Make a List and Check it Twice When Searching for Apartments

In the hustle and bustle of your daily life, are you also trying to find a new apartment to rent? It can be an overwhelming process considering you are likely already busy keeping up. If you’re searching apartments in Northern California for a new place to call home, we have some helpful tips to make it more manageable.

The best thing you can do to make your apartment search successful is start out by making a list of everything you want in an apartment. Don’t worry about if it seems too excessive or not. Just answer the question, if I could have anything living in apartments in Northern California, what would it be? Then, go back and check it a second time and prioritize the things that are truly important to you. We’ll help you get started by listing some categories.

Rent

The rent amount is a good place to start because you don’t want to rent somewhere you can’t afford. Look at your budget, or make one if you don’t have one, listing your income and expenses and determine how much you are able to afford in rent each month.

Location

Next, consider what is important for you to live close to. For example, if you don’t have a car and rely on public transportation, it would make sense that you would want to live near a bus stop. Maybe public transportation isn’t important to you, but you have a young child and don’t want to live on a busy street and would like a park or playground nearby.

Complex Amenities

Some apartments in Northern California offer more amenities than others. The more amenities there are the more you’ll probably pay in rent to use them, so keep this in mind. But it might be worth it to live in a complex that has a fitness facility and give up the $50 gym membership you’re paying for every month. Other common complex amenities to consider are:

• Swimming pool
• Spa/Jacuzzi
• Clubhouse
• Covered parking
• Extra storage
• Barbeque area
• Paid garbage
• Paid landscaping

Unit Amenities

Convenience is probably the biggest factor when considering in-unit amenities. You’ll want to consider what’s important to make your ever day tasks easier for you. For example, would you like to have an in-unit washer or dryer instead of having to go to the laundromat? Other in-unit amenities to consider are:

• Dishwasher
• Garbage disposal
• Central HVAC
• Ceiling fans
• Provided appliances (microwave, refrigerator, stove/oven)
• Balcony/patio
• Cable access
• Wired for network
• If pets are allowed

Starting with the categories above and listing the factors that are important you, then going back and refining that list, will help narrow down your search for apartments in Northern California so you'll be much more organized and the search experience will be less stressful.

Once you've made your list it's time to search for your next home!