When you are apartment hunting, know that there are some traps out there. Don’t be fooled; use these tips for apartment hunting and avoid problems that could develop down the line:
- The time trap: Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security and think you can find an apartment in a week. Sometimes it can take quite a bit of time to locate the right place. A good guideline is to start looking a month or two in advance to be on the safe side.
- The description trap:. Listen carefully to what people are telling you and translate what it means. “Cozy” might mean warm and comfortable, but it can also mean small. “Unique” makes people think “one of a kind,” but might just stand for “weird,” and “charming” can mean old. Try to read between the lines.
- The pressure trap: Don’t feel you have to take an apartment right away just because someone mentions that “other people are interested” or “it’s in a hot area.” Take your time deciding if a place is the right one for you.
- Not listening to your inner voice: Does something about the landlord bother you? Do you feel like the apartment has all the things you wanted, but just aren’t sold on calling it home? Are you bothered by the weird smell in the hallway but dismiss it as no big deal? Listen to your gut feeling on things — there may be a reason you are feeling the way you are.
