Now that your diploma is in hand, you’re truly ready to start the rest of your life. Of course, this milestone also often means finding your own place—a hallmark of adulthood. If it’s your first time looking for an apartment, however, you may have a lot of questions. To help you out, our team offers these crucial tips for moving out of home:
Draw up a budget
There’s nothing quite like the freedom of living in your own place; that freedom comes at a price, however. According to Realtor.com, the median rent in Phoenix sits at $1,850—quite a bit higher than the U.S. average of $1,124. Of course, that’s not the only expense you’ll be shouldering when you move out, as most landlords require a deposit and two month’s rent as security. Be sure to crunch the numbers so you have enough money to cover your rent and other necessities.
Decide on a location
Location and price are joined at the hip; the better the location, the more expensive the rents will be. Indeed, choosing your apartment’s address is a delicate balance between cost and convenience. Pricier apartments tend to be centrally located and are closer to public amenities, though their rental rates will really push your budget. You can save a great deal by looking at neighborhoods a little further from the city center, though make sure the area has a reasonable commute time.
Prepare your application requirements
In a market as competitive as Phoenix, good apartments are in great demand. In most cases, this means you’ll have to apply to be a tenant. To make this process as smooth as possible—and to bolster your chances of being chosen—make sure to organize your requirements such as your ID, pay stubs, bank statement, social security number, and pet information (if you have one). It also helps to have a character reference, such as one written by your resident assistant in college or a former professor.
Read the lease closely
One of the most important tips for moving into a new apartment that often gets overlooked is closely reading your lease. Remember that renting a place is a legal contract and your lease contains all the stipulations of the agreement, from when to pay the rent, to what maintenance work your landlord covers, to what modifications you can do to the space. You should also check if there’s a clause that requires you to get renter’s insurance as a condition for moving in.
Get your utilities in order
It’s important to know exactly which utilities are covered by your rent. For everything else that isn’t, it’s up to you to contact the relevant agencies and have them connected. You should also transfer all the bills to your name so you don’t forget to pay them and have services switched off unexpectedly.
Aeris House Properties has more moving tips and tricks for you. Just follow our blog to get more advice for first-time apartment renters like yourself.
Need help finding rental properties in Phoenix? Just call our office at 602.671.2343 or send an email to info(at)aerishouse(dotted)com to get started.