Practical Guide for Apartment Hunting

Following These Steps Will Make Your Search Easier

Moving can be an ordeal! I can attest to this fact due to personal experiences. My most recent move was completed on very short notice. My husband and I moved to Charlotte, NC within a ten day time frame due to an employment promotion and relocation. Even though it was an interstate move, our new home would be located more than 4 hours away. We had never been to Charlotte before and did not know anyone in the area.

Since our move to Charlotte, we have settled into our community and have even helped another couple relocate to the area. These experiences have prompted me to come up with a practical guide to moving. If we did it in 10 days, with proper planning, you can easily enjoy a smooth transition to your new residence.

Following these steps will help you on your way to your new apartment.

Get your finances in order.

You will need to assess your current financial situation and gather important financial documents. Documents to gather include copies of tax statements, bank statements, and pay stubs. Each apartment community will have their own standard of financial information collection. Having a basic list of items available will allow you to spend more time gathering additional documentation.

You should be aware of the fact that many apartments require your gross monthly salary to be 3 times your rental amount.

It is also a good idea to examine your credit report. Try to clear up any discrepancies before you start your apartment search. Having blemished credit may not prevent you from renting your preferred apartment. But, having blemished credit could cause you to pay higher security deposits. It’s just a good idea to know where you stand so you won’t have any surprises!

Establish your move in timeframe.

If you are currently renting a house or apartment, you will need to give your landlord proper notice. Proper notice can vary from place to place. You can find the specific details regarding when notice needs to be given in your lease. There may be additional steps such as exit inspections to complete. Take all of this into account when deciding your move in timeframe.