Renting your first apartment can be an exciting but stressful time. The anticipation of having a place to call your own can keep you up at night thinking about the freedom you’ll have to live your life on your own terms. But, if you’ve never rented an apartment before, there are some things that you might want to consider as you start your search.

You don’t want to have your first rental experience turn into a bad one because you didn’t do your research or didn’t know to ask particular questions. As you start your quest to find the perfect home, read our tips on renting your first apartment and then call Summerwind Apartments in Garner to schedule a tour!

Stick to a Budget

Budget is number one on our list because it is the very first thing you should consider when renting an apartment. Too many people don’t establish a realistic budget and they ultimately get in over their heads. Of course, you’d like to have the best apartment you can afford, but you don’t want to use all of your income for rent and have nothing left over.

You have to take a look at the total cost of renting. Will you need to pay for some utilities? What about renter’s insurance? And sometimes rent has to be increased to cover owner expenses. If you sign up to rent an apartment that is at your maximum budget, what will you do if the rent is raised?

You’ll also want to make sure you have enough money to pay for all of your other expenses like vehicle payments and insurance, food, cable or internet if it’s not included, and weekly entertainment. What will you do if you have an emergency? Let’s say your car breaks down, you lose your job, or you have to go to the hospital. If you don’t have some extra money saved for emergencies you could easily spiral into debt.

Even if you don’t have any emergencies to contend with, you may want to save some money to eventually make a down payment on a new car, sign up for some classes, or take a vacation. For these reasons, you’ll want to set aside some extra money each month, so make sure you aren’t putting 100% of your disposable income towards your rent.

Taking the time to sit down and really evaluate your income and expenses is one of the most important things you can do to have a good renting experience and prevent serious financial problems in the future.

Consider Your Needs

The next thing you should do is consider what you actually need. Sure, it would be great to have some extra space — maybe an extra bedroom for when your friends stop by, but do you really need it? What are the chances that your extra bedroom will eventually turn into a place to store all of the extra stuff that you never use? Renting more space than you need can be costly.

You’ll also want to consider which features and amenities are important to you. Do you need an apartment that’s pet-friendly? How close do you need to be to public transportation? Is having an on-site laundry facility important to you? Even though you might find what you think is the perfect apartment, if it doesn’t have what you need, it’s not a good fit for you.

Read the Lease

We get it, reading long, boring legal documents is the last thing you want to do. But in this case, it’s absolutely necessary that you know what you’re signing up for. Take the time to read through each section of the lease and don’t be afraid to ask questions if there’s something that you don’t understand or seems unclear. Make sure you know what the policy is for early termination of the lease, having pets, and getting your deposit back. Having a thorough understanding of the lease will save you headaches down the road or even keep you from signing a contract that you can’t abide by.

Know What’s Included

Every apartment complex is different when it comes to features and amenities. Make sure you know what is included in your rent payment and what you will need to cover on your own. Specific things to ask about are utilities (electric, gas, water), garbage, cable, internet, and parking. You don’t want to assume that electricity is covered and then be surprised when you get that first bill.

Once you find out what is included, you’ll want to add the things you’ll be responsible for into your monthly budget to make sure that it still makes sense for you to rent there. If the average cost of the “extras” push you beyond what you can afford with your lease payment, it’s time to look for another place.

Take a Walk-through

Before you sign any lease agreement, make sure you take a walk-through of the unit you will be renting. You don’t want to sign up to live somewhere for a year without actually seeing it. Pictures, floor plans, and models are great for giving you an idea of what it could look like, but they aren’t realistic.

When you do a walkthrough of the unit you are considering, it should be clean and in good shape. Make note of any damage, non-functioning appliances or carpet stains before you sign on the line. Everything should be in good working order and free of damage before you move in. There will likely be signs of general wear and tear, but you should take pictures and note any concerns on the lease agreement before moving in. You don’t want to be charged for something you didn’t do when you eventually decide to move out.

Check Out Summerwind Apartments in Garner, NC

Can’t wait to find a place of your own? If you’re starting your search for an apartment in the Garner area, give Summerwind Apartments a call. We offer one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with features like large walk-in closets, granite countertops in the kitchen, stainless steel appliances, washer/dryer connections, and private patios or balconies. And don’t worry about having to leave your furry best friend behind, Summerwind is a pet-friendly apartment community!

You’ll also love our amenities! We have a 24-hour fitness center, bark park, playground, covered grilling area, and a large saltwater pool, just to name a few! Give us a call or stop by to see all that we have to offer. You can even schedule a tour from our website. We look forward to hearing from you!