When you are moving to a new apartment, it is not uncommon to find one that you like and immediately fall in love with it. You walk through the door and start planning what you are going to do with the space and when you can start inviting people around. As such, the minute you leave, you to get back on the phone with the real estate agent and ask them how quickly you can sign the paperwork. Though this is an exciting feeling, you should take a step back and have a bit more time before agreeing to lease the apartment. Below, will discuss some of the most important things that you need to consider when you lease a new apartment.
Is the Location Right?
Sure, you might find that you are looking at one of the most beautiful apartments that you have ever laid your eyes on. However, you also need it to be in a location that works for you. If it is going to be adding 45 minutes onto your commute or is too far away for you to see friends and properly engage in your social life, then the thrill of the apartment is going to wear off pretty quickly. Make sure that you are having a look on Google maps and seeing how far away it is from your job and some of the places you commonly visit and decide whether or not this is in range for you. Also, consider the transport links available and whether an increased distance is easy to overcome in light of these.
What Are the Terms of the Lease?
A lot of the time, you can become so obsessed with the apartment itself that you fail to take into consideration what you are actually agreeing to by moving there. You will need to sit down with your real estate agent and understand the terms of the lease agreement you need to sign to move in. Within this agreement, you need to consider the length of time that you are required to stay there, what your obligations are as a tenant, and what kind of notice period you have to give when you decide to leave. If the unit is unsafe or the landlord does not repair necessary items, you will need to know how to break a lease as well.
Can You Afford It?
You need to be realistic with what you can afford, which means that you need to make a budget and consider not only the rent you will be paying but the cost of bills, tax, utilities, and transport. Once you have worked all of this out, you are going to need to sit down and think of whether you can actually afford the property or not. There is no point moving somewhere because it is surrounded by a thriving nightlife if you are not going to be able to afford that nightlife once you move there.
