Depending on where you live, the timeframe for looking for a new apartment can vary widely. It might also be a little intimidating, especially if you've never looked for an apartment before. When should you start looking for an apartment? How do you find a place that has everything you need (or want) that's within your budget? Let's explore when and how to look for an apartment.
Time Frame
If you live in a college town, most rentals will likely start in August, and most leases can be signed up to six months in advance, even though most people sign them within the same month of moving in.
In large cities like Chicago and New York, most renters find a place about a week before they're ready to move in, and the competition can be tough -- especially if the rent is cheaper than other apartments in the area.
If you're looking in a small town, start your apartment search as early as possible since the inventory of available apartments can be low, especially if the area has fewer apartment buildings to choose from.
Apartments For Rent
If you’re new to a city or moving out of state, ask friends, neighbors, and coworkers when they started looking to get a feel for the market. If you have the time, start your hunt early since there generally are more options available than there will be if you’re in a time crunch. If you don't give yourself enough time to find and tour apartments, you might end up renting a place that doesn't suit you. In most cases, you'll live there for at least a year, so make sure it's a place you'll enjoy going home to.
There are many ways to go about your search. Apartments.com is a great place to start since we have millions of listings throughout the United States and Canada. Check out your city’s current listings on Apartments.com to get a feel for price ranges in your desired neighborhoods and see when places are available. You can even view rent trends and read reviews of apartment communities you're interested in.
If you see a couple places that meet your move-in date, price, and location criteria, don’t hesitate to set up a showing. In today’s market, with fewer renters moving and many potential buyers opting to rent instead, the good places are sometimes snatched up the day they become available.
Apartment Tours
Another thing to consider is the best way to view potential apartments. You could set up individual appointments for all of your favorite online listings, but keep in mind that you will have to keep track of all of them and allow time for commuting back and forth. Instead of trying to view every property in person, consider taking some online tours. If you are moving to another state and can't schedule a visit for an in-person tour, ask the property manager to take you on a virtual tour via a video call. This way, you can ask the property manager about the property and you can ask them to show you anything you couldn't see in the photos and videos.
Don't be afraid to take your time during the apartment tour. Ask questions, take pictures, and make pro/con lists for each place you see. It’s easy for the rentals to blend together, and you don’t want to make a decision when you can’t remember which place had the great deck or the ridiculously tiny kitchen.
Once you narrow down your choices to two or three apartments, go visit them again! This time, bring a trusted friend or family member with you. They'll notice things you didn't, and they can give you a new perspective on each apartment.
Deciding when to start looking for an apartment and knowing how to choose the right place are important first steps to finding an apartment you'll love. Happy hunting!
