Should You Rent from a Landlord or a Management Company?

November 7, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving into a new apartment can be an exciting change, but dealing with a new landlord and getting used to how they communicate and attend to repairs can be an experience that needs adjusting. Many people can recount horror stories of renting apartments from unresponsive or uncaring landlords and living longer than necessary in poor…

A Short Guide to Your First Apartment Viewing

August 10, 2017 | By Kristen AuthorMy First Apartment

One of the most important parts of finding an apartment is seeing it. You need to schedule an apartment viewing and thoroughly check out the space that will potentially be your home for the next year or longer. The viewing is the time to make sure that this is the kind of space you want…

Apartment Comparison Guide

June 6, 2017 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

As you try to find your first apartment, it’s important to compare a few different apartments before making your decision. Instead of falling in love with the first apartment you see, try to be critical of different units and check out a few others to find the one that’s right for you! Use the MyFirstApartment…

The Ultimate Apartment Hunting Checklist

May 3, 2015 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

I knew that I’d be on the apartment hunt again one of these days, but what I didn’t realize is that I’d be doing it so soon — and in another state. Having learned the hard way what I do and do not want in a new place from past experiences, I now create a…

From the Mailbag: “When to Begin Your Out-of-State Apartment Search”

November 10, 2014 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

Hello, everyone! Welcome to the very first MailBag blog. We’re excited to kick this advice-oriented column into high gear, so mosey on over here to learn more about the idea of the MailBag and how to send in your very own questions! First up, My First Apartment reader, Alexus, sent us this really good —…

5 Ways to Figure Out Your First Apartment Must-Haves

March 18, 2014 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

When you’re in the market for an apartment, it’s easy to dream. Perhaps a bit too easy. You want lots of space, cheap rent, a balcony, a doorman, maybe even a swimming pool and a gym. Laundry in-unit, of course, a nice flower box with ever-blooming roses … and then you pinch yourself and return…

How Long Will It Take? Apartment Search Timeline

February 3, 2014 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

Last fall we estimated how much you’ll need to save up before you can move out. (Rule of thumb: If you save an amount equal to about 8-10% of your annual salary, you’ll be in good shape.) So by now you’ve been saving for 4-5 months, and you’re ready to make your move. But how long will it be before you’re…

Do You Need A Broker To Find A Rental?

June 10, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

Do you need to use a broker to find a decent place to live? It may seem to many of our readers that if you use a broker to find an apartment, you’re wasting your money, or you’re spoiled and not a “real” apartment hunter. In fact, I felt that way, too – until I used…

Here We Go Again: New Job, Move, and Another Apartment Hunt

April 30, 2013 | By Audra AuthorMy First Apartment

We are welcoming here our newest blogger, Audra, and look forward to her tales about apartment living in a small Southern city. Hello there. I’m Audra and my story of apartment living started almost a year ago. On a gorgeous day in May of last year, I found myself dressed in a cap and gown at my university’s commencement. It’s…

Lovely: A Great New Online Tool for Apartment Hunters

November 15, 2012 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

Most people don’t like apartment hunting – it’s tiring, frustrating, and time-consuming. It’s also stressful. Of course, progress has been made – apartment hunting in the twenty-first century is far easier than it was in hoary days of last century. Imagine apartment hunting in 1981 without the internet and cell phones. You’d have to use a newspaper to…