Alongside food and clothing, having a roof over one's head is one of the most basic requirements a person needs in order to live decently.
Some of us are lucky enough to be able to purchase homes outright but for the majority of the American population, finding the right apartment remains to be a constant challenge.
Whether you just moved out of your parents' house and are looking for your first apartment or you are wanting to find a bigger place to accommodate a growing family, the steps you need to go through in order to find the right apartment remain the same.
1.
Determine your budget.
For majority of potential apartment renters, money is the deciding factor in choosing a place to rent.
They may have their preferences as to the kind of neighborhood the apartment is in, the size of the rooms in the house, or accessibility to schools or commercial districts.
However, some of these preferences sometimes need to be sacrificed because the decision depends on the monthly rent.
Determining your budget is actually trickier than it seems.
So many people miscalculate their budgets and end up renting apartments they couldn't really afford.
What you should do is subtract your total monthly expenses from your total monthly income.
Make sure you include all expenses, including an allowance for miscellaneous purchases.
Then subtract the amount you are putting into your savings account and emergency fund.
The amount you are left with is a rough estimate of how much you can afford to pay on monthly rent.
2.
Look at your options.
After determining your budget, your next step is to find places that fall within your price range.
If you are planning to rent a place in the town or city where you currently live, a good place to start looking is the classified section of your local paper.
You may even ask your friends for referrals.
If you are thinking of moving to another location, the Internet is your best source for possible options.
Based on the descriptions in the ads, make a list of all the places that fall into your price range and that you think will work well for you.
You may have a long list at first but using the information you find in the ads, you should try to gradually narrow it down to a few select choices.
3.
See the apartments for yourself.
Of course, it won't be a wise move to make a final decision without actually seeing the place.
This is why your next step is to visit each apartment in your list.
During each visit, take the opportunity to talk to the landlord not only about the apartment itself but about the neighborhood too.
Ask about the amenities offered in the building because this might spell the difference when you are making your choice.
During this step, also make use of your negotiation skills in bargaining with landlords.
Many of them are willing to lower their price a little bit especially if they sense there are few other places you are considering.
Choosing an apartment is a process that should not be taken lightly; take as much time as you need in making your choice.
It is always better to consider all options thoroughly than end up renting an apartment you don't really like or can't really afford.