Looking for a roommate to share your apartment and help pay living expenses can be a great or adventure or your biggest nightmare. It can be very hard to live with another person, their bad habits, their good habits, and their behaviors. This is especially true if they are too much like you or not enough like you. Since roommates can range from one extreme to another it is important that you know what you are looking for in a roommate before you start your actual roommate search.

First, you should sit down and make a list of the things that you are looking for in a roommate. Separate this list into two columns. One column should be the “must be” and the other column should be the “must not be.” Under the “must be” column list all of the things that the roommate that you are looking for is required to have or required to be. In the “must not be” column list the things that would cause this person to absolutely be deleted as an option for living with you. This type of list will help you to narrow down the types of people that you are looking to share your living space with you.

Second, consider using a roommate finder service. There are many roommate finder services online that are free or very inexpensive. If you are a student at a college or university, many secondary schools offer a roommate matching service even for off-campus living. Post signs and ask fellow co-workers if they know anyone that is looking for a roommate. Post signs and flyers in the area where the apartment is located looking for a roommate and be sure to ask people that you know for potential referrals for compatible roommates.

Third, wherever you find a potential roommate, be sure to conduct a very thorough background check on the person. There are online services that cost very little money to conduct this type of criminal background check. The cost of a background check will more than outweigh the price if you end up living with a thief or a psychotic person. Ask for past references of landlords or people that they lived with and check these references as well.

Fourth, conduct a very thorough interview with potential candidates. Spend some time with them in different situations and observe how they handle things. Ask very specific questions about their living habits, pet peeves, whether they are a morning or a night person. Take the time to get to know them and their personality and see if the two of you can stand being together.

By taking these steps and carefully evaluating potential roommates, you are sure to find as close to the perfect roommate as possible!

Looking for a new apartment to rent can be an exciting adventure. It can also be a confusing one if you do not have a plan in place before you start your apartment search. Since apartments can range in size, price, location and amenities it is important to know what you are looking for before you start actually looking at places to live.

First, you should sit down and make a list of things that you are looking for in an apartment. Separate this list into two columns. One column should be the “must haves” and the other column should be the “would like to haves.” Under the “must haves” column list all of the things that the apartment you want is required to have. In the “would like to haves” column list the things that you would like the apartment to have, but are not requirements. This type of list will help you to narrow down the apartment options that you will have to look at. Based on your list make a list of apartment complexes and places listed for rent that you think or know will fill your criteria and then schedule appointments to see the apartments.

Outside

While you will be spending the majority of your time inside your apartment you should also consider the outside areas of the apartment, home or complex that you will be living in. Look for the cleanliness of the halls, walkways, and common areas such as the pool, gym, etc. Also look to see if they have sufficient lighting so that when you are coming home at night it will be safe to walk from your car to your front door. Look at the front door of the apartment to make sure that it is secure as well. Check to see what kind of lock it has on the inside and the outside of the door.

Kitchen

Look in the kitchen to check for any type of animal droppings (such as roach or mice). Also be on the lookout for dead bugs. Droppings or actual dead bugs may indicate that there is a bug or rodent problem with the apartment and that is probably something that you will want to stay away from.

Next, check the refrigerator and stove. Make sure that all of the burners work on the stove and that the oven also works. Listen for any weird noises coming from the refrigerator like humming or rattling.

Check to make sure that there is enough counter space and enough electrical outlets for you to work in the kitchen. If you do not have a dining room you may also want to see if there is enough room to fit a table and chair set inside the kitchen area.

Living Room

The living room is the room where you will probably spend the most amount of time in your new apartment or home. Again, be sure to make sure that there are enough electrical outlets to plug in all of your electronics like the TV, DVD player, stereo, etc. You should also review the layout of the room to make sure that the furniture you have will fit into the space.

Bathroom

Check the bathroom for mildew or mold. Flush the toilet to make sure that it works and does not run continuously after flushing. Turn on the hot and cold water faucets in the sink and in the shower to make sure that everything is functioning properly.

Bedroom

Your bedroom should be a place for peace and tranquility so that you can get a restful night’s sleep. So the first thing that you should check is to evaluate how thin the walls are. This is especially true if you are going to have roommates or if your bedroom shares a wall with a neighboring apartment. Check to make sure that your bedroom windows open and close properly and that there are secure locks on the windows for safety. Check the closet space to make sure that there is enough room for you to fit all of your clothes and other items that you will need to store in your room.

Costs

There are varying costs associated with renting an apartment so it is important to find out from the landlord or apartment leasing agent exactly how much the monthly rent is going to be and what costs are included in the monthly rent. Some apartments do include the cost of electric, cable and water in the rent payment. Most do not include these costs, so it is important for you to understand the exact cost and what is included in the cost to rent that particular apartment. If the electric, water and cable are not included in the rent then ask for an estimate of costs based on the number of people that will be living in the apartment.

Many landlords require a cash deposit, as well as the first and last month’s rent, so be sure to inquire as to what amount you will owe when signing the lease.

Ask about parking. Is there an assigned space (or spaces) for your apartment or is it random parking? Also find out if there are a sufficient amount of parking spaces for tenants and find out where the guest parking is.

In Writing Please

Be sure to get everything in writing so that there are no headaches later on in the process! It should be a red flag to you if a landlord does not want to have a written lease or put certain items in writing.

A lease to rent an apartment or house is a contractual obligation that needs to be taken very seriously. Like any contract it is important that you carefully read and understand all of the terms of the lease before signing it. Here you will find ten tips that you can use to prepare your negotiations with the landlord about your lease. These are general tips and if you do not understand the terms of the lease then you should consult with a real estate attorney prior to signing the lease or any other contract that has to do with leasing property.

Tip #1 Read, Read, and Then Read Again

The most important part of any contract, including a lease, is that you read it very carefully. People have a tendency to skim contracts because they are usually boring and hard to read, but it really is important that you read the lease and make sure that you understand everything that is stated in the contract. Read it first to gain general knowledge. Read it a second time for clarification.

Tip #2 Make Notes

When you read the lease the third time have a piece of paper and a pen to take notes on items that you do not understand or items contained in the lease that you have questions about. Make sure that your notes and questions are complete so that you will know exactly what you are talking about and which section of the lease the question refers to when you are talking about it with the landlord.

Tip #3 Gather Information

Do a little research on the landlord, apartment complex, or corporation that you will be entering into this agreement. This information will help you to better understand where the landlord is coming from and which points of the lease may actually be negotiable. Also, be sure to read and understand the landlord and tenant rights laws as they apply to the state that you live.

Tip #4 Walk in Your Landlord’s Shoes

Once you have created your list of questions go back and think about how the landlord may respond to your questions and concerns. Think about the responses from your landlord’s point-of-view. Once you have come up with some of the responses that the landlord may have, come up with rebuttals to their responses. This will better prepare you for the negotiation process because it will help to prevent you from getting stumped during the middle of the negotiations.

Tip #5 Timing is Everything

Most landlords have a process that they go through when they are renting out an apartment or house. Many landlords will require that you submit an application, sometimes requiring an application fee, so that they can do a background check, pull your credit, etc. You should ask for a copy of the lease upfront so that you will have time to review it while this process is taking place. This will give you time to read through the lease, formulate your questions, and prepare for negotiations.

Once the landlord has told you that you have been approved and that everything has checked out then the logical next step is completing the lease. This is the right time to talk with the landlord about the questions and concerns that you have about the lease. Timing is everything. You wouldn’t want to start your negotiations before this time because if you never get approved to move in then there is really no need to negotiate.

Tip #6 Question the Landlord

This is sort of a psychological game, but you should set up an appointment with the landlord to discuss the questions and concerns that you have about the lease. Be sure to take your copy of the contract and your list of questions with you to the meeting. Start at the beginning of the contract and go through your list of questions in order. Thoroughly discuss each question until you are satisfied with the answer that the landlord gives or at least until you fully understand the answer to your question.

Why is it a psychological game? First, because the fact that you have taken the time to read the lease and come up with a list of questions about the lease shows the landlord that you have taken the time to educate yourself on the terms of the agreement. Second, anytime you question something in the lease it mentally puts a form of doubt in the mind of the landlord on the item that you are questioning. This may cause the landlord to agree to negotiate some or all of the terms of the lease that you do not feel comfortable with or have a doubt about.

Tip #7 Stay Calm and Be Reasonable

It is important that during the negotiations that you stay calm and be reasonable. This presents a professional front to the landlord and they are more apt to listen to what you have to say and agree to the terms with a calm person than they are with someone who is yelling at them. It is also important that your requests are reasonable and realistic. The terms of the agreement should benefit both parties and not be too slanted so that they are only advantageous to one party.

Tip #8 I Want to Talk About Me, Me, Me, Me, Me

It is human nature for people to want to know what’s in it for them. How does this benefit me? So when you are presenting the changes that you would like made to the lease, show how these changes may benefit the landlord as well as how it will benefit you. If it’s all about how it benefits you then the likelihood of the landlord making these changes are going to be very slim.

Tip #9 Have Backup

Especially if you feel resistance from the landlord about negotiating certain terms, make sure you have something to backup your arguments. If you have perfect credit and excellent references from previous landlords, be sure to point this out to the landlord. Sell yourself to him or her on why you are a great tenant and why it is not a risk to him to agree to change certain terms of the lease to benefit you. On the other hand, if you have terrible credit and horrible references then you may have to come up with other reasons why you will be a great tenant and this may be a hard sell over those who do have great credit and great references.

Tip #10 Get It in Writing

Once the amended terms have been agreed upon be sure to put it in writing. Have the landlord type up a new lease including the new terms before signing the agreement or write the new terms on the existing lease and both you and the landlord need to initial each change. This should all be done before signing the lease!

Insurance of any kind is a protective means against theft, disaster, accidents, and any other damage that the insured property may encounter. This is true whether we are talking about life insurance, car insurance, property and casualty insurance or some other type of insurance. But when you are a renter is it really necessary to have a renter’s insurance policy. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Is it necessary coverage for renters?

Pros of Renter’s Insurance

1.The main purpose and benefit of having renter’s insurance is that it covers the loss or damage of your personal property or the contents of your apartment, house, or dorm room that you are occupying and paying rent to live in.
2.Renter’s insurance also protects your personal property against the actions of your roommates or other tenants.
3.Coverage will vary by provider but most renters insurance policies cover loss or damage to your property for almost any reason. Flood insurance is usually a separate policy or at an additional cost to the renter’s insurance policy.
4.Renter’s insurance is relatively inexpensive. Since the cost to replace your personal items is much greater than the cost of the renter’s insurance policy it is a very cost effective way to protect your personal property and your personal wealth in case of an accident, natural disaster, theft, etc.
5.Some policies allow roommates to be on the same renter’s policy, while other policies require roommates to be on separate policies.
6.If you obtain your renter’s policy from the same insurance company where you have other coverage like your auto insurance, many companies will provide you with discounted rates.
7.Renter’s insurance coverage goes above and beyond covering the loss or damage of your personal property. Some policies cover other areas of loss or injury such as:

•Traveler’s insurance: Covers your property if lost or damaged while traveling. For example, if the airline loses your luggage some policies cover the loss of your bag and its contents.
•Medical payments: If someone visiting your property is injured some policies will cover the payments of their medical bills (up to a certain limit, which depends on your coverage). This coverage does not apply to anyone living in the home. It only applies to visitors.
•Liability coverage: This coverage protects you against a lawsuit if someone visiting your property is injured.

Cons of Renter’s Insurance

1.Most renters’ insurance policies do not cover flooding. A flood policy either has to be purchased separately or at an additional cost to the renter’s insurance policy.
2.Roommates may each have to obtain their own renter’s policy. Some policies do not allow renter’s in the same apartment to be on the same policy.

Moving into a new apartment or house can be a very exciting adventure. It can also be a very tedious task if you do not plan out exactly what you will need to live in your new home on a daily basis. While many things that people have in their homes add character or personalize the living space, there are bare essentials that you are going to need. If you take it step-by-step everything will be up and running before you know it.

Essential #1 Electric & Water (Utilities)

One of the first things that you will need to do before you can move into your apartment is to have the electric and water turned on. Some rent includes your utilities (electric and/or water), but most do not. So in order to have your electricity turned on you will need to call your local electric company and arrange the date that you would like your electricity up and running in your new place. The second utility that you will need to have turned on is your water. You will need to contact your local water company to make these arrangements as well.

Essential #2 Telephone & Cable

You will need to call the local telephone company to setup phone (and possibly Internet) service. You will also need to decide if you would like cable TV or satellite service. If you would like cable TV then you will need to contact the cable service provider that covers the area where your apartment is located. Alternatively, if you choose satellite TV then you will need to call one of the major satellite companies to schedule an appointment for installation.

Essential #3 Furniture

You will need to buy, borrow or rent furniture for each room in your house. Basics include a bed, living room furniture, kitchen or dining room table. You will also need a dresser or place to store your clothes. Each room of your house will have essentials that are required to complete the room. Here is a short list of items that you will need categorized by room:

Bathroom:
•Bath Towels
•Wash Clothes
•Shower Curtain
•Shower Curtain Rings

Bedroom:
•Sheets
•Pillow Cases
•Blanket/Quilt/Duvet
•Pillows

Kitchen:
•Dishes (Bowls, Plates, Glasses)
•Utensils (Forks, Knives, Spoons)
•Kitchen Towels
•Pots & Pans
•Oven Mitts
•Can Opener

These are just some of the items that you will need to setup your new apartment. Use this list as a guide to sit down and figure out what you may already own and what you may need to buy in order to get your apartment in tip-top shape for living.

Everyone has to have a place to live, so the question for most comes down to should we rent or should we buy? Deciding whether to rent or buy a home can be a financial decision as well as an emotional decision. Home ownership can be a very fulfilling financial and emotional aspect of life, but it has to make sense in order for it to be a sound decision. Both renting and buying have advantages and disadvantages that go along with them. It is important for you to analyze your personal situation to determine whether it is better for you to rent or whether it is better for you to buy.

Advantages of Renting

There are advantages to renting that are just not received when you own a home. When you rent, rent payments can be lower than mortgage payments. This is especially true in a high interest rate environment when obtaining mortgage financing can be very expensive. Costs associated with renting a property are usually lower than those costs associated with buying a property. For example, to rent an amount it usually requires a cash deposit and possibly the first and last months’ rent payments in upfront costs. Buying a home requires a lot more in upfront costs such as a down payment, cash for closing costs, etc.

Renting also has advantages when it comes to repairs. If something in the house or apartment that you are renting breaks it is the responsibility of the landlord to have it fixed. You, as the renter, have no financial obligation in making the repairs as longs as the problem has nothing to do with your actions and is not part of your personal property, but of the home or apartment itself.

Advantages of Buying

One of the major advantages of owning a home is that the money that you put into the monthly mortgage payments will help you to build equity in the home. This means that owning a home is a relatively safe cash investment that ideally will increase in value so that you get a return on your investment (ROI). As home values increase the value of your home can also increase, which potentially can make you money when you go to sell the home. When mortgage interest rates are low it is an advantageous time to buy because in many instances mortgage payments can be the same or even lower than rent payments during a low interest rate environment.

So when is it more advantageous to buy instead of rent? The bottom line is when it is more cost effective to own, which usually happens in a low interest rate environment. When is it more advantageous to rent? When the interest rates are high and/or you do not have enough cash for down payments and other costs associated with buying a home like closing costs.

There are several steps that lead-up to the actual signing of the apartment lease that you will have to complete once you have an apartment that you are interested in renting. And if you have never signed an apartment lease before you may not actually understand all of the steps that are involved in this process. It isn’t always as simple as finding a place to rent and then moving right in. there are steps in between that this article will walk you through.

So here are some steps and items that you should expect once you have found an apartment that you would like to rent.

Application

Most apartment complexes and landlords will require that you complete a rental application. A rental application is going to ask you for all of your personal information including name, social security number, employment situation, past references from previous landlords, etc. The application usually includes a section that gives your consent for the landlord to do a background check on you and anyone else that will be living in the apartment. You usually have to pay an application fee for the processing of your application. While application fees can
range greatly, they are usually in the neighborhood of $50-$200.

Signing the Lease

Once your background check is complete and your rental application is approved, the next step is to sign the actual lease. It is important that you carefully read the lease agreement before signing it. Also be sure to ask questions or ask for clarification on any items that you do not understand before signing the lease. Signing a rental lease is a contractual obligation so you should be very careful before signing on the dotted line.

Costs

Usually at the time that you sign the lease you will also be required to submit a cashier’s check, certified check, or money order for your apartment deposit. Your deposit is usually a refundable fee that is returned to you when you vacate the apartment, provided that no damage has been done to the property. Some landlords and
apartment complexes may also require payment of the first and/or last months rent at the time of signing.

The End

Once you sign the lease and pay your deposits, etc., the landlord should provide you with a copy of the lease and a copy of the rules and regulations for the complex, move-in policies, dates, times, etc. Once your move-in date is scheduled then the landlord will give you the keys to your new place and moving day can now begin!