Get a Head Start on Your Apartment Hunt

Let’s say you’re one of those super proactive types, who doesn’t like waiting until the last minute get things done, especially when it comes to finding a new place to live. Your lease ends in 6-8 weeks, and there aren’t many apartments for your move date on the market yet, but you want to do something… ANYTHING, to make the process less stressful. Most people assume that there is nothing they can do until apartments start appearing on websites like Craigslist and Apartable (www.apartable.com), but that’s simply not true. Below is a list of 5 things you can do in the weeks before apartment hunting that can significantly reduce the time you waste looking at irrelevant apartments.

1. Prioritize - It’s critical that you know what is most important to you in your new environment. Is being a few blocks from great bars and restaurants crucial? Do you need a doorman? Is it important that there be a washing machine in your new building? Once you acknowledge what you can’t live with out, you can more easily strike out potential apartments, and focus on the ones that will provide you with what you need.
2. Understand Your Budget - It’s widely agreed upon that you shouldn’t spend more than about 30% of your combined annual income on rent. Being aware of how much you can reasonably spend narrows your focus, helps when it comes to determining what part of town you should live in, and ensures you don’t run into financial troubles 3 months into your lease. Also, don’t forget to take other major expenses into account - if you’re furnishing your new apartment from scratch, make sure you’ve put away some money for your purchases.
3. Narrow Your Search to a Few Neighborhoods - The first time I looked for an apartment in New York, I looked at apartments in just about every part of the city. BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME. EVER. It’s always important to keep an open mind, but if you narrow your neighborhood options down, it will be easier to see more apartments in less time, when you do start looking (less time spent running around the city).
4. Scope Out Potential ‘Hoods - So you’ve decided you want to live in the East Village, Murray Hill, or the Upper East Side, based on general availability of your desired amenities, and your budget. Spend some time in each neighborhood to get a feeling for which you like best. Do some research about each one and list the pros and cons of each. Understand where the shops, gyms, bars, and restaurants you will frequent are located. Once you have a better sense of these things, you’ll be able to more easily prioritize which apartments to see.
5. **Start Thinking About Finances **- Moving is expensive and often involves background checks, credit checks, security deposits, and guarantors. Make sure you’ve thought about these things and have people who are willing to vouch for you (if necessary), when the time comes. Come prepared when you do start looking!

Rest assured, if you follow these steps, there is still a pretty good chance you won’t love apartment hunting. We just hope that maybe, just maybe, it will suck a little less.