{"id":379,"date":"2018-07-27T12:52:43","date_gmt":"2018-07-27T12:52:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cincyrents.com\/blog\/?p=379"},"modified":"2024-03-20T18:15:10","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T18:15:10","slug":"tips-on-finding-your-first-apartment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cincyrents.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/27\/tips-on-finding-your-first-apartment\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips on Finding Your First Apartment"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Finding Your First Apartment in Cincinnati<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Finding an apartment to live in can be a daunting task for anyone, let alone finding your first apartment ever to live in.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>For most of the first 18 years of our lives, where we lived was already predefined by our parents.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>If you then went off to college, you may have been limited by the selection of choices to dorms or similar institutions.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Now that you have entered the real world, where you call home is entirely up to you for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Finding an apartment in Cincinnati can have it\u2019s ups and downs during the process, but it does not have to be a scary or negative experience.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Here are tips to make the process go as smooth as possible:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Plan a Budget<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">First, you need to know if you can afford to live in an apartment of your own.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Things to consider in your renting budget include location, apartment size, and perhaps amenities.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Experts suggest to spend no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>But, keep in mind rent is not the only thing you will be paying for with your entry level salary.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>You may also need to budget for:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Utilities (power, water, cable, internet, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Home Goods (cleaning supplies, linens, kitchen supplies, etc.)<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Renting Application Fees<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Security Deposits (possibly the first and last month\u2019s rent)<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Moving Expenses (movers, boxes, etc.)<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Renters Insurance<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Parking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Upon reviewing your budget, to cut down on the costs of renting an apartment, you may need to change preferred neighborhoods or consider getting a roommate.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Landlords and property managers will want to make sure you can pay your rent each month so be prepared to provide financial records after applying for an apartment.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Proof of income is typically requested in the form of pay stubs.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>If you have not begun working yet, an offer letter from your employer is usually enough. If a credit check is required, a third party (like a parent) can assist you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Begin Your Search<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Searching for an apartment to rent can be time consuming for the potential renter.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>We all want to find our ideal apartment in the right location, but sometimes we must compromise on or wish list.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Decide what factors are must haves for you and which are negotiable.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>How long are you willing to spend commuting each day to work?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>What amenities are important to you specifically?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Thinking about these parameters will help you begin your search.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Most apartment searches begin online.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>With anything online, be wary of scams.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Make sure you are looking for an apartment from a reliable source, apartment services like CincyRents, are typically most trustworthy.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Do not ever send money or personal information before confirming the listed rent space exists and is indeed available.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Either view it in person or have a family member or friend view it for you to confirm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">If you are looking for an apartment in a new city and are unfamiliar with the different neighborhoods, try taking a walk around different places you potentially want to live.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Look for availability in buildings that attract your eye.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019ll get a good sense of the area this way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Questions to Ask When Searching for an Apartment<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">When viewing apartments and meeting with property managers or landlords, keep the following questions to potentially ask:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">How long has the apartment been vacant?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>You don\u2019t want an apartment that has been empty for too long or has quick turnover rate, it is usually an automatic red flag.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Are, if any, utilities included in the monthly rent?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">How long is the lease?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">What date is the rent due each month?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">How much is the security deposit.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Usually it is the amount of the first or first and last month\u2019s rent.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Do you have rent increases?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>How often and what is the amount?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Is subleasing permitted?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">What are acceptable lease breaking conditions?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">What are the penalties for late rent payment?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Is on-site maintenance available?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">What is your pet policy?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">What internet providers are available?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Is the landlord or property management team allowed to enter without notice?<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Is painting the apartment permitted?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Signing an Apartment Lease<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Once you\u2019ve found an apartment that is right for you, take your time with the lease.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Make sure to read through it in detail at least once or twice.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>A lease is a binding legal agreement and you don\u2019t want to break it unless you have a legit reason.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Leases typically last for 12 months.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>If you are unclear about anything listed in the lease, ask.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Make sure you are familiar with the rules of the building before move in day.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Some apartments restrict move in times to certain days or hours as not to disrupt other residents.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Deliveries or trash may have specified areas on the property, elevator rules, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Find Apartment Rentals with Cincy Rents<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Cincy Rents can help you navigate finding an apartment in Cincinnati.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As Cincinnati\u2019s premier apartment and home rental service, we are constantly updating our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cincyrents.com\/cincinnati-apartment-listings.php\"><span class=\"s3\">property listings<\/span><\/a> online with high-quality apartments, condos, and houses available for rent.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>If you are in the market for your first apartment in the area, we would be happy to assist you with your search.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cincyrents.com\/contact.php\"><span class=\"s3\">Contact us<\/span><\/a> today.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Finding Your First Apartment in Cincinnati Finding an apartment to live in can be a daunting task for anyone, let alone finding your first apartment ever to live in.\u00a0 For most of the first 18 years of our lives, where we lived was already predefined by our parents.\u00a0 If you then went off to college, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4,62],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-379","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-cincinnati","7":"category-rental-properties","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tips on Finding Your First Apartment in Cincinnati<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Cincy Rents can assist you in finding an apartment in Cincinnati, OH. 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