This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus.
I know, I know. It’s only November. But believe it or not, some students are already on the hunt for the perfect housing location for next year so that they don’t get short-handed come the spring. Obviously you certainly can find a great place to live if you start the search in the spring, but for you eager beavers, here are some house or apartment hunting tips to keep in mind when looking for a home away from home next year.
1) Look with someone who has done this before.
Your parents, your future roomies, that guy who looks like he knows the right questions to ask when looking, just find someone with experience. It makes the process a lot less stressful and ensures you are as happy as can be. If you can’t find someone to go with you, ask a parental unit for tips or 10 questions they would ask the landlord. They’ve done this before and asking for help when you need it (especially because you’re signing a contract) shows responsibility.
2) Establish a budget before you go.
$300? $500? Whatever budget you decide do not push it beyond what you can afford. Remember to find out what utilities, if any, are included in the monthly rent. Find out estimates for past utility costs to give you a fuller estimate for a monthly payment. Whatever budget you decide, you can certainly find something that works.
3) Location
Seriously consider the costs and benefits of being within walking distance of campus and near a popular bus line, specifically the 9 (it’s 100% the most useful option). Relying on a bus is not ideal for students who have funky class schedules or who work late at night. I chose to live farther away from campus and have to rely on a bus and sometimes it sucks, a lot. But I’m paying less than other places. In retrospect, I’d live closer and pay $50 bucks more. Think about if you have a car, driving to class, buses, and possible apartment shuttles. This is a huge factor for most students, and often a lower price convinces students that being farther away is worth it, but after 2 months, they come to regret the choice.
4) Safety and Quality
While a flat can be close to campus, sometimes it feels unsafe at night. Ask about break-in statistics for the area and see what it’s like later at night. If you feel unsafe ever, it’s not worth it. Additionally, verify during your tours that the apartment is in good shape. Good locks, clean spaces, tidy facilities, all of it should be up to your standards. Finally, talk with their management extensively with any problems you see or concerns you have because how they react and handle conversation with just 20 something-year-old you illustrates how they treat their tenants. If you feel uneasy about the people you’d be renting from, eliminate them pronto.
5) Do not bring a pen or sign anything until you’ve made a final decision.
Seems like this would be a no brainer, but tons of students sign after looking only at 2 or 3 places and don’t even take the time to process their options. The process of choosing a new home should take at least 3-4 weeks, and often more. Make a checklist of things that you want in an apartment and compare after you’ve searched through all your options. Narrow return visits down to 5 then 3 then 2 and then the last visit. After your last visit, make an appointment to return and then sign your lease. By taking your time, you are most likely to end up happy in the end.