5 Helpful Tips on Finding the Perfect Apartment for Rent

5 Helpful Tips on Finding the Perfect Apartment for Rent Whether you are venturing out on your own for the first time or moving from mortgage to rental, you need to be ready before starting your apartment hunt.  Finding an affordable perfect house is not easy. However, it does not need to be too overwhelming. Once you find out what you can afford, it is just a matter of finding the ideal apartment and signing on the dotted line. Here are some tips that will come in handy when looking for apartments in the Bay area: Determine affordability Your rent per month should not exceed 20 percent of your monthly income. To avoid spending too much on rent, you should take the time to polish and update your personal budget before you start looking for apartments. Doing so will help you to figure out which houses you can afford and the things that you need to cut back on if you want to afford a pricey apartment. After studying your budget, you might decide to cut out the costly expenditures to allow yourself to find the best apartments within your price range. You may need to put off your cross-country trip to the East Coast to enjoy a beachfront hotel in Ocean City, MD. Lower rental costs You can do several things to lower your monthly rent, including: Considering transportation costs â€" urban areas usually require small transportation budgets because you can use subways and public buses to get around. However, you will need to consider the cost of bus passes and gas money if you opt to live far from the city center. Look outside the urban area â€" when looking for apartments for rent in Burbank CA, you should consider those outside the city if you want cheaper rent. Make sure that you check out apartments that are within a commutable distance to work. Think small â€" square footage is important when determining the price of an apartment. Although choosing a studio apartment might mean that you will miss out on space, you will be able to save. How much space do you really need? Assess this by considering your visitors, storage needs, and lifestyle. Add renter’s insurance Renter’s insurance might be a choice for some renters, but most landlords need it. Whatever the case, you need to include it in your budget. This insurance covers any losses in case you damage your property or suffer a break-in. The landlord insures the building but renter’s insurance actually covers what is inside the building. Fortunately, renter’s insurance is affordable and its rates depend on the amount of coverage, geographical location, and rent paid. Run a credit check Are you looking for affordable or luxury apartments for rent in Oakland? You need to request a free credit report. Most landlords usually run credit checks to ensure that there are no issues with their tenants: unpaid bills or bankruptcy. Although the property owner will run a check before approving you, make sure that you check for any potential roadblocks on your own. Start hunting Do not start looking for apartments at the last minute. Typically, you should start apartment hunting three months before your expected move in date. This allows you to find a residence in time because renters are required to give at least 30 days’ notice if they want to move out. Although the features that you want should be specific to you, look out for the following: Transportation â€" if you do not have a car, you should consider the apartment’s proximity to public transport. You need to factor in the cost of transportation to know how much an apartment really costs. Convenience â€" choosing a conveniently located apartment makes life a lot easier. Look for houses near your workplace, amenities, and shopping malls. Author Bio: Jim Thompson Title: Super-Connector Jim is a super-connector with  Towering SEO and Youth Noise NJ  who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking. He frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses his efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.