The 5 second look. If you see an apartment and within 5 seconds
of entering it you don’t think you could live there then
get going. Your first impression is usually the correct one.
When you enter an apartment turn the hot water on to see that
the
pressure is good.
Check out where the garbage is kept to see that the area is
clean.
Take a notebook and make notes on every apartment you see. You’d
be surprised how fast you can confuse one building and one apartment
with another.
Once you have decided on an apartment speed is of the utmost
importance. Don’t work against yourself, and find yourself
with buyers' remorse. Make the decision and move forward.
Get the necessary funds together for the closing. Generally
it’s the first month’s rent and one month's security.
Remember, these checks have to be certified.
Until notified that the landlord has accepted your application,
continue looking at available apartments. Remember, putting in
an application does not guarantee a lease.
Before Signing Lease:
Take an inventory of the apartment before signing the lease.
Mark down everything that isn’t right, like a water stain
on the floor for example.
Make certain that you have the landlord sign off on it before
you sign the lease.
Ask other tenants in the building about the landlord and the
super. If they say nice things than its okay -if they do not keep
looking.
If someone asks you for cash-get a move on. You always want
a paper trail and receipts for everything.
Ask questions of the landlord before you sign your lease. It
is hard to negotiate afterward!
Check out all appliances before signing your lease. If something
is broken let the landlord know and make certain that he has agreed
to fix it.
Check out the type of people who live in the building to make
sure that you are comfortable.
After Lease is Signed:
Remember to change the locks on your new apartment. You have
no idea how many people have keys to the old lock.
