Conduct the search

Step1Be prepared: Create a renter's re'sume' with your current and previous five addresses and landlord phone numbers, your employer and length of employment, your current salary and other income, personal references, among other information. Include a copy of your credit report (see How to Shop for a Mortgage, Step 5). You want to look as good on paper as possible to stand out from other applicants.

Step2-Look in the newspaper classifieds, apartment hunter publications, college campus bulletin boards, and online for available units to investigate. Ask friends about openings in their buildings.

Step3-Consider how much you can afford to pay. A good rule of thumb is no more than 30 percent of your take-home monthly income. Step4Enlist a rental agent to narrow your search. Depending on the market, this service may be free (paid for by landlords) or cost you a percentage of your rent when you land the apartment. Step5Turn to a roommate service if you're looking for cheaper space to share. Be clear what qualities you desire in a roommate, as well as types of people or habits you'd prefer to avoid, such as smokers

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What to Look for Before You Move In

What to Look for Before You Move In

It is imperative to walk through your potential new apartment before you move in. Insist to the landlord that you see the actual apartment that you will be renting and NOT a model. For your convenience, Apartments.com has compiled this checklist for you to use as you complete your walk through. If there are any items that need to be repaired or replaced, make sure the landlord does this before you move in. If there is a significant amount of things wrong with the apartment, you might just want to pass on that particular apartment.
Look for:
Sufficient safety features including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors. Look inside the apartment as well as in the hallways and in other common areas. Leaks in plumbing. Check out faucets, toilets and the pipes under kitchen cabinets. Check the water pressure in the unit. Also check the water temperature. How hot does the water get and how cold does it get. A good tip is to turn on the water in the shower when you walk into the unit and see how long it takes to get warm/hot (your bathing preference). Keep the shower on while you complete the rest of your walk through. The temperature should remain comfortable by the time you leave the unit. If the water is cold by the time that you leave, there’s a good chance that you could run out of hot water in the mornings. Not a good thing. Find out if there is an in-unit water heater or if there is one that is shared by multiple units. This will also affect the amount of hot water that runs to the apartment. Even though the water heater might be large enough, if it is shared, your neighbor upstairs might like to take early morning, hot showers that last an hour… Regardless of the size of the heater, if you shower after your neighbor, you’ll be cold. Check the water heater and furnace to make sure that these are free of rust. Look for rocks, stones or other debris on the outside of the heater or furnace. This debris or chipping may indicate leaks. These leaks could possibly indicate carbon monoxide problems. Again, not a good thing.

For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson

Don’t…

Don’t…
Put your apartment key on the same ring as your car key. Keep them separate so that if your house keys are stolen the robber won’t have access to your car and vice versa. Leave valuables in the windows of your apartment or car. Place valuables in a secure place or in storage whenever possible. Leave notes for roommates or guests on your door saying that you are gone but will be home soon. Leave your clothing unattended in the laundry room. As much of a pain as it can be, you should always hang around when your clothing is washing or drying. Laundry can easily be stolen from unattended machines. Prop the lobby door open or allow others to do so. Give away personal information, including bank account passwords, your social security number or drivers license number, over the phone. Banks don’t need your password to access your account. Leave your car or apartment door unlocked, not even for a minute.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson

Methods of Searching

Methods of Searching - Fee v. No Fee Rentals If you can afford to pay a broker's fee, searching with a broker is highly recommended for convenience. Brokers can give you an overview of the market, guide you in your search, and facilitate the paperwork for you. Some landlords list apartment availabilities exclusively through brokers.
Brokers charge a commission for their services. In Manhattan, expect to pay between `12%-15% of the year's rent. That means if your rent is $1,000 a month, the broker's fee works out to $1,000 x 12 x 15%, or $1,800. Fees outside of Manhattan are usually less, ranging from one month's rent to 12% of the year's rent. The fee is payable only at the time of lease signing. OCHA maintains a list of real estate brokers, many of whom will give a discount on their fees to CU students and affiliates. The larger firms have Web sites where you can search their listings in advance of contacting them. You can also check their most updated listings in the classified ads in The Village Voice, The New York Times and LOOT. Don't forget to ask if a student or Columbia corporate discount is available.
If you prefer not to pay a broker's fee, "no fee" searching options include:
Classified Ads - look for ads that say "no fee" or "by owner" as well as ads for sublets and shares. Landlords and Management Companies - Call directly and ask for a list of their vacancies. OCHA has compiled a list of some of the larger companies. Gabriel's Guide to Apartment Hunting is a book, which lists management companies, rental buildings and contact information. Online Search Sites - First check out OCHA’s Housing Registry listings. Then try the series of Web site links we have developed. Flat Fee Agencies - A flat fee ranging from $60-$250 is usually paid up-front for access to non-realtor fee listings.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.