Renting your first apartment is an exciting milestone. Whether you’re moving out of your family home or finding somewhere to live during your next semester of study, your first-time apartment hunting should be fun—but it can also feel a little daunting. When you’re not familiar with the process, it can feel stressful trying to find the perfect place that fits all of your needs.
Here are a few key apartment hunting tips to help guide you in finding your first place.
Give Yourself Lots of Time
It’s important to give yourself plenty of time for your apartment search. The more time you have, the more research you can do and the less stress you’ll have along the way—especially if you’re looking for a 1-bedroom apartment, as these are the most popular and tend to rent quickly. The typical notice period for current residents is two months, so we recommend starting your search around that timeframe to ensure you’re not missing out on finding the best apartments.
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Use Technology to Your Advantage
Thanks to modern technology, searching for an apartment has never been easier! Researching different neighbourhoods and the amenities they offer will help you make an informed decision on which apartment is right for you. How long of a commute are you comfortable with? Are there grocery stores nearby? Is there easy access to public transit so that you don't need a car? Knowing these details and viewing apartment tours and information online will help narrow down your options and keep you from going on any unnecessary showings. Osgoode Properties has an easy-to-use apartment search tool to get you started!
Know Your Budget…and Stick to It!
One of the most important elements in choosing an apartment is knowing how much rent you can realistically afford each month. Before starting your search, figure out how much money you are comfortable spending on rent and stick with that number throughout your search—you don't want to be tempted by something outside of your budget! Also, consider other expenses like utilities, parking fees, pet deposits, and transit costs in your overall expense budget. And don’t forget about renter’s insurance—it's relatively inexpensive and can save you thousands if something happens to your belongings or someone gets injured in your apartment.
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Take Notes During Apartment Tours
When looking at apartments, there are lots of details to keep track of. After seeing several places at once, it can be hard to remember which one had that extra closet space or which building was closest to the grocery store. Taking notes during each tour will help you compare each place side by side to make sure all of your needs are met before making a decision. Not only that but having everything written down could come in handy when it comes time to negotiate with landlords or submit rental applications. Osgoode Properties’ apartment search tool offers virtual tours of our apartments, making it convenient for you to check out the space anytime you want if you forget any important details.
Know What Amenities Are Most Important
There are certain amenities that may be more important than others depending on where you live or what type of lifestyle you lead. For example, if you live in an area with cold winters, then having a heated parking garage might be essential—but if you live somewhere with warmer temperatures, then this amenity might not matter as much (if at all). Try making a list of amenities that are important to you and rank them from most to least important. Having that sorted out ahead of time will help narrow down your search and ensure that all of your needs are met when selecting your first apartment.
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Look For Red Flags
When viewing potential apartments, take note of any red flags that pop up during tours or conversations with landlords; these could indicate bigger issues later down the line, so it’s best to know about them before signing a binding lease. Some red flags could include persistent odours, large holes in walls, mould growing near windowsills, broken locks, evidence of pests, leaking faucets, and more. If any of these things seem like they could be dealbreakers for you, then trust your gut and move on to another apartment instead.
Moving into your very first apartment should be fun and exciting! With these apartment hunting tips in mind, your apartment search should feel a little less intimidating. Good luck renters, you got this! Already rented a new apartment – check out this post “6 Ways to Make Your Apartment Uniquely Yours”!