Looking for an apartment can be challenging and stressful. It is safe to say that house hunting is not an exciting process at all. It’s hard work that requires time, dedication and patience if you really want to get an apartment you like. Although there is the option to scout for houses online at your convenience doesn’t mean that there would be no due diligence from your own part.  Follow these helpful apartment hunting tips that will save you valuable time and money- Yes, you’ll spend a lot of money when scouting for houses. Have a budget Settle on budget before you go hunting for an apartment. This will help you narrow your choices. Ensure that the budget you set is realistic considering the choice of apartment and the location. Decide the areas you want to live Well this is pretty obvious. Deciding on areas you would like to live will help you focus your search within those areas . Find the best house hunting websites in your area There are several apartment hunting websites to choose from. The biggest favour you’ll do for yourself is to stay on top of listings so that you won’t miss your ideal apartment. Pay attention to the bad reviews and note the frequency of such types of reviews. Create the time to go house hunting Designate a day or weekend exclusively for apartment hunting, and schedule as many as possible for that timeframe Ensure that your furniture fit in You can take the extra steps to measure your big furniture and appliances before you go house hunting and then take a tape measure along with you to make sure your furniture will be able to pass through the doors. Go apartment hunting during the rainy season This will save you stories that touch the heart. Visiting during rainy weather will show you how the roof holds up, if the driveway floods, and if there are any leaks in the apartment. Be sure all the outlets function Inspect all the electrical units to make sure that they are working. Also check that there are no plumbing faults in the kitchen and toilets. Inspect that the WC flushes and that the taps and showers are working and insist that it is fixed before signing any agreement.. Check mobile phone network reception Walk through the entire apartment with your phone out. Nothing is worse than having to make every phone call outside or having to stay in a particular spot for a strong mobile or internet reception. Ensure that there are no outstanding bills Don’t just believe what the real estate agents or landlord says. Ask to see bill payment evidence such as electricity and in some cases other bills like security to avoid incurring outstanding debts. Visit the apartment you want to rent at night If you can, go back and look at the place at night when everyone is likely to be at home. This will give you a feel of the people within the building, the parking situation (if you have car(s) and if your intending neighbourhood is loud or quiet. Choose a friend to help you make good choices If you must, take a friend you trust with you when you go to look at an apartment. Specifically, one who won’t allow you to make rash decisions. Read the Tenancy Agreement Don’t forget to read the tenancy agreement thoroughly and ask the landlord relevant questions when unclear about details in the agreement before signing. Pro Tip: Some areas are yet to use the prepaid meter for electricity billing. When you are house hunting, look out for men carrying ladders. This should give you a cue that people around that area hardly pay their electricity bills and get disconnected until their bills are paid.
The post 12 House-Hunting Tips that Will Save You Time & Money appeared first on OLounge.
