As you start your online apartment search, you might be asking yourself some questions. For example, will the apartment live up to the images? How can you be sure you’ll get all the features you want? How up to date is the information? How do you avoid rental scams? If you can’t see the unit in person before moving, is it possible to do a virtual walk-through?
Whether you’re just starting your search online or you’ll complete the entire process on your phone (or computer), we have some answers about searching for apartments online.
Know Your Limits
At the beginning of the process, we all daydream a little. Perhaps you imagine yourself in a trendy loft overlooking the river or living in that unrealistically large, colorful apartment in the heart of New York City that you saw on an old ‘90s TV show. Like shopping for anything else, it’s easy to be dazzled and distracted at the variety of options before you.
Before heading out, ask yourself: How much rent can you afford? Do you really need three bedrooms? Could you live in a ground floor apartment? These are just a few of the questions that require hard answers and set limits. After all, your budget is the foundation of your apartment search because no matter how luxurious your amenities or upscale your furnishings, if you’re struggling to pay rent or all of your needs aren’t being met because you chose style over practicality, did you really find the right rental?
Make a List of Your Most-Wanted Features
This is the easiest place to start. Everyone wants the perfect apartment, but not everyone is willing to compromise on the ideal space they may already have their heart set on. Make a list highlighting the features and amenities you want most in your new apartment. Mark the ones you’d be willing to compromise on and the features that you just can’t live without. Do you desperately want a pool, but could live without a fitness center? Maybe you’re sick of the local laundromat and want your next home to have an in-unit washer and dryer. Finding your ideal apartment amenities doesn’t mean you have to leave your house. Filtering search results by features is easy, and you can even filter by keywords if there’s something specific you must have.
Use Tools to Pick Your Perfect Location
Concerned about the commute to work from your new place? Want to be close to the city center or the most convenient highway? By searching for an apartment online, you can be sure that wherever you decide to live is in the ideal location to fit your lifestyle. Most apartment search sites offer a slew of convenient mapping and touring tools that will let you calculate your commute time, explore nearby attractions, or even view a 3D rendering of your desired unit.
Reach Out to the Property Manager
If you’re not able to take an in-person tour, don’t be afraid to reach out to the person who listed a rental. Send them an email, give them a call, or even send a text. If you’re using a site like Apartments.com, all the information you need is there, making it easy to send a message. Explain your situation and ask if they’d be willing to schedule a virtual walk-through with you. This is a great way to ask the property manager any questions you may have about the rental.
Look for Verification
You’ve chosen a reputable listing site, and you’ve found what looks like a trustworthy listing, but there’s one more thing you should keep an eye out for during your online apartment search: verified listings. Most apartment rental sites signify known property management companies and owners, providing some much-needed peace of mind.
How do apartment companies verify their listings? This varies across listing sites, with some companies simply applying verified badges to listings from prominent property management companies or independent owners. At Apartments.com, our CoStar Verified badge is applied to listings that have been independently verified by one of our team members, meaning you can trust the validity and accuracy of the specifics of that listing.
Learn How to Spot a Scam
Just as with any online shopping, you need to be careful and look for signs that something may not be what it seems. With a rental scam, the goal is usually to secure a sum of money from you by the way of a security deposit or first month’s rent. Once the scam artist has your money, they disappear, leaving you without your money or a rental. The signs of a scam include being asked to wire money, the landlord refusing to meet with your in person or claiming they are “out of the country,” or the price is way too low based on other rentals in the area.
Renting an apartment online is easier than ever before. Not only can you rent online, but you can also apply, sign your lease, and even pay your rent either through the property website or even through Apartments.com for participating rentals. Before you start browsing, know your budget. Filter the results by your budget and any must-have amenities (such as pet-friendly or in-unit washer and dryer) so that you aren’t dazzled by apartments that are too expensive or don’t have the features you need.
