View Poll Results: Number of apartments it takes before you commit

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Thread: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

  1. #1
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    Default How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    Title says it all.

    Do you mull it over for a bit or do you move in right away? The rental market here is tough. The nice places are taken fast.

    Just wondering how many places it takes for you to see before you commit to a new apartment?
    If can explain your reasoning for your choice.
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  2. #2
    God/dess Emily's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I haven't lived in an apartment for awhile, but if it met my needs and the price was fair, I'd get it on the spot.

    It's just an apartment! Worst case scenario is that you move in a year if you hate it.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    the one i live in now, i didnt look anywhere else. i knew a girl who lived here and thought her apt was nice, and when i saw the place it looked good. since there arent as many 1 bedrooms out there(at least around here. there are a lot less opitions with availability, what floor i wanted, etc), if you like a place you shouldnt wait. you never know if someone will walk in after you and take the place.

  4. #4
    Veteran Member BabyGirlKylie's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    Everytime I look a bunch of places I just get overwhelmed.

    Make a list of thing you need (size, amount of rent, location, pets etc)
    Things you'd like to have but are able to do without(new appliences, carpet, AC, etc etc)
    And things you don't want
    Only look at places that fit your criteria. Don't waste time checking out every place that's available.

    My last move, I narrowed my choices to three places (found online) and told myself I had to pick one. Turned out great.

    My favorate apartment ever I found online, sent a small deposit, and moved in a week later. From three states away.
    That one was probably luck...but as Emily said, it's only a year! If you think you made the wrong choice.....just move
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  5. #5
    Veteran Member BabyGirlKylie's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    Quote Originally Posted by britt244 View Post
    if you like a place you shouldnt wait. you never know if someone will walk in after you and take the place.
    Exactly.
    Especially if the rental market is tough in your area. It's pretty frusterating to find a place, take the paperwork home, get excited about it, then find out it got rented 5 minutes after you left.

    When I found my current place (recall my find three and pick one theory) I told the landlord not only did I want it, I wanted it NOW. He said he had one more person to show it to and I told him to call the other guy and tell him not to come "cuz I'm moving in"
    "I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade.
    And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka and have a party."
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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  6. #6
    Veteran Member alessandra's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I have a similar strategy to BGKylie

    1) I ask all my friends in the area where the good spots/spots to avoid are. Bonus points if a friend lives in a great place and I can take a peek around the place.

    2) I make up a similar list to BGKylie:
    Must-Haves: the max. amount of rent, general location, pet policy, size of apt, AC, etc.
    Preferences: specific location, close to at least 1 24hr store, newer appliances, comes w/ a washer/dryer hook-ups or full set, etc.

    3) I do lots of internet research: craigslist, apartment finder/book, local indie-type newspaper, and knock off all the places that don't fit my lists before even looking, lest I find one I love just to find out that I can't comfortably afford it.

    4) I call. Double-check on any pertinent info that could exclude the place, such as rent $, pet policy, AC, size of apt.

    5) Usually I've only got a few places left by now, maybe 2-4. I make appointments to view them all on the same day, usually in the morning, and make a decision on the same day. Otherwise, the one you love is usually gone! Also, you might tell your prospective landlord: 'Hey, I'm looking at a couple places today and going to decide by 5pm, I'll give you a call this afternoon and let you know.' That way, they know you're really interested and responsible enough to contact them in a timely fashion.

    Hope this helps

  7. #7
    Senior Member Dixie_Vancouver's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    It depends. I've only lived in two places, but they were both pretty different situations.
    The first time, I viewed probably six or seven places before settling on the one I lived in. That said, I was underage and could only take what they'd give me, so when they said we could take it, I was willing to sign on the spot.

    The place I'm in now, I saw online and thought was so cute. It's also a 2-bedroom, which was awesome because I'd previously been sharing a 1br with my best friend. Since we were moving to a new city, we had a family member out here view it and when they said it was okay, we did all the paperwork and sent the deposit and whatnot.

    Pretty much both done out of desperation, though!

    I make lists as well, of things I have to have and things I like to have. Also, a list of things to ask the landlord, like if it's a quiet building or if you can hear a lot through the walls (this question always raises eyebrows, but doing phone sex and escorting, I'm noisy at all hours of the night and don't want to bug neighbours!).

  8. #8
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I actually rent a house, not an apartment but pretty much same thing. Honestly I think everytime I had to move I only looked at one or two places! The place I live in , the landlord is my friend and I had been over to the house and happened to run into him at a party and found it was for rent, so actually I didn't even look at it, just told him when it was done being painted and updated I would move in.

    Sort of same way with all my apts. I tend to rent from landlords I know, it just makes life easier from anybody. I do want my own house next time I move though!
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    Well I go look at apartments and know if I don't want it, but I have to see them. If I find one I like I get it right away but it takes being at and seeing a few in this college town to find something suitable.

  10. #10
    Featured Member The_Oceans's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I put 3-4, mainly because looking at a listing (even one with pictures) is one thing, but meeting the landlords, seeing the actual conditions and such is another. What looks like the perfect place on paper may not be so in reality (as you all know). Also, it helps to have a backup plan if the first plan doesn't come to fruition - or in my case, if something better opens up before you put pen to paper on a lease, you could actually improve your situation.
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  11. #11
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I'm not picky about where I live so I found my place on craigslist, got in line, and took it when it was offered! I live in a gorgeous neighborhood 15 minutes from Downtown Denver and adding to the fun, my apartment is "garden level" which I prefer since I hate heights and have lived in various basements on and off since I was a kid.

    I share a 2 bedroom with a roomate I rarely see, let alone speak to (we're both the shy, quiet type) and am not even on the lease. So long as I pony up a cheque every month, everybody's happy!
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  12. #12
    Veteran Member Jeanette's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I found my place on Craigslist listed with pictures after calling around to a few other places to make appointments, but not having seen any yet, so I picked 1-2, as this was the same situation in my last place as well (except I found my prior place in the newspaper). I loved it and although it was more than I wanted to spend, it is closer to work which means less in cab fare, which was how I rationalized it. When I first spoke to my landlady I basically told her I'd take it cause I knew it would be perfect for me. I love my place. It's dog friendly and within walking distance of everything, the only con is that it doesn't have a pool or sauna, and for what I pay that would be nice. After insisting the carpets be cleaned and the apartment be completely repainted it was perfect(except for the fact that I hate carpeted floors, even though it's only on the second floor).

    Personally, if the place meets all your criteria and you can see yourself being happy there, do not wait. Take it right away, or someone else will.

  13. #13
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    There's a lot of false advertising when it comes to rates and how the places look..Some dumpy places are made to look nice in the pictures.

    When I was planning to move out (the girl I wanted to move in with turned out to be a not so suitable roommate though), we looked at 10 apts and found 3 that were within our price range and that were nice.

  14. #14
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I picked 1-2. I always do searches online and call ahead to see if there are available apartments within my price range/expectations. If I find a place I like and it's available, I take it. Immediately. This last time I moved I looked at 2 apartments in the same complex, and immediately put a deposit on the 2nd one.
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  15. #15
    AudreyLeigh
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    Well, my current place I found online, saw and paid a hold that day.

  16. #16
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    Due to time constraints, we only looked at 2 before taking one of the two...Ideally I would look at 3-4...

    (This is too hilarious NOT to share...The other place we saw smelled like someone had been cooking meth inside, and the carpet had a calico-colored pattern- it looked like someone had used a bunch of calico catskins to make the carpet. NO SHIT!!! We were amazed the rental agency had the balls to list that place in the shape it was in...)

  17. #17
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    The number it takes to find the right one.

    Sadly in Australia THEY pick YOU, not how it works in America... so I had to see over 40 before being accepted.


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  18. #18
    Veteran Member Laylas's Avatar
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I usually get a good vibe about the place I am looking to rent (so hippy-dippy, right?). I research the heck out of it online, see whats in the area store/road/people wise, and do a drive by of the complex before I ask for a tour.

  19. #19
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I look at a ton. I make absolutely sure I'm getting the one that best suits all my needs. I hate buyers(renters) remorse and try my best to avoid it. A year is a long time to hate where you live. I know from experience, unfortunatley.

  20. #20
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    Default Re: How many apartments do you see before choosing?

    I find a few good prospects either online or by calling around, then go check them out. Neighbors are a huge deciding factor. In one place an old lady lived upstairs who paced on squeaky floorboards ALL freaking night, then in another a single mother with 3 or 4 kids lived next door, who let them all run wild, so I go look at the units several different times at different hours of the day before picking.

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