Searching for apartments can be a challenging task
Searching for the perfect apartment can be as challenging as finding the perfect house.
But there is help available and information that can lead to a satisfying conclusion.
According to Christi Pletcher, a Realtor with RE/MAX Professionals in Uniontown, 鈥淛ust as in looking for a home to buy, location is important for someone seeking an apartment.
鈥淧eople want to live in a safe area. So, they need to do their homework. Talk to locals folks if you aren鈥檛 from this area. Determine which areas are safe and which areas to stay away from,鈥� she said.
Pletcher also advised apartment hunters that 鈥渢here aren鈥檛 too many rental properties available. We could use a few more.
鈥淲e have a goodly amount through Re/Max and we fill them rather quickly,鈥� she said.
What鈥檚 needed most, Pletcher added, 鈥渁re three-bedroom homes with a bath or a bath and a half. That鈥檚 what a lot of people moving into our area are looking for.鈥�
While most of the apartments she handles for landlords are unfurnished, there are some that come equipped with everything the tenant will need.
鈥淚t is beginning to change. We have some clients who are offering more properties that are furnished. Our landlords are pretty flexible. So if someone wants it furnished, it can be done, and if they want it unfurnished, it can also be done.鈥�
Landlords, she said, 鈥渨ant their tenants to be happy. They do their best. We have good relations with them.鈥�
In terms of price, Pletcher said rents run the gamut.
鈥淭he least is $450 a month and we have a fairly new four-bedroom home that is available for $2,800 a month. We have a wide range.
鈥淭he average rental has gone up but it鈥檚 difficult to say what the average for all rental properties is. For a one-bedroom, the average is about $500. For a two-bedroom, the average is about $1,000 a month,鈥� she said.
According to the website, ehow.com., there are several factors apartment hunters should consider in their search.
n Figure out how much you are willing to spend. Choose a budget that suits you, like half your annual income. Be a little flexible with your budget, but not too much.
n Decide where you want your apartment. Do you want an ocean view in a big city? Or a small apartment in rural areas. Expect to pay more for more densely populated areas though.
n Consider leasing unfurnished. This will make the price drop dramatically. Though you will have to buy almost all new furniture, you will always know what type of furniture to buy.
n Find out rules and restrictions. If you have a pet, and no pets are allowed,you may want to reconsider. The same is if you have allergies and a previous pet owner lived there.
n Read the contract carefully. Some owners may try to slip in hidden costs or fees. Read and find out if things like electricity is included. Don鈥檛 skim it, it could cost you money.
n Know your landlord. Make friends with him/her. They may be more flexible with laws and more likely to keep you. Don鈥檛 whine to them too often or they will think you whine about everything.
Other tips are:
n When you are looking for a good apartment you will need to find one that is in the neighborhood in which you work if you do not have a car. This one simple task could save you money each month.
n Consider hiring an agent to help you.
n When you get the newspaper, find a house or apartment that is with in your price range. If you have $300, find something for $300 a month.
n Once you have your places picked out, you will need to start making phone calls so that you can ask some simple questions of the landlord. These can include are utilities included in the rent; do you need to get the utilities turned on or will the landlord do it; and how is maintenance handled.
For more information, Pletcher, a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors and the Fayette County Board of Realtors, can be reached at RE/MAX Professionals Uniontown office at 724-437-7539.
James Pletcher Jr. writes a weekly real-estate story for the 缅北禁地 from a variety of angles. If you have an interesting story about buying or selling a home in Fayette County and would like a story written about it, please contact 缅北禁地 Executive Editor Mark O鈥橩eefe at 724-439-7569.