Apartment Hunting Tips During Back to School Time

Whether you're a parent with a little one or a student in a college town, it's a competitive rental season.

In the month leading up to fall semester, housing options may shrink as students come back to school. If you start looking late in the summertime, you might have trouble finding an apartment that fits your needs for the school year.

Let us help. We've got five tips to guide you get through your search. We want you to find the apartment you need in the neighborhood you love.

1. Use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn

Photo by Con Karampelas on Unsplash

Did you know that you'll likely find your next apartment through a buddy or a Facebook acquaintance? If 69 percent of real estate agents use Facebook because it works, so should you. The next person who scrolls through your feed might have an apartment that's perfect for you.

When you tap into your network, opportunities present themselves. Not only will your family know you're looking, but your co-workers, friends and other students can notify you about great places to live. Maybe someone is hoping to share off-campus housing in the same college town as you are! Be social media savvy and deploy it to the max.

2. Seek proximity and convenience

It's more than likely you want to live in a neighborhood with nearby conveniences. And, isn't it all about access to a school campus, job, shopping, public transportation (if needed) and more? Ask yourself the following:

• What's the proximity to grocery stores?
• Is there a Starbucks nearby?
• Is the public transportation stop within walking distance?

Consider what you'd like to have easy access to. Then, map out the places you're interested to see if they're located within the area. These steps could help you to settle on a preferred location to live.

3. Decide on a school zone

Looking for the right apartment home with the right school for your child requires research. And, it can be a grueling process. Keep this in mind: Providing your child with a good education is important. But the neighborhood you live in and whether you can afford it also matters.

Be sure to check out sites like SchoolDigger.com or GreatSchools that help parents evaluate school performance and quality. They provides test scores, rankings, school and district boundaries, plus student/teacher ratios and more.

It's also not a bad idea to visit the school first so you can see what it's like for yourself.

4. Choose an apartment with specific amenities

Are you a busy, working parent living with a kid who has homework? Are there times when both of you will need your space? Having a place to escape to do homework is a valued perk. Your new apartment's must-haves should include:

• Functioning high-speed internet capabilities
• A communal space or clubhouse that offers computer access
• Hang-out spots that can act as study nooks for students who require quiet

5. Know what you can afford and act fast

Sought-after neighborhoods with the best schools can also be some of the most expensive to live in. When demand is high, prices usually go up. College towns face the same cost-of-living issues.

Based on urgency, the quest for the perfect apartment leads to higher-than-normal competition for the same space. And, this can force prospective renters to lock in an apartment fast.

Hang in there

Looking for a new apartment during back-to-school season provides many challenges, including inventory, price and competition. Finding your dream apartment in back-to-school season might take some doing. But in the end, you'll be glad for all the effort!

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