by Francis Jock

Created on: July 16, 2008   Last Updated: July 23, 2008

Your time has come and your dreams are finally coming true; you are about to make your first step into the real world. For most of us, that first step means renting your own apartment. There are several things you should carefully consider before signing a lease or a rental agreement. Even if you aren't a first time renter, there are tidbits of useful wisdom for you to discover here.

The first question you should ask yourself is whether or not you can really afford it. The answer lies not in the emotional high that you get from being on your own, being responsible, self-reliant and finally free from well meaning free-advice givers. No, you have to crunch your financial numbers on your own to find the answer to this question. You know, sit down with a pencil, paper (or spreadsheet), and figure out just how much you can afford to spend on food, utilities, transportation, personal necessities, clothes, entertainment, and last of all - rent.

If you have done your homework and created a realistic budget that you can live with, then the next step is to consider the pros and cons of your dream apartment. You've probably gone through a dozen or so different apartment listings and determined that there is only one choice and it's going to be right for you. You've made up your mind that your'e going to call it home for the next year or so and now it's off to pay a visit to the premises and see just how well they measure up. In other words, this is where apartment reality meets your ideals for living large on a budget.

So what are some things that you really need to consider. First, how about safety and security? Ask the landlord or property owner about whether or not the apartment has an on-site manager, or what security features are included. How about the maintenance system: how are repairs and emergencies handled and who is responsible for making repairs when you need them? How old are the appliances and are they clean and in good condition?

Next, you already know that you should ask about the cost of air conditioning and heating, cable TV and telephone service, parking, and transportation, but remember to also ask about having an on site laundry with driers and any other amenities. You know, just like mom's laundry, but now you're going to handle it and you want the best.

If you're satisfied with everything to this point, it's time to take a look at the apartment. There are a few tips to keep in mind when making the nickel tour. Look carefully at the appearance of the

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>