – IDENTIFY YOUR TOP 3 APARTMENT PRIORITIES

Make the budget one of your top three priorities; the other two could be anything important to you: great natural light, proximity to work or school, or a washer-dryer in the unit like all MJF Rentals offer, for instance. If you are having trouble coming up with your top three, try listing everything you want and cross things off one by one until you are left with your most important priorities.

3 – KEEP TRACK OF MULTIPLE APARTMENTS WITH A CHECKLIST

When you are hitting half a dozen open houses in a single morning, they begin to run together. Keep pertinent info neatly sorted on a single checklist and snap a picture of each place to accompany it for reference later on, if possible.

4 – HAVE YOUR DUCKS IN A ROW

Be prepared to fill out application paperwork, plunk down a deposit or sign a lease before attending that first open house. Bring the information you need to fill out a standard rental application (contact info for employer, present and past landlords etc.), plus your checkbook.

Also consider printing out a copy of your credit report — some landlords will insist on running their own check, but simply having it to show can be reassuring and put your application ahead of others in a competitive market.

5 – ASK ABOUT ADDITIONAL APARTMENT COSTS

Know what you could potentially be taking on, beyond the rent, by asking key questions whenever you look at a new place. A few to consider:

• Are window treatments included?
• Which (if any) utilities are included?
• Is there a fee to use building amenities or for parking?
• Is cable included, or does the landlord allow satellite dishes to be installed?

6 – RELY ON YOUR SENSES

Odd smells and noises you notice during a showing could end up being a major problem when you move in. Natural light, or a lack thereof, can make all the difference in the world, so try to attend a daytime open house rather than looking at the apartment after work. To schedule your visit, contact MJF Rentals today  at (219) 477-4555 to view your new Valparaiso apartment or town home.

7 – DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE A LITTLE NOSEY

Open up the closets to get a realistic picture of the available storage space. (At MJF Rentals you’ll love the walk in closets and ample storage space) Turn on the shower, run the water in the kitchen and bathroom sinks, and flush the toilet. Check under the sinks for signs of mold and critters (You won’t find any at any of our properties because we have an attentive 24/7 maintenance crew that always fixes things in a flash) — but if you’re shopping one of our competitors, it’s a lot better to know now if there’s a problem.

8 – MEASURE KEY PIECES OF FURNITURE

If you have not accumulated much furniture yet, or you don’t mind swapping a few things out, this may not be an issue. But if you do have a special piece, like a canopy bed, large sofa or piano, it would be heartbreaking to find out it won’t make it through the door after you’ve signed the lease. Bring a tape measure with you when visiting an MJF Rental property, and check doorway and stairwell measurements to be sure your beloved pieces will make it into your new Valparaiso apartment.