5 Sure-Fire Steps To Getting Your First Apartment

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You’ve likely found your first real adulting job right out of college and now it’s time to find your first apartment in your 20s!

Most people jump right into renting a place, which is a pretty smart idea. It takes a while to save up for a down payment on a house so renting is a great alternative that you can afford much quicker.

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Adulting is an exciting time, but it’s also pretty intimidating when you consider the learning curve that comes with it. If you’re like me, then you don’t want to make any life-altering mistakes. Don’t worry, these proven steps will help you land that apartment you need and get you on the track to success.

Read through the steps to get a broad overview of what will need to be done to find your first apartment in your 20s and then you can begin to take action.

Let’s get started…

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Create A Budget & Research Your Area

First, you will need to determine what kind of area you are looking to live in. If you’re in the suburb of a major city, then it will likely have a higher cost of living. Whereas if you are living in a smaller town or out in the country, your cost of living may be dramatically smaller.

If you have a general idea of where you want to live in your 20s, then look at the surrounding areas as well. They may have cheaper options and save you tons of money in the long run with just a slightly longer commute.

Then sit down with your budget. How much can you afford to spend on rent?

Determine Your Priorities

Next, to find your first apartment in your 20s, you will want to determine your priorities when it comes to a place to live.

Do you want to be in a certain area? How long do you want your commute to be? Do you need to be close to public transportation? Have you thought about living on the first or second floor? Do you want to have access to a pool or fitness center?

The list could go on and on. The best way to conquer this is to sit down with a notepad and make a list of “Must-haves,” “Semi-important’s,” and “Negotiables.” While price and location may be more of a “must-haves,” the specific amenities an apartment complex offers will likely be more of a “negotiable.”

This is a great way to break down what you are looking for and help you compare each place you look at easily. When you go look at apartment complexes, condos, or rooms then you can compare this list and see how many “Must-haves” the place has, versus the other categories.

Your priorities will help you find a place that you like and that fits your needs, versus just blindly finding an apartment building that may have too many cons.

Don’t sign a lease blindly. Know what you are getting and if it meets your needs.

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Consider A Roommate

A roommate could help you find your first apartment in your 20s.

Although this could be hit-or-miss, a roommate is a great way to keep costs down, have shared responsibility, and have a friendlier atmosphere. A roommate could be a stranger or a friend.

Depending on your situation, a roommate could have plenty of benefits. They will split not only the rent cost but also utilities and any other fees that arise – helping you save a lot of money. They would also be able to help with furniture, dishes, or other apartment needs so that you don’t have to buy everything yourself.

Just remember, that if you purchase something and split the cost when it comes time for you to split ways, one person will keep it. So consider just purchasing the item yourself and then you know you get to keep it when the time comes to move on.

Look At 5 Apartment Options & What To Look For

I was so glad I got this advice when it was time to look for apartments. When you find your first apartment in your 20s, you will want to compare it with other places, as mentioned in point two. However, you don’t want to just compare two options.

Five is a good number because it is not too many to feel overwhelmed, but it is enough to compare to your priorities list. More than five will start to blur together in your head and you might get confused.

Start by going to Zillow.com and looking there. You could also ask around if you know people in the area in what they recommend. Reviews online are also good.

When you schedule an appointment to go look at an apartment complex you will want to consider several things so that you find your first apartment in your 20s.

First, make sure you meet with the landlord. Get to know them a bit. Can you trust them? Do they have experience? Do they seem legit? A good landlord is very important in renting as everything involving your place and the lease will go through them.

Look closely at the carpet and walls. How new is the carpet? Are there stains? Do they paint the walls? Sometimes things like cracks, mold, and other big fixes will just be covered instead of fixed. Take a close look and make sure you are getting a good deal and that no major issues are evident.

Ask about the appliances and test the water sources. When was the last time the appliances were replaced? Do all the faucets work? How strong is the water pressure? You’re going to be living here so make sure things work and that they are to your liking.

Consider the pet policy. Did the previous tenant have a pet? Can you bring in pets?

Ask about parking and having guests over. Is it easy to access? Do you need a permit? What fees could apply? What is the security like on the property?

Take pictures when you go to each property so you can remember what each one looks like and compare layouts as well.

Go over the lease terms with the landlord. What do they expect? How should the rent be paid? On what day each month is it due? Will rent increase? Are there any unusual rules? What are the security deposit and the terms of getting it back? Do they charge to run your credit? Do they require renter’s insurance? How do repairs work? What is the penalty for breaking the lease?

To find your first apartment in your 20’s you must consider all these questions and get clear answers. If you ever feel uneasy or unsure then trust your gut and move on with the search.

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Make A Meaningful Decision To Find Your First Apartment In Your 20’s

Now it’s time to make a decision and find your first apartment in your 20s. You’ve gone through a lot of work to narrow down the best apartment option for you.

Don’t rush the decision but when you know, go ahead and contact the landlord. Sleep on your decision and think about it before acting too fast.

Sometimes the landlord will try to pressure you into a quick decision by using lines like “This could be gone tomorrow!” or “We already have several offers!” This is to make you act quickly and gain your business. And unfortunately, a lot of this is just a lie.

Take your time and don’t feel pressured into anything too fast. You want to make a wise decision. Acting too fast and getting the wrong place may require you to break your lease and lose a lot of money because of that.

If you feel pressured, then maybe move on to a different place. You want to feel confident in your decision.

When you know, you will fill out the application. Sometimes there are application fees or fees to run your credit. Make sure you are aware. If you are co-signing, make sure all parties sign and that everyone knows the terms.

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Read the lease. Don’t sign without knowing what you are signing. Sometimes hidden things could be in there. So take the time to read the fine print and understand all the terms.

Then you will pay your security deposit and your first month’s rent. Some places also require the last month’s rent. And bomb, you have the keys.

I pray this guide can help you on your journey of adulting and help you land the ultimate apartment. To find your first apartment in your 20’s just follow these steps and you’ll land in the perfect place.

Have any crazy apartment stories to share with others? Learning from others’ mistakes is often the best way to learn, so drop them in the comments below!