According to a recent Rent.com survey of 1,000 Millennial renters, nearly eight out of 10 of them say they don’t plan on trading their apartments for homes anytime soon. There are plenty of reasons to lease vs. buy a place, from cost to flexibility to convenience factor and more. But finding a Dallas apartment that’s affordable, well-situated and actually nice to live in can be a pretty big challenge. We asked our apartment locating experts to share some pro tips and here’s what they had to say.
Figure out what you’re working with financially.
There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a great Dallas apartment only to find out there’s no way you can afford it. Be mindful about how much you can swing and still live comfortably. This means calculating more than just the monthly rent, but also accounting for all your other living expenses as well. This list should include such things as:
- Rent
- Electricity
- Water
- Cell phone
- Internet
- Cable/satellite
- Groceries
- Dining out budget
- Gas and parking, or public transportation
- Credit card payments
- Student loans
Don’t forget to leave a little wiggle room for some “fun money.” Once you’ve tallied all of this up, subtract it from what you’re bringing in and you’ll have a clearer picture of your budget.
Define your needs vs. wants.
Next, you’ll want to figure out what things you absolutely must have and what would be nice to have. This may include what types of neighborhoods you’re interested in, which apartment amenities are top on your list, what size place you’re looking for (i.e. do you need a 2-bedroom in case you bring on a roommate?). Jot everything down and then organize your list in order of priority. This will provide you with a guideline that you can use to narrow your search.
Use every resource available to you.
As a Millennial, you grew up with the internet, which is why it probably makes the most sense to start your Dallas apartment search online. But, as you may quickly discover, the massive size of the web can make the apartment hunting process feel overwhelming. Pick a few reliable sites and work from there. And remember, you don’t have to go it alone, either. Utilizing an apartment locator service like ours can make the entire process of finding the perfect place faster, easier and way less stressful. (Plus it’s free!)
Be willing to compromise.
Not getting everything you want can be a bummer, but it’s part of life. Understand that the chances of finding a Dallas apartment that checks every single box on your list of criteria AND suits your budget may simply not be possible. That’s why we suggested separating out your wants vs. needs. Figure out what you just cannot live without and then work from there. And if you’re working with an apartment locator, be sure to communicate these details.
Get your, er, stuff together.
Moving into an apartment is a significant undertaking – especially if you’ve never done so before. The more prepared you are in advance, the better, so start getting ready now. Gather the documents you’ll need, like proof of income and references. Start organizing and packing your stuff. Shop around for a moving company (or hit your friends up now, before they have a chance to make other plans). Here are a few resources you may find helpful as well:
How to Make Moving Less Stressful
Need help? Feeling overwhelmed? Have questions? Give us a jingle at (214) 999-1161. We’re happy to help!
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