How long before you need an apartment do you start searching?

b_alexander1992: How long before you actually need apartment do you start looking?
My friend and I need an apartment in March. Do we start looking now and start talking to leasing officers, or do we talk to them right before we need the apartment?

and, let’s say we find an apartment that we like, is there anyway to reserve that apartment until March. I hope that made sense. Thanks in advance!

Answers and Views:

Answer by Noname
Start looking now, but don’t start talking to people yet. I’d start trying to buy one in February

Answer by –
I agree with the other answer. Start looking now — without a realtor — and see what areas you like, what buildings, what features, etc. Be pretty casual about it. You should use this month to figure out what you like and dislike. In February, get serious and start making contact, maybe find an agent, etc.

Answer by linkus86
Look now for the sake of finding out what is available or will become available when your are ready. Besides the rental application, do your best to avoid signing anything until you are sure you want the place and even then don’t sign the actual lease until move in day. You may have to give a deposit to reserve a unit, but if you write a check, make certain you and the landlords understand what the money is specifically being used for. If it is merely a security deposit for a lease to be signed later, make sure there is a document explaining that signed by all parties. Otherwise it could be applied to something completely different. If pressed to make a decision on a place before you are ready to move in, make sure the apartment is in move in condition before you agree.

Answer by MyHandsAreMadeOfPasta
You can never start your search too soon. If you want to rent from any old cookie cutter complex you should have no problem visiting rental offices and explaining your needs to see what they can offer you. A Deposit of a few hundred dollars usually holds the apartment until your move in date. At that time you’ll need to pay your first months rent and any pro-rated amount before that depending on your move in date-all this will be explained to you after you’ve toured the place, signed a lease and given your deposit. The law of supply and demand holds true here too: the longer you wait until you need the place, the more variety you will find…then again waiting until the last minute has it’s own drawbacks. You’re doing the smart thing in starting now. Good luck.

Answer by Jef
Depends on the area. Some cities have little enough rental demand that you can have your pick of apartments all the way up to your move in day, while in other cities you need to lock into a place months before. I live in a medium sized US city, and it’s normal here to start your search about six months out.

6 months: Scout neighborhoods
5 months: Narrow down neighborhoods and get a feel for what is out there, costs
4 months: Casual viewing of buildings
3 months: Narrow search to a few promising buildings/companies
2 months: Pick one, arrange for deposit, signing date, upfront fees, etc.