How exactly DO you find an apartment?

Question

A friend of mine, and I are looking to rent a two bedroom apartment together. (which is good as we are both basically homeless; I'm crashing on friend's floors, and she is bouncing between hotel rooms)

The problem is that I don't honest know how you do that. I don't know the 'trick', that I know is there.

It's the same with jobs, I can find a listing on Craig's List, and send my resume, but it took months of that not working, and I know there must be a key step I'm missing.

As with jobs, as with apartments. I've never had one of my own (never been on the lease at least), so I don't know if I know what I'm doing. We look on Craig's List, and Rent.com, and Apartments.com, and we've tried driving around looking for places with vacancies, but something still seems off. Any advice?

Answer 1

what about the local newspaper? the paper of the town/city you want to live in? your best-bet is to contact a realtor who specializes in rentals... you'll have to pay them 1 month's rent, but they do the footwork, you just show up for the appointments to check out the places... good luck!

Answer 2

First of all, keep a list of all the apartments that are viable for your combined income.

Second, call and email each person that has an apartment that you have on your list. Most, if not all, will contact you back.

A good email should read something like this:

"Hi, I just saw your ad on craigslist and I'm interested in the apartment. Is it still available? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks...(signature)

Most, if not all, will return your call or email. Then set up a time for an appointment to view the apartment. If utilities are not listed on the ad, the returned call or email is the best time to ask about it.

Then go see the apartment - if it fits your needs and you can afford it, then find out if you can place a deposit to hold it and if there is any paperwork that needs to be filled out.

I have found that if the apartment is in a house (at least in MA) people seem to make a verbal month to month contract with the renter. I would not accept this only because it leaves no protection for you or the landlord, but of course, this would be your choice.

It would be good to have a few good personal and business references should they ask for them.

Hope this is helpful =)

Best Wishes on your Apartment Search.

Answer 3

Craig's List isn't also the most reliable place to find a job. Try going into stores or businesses you are interested in working at and ask if they are hiring. As for the apartments, check your local newspaper and many states have little free booklets at gas stations with apartment complex listings in them so check your local gas stations for those. It will be hard to rent an apartment if you have no or bad credit because the majority of apartments do credit checks (unless you have a co-signer) and also a work reference so you'll need a job/an income source before attempting to get an apartment.

Answer 4

You go into an apartment complex, ask how much the rent is, how much it is to move in and how much you need to make. Most apartments want you to make 3 times the rent although some go as low as 2.5 times. They will charge you like 20 bucks for a credit check and if you dont have any evictions they will rent to you. They usually will take about a month or so to have something available unless they have a sign that says "available now" If you have no job, dont waste your money on a credit check because they wont rent to you.

Jobs are easy to get. When in doubt, get a job selling cars. They hire everybody that shows enthusiasm. (thats the trick)

Answer 5

Start locally. Try looking in the classified section of your local newspapers. Usually the Sunday papers will have the largest number of listings. Also check with the student centers at colleges in your area; they sometimes have unpublished listings for apartments and room - and for that rare situation where you can get cutrate rent in exchange for some child care or yardwork, etc. Be neat when you show up and be sure the apartments you look at have adequate electrical outlets at places where you will need them - particularly the kitchen. Check how close you are to bus stops if you don't drive, and how near you are to grocery stores, etc. so you don't waste any rent savings on gas. Expect to have to pay at a minimum a month's rent and a security deposit equal to one month's rent. Some areas also require the last month's rent. You may have to sign a yearly lease; in some areas you can sign a month-to-month lease. Be sure when you do find an apartment that you go through it thoroughly and make a list of every little thing (I mean EVERY little thing) that is wrong, don to the smallest scratch, present it to the landlord for confirmation; both of you sign and keep a copy of it. That way, you're more likely to get back your security deposit when you leave rather than getting blamed for something that is wrong with the apartment that you didn't notice when you moved in.

As for jobs, again, start locally in the classified. (Your landlord is going to want a work reference to verify your income and ability to pay the rent.) Also register with employment agencies in the area where you want to work. They are free; the company who ultimately hires you will pay their fee. And check with the local state unemployment office; they also have job listings and special grant and retraining programs to offer.

Answer 6

Uh, I wouldn't suggest job-hunting and apartment-searching on Craig's List, roffle! Seriously, don't.

There's no "magical trick"... :P

If it's your first job, if you're fresh out of high school or whatever, you're probably going to have to start pretty low. ;P Go into local fast food places, ask if they have any job openings (if they don't know, ask if there's a manager you can speak to), and ask if there's an application form you can take with you. Follow the guidelines they set out. Always try to hand in your resume/application form directly to the hiring manager. Always write a cover letter specifically directed to the company you're looking to work for.

Also, take a look at online ads at places like Kijiji. Check your local newspaper for job openings. Some companies (like McDonald's and crap :P) show job openings online... they also sometimes have online application forms, but usually this doesn't allow you to add a cover letter, it's less personal and shows you made less effort than if you applied in-person, etc.

Same for apartments; check your local newspaper ads. Drive around. There are lots of places to search online; check Google.

Answer 7

1. Internet. Craig's List and the other sites you mentioned are good.
2. Use the Apartment Guide booklet for rental communities
http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/
3. Call a real estate office. In most cases only the landlord pays a fee, renter pays nothing to realtor.

Answer 8

As some have already pronounced, do slightly diagnosis and locate out if there are any residences close on your college that function pupil housing. %. some to flow to. maximum condominium communities do not techniques in case you basically drop in yet once you elect, you are able to in all threat set up an appointment. tell them what you're finding for (one mattress room, 2 mattress room) and locate out how lots the lease is, in the event that they have any specials, what utilities they contain, how lots the protection deposit is and if there is an application fee. Ask approximately cable and information superhighway too. you would be wanting to work out what their residences seem as though and consistent with threat even take some photos so which you will remember. once you come across the single you elect you will could fill out an application and once you're regular you will could placed funds right down to hold it. the human beings who artwork on the residences provide you the different significant suggestions you want. sturdy success!

Answer 9

Get a newspaper and look at the apartments for rent.

Answer 10

Hm, im in the same postion as you are, but im lookin' at newspapers for apartments to share with some friends of mine and im askin' help from a friend who recently got an apartment for years...so ask a friend for help if they have any experience on gettin' apartments! best of luck to you =))