If you want to make sure you’re getting the best apartment for your money, you will need to focus on several details. Here are some important apartment features to consider when you are looking for your new apartment.
Layout
When checking out an apartment, don’t just look at the square footage in each individual room. Look at how the space is used. The amount of space between doors, windows and other physical features can make a difference in how you set up your apartment. It’s important to picture the furniture you want in each room when determining if a potential apartment suits your space requirements.
Pay attention to the layout of the bedroom. Depending on where closet doors fall in relationship to windows and the door into the room, you may only have one spot where your bed will fit.
In other rooms, placement of windows can affect your use of furniture as well as decoration. Be sure to notice if windows look particularly low, since this will limit the furniture you can place below them. Count the outlets in each room and take note of phone jacks and cable outlets.
Appliances
When you view a potential apartment, look closely at the appliances. Open the doors of the refrigerator, oven and dishwasher. Look for signs of wear and tear, and compare the capacity to what you’re used to.
If you’re concerned with utility bills, pay attention to the exact models and find out if they are new enough to incorporate energy saving features.
Storage
Walk in closets are a popular feature. What about other kinds of storage? Pay attention to closets in every part of the apartment, and think about how much stuff you need to store. If you put your clothes and shoes in the bedroom closet, your coats in the coat closet and your towels and bathroom stuff in the bathroom closet, have you used up all your closet space?
Noise
Try to get a little quiet time during your visit. Sit back for a few minutes and try to soak up the environment. Open a door or window if necessary, and try to get a sense of the sounds in the background. Can you hear footsteps or talking in nearby apartments? Sounds from nearby businesses or traffic?
It’s true that an empty apartment will amplify sound to some degree, but that just helps your awareness of what you might be dealing with after you move in.
Porch
Don’t just look out the window at the porch, take a close look. If you already own outdoor furniture, make sure it will fit. Sometimes the location of the patio door or outdoor closet will affect where furniture can be placed. Look at the railings and edges of the porch for signs of water damage so you can tell how well the roof is doing its job.
Taking the time to find the right place is an excellent investment in future happiness. Go through each contender thoroughly and focus on the details.
thanks for the information – it is helpful.
Thank you for the information. What you mentioned is a visit to the apartment. What about my situation that I can only search an apartment online?
Zhao, I recommend using our apartment search site ApartmentGuide.com to search for apartments online.
Thanks for your comment!
Thanks for the comments. I will also measure out my furniture to make sure everything fits. Most importantly, the bed.
I plan on living here for a very very long time so I already had all of the great tips on everything already planned. All of these tips are a good idea for younger people who really don’t think about them until they move in.
Thanks
I check out windows and doors. They can really cause some high utility bills and very uncomfortable living conditions. I viewed one apartment where the lower window trim didn’t cover the sheetrock and I could feel the outside air coming in!
This is very helpful. Never thought about the quiet time. I will be laying in the middle of the bedroom with the window open just to get a sense of the surroundings. I am the type of person who sees a walk-in closet and revels in it, but would forget about space everywhere else. LOL
I am looking for an apartment for the first time in brazos valley. These are great tips and some of them I hadn’t considered until now. Thanks for the tips.
i think freight elevator size is important,
especialy if you have large furniture
Very practical advice – thank you
When I got my last apartment I was fooled by two things. The first was the weekday noise. I went to see it on a Saturday and there was almost no traffic outside. I didn’t know the stop light 100 ft away backed traffic up to my window during the week.
The other thing was the street light right outside my office.
I’ve learned a ton from that lease.
Thank you for those tips. I will take all this into consideration from now on.
When checking out the neighborhood, go through on the weekend evenings. Then you will really know how quiet it is.
help 2 bedroom in a area thats safe
Hi Louis,
What city and state are you searching in?
Thanks,
Apartment Guide
Looking for an apartment 2 bed 2 bath all utilities included except Electric. Meaning trash, water, cableTV. Would like to have the availability of a washer and dryer in the apt. Safety is a concern, vandalism with cars, security on premises.
Hi Janet,
We’d love to help! What city and state are you searching in?
Thanks,
Apartment Guide
Hello-am looking for indoor and/or heated pool in Springfield mo w/ walk in shower in one of baths. 1or two bdrm is fine
Hi Ramona,
Thanks for searching with us! Here are our 1-2 bedroom listings in Springfield, MO with an indoor pool. http://www.apartmentguide.com/apartments/Missouri/Springfield/1-beds-1z141xt/ Please let us know how else we can help!
Thanks,
Apartment Guide