8 Ways to Avoid Rental Scams

March 5, 2017 | By Kalee AuthorMy First Apartment

When apartment hunting, the one thing you want to avoid is rental scams, which can cost you money, identity theft, and a lot of wasted time. Whether you’ve found a large, inexpensive apartment in your desired location that seems too good a deal or a potential landlord is asking you to wire money before you…

How To Avoid Rental Scams

June 15, 2015 | By J Simpson AuthorMy First Apartment

Apartment hunting is daunting and stressful enough, in the best possible circumstances, without having to worry if the room is real, or the landlord exists. Unfortunately, in today’s digitally-dependent landscape, rental scams are a sad fact of life. Rental scams are hard to keep track of and difficult to police, as mentioned in an article…

How to Avoid Your First Apartment Rental Scams

May 28, 2014 | By Melissa AuthorMy First Apartment

As much as I want to believe in the good of all people in the world, especially the good of those people who want you to write a rather large check to them, you have to admit to yourself that there are enough people who are willing to take advantage of you, and run off…

Apartment Scams and the City – Or How I Almost Became Another Victim!

November 26, 2012 | By Alexandra AuthorMy First Apartment

Hi house-hunters… It’s me – Alex H. I’m back. I felt a little guilty after leaving you with my last post and my dream stories of how I landed my first month’s worth of accommodation in New York City. It all sounded pretty perfect, huh! Well, let me be completely honest… just weeks before all…

How to Safely Buy Furniture on Online Marketplaces

August 17, 2020 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Online marketplaces are a convenient source for finding a bargain and buying affordable furniture and other home goods. Unfortunately, if you’re not careful during the purchase and exchange process, you might find yourself facing scams and dangerous situations. Here are a few ways to ensure your safety when buying furniture online. Research the item To…

Renting Moving Bins and Boxes? How to Save with Promo Codes

February 25, 2018 | By J Simpson AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving is time consuming and expensive at the best of times. There’s the security deposit to come up with. There’s all of the housewares you’ll need for your first apartment. There’s the U-Haul rental or asking your friends to help. But even before you get started, you have to figure out how you will pack…

5 Tips To Make Apartment Hunting On Craigslist More Efficient

March 27, 2017 | By J Simpson AuthorMy First Apartment

Craigslist is truly an inexhaustible wishing well of awesome apartments, condos, and rooms for rent. The only trouble is, you’d have to be glued to your phone or monitor 24/7, forsaking food, work, and even sleep to be there when your dream apartment hits – and sometimes a few minutes can make all the difference…

5-Step Guide to Choosing A Roommate

August 23, 2016 | By Contributors AuthorMy First Apartment

Roommates can be a great way to save money, and possibly develop new friendships. If your dream apartment comes with a not-so-ideal price point for one, look no further for some great advice on how to make it through the process of choosing a great roommate. 1. Know Thyself Chances are, you will have a…

International Student’s Guide to Finding Housing in the U. S.

July 12, 2016 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

While this student’s guide to finding housing, originally published in May 2015, is directed at international students, it offers good tips for anyone looking for off-campus housing long distance. You have just received your acceptance letter from your dream university in the United States and as you are celebrating with family and friends, someone asks…

12 Questions Every Subletter Needs to Ask

May 15, 2016 | By MFA Editors AuthorMy First Apartment

As new grads start flooding to the housing market, subletting a roommate share is the time-tested way of scoring an apartment when your budget is not high enough for a place of your own. Whether you are looking for a short term sublet of a few weeks while you hunt for a permanent place or…