As you get ready to graduate college or university, there are a lot of exciting milestones to look forward to, such as finding a job, and finally moving into your own apartment.

Whether you lived at home, in a dormitory, or with roommates while in school, the decision to venture out on your own into a place of your own is a big one. Here are some tips on how to find an apartment to rent.

1.      Start early. Finding the perfect apartment takes time. Don’t wait until the last minute of the school year to begin searching.

2.      Narrow down your neighbourhood. Decide what is on your must-have list in regards to your neighbourhood, and also consider your job and commute time, as well as your activities. If an apartment is cheap but an hour from your gym, it may not be a good fit.

3.      Determine which amenities are most important to you. Do you have a pet? Do you want a gym in the building? Do you have a car and need a parking space? How about a balcony? Make a list of the items you must have, as well as items that are nice to have but not necessary. You may have to compromise on some points based on your price level.

4.      Be a lookie-loo. Once you’ve chosen a neighbourhood, check out the apartments that are available in the area. Visit during different times of the day to get a sense of noise levels and traffic. Ask management about your must-haves, such as whether they allow pets, or if the parking garage is well-lit. Are the grounds well-landscaped? Are the communal areas well-lit and clean? All of these things point to a properly managed building.

5.      Talk to the residents. Don’t be shy, and try to strike up a conversation with people who actually live in the building. They will be your best gauge of whether it’s a good place to live.

6.      Tour available units. Try to go during the day to see the amount of natural light the apartment gets. This will also make it easier to see flaws that may be lurking in dark corners. Open all of the cupboards, turn on all of the taps, and flush the toilet.

7.      Get your paperwork in order. If you’ve done your due diligence and really like a unit, it’s best to go in with all of your paperwork in hand. This means a recent pay stub or letter of employment, and possibly tax returns or banking information for automatic payment. You should also have a few references lined up, and make them aware that a landlord may call.

8.      Act fast. If you live in a big city or if you’re looking for an apartment in a desirable building, you may need to act fast to get it before another potential renter. Be prepared to make a fast decision, and have your check book or banking information to pay first and last month’s rent on the spot.

The Importance of Renters’ Insurance

Once you’ve found your new home, it’s time to consider renters’ insurance. It’s important to protect yourself and your assets. Here are three things renters’ insurance can do for you:

1.      It helps protect both you and your stuff. It covers your physical items, as well as guests to your apartment.
2.      It fills coverage gaps. Your auto insurance will cover you if your window gets broken, but not if the laptop inside the car gets stolen.
3.      It’s very affordable!

Even if you’re only renting your apartment, you still need to cover it, just like if you owned it. There are many different options, so contact me today to get a quote for tenant insurance, and see just how affordable renters’ insurance is.