5 Tips On Finding Your Perfect Residential Home
Moving into your very first apartment can create a multitude of feelings. There’s excitement, freedom, independence, and a lot of worrying about whether you made the right decision.
The perfect apartment should come to you after some insightful thought and research. This is also true even if you’re either a seasoned hunter of apartments or a complete novice.
We’ll give you a hint—it’s not just about staying within your budget. Read on to find out what factors you should look for in your search for a residential home that’s worth living in.
- Don’t Pay Any Money Until You See The Apartment
Internet fraud may make us forget that there’s such a thing as real-world fraud. If you’ve been told about and even shown pictures of a cheap apartment that seems out of this world, be wary. Don’t get roped into a down payment or sign anything until you’ve seen and toured the apartment with your own eyes. This is where getting an apartment tour from someone like Adam Kapner – who is a former resident of the building he now advertises – can be very useful, as you won’t just get a basic tour, but also helpful knowledge about the pros and cons of the building that may not be apparent from the initial listing.
It’s highly possible that people may try to get some money for an apartment that doesn’t even exist. The pictures could be of some other place, extremely old, or even faked.
- Tour The Surroundings
The perfect apartment isn’t just about the rooms you live in. It’s also about what facilities are nearby and what kind of neighbors you have. If all the grocery stores are several miles away, that may be a problem.
The same goes for places like schools, hospitals, clinics, and parks. The apartment itself may be great, but it simply may not be worth all that fuel expense and daily inconvenience.
Your neighbors are another important factor. Living next to unpleasant people could seriously decrease the quality of your life. This is a bigger deal than you may think, so be sure to meet your potential neighbors if at all possible. Besides, you should also ask some specific questions during the apartment tour.
- Check The Walls
The walls are literally what make up your living space, so there are few things more important. Thin walls are always a huge risk, so you’d want to shun those. Check for insulation, vents, heating ducts, and anything else that goes into walls. Make sure everything is in working order.
You should also check the number of shared walls you have. Trying to sleep when a neighbor is having banjo practice is simply not conducive to a healthy lifestyle or routine. If you do have a shared wall, you don’t want it near your study or bedroom unless there’s some soundproofing involved.
4. Pay Visits At Different Times
Any apartment may look good at night with the right lighting, but flaw and faults may only show up when daylight is streaming in. A neighborhood may seem quiet in the daytime and could become shady, crowded, or noisy at night.
Since you’re going to be living in your apartment around the clock, especially on weekends, you should check out what it’s like at any time of the day or week. Pay a visit during the weekends; the weekdays; in the afternoon, morning, and night.
It may be a hassle, but you would only do this for an apartment you’re serious about. These multiple rounds will minimize buyer’s remorse later on. If you’re living in Manhattan or any similar area, knowing every detail about the new apartment is worthwhile.
- Ask Questions About Utilities
If you’re renting, chances are high that you won’t have to worry about paying utility bills. Whether buying or renting, though, you have to ask what utilities are available beforehand. Just how much water, power, and gas are you getting? Are they available 24/7? Who’s responsible in case of a breakdown or fault?
The answers to these questions need to be absolutely clear and preferably included in the contract. Not having all these utilities could make life very uncomfortable for anyone. If an ad says power is included, it may mean the source of power is there. It may not mean that the bills are covered in the rent.
What's Your Reaction?
