As you set out to tour apartments, you might be scrambling to make a list of questions to ask and nooks and crannies to investigate. In the midst of thinking about the finer details you want from your apartment, it is important to not lose sight of the bigger picture.
Here are five things often overseen during tours but many apartment hunters actually care about.
Cell Reception
This is a biggie. A weak cell signal may not necessarily be a deal breaker for you, but it’s something you’ll at least want to know about before moving into an apartment. It will give you time to look into alternate carriers and methods you can use to boost cell signals.
When touring an apartment, check your phone frequently while on the community grounds. If your personal cell reception seems poor, ask a leasing consultant what carriers have the strongest signals in the apartments you’re looking at.
Green Space
If you’re like most apartment hunters, you’re concerned with the unit you’ll be moving into, the neighborhood, community amenities and proximity to work, restaurants, and shops. But have you given much thought to green space?
You don’t have to be a pet owner or jogging enthusiast to appreciate green space, and the advantages of living near an amenable, well-maintained park shouldn’t be overlooked. If an apartment you’re looking at isn’t located anywhere near a park but has attractive, spacious grounds, it may still satisfy any need you feel to be near green space. Apartment patios and balconies are also a plus, as they give you your own private outdoor space.
Signs of Pest Infestation
Bed bugs, cockroaches, and mice are three pests you never want to find in your apartment. While there’s no way to guarantee unwelcome critters will steer clear of your apartment for your entire tenure, you can detect the presence of existing pests during the tour.
Closely inspect floor corners, cabinet tops, and the space between kitchen appliances and the wall on any apartment tours you take. Look for pest droppings, gnawed wood, and other pest-related damage. Keep an eye out for animal traps, a sign of current or recent pest problems.
Laundry Facilities
Laundry is a perennial problem for apartment dwellers. Washing, drying, and folding laundry takes time and should be done frequently enough that it pays to have convenient access to good laundry facilities. Look for apartments that have washing machines and dryers, and not just one or two of each for the entire community.
If you find an apartment you like that has limited or no laundry facilities, check the neighborhood for laundromats. Visit them in person to gauge how busy they are. Few housekeeping experiences are more annoying than dragging your laundry ten or fifteen minutes only to discover all washing machines are in use or out-of-order. Ideally, the apartment you choose will have enough capacity for you to do your laundry on-site, without having to wait often. If you’re lucky, you may even find an apartment with its own washer and dryer.
Noise
When touring an apartment, you don’t have to be reminded to keep your eyes peeled. Your ears, however, may be a different story. On each apartment tour you take, tune in to any noise you hear coming from above, around, or outside the apartment. This can help you gauge whether or not the walls in an apartment are relatively soundproof. Make a point to check how tightly doors close. Large gaps are generally a telltale sign that noise in an apartment travels easily from one room to another.
Are you in the process of searching for a new apartment? If so, make a list of questions to ask and items to inspect each time you tour a new apartment. It can definitely make the process easier and more pleasant.
What do you believe are the most important things to look for when touring an apartment? Share in the comments.
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst