I would like to start shopping for a new apartment or town home. How would I start?

lovely: I would like to start shopping for a new apartment or town home. How would I start?
I would like to start shopping for a new apartment or town home not to far from my job. How do I start?

Answers and Views:

Answer by kswldkat
I would try a website like rent.com. you can use a search engine to get you started.

Answer by Kelly
Go outside.

Answer by proudgrl84
There’s websites out there that you can search, www.apartments.com, www.rent.com, www.for-rent.com. and also look in your local paper, that’s how I found mine.

Answer by Lovely
Go to www.apartments.com

Answer by cupcakess
look in a newspaper or those books with homes in them but first u have to pic a budget!!

Answer by BonesofaTeacher
I would drive all around the area and look for ‘for rent’ signs and identify neighborhoods you want to live in and can afford.
Call the numbers on the signs and look at some apartments and compare them. don’t rent the first one you see. Try doing it on your lunch, you can see how long it takes to get there from work. Try to talk to people who live in the areas. You can use the internet but i think physically going is better because you can tell if there’s a train track next door or if it’s across from a school or if there is a swimming pool down the block or if there is a sewage treatment plant next door.

Answer by amanda725_2000
Look in the yellow pages and find apartments or you can also look in the classifieds. Call the business up and they can send you a list of all the apartments that are available and it will tell how many rooms, appliances, and the amount of the rent.

Answer by thetoothfairyiscreepy
GET PREQUALIFIED THRU A MORTGAGE COMPANY OR BANK!!! This is VERY important.

It will let you know whether you are in a position to buy, and if so, how much you can afford, etc.

after getting prequalified, find a realtor in the area and work with them. and remember, as a buyer, it costs you nothing to use the services of the realtor.

Answer by trying2raise3
Get a local newspaper and the Sun. one if it’s still available, and start calling those ads first. Remember to ask ea. place you call if the apts. are in an urban or suburan area so you’ll get an idea of how far the drive to work will be. If you have a pet, ask about the pet deposit. Find out how much the deposit is and wheter or not its refundable (some places don’t refund you the money when you leave), and ask how long of a lease you will have to sign. Also ask wheter or not the apt. is all elec. When you find one you like, get the address and call your local police dept. and tell them you’d like the call history for that address and the surrounding blocks. Don’t forget to do this! When you’re all done, drive by and see what you think and if you like it, set up an appt. w/the manager and bring a money order/check w/you – no cash. Then you’ll be all set and ready to put your utilities in your name and get started! Good luck!

Answer by a_red_wine_guy
First, find out how much you can afford (go to some loan calculators that are freely available on the net). Then find out what it is you are looking for (there is a ton of variety out there, see realtor.com) and see what the price range is for that type of home. Revise what you are looking for until it is within your previously discovered price range (DO NOT change your price range).

After you figure this most important step out talk to several local banks and see if you can pre-qualify for a loan of your price range. It’s OKAY to have multiple banks checking your credit for a home mortgage at the same time so long as the checks are all within a two week period (when the credit score is calculated, it takes into account shopping around when it comes to home mortgages).

After you are pre-qualified (hopefully with a few banks) choose the best pre-qualified loan for you (I recommend lower APR over lower payment, but it depends all on your personal circumstances) and then go speak with a realtor about finding the right home for you. If you don’t like the realtor, find a different one, because in the end you are essentially giving them a fat commission check, and I personally wouldn’t want to give that nice sized check to someone I don’t like.

If all goes well, you’ll be moving into your new home shortly (30 to 45 days goes by fast). Start packing 🙂

Answer by satarnag
Here are just a few resources I like:

www.westsiderentals.com (they charge $ 60 but most landlords accept their credit reports)
www.craigslist.com
www.thepennysaver.com (great source for privately held places, not big management companies)
www.fastrental.com

Regards

Answer by Peace2All
You can try the web as some people have already mentioned. This is good because they list amenities and usually indicate if there is some sort of discount or special being offered. You could also try checking sections of town that you are interested in living in and just going from apartment to apartment. You might want to really narrow it down because most apartments charge a $ 25 application fee. They will let you check the place out before obligating you to filling out an application.

If you are real busy and just don’t have the time in your schedule there are apartment agencies that actually do the looking for you. They are apartment search. You tell them what you are looking for and they contact you when they find what you are looking for. It cost you nothing because they get a comission from the apartment when they find tenants.

I hope I have given you some good suggestions. Good luck finding your appartment.

Answer by sunshinne001
Get a real estate agent. If you just call different real estate offices to get prices on homes the agents will want to work with you. It’s better if you just find one agent and have them do the work for you. All agents have access to a real estate database. Of course each agent is different try to find one that isn’t afraid to get the best price for you, because some agents just want you to buy something and they don’t care what price YOU will pay. The databases on the internet don’t have all the info that you need, and many aren’t updated as quickly as you would like them. An agent can find you homes that come right on the market, and you can see it as fast as possible. Believe me, when a nice town home comes on the market with a great price, it won’t stay there long. There are homes that the first day they come on the market go under contract the next day. Also there are HUD homes, taken away by the bank, those go really fast because they are cheap, but not all are in the best condition.
Good luck

Answer by txstorme
Often towns have free apartment locator services. These services are usually free to the shopper – the apartments pay the commission. Check your yellow pages for “apartment locators”. You can also do a web search with “apartment locators” and your town.

Answer by nmwebbfam
First decide how much you want to pay for rent, second decide on the areas, these two go hand in hand, you get what you pay for, third get your local paper make selections based on utilities paid or not, you may be able to save money this way, check if the lease is monthly or annual, make some phone calls, then go visit the places you selected and check the conditon of the places you are considering renting, does it look like it is maintained well or does it need work? Take a close friend or realitive or if you know any handy men their opinions could save you some headache and make all the difference in buying a dump or a place you feel comfortable in.

Answer by nikkib
I just recently went through this process. I asked around- friends who had recently bought apts. in my area- and saw if they went through realestate agencies and, if so, which ones. I also looked in the Globe for ads about places for rent and for sale. Another thing I did was go into realestate offices and take those free brochures full of ads with places for rent or for sale. I didnt want to use a realtor because of the extra cost, and I ended up with a very cute place in Beacon Hill. Good luck! Hope i could help 🙂

Answer by babygurl
you have to look for a pennysaver and if you found an apartment that you like and its next to you’re job then get it.

Answer by JJ
Are you looking to rent or buy?

To buy, start with a good real estate agent. Interview several before you choose one to work with. And don’t be afraid to end that relationship if you don’t feel the agent is doing a good job of showing you appropriate properties. Don’t sign an agreement to be “exclusive” to one agent.

To rent, a good resource is www.craigslist.org, if your city is reperented on that website. Other sources of rental property listings include the classifieds in the paper, housing boards near colleges, and referrals from friends.

Answer by loving 40+
your shopping begins long before you get to the advertisement, realtor, or visiting potential home stages. your shopping begins with understanding how must rent, lease or mortgage you can afford, how much living space you need, what amenities you’d like to have, parking for yourself and guests, outdoor space, the type of neigborhood you’d like to live in and where (city or suburbs), how close the location is to schools, shopping, restaurants/entertainment, public transportation, major roadways and of course work as you mentioned. additionally, most condo and townhome communities have homeowner’s associations….are you okay with that? the most important is being able to afford the cost of being in your own place (considering ALL expenses involved).

you didn’t say whether you’ll be living alone or sharing space. either way, your homework begins on paper.

i hope you find what you like and you’re happy with your decision.

Answer by shiara_blade
apartments.com and other sites or just get the local paper and look at the ads. that’s how i found my apartment

Answer by M
The internet is great source of information. Since its not too far from where you are now drive around the areas you like. You will get by far more information by passing by than you will in the paper or internet. Good luck!!!

Answer by keya
Frist of all keep in mind about your finance i.e. how much you can spend ,then how much you can take as loan and how much tax you will have to pay. Then second thing you will have to do is to search for such a shopping place where you can find almost everything you need so that you can save your time and check out all that you need in a convenient manner.

Answer by Jessi
rent.com…its how we found our apartment…and you get a free $ 100 gift card 3 months after you move into your new place

Answer by Kyle M
Try the newspaper. You can get cheaper houses or apartments from auctions the police have on seized property

Answer by Len
Realtor.com where I found my town home from. Of course, to save hussle, you may hire a realtor to assist you on home purchasing. They don’t charge you until you find a satisfied home.

Answer by ButterfliKissus
apartments.com or rent.com i found mine at rent.com and when you report you lease they send you $ 100 bucks

Answer by devika h
try Apartment.com, rent.com

Answer by Chuck
You can start by checking the newspaper for new apartments or town home.
Now I told you what to do to get started. Now get your A S S out there and start looking.

Answer by Brown Id Girl
Begin with WHere you want to live – in what area of town or how close/far from a particular place (i.e. beach, city, person). Drive the area and look for signs. Go to local real estate people who specialize in rentals. Pick up the local newspaper. Yahoo classifieds. Friends, family and/or business relations in the area. Your employer/school. Ask lots of questions about what is and is not included in the monthly fees (i.e. utilities), contracts. visit the area different times of the day and week. Good luck!

Answer by experience
It has been my experience that most of the best deals you will find on apartments are not listed in the newspaper. I found my apartment while driving around my new neighborhood, I saw a sign in the window…apartment for rent. It’s been 8 years and I have been very happy, and my rent hasn’t increased more than 25.00 pm! If your looking to buy, it’s a whole different ball game. First you need to decide what you can afford, and then you need to either get a real estate agent, or at least talk with a few if you plan on doing the search yourself! Try the Internet..yahoo has up to date real estate listings that let you determine the criteria.
Good Luck!

Answer by Winter135
Craigslist.org or the real esate section of your local paper, apts.com etc

Answer by Daddy’s girl
Look in your local phonebook for apartment finders. You call, and set an appointment.Once there fill out a questionnaire and be interviewed on your interests and your done. They will call or email you with all the apartments that match your needs. Theydo take a percentage for their work, but it is worthwhile.

Answer by Tyrus
Find a rich guy, shake what your momma gave you for him, then tell him plain and simple, you can have some, but only if you provide a very comfortable living abode for me, and even then, you’ll only get it it when I feel like giving it;) LOL Just kidding, actually you could easily log onto to your local news papers website, and go from there.

Answer by chris b
Try realitor.com for information
https://www.realtor.com/

Answer by dukalink6000
Look for all those throwaways at the local store that let you know what’s for rent.

Check the Sunday section of the newspaper.

Cruise the area that you would like to be in and see what’s available.

Answer by mckakez
figure out how much u wanna spend/make a month, how many rooms/baths, sq feet and then you can find a realter/broker anywhere, find one near you and call them, tell them what you want, how big, how much, location, they’ll find some places, and then they’ll take you to them and you can decide which one u like the most!

Answer by Robin
It helps to make a couple of lists. Make one of everything you NEED, one of everything you WANT and one of everything you HAVE but want/need to replace. Start buying things off the NEED list first, then the WANT list and finally the HAVE list! And never buy without comparing and really thinking first. Buying things for a new home is lots of fun, but can add up REALLY really fast! So research and patience are key. Have fun! 🙂

Answer by Keith h
There happen to be two ways to start. First, is without a penny to you name start looking through yard sales and flea markets. In you travels a suggest a vintage approach, personally selecting unique items. Most of the time you can find very interesting tapestries, rugs, lamps, furniture, ect..,you know stuff to fill up space. Worn furniture is extremely comfortable, and with the right ten dollar blanket from walmart it can look any way you want it to. As far as pictures and knickknacks look for private garage sales and local flea markets, you’d be surprised at the kind of stuff can pick up for a couple dollars, all the while showing a unique personality and a safe conversation peace for nervous dates. Before long you’ll have a sanctuary that is unique and full of positive energy. The second method is to succumb to the shrink rapped disposable society we have become, spend a fortune on furniture and trendy housewares, but beware you might give a quest the feeling of being hermetically sealed in with a person that has the personality of a Bologna sandwich.

Answer by Carla W
try rent.com
www.craigslist.com –and then go to your closest city they should have great listings

Answer by norris_diane
I would got on line or look in news paper and go to a Realtor.

Answer by leo29sexy
apartment guide, newspaper,real estate agency

Answer by TamW
newspaper or websites.

Answer by BoReDoUtOfMyMiNd
Get an apartment guide book and the Sunday paper. The guide books are usually found just inside the front door of a grocery store like Kroger or Food Lion. You call all the ones you like or think you can afford and compare them. Go and see them before you decide on one.

Answer by scra99y
well check your credit score see what that is like and how much you could put down. Go to yahoo and use one of the calculators they have so you know what you can afford every month to pay and set your budget then start shopping.

Answer by carolinendaniel
well i don’t know how to start but i know where you should move if you live in San Diego move to Signature Point its great i live here it got a tennis court volleyball court pool inside racket ball court and a gym and by the volleyball have a grilling place and right across the street is a mini mall it awesome move here

Answer by kimmie
Get Pre qualified through a bank or lender before you do anything! Otherwise you are just wasting your time!!!

Answer by roeleavitt
either look in the newspaper in your town or go to a rental office and they will help you find what you are looking for

Answer by sweetiepie4342003
go to a search engine like www.apartments.com and put in what you are looking for and the price and you will be on your way.

Answer by hswatsonaz
Look up websites that list real estate for sale. The one I have found that is excellent is below: Good LUCK!

Answer by YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE!!
start by saving up money and then when you have enough money look for an apartment/town home that is near your job and see if there is any free homes there…see what the price is and then buy it if you have enough and start saving money for your bills and all that kind of stuff…good luck…hope you find one soon and get the money to get it.