What are the most important things to look for when apartment hunting?

I'm moving out soon and I need to go apartment hunting, What are the key things to look for in the area and the apartment it self?What are the most important things to look for when apartment hunting?
Is the area and the apartment buildings safe, low crime rates





Is the apartment reasonably priced for the area.





How is the parking, ALso visitor parking in case you have friends over?





Do you hhave to signs lease or is it month to month, if you have to sign a lease, be sure to read the fine print on what the cost of breaking the lease is if you should need to.


sometimes breaking a lease can be like three months rent or so forth.What are the most important things to look for when apartment hunting?
when you find a building and


location and rental cost you like, then go to other tenants and ask them if:


1)is the owner(mgr) easy to


work with and will they make


repairs as needed?


2)Go back in the evening and


listen for loud music/screaming kids/couples


fighting/car mechanics in the


driveway, etc.


3) go to the Police station and ask about the safety of


that particular neighborhood.


Are their any drug arrests?


Is there any B%26amp;E?


4)Is there a bus line close


if you can't drive?


5)Are there any parks or green spaces or jogging trails


around?


6) How far is decent shopping? Where's a good


grocery mart? How about


local organic or health food


stores?


7) Are all or none of the utilities covered in the rent?


8)Is this a month to month


tenancy or a yearly lease?


with how much deposit? and


will that be returned if the


apt. is left clean?


Happy Hunting!!!
In the apartment:


1.) Heating/cooling. Do you pay for or control the heat? Will that cool skylight let in savage arctic blasts of frigid air?


2.) Parking. Don't believe it when they say, ';you'll be sharing that slot, but your neighbor always pulls out by 7:30 so he won't block you in.';


3) Laundry. Do you pay extra for an in-apartment unit?


4) Maintenance. Is someone on site to fix your refrigerator (and that expensive steak) when it breaks down the night before your party?


5) Speaking of parties, how thin are the walls/how much do the neighbors party. If you're the quiet type, stay far away from college housing.


6) Security. (peephole, buzzer, doorman--will there be new locks or does the last tenant still have the key?)


7) This is gross, but ask when the last time they exterminated. Look them in the eye and see if they squirm.


8) Storage.


9) Try to meet the neighbors--dogs (barking?) children (early risers?), seniors?


10) find out if the landlords live in town or in another state--or country.


11) how many steps do you have to schlep your groceries up?





READ the stuff about deposits, repairs, and notice before leaving required by the rental agreement.





In the area:


1) Don't live over a nightclub or bar.


2) Try walking around the neighborhood by yourself and see how safe you feel.


3) Check bus/subway lines if it applies.


4) If it's in a city or near a highway, listen to how loud it will be at night, if possible.


5) Is it near a grocery/drugstore?
1) proximity to work / family %26amp;friends / shopping / Interstates / hospital or urgent care


2) management reputation / service level available to occupant


3) layout / key issues of the apartment - # BR, laundry hookups, terrace, first or second floor, security (re-key the front door!!, alarm system, crime level of neighborhood- check w/police), all electric? gas? cable? security gate @ front? Lighted parking area?


4) contract issues like amount of deposit, early termination of contract, history of legal complaints, verification of return of deposit - careful if your next move is out of town!


5) amenaties @ the complex - pool, community room for parties, carwash / playground, lighted trash location