Nobody enjoys moving, but for most people, it’s a simple fact of
life. Changing jobs, changing roommates, changing relationships,
and changing cities all add up to one solution: changing where you
live. For those who don’t own their own home, finding the perfect
apartment is a key ingredient of a happy lifestyle.
The popularity of the internet has changed the way Americans,
especially younger Americans, are conducting the apartment search.
Despite the potential hazards and occasional negative situation,
Craigslist has become one of the best places to find roommates,
sublets, and great deals on apartments. While you’ll have to take
the time to check out leads on Craigslist in person, there’s no
listing fee, and it’s free to both place ads and respond to them.
Students and young professionals in every major city around the
world hit the real estate section daily to post rooms and
apartments for rent, or to find compatible roommates.
If you’re seeking an apartment, post an ad in the Apartment
Wanted section of Craiglist in your city, and let the options come
to you. The more detail you include in your post, describing
exactly what you’re looking for, the more you’re likely to receive
communication from those that really match your criteria. If you
have a little more time, check the Apartments For Rent section
every day, keeping your eyes open for that great opportunity.
Especially in larger cities, if you see something that catches your
eye, send an e-mail or make a phone call right away. Renters are
often likely to choose the first qualified person to get in
contact, so waiting a day or two could lead you to missing out on
the perfect apartment.
For those who prefer more of a formal, offline method of
apartment hunting, services like Promove are highly beneficial.
Since they are paid by the company that enlists their services, not
potential renters, it’s absolutely free to set up a consultation
with you. They’ll show you some properties that may match your
needs, and can often negotiate a good deal for you. The negative to
these services is that they’re only going to direct you towards
communities that work with them, and will not offer any private
rentals. Most apartment communities have application fees, run
credit checks, and may have income or other requirements, so be
prepared for these things before you start the search.
With a little patience and knowledge, your next apartment search
doesn’t have to be an exhausting ordeal that drags on for months.
It’s a buyer’s market these days, so formulate a clear idea of what
you’re looking for, and shop around for the best deal.
