Our leasing consultants are the best in the business. If you ever need tips when apartment hunting, they are who you go to. So, we recently sat down with them to see what kind of advice they would give to those of you looking for an apartment. Our informational video posted here on YouTube showcases their top six tips, which we have explained in more detail below.

#1: Ask Your Friends

Whether you are from Little Rock or not, asking your friends for local recommendations can come in handy when you are looking for a new apartment. Outside of just knowing about specific communities, a friend, colleague, or relative may know which Little Rock neighborhoods you may like or what you should expect to pay. With the right help, you do not have to go through this process blindly.

#2: Know Your Must Haves

We suggest that you make a list of your “must haves” in order to set important parameters for your apartment hunt. That way, you can filter your searches on websites like ApartmentGuide.com or Apartments.com and only look at properties that fit those priorities.

Do you need a washer and dryer? Patio? Garage? Gym? Pet park? The list could go on and on, especially if you are looking to share an apartment with others. If one amenity is more important that another, put it at the top of your list. Anything at the bottom of your list can be considered more flexible.

Bonus Tip: Think about your pets, too. It’s not safe to assume that your pets (or pet) will be permitted at every apartment community you may tour. For example, our pet policy allows you to have up to two dogs, but neither can weigh over 35 pounds.

#3: Read the Staff

When you start going on apartment tours, lean into the staff at each property and ask yourself how they make you feel. Does the leasing consultant seem trustworthy? Do they answer all your questions? Do they make you feel comfortable and secure?

This first impression can tell you a lot about what it would be like to live on a property. If you can’t trust the staff at your potential home, do you really want to live there? When you find a property with a staff that is helpful and knowledgeable, put your trust in their expertise.

#4: Set a Budget

Your budget should be your guiding light throughout the apartment hunting process. During every apartment tour, double-check that the estimated rent fits into your budget. 

At The Pointe Brodie Creek, our leasing consultants will tell you your income must be more than or equal to at least three times your apartment’s rent to qualify for it. Just for an example, if you make $3,000 a month, look for apartments that are $1,000 a month or less.

But aside from just knowing you can afford an apartment’s rent, you need to ask about the fees associated with living at a community. Not all apartment communities in Little Rock include the service fees that we do (see our utility package) in our monthly rent estimates. 

In addition to utility costs, you also must think about application fees, administrative fees, deposits, etc. These kinds of fees must be paid upfront, so ask what you can expect to pay for a potential apartment.

#5: Trust Your Gut

Once you sign an apartment lease, that apartment becomes your new home. You will eat there, sleep there, and make all kinds of memories there. So, before you sign on the dotted line, ask yourself if you have found that “homey feeling.” What is your gut telling you?

The right home will be the one with the perfect combination of practicality and comfort. Don’t sacrifice one for the other.

#6: Look for Energy Efficiency 

Energy efficiency is still a relatively new concept to the Little Rock apartment market. Up until recently, energy efficient building was not at the top of most real estate developers’ minds.

While more communities are investing in energy efficient appliances and new construction technology, others are not. 

If energy efficiency is important to you, ask about it. The energy efficiency of any given apartment will have a large impact on your utility costs as well as your quality of life.

Looking for more apartment hunting tips? Just contact us and speak to a member of our leasing team.