Homes and Apartments> Apartments
Questions to Ask a Landlord
3-31-2010
You’ve found an apartment that you like. But before you sign a lease, make sure you ask the landlord a few questions that you may not think about when looking at the actual unit. Is there a possibility of a month-to-month lease after the initial lease period of six or twelve months expires? Which utilities does the renter pay, and what are the rates? Is there a separate storage unit that’s included in the rent? And more...
(Read more...)Reduce Your Rent
10-13-2009
Are you about to re-sign a lease or look for a new apartment? If so, you might want to dust off your negotiating skills and ask for a reduction in the rent you’re currently paying. Reuters reports that apartment vacancy has reached a 23-year high, and it’s expected to get worse through the second quarter of 2010. Average rents have fallen each quarter this year, which is bad news for landlords and good news for you. Check out the following table for a summary of average rent payments in several major markets. These rental statistics from RentBits.com are average rental rates calculated from thousands of one, two, and three bedroom apartment listings.
(Read more...)How to Rent an Apartment – 4 Steps for New Renters
7-18-2009
You finally have your degree or new job offer in hand, but the apartment hunt looms in the distance. Renting is a good option for young people who aren’t ready to buy a home, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility and potential headaches. This article covers the following four steps to make finding that first apartment a little easier for the new renter: what to do before you rent, how to find an apartment, how to read and negotiate your first apartment lease, and how to protect your security deposit, rental history, and credit score.
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