Tips for apartment hunting Oppo's? 

"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-) 05/13/2017 at 09:58 • Filed to: None

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Never done it before. I already have a good list of apartments to check out, just wanted to hear what would/do when checking out places.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 05/13/2017 at 10:01

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Pull out your phone and check cell reception inside the place. I’ve been burned by forgetting to do that. Ended up somewhere with terrible service.

Tripper > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/13/2017 at 10:13

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Most of the major carriers will provide you with a wifi bit to boost service, or they’ll hack a little off your bill if their is nothing they can do.

daender > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 05/13/2017 at 10:17

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Make sure the neighboring rooms don’t smell like weed, unless you’re a 420 smoker yourself. Also make sure the parking lot isn’t in a flooding zone and that your vehicle won’t get broken into and/or stolen.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 05/13/2017 at 10:20

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Garage. Pet policy. Size of kitchen/counter space. Closet space. Bathroom layout (make sure you can actually sit on the toilet and not be wedged against a wall awkwardly). Make sure all your existing furniture you want to bring will fit. Amount of outlets. Does it have lights in the ceiling or do you need to get floor ones?

ttyymmnn > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 05/13/2017 at 10:21

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Look at the cars in the parking lot. That will give you a good idea of the kind of people who live there.

pip bip - choose Corrour > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 05/13/2017 at 10:27

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i’ve never looked for an apartment, so i can’t offer any advice

bought and sold houses instead.

facw > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 05/13/2017 at 10:27

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A lot depends on where you are looking. In some places the use of brokers or apartment finders is common while in others nearly every building will have its own leasing office (or just someone who will show the apartment).

Things to look for:

Light. You don’t want a dark apartment. You might save a bit on your power bill but it isn’t worth it. Make sure you get something with relatively unimpeded east, south, or west exposure.

Non-smoker. Make sure you at least get to set foot in the actual apartment before you sign anything, even if it hasn’t been prepped. Living in a smoker’s apartment is terrible, and it will be touch to make them properly clean and paint it after the fact. I lived in one, and after I moved out, for months after I’d open some box I hadn’t unpacked yet and get hit by a blast of smoker smell.

Good TV and internet options. Avoid a place with exclusive arrangements if possible (especially exclusive arrangements with DirectTV, which are all sorts of bad).

Cell phone receptions. Test it out. Remember though that with wifi calling femtocells (cell providers charge for these but will often give you one at no charge if you complain about service in your home), you can improve spotty reception for yourself, but it may still be crappy for guests unless you get them on your wifi or they use the same carrier, and the femtocell is available for public access.

Laundry. In apartment is really nice. Frankly even if it just has hookups and you have to fire sale at the end of your lease, it’s still worth it. If you can’t do that, make sure the building has laundry facilities, that they look adequate (if you go to the laundry room, look for empty machines (good), non-functional machines (bad), and that sort of thing). If you do have laundry facility, remember payment options: free > card > coins 

Standard stuff like amenities (gym, pool, lounge, business center, etc.), and what they cost you.

Pets. If you are thinking about getting one, find out if they are allowed, and what fees, deposit, and/or pet rent is required.

Parking. Is it available? Is there a charge? Is there covered parking? are there private garage bays (super nice, but pretty rare)

Kitchen. You want a dishwasher at least. Gas burners and a garbage disposal are nice to have.

Hidden fees. Does the complex charge for trash removal, shared utilities, landscaping, pest control, etc. 

There’s probably other stuff you should look at but that’s what I’ve got on my mind. Also read the lease before you sign it. You should be able to ask for a sample lease when you tour the apartment. They will look at you strangely because no one does this, but it is a good idea to know what you are doing when you promise to sign away so much money.

E92M3 > daender 05/13/2017 at 10:50

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You must decide which is worse. Noise above you, or hiking up/down stairs every time you go somewhere/return home. The best apartment I had was on the top floor, and on a corner. Only had 1 neighbor to worry about when it came to noise, being a corner unit. I did have to hike up the stairs, but I was young and my legs were used to it after 1-2 months. If you have your own laundry hookup that’s a bonus. I never liked hanging out at the landry room. Maybe I wouldn’t of minded if there was a cute girl that came in from time to time but it was mostly older shady people.

daender > E92M3 05/13/2017 at 10:52

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Oh right, the floors. I lived on the third floor and it was a bitch to move in and out because the only elevator was on the opposite side of the building.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tripper 05/13/2017 at 11:14

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Not all phones can make calls over wifi though

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 05/13/2017 at 11:19

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Drive by the place at night to see what the neighborhood looks like.

Tripper > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 05/13/2017 at 11:33

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It’s a device that connects to your network that boosts LTE/whatever the provider is calling their network. It’s not calling over wifi.

The Compromiser > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 05/13/2017 at 12:05

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Don’t lead them much as they don’t move fast. And remember to stay within your limit.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 05/13/2017 at 13:45

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Avoid cookie cutter apartment communities if you can. They’re generally overpriced and the list of amenities they offer are usually big let downs that you will never even use.

Craigslist can be great for finding more reasonably priced apartments with more character in better neighborhoods. But it can take some patience and perseverance.

I once rented from a guy who owned one building with four units in it, he lived in one of them. Super nice guy and was always there if we needed something. He was charging a few hundred under market value and refused to raise our rent because “we were such good tenants”. The only reason we moved is because he decided to sell and he warned us the new owner was going to raise rent by about $400, which was insane for that apartment.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 05/14/2017 at 00:06

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Those were definitely out of budget and the college I’m going to has kick ass shit anyway. I’ve decided on one that’s pretty much perfect. It was built in the 80's, but it’s maintained really well. They showed me both a renovated and non one, I actually wanted the non-reno better, because it was a little cheaper and just as nice IMO.