It may take a while, but as soon as you enter your idea apartment, you’ll be home.
Most people assume that house hunting takes a long time and a lot of money. However, moving to a new apartment can be just as long and expensive of a process if you don’t know what you’re doing. How long does it really take to find your new apartment community and make the move?
Starting Out
The main factor affecting how long it will take you to move into your new apartment home is where you are planning on moving. Is it a big city like New York or Washington, D.C. where there are lots of apartment complexes and people constantly moving in and out? Is it a college town with steady supply and demand? Knowing the area and the time you have to work with before your current lease is up will prepare you for your apartment hunt.
The Digital Search
The easiest way to sort and filter many apartment options before your move is to use the Internet. Start perusing your options about three months before you plan to move and you’ll have plenty of time to read through reviews, check out floor plans and square footage, and what parts of the city you’ll be able to easily access. Many websites have tools available to help you find the right apartment for you by sorting potential complexes by how many bedrooms you want, your ideal rent range, and even whether or not you can paint the walls. Don’t forget to bookmark apartments you’re interested in.
The Physical Search
The apartment that looked perfect on paper may come up short in person and the apartment that had great reviews but terrible pictures could be stunning once you walk in. Don’t worry if you don’t fill out an application after your first apartment viewing—about 40% of apartment renters look at over seven apartments before they find their dream one. Don’t give up!
The Home Stretch
Once you are sure you’ve found your dream apartment, you have to go through the application process. Expect a background check, credit check, and a thorough examination of your references and past apartment rental history (don’t worry if this is your first time renting!). Depending on the company and their policies, this range of time from a few minutes on a computer or a few days waiting for reports. The wait can feel like forever, but it’s important to remember that the Leasing Office also wants to lease the apartment—they’re on your side.
Let Us Be Your Apartment Home
Looking for beautiful waterfront apartments in Joppa, Maryland? Let us show you one of our spacious and affordable apartments at the Apartments of Harborside Village. To learn more about our apartment options, visit us online, give us a call at 410-679-1130, or email us. For a peek into what it’s like to live in our community, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and YouTube!