So, you’ve decided to look for an apartment. That’s great! Renting an apartment is a wise financial step for many people. When you rent, you have flexibility, no household maintenance responsibilities, and no hefty down payments to worry about. Because renting is so appealing to many people, the market has become increasingly competitive.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you sign the lease for that perfect apartment:

1. What matters most in an apartment? Decide what apartment features are important to you before you start looking at apartments. This will help guide you in deciding if an apartment is right for you and your needs. Organize your list with the most important features at the top.

2. When do I want to move? Most move-in dates are around the first of the month. Decide when you will be ready to move before you look at apartments and sign a lease. You don’t want to sign a lease if you’re not ready to move in yet or if the move-in date is too far in the future.

3. Where do I want to move? Now it’s time to start researching where you want to move. What is the transportation like between the area and your job? What are the school districts like? What are the average rent prices in the area? These are important factors to consider when you’re deciding where you’d like to rent an apartment.

4. How do I find the right apartment? There are a few options to choose from to help you find a good apartment. You could hire a real estate agent or broker to help you find places that are unlisted and even negotiate for you. However, you’ll need to pay a fee or commission for their services. Or, you could find rental options online and contact the landlord yourself.

5. What do I look for in an apartment? You should definitely look at the apartment in person before you agree to anything. This will help you decide if you like the apartment and if you’ll be able to work well with the landlord. Take your list of features from the first question with you to refer to as you look around. If you really like the apartment, then you should fill out an application.

6. How do I apply? Now that you’ve found the perfect apartment, you’ll want to fill out an application as soon as possible. In this competitive housing market, a decent apartment will likely have multiple applications within the first day. So, you’ll want to get your application in as soon as possible. You’ll likely need to include some personal information like your social security or driver’s license, proof of income, and references. You may also have to pay an application fee, a processing fee, and possibly a security deposit.

7. What happens next? The landlord will look at the information you put on your application and decide if you’d be a good tenant. Then the landlord will call your references and perform a background and credit check with your permission. Once everything checks out, the landlord will let you know if he approves your application.

8. What should I look for on the lease? Make sure you read the lease carefully before you sign it. You’ll be held accountable to follow the rules concerning rent payments, maintenance, pets, and contract agreements. You should know what you’re agreeing to before you sign the lease.

9. Is RentPlus available? Ask the landlord if the property management company offers RentPlus to the tenants. RentPlus will help you build your credit score when you make your monthly rent payments on time. You definitely don’t want to miss out on this amazing opportunity.

Renting an apartment is an exciting new adventure. We wish you the best in your apartment search.

And if you’d like to learn more about RentPlus and how it can improve your credit score, check out our website.