Apartment rental is big business, and showing the property to potential new residents is part of the bottom line. Rental agents are trained to promote the best aspects of the place you might soon be living, but you don't want to take their word for everything.
"Different strokes for different folks" definitely applies to apartment living. The features that actually determine whether you enjoy living someplace will be particular to you, so there's no way they can be included on a generic tour. To make sure you get the information you really need for an informed decision, you have to stay focused.
Your Rental Representative and YouRental representatives are trained to be friendly and informative. They have a list of features to promote and a list of answers prepared for common questions. There is no reason to assume a rental agent will be dishonest about anything, but their job is to sell you on the place, which means they will spend most of the time talking.
It's important to concentrate on what you see, not on what they say. A good rental agent will give you some quiet time to look around. If they don't, simply ask them to stop talking for a few minutes. It's a reasonable request.
Security concerns may require the person to stay with you during your visit, but there's no reason you have to talk to them the entire time -- it's an apartment visit, not a first date! Make sure you look at every feature of the apartment and the surrounding property, not just the parts they are pointing out.
Divide and Conquer If possible, take a friend with you. An extra set of eyes can be helpful for spotting important details. If necessary, your friend can engage the rental agent with some elaborate questions that will give you time to look around without distraction.
Taking NotesA list of priorities is the best way to stay organized. Get a notebook and write down your questions in advance -- the ones you want to ask as well as the ones you want to answer for yourself by looking around. Write down the results for each place you visit, since different properties may run together after a couple of visits, especially if you are visiting more than one property owned by the same company.
Along with your notebook and writing instruments, consider packing a camera, a tape measure, something to drink, and maybe even a small flashlight. If you take a friend along, make sure they have read your list, or give them a copy to make their own notes on.
The Main EventThe most important part of the visit is the apartment itself. Make sure you get plenty of time to look around. Even if it means sitting in the middle of the living room floor for ten or fifteen minutes, you want to get a feel for the place.
Try lying down on the bedroom floor in the spot where your bed might go. Imagine getting up in the morning and going through your daily routine. Check the water pressure, and look at the quality of the appliances. Take note of any pros and cons you notice about the layout or the size of the rooms.
Take your time -- if you are going to commit to at least a year of living there, the rental agent can give you half an hour or so to check the place out.
Touring the AmenitiesMost properties put a great deal of emphasis on the tour of amenities. Whether you plan to use all these facilities or not, the chance to see them is extremely valuable because it gives you an opportunity to observe people already living there.
Chances are, you'll spend at least part of the visit riding around the property in a golf cart. Don't be lulled into distraction by the rental agent's chatter - this is your best chance to get a feel for the "neighborhood."
What kinds of cars are in the parking lot, and how well are they maintained? Do the people walking around look happy? Do residents smile or wave when they see the golf cart go by? You can't please all the people all the time, but hopefully most of the residents on the property will look happy to be there.
Online ResearchIf you see people making faces when you pass by in the golf cart or otherwise get the impression there are disgruntled tenants, it might be an important warning sign. You might want to follow up your visit with some online research.
Many consumer websites allow residents to review the conditions of rental properties. Look for specific complaints about poor maintenance, security issues, or slow response to repair requests, as any of these could affect your quality of life if you moved in.
Just Have FunIt's important to have the right attitude when visiting potential apartments. If you view it as a horrible chore, it will be tough to get a good impression anywhere. Don't plan more than a few visits in a day -- more than that would lead to rapid burn-out, and it may take a few days to find the right fit.
Try to schedule visits at times that won't force you to sit in traffic getting stressed out. See the visit as a chance to play detective, and remember that a few days of hard work now could lead to several years of living happily in your new apartment.
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