Due to today’s competitive property market, many renters in Houston and Dallas TX will jump at the chance to sign a lease agreement and fail to assess the logistics of the sale.
Don’t make this mistake, otherwise you could find yourself spending money on things that you’ll never use purely because they caught your eye during the viewing.
This blog post will help guide you through the process so you can save money and find your perfect apartment.
Facilities
When you view an apartment building that has a gym, pool and rooftop bar, it’s easy to let your emotions take over and sign a contact. But before you do, ask yourself if you’ll even use these facilities. If you already have gym and pool membership, what’s the point paying extra?
Parking
Landlords will often provide parking; however, it can come at a cost. The price of a parking space is usually added onto the rent. If you don’t have a car or won’t be having many guests, this is certainly a cost you can avoid.
Appliances
In a furnished apartment, your landlord may bulk up the price to cover the cost of any appliances they have purchased. If there are a lot of things that you don’t need, or if the price is considerably higher because everything is brand new, consider finding a new place.
Amenities
Obviously you need to wash your clothes, but that doesn’t mean you must have to have a washer and dryer inside your apartment. Apartments that have a shared utility room are often cheaper.
High Ceilings
Small apartments will often have higher ceilings to make the space seem bigger. This is especially common in micro-condos. A small apartment with high ceilings may be cheaper and more suitable for your needs than having a big apartment with a large square footage.
En-Suite Bathroom
An en-suite bathroom is a luxury, especially if you’ll be living alone. Apartments that have en-suite facilities will often cost more, so take this into consideration when you’re searching.
Before you sign a lease agreement make sure you go through all of the costs. If there is anything on the agreement that is increasing the rent that you have control over, such as parking, contact your landlord and ask if it can be removed. If these services are inclusive, you may be better off finding somewhere else.
Before you start searching for an apartment in Dallas, TX, take a bit of time to figure out what it is you want and how much you’re willing to spend. Starting your search blindfolded is never a good idea as moving out is often more expensive than you’ll anticipate.
If you would like more information on how to find your perfect apartment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Apartment Agents. We operate in both Houston and Dallas TX, and will be more than happy to help you out.
Image: Richard Bitting
