the ultimate apartment search guide · the very first step you should make when starting an...

Springs Apartments are owned and managed by Continental Properties Company, Inc. Copyright 2014. All rights reserved, Continental Properties Company, Inc.

The Ultimate Apartment Search Guide

Finding The Right Home For You


The very first step you should make when starting an apartment search is to prioritize your wants and needs. This step will help focus your search, save you time, and ensure that you’ve picked the apartment that satisfies your most important criteria.

As you consider apartments and evaluate their amenities, features and services, keep in mind that you need to be practical and focus on those that are most important to you. You may “want it all” – granite countertops, stain-less appliances, a paved patio and wood blinds, for instance – but chances are you’ll have to make a compromise or two. Very few apartments, condos or houses satisfy every item on prospects’ wish lists.

Get a clear picture of the amenities, features and services you can and can’t live without by rating each of the categories below, using this scale:

1 = not important to me

2 = would like to have

3 = really want/need this

4 = must have – this is a deal breaker!

The Ultimate Apartment Search Guide Looking For A Place To Call Home?

Use These Guidelines To Find The Apartment That Fits Your Needs


PROPERTY CARE

The interior of the building and individual apartments are your focus, certainly, but a unkempt exterior and grounds could indicate a lack of care in other areas of the property and a lackluster approach to updates, repairs and resident issues. Conversely, a well-maintained community can be a reflection of a more considerate, resident-focused

approach.

WHAT To Look For

Look for these telltale signs of a cared-for apartment community:

• a healthy, mowed lawn

• healthy shrubs, plants and flowers

• uncluttered walkways

• clean windows (outsides)

• a tidy pool area; a pool that’s free of debris

• an attractive entryway and reception area

• an orderly parking area (no debris or abandoned cars)


WHAT To Think About

Remember that every establishment has an off day occasionally – the lawn care people are running late, the mailman just tipped over a potted plant, or the pool heater is in the process of being fixed. If you’re unsure about any aspect of the property upkeep and maintenance, ask direct questions and listen carefully to how they’re answered.

WHAT To Ask

Here are a few questions to ask your leasing associate. The answers should help tell you how interested the management is in keeping the exterior and grounds in good shape:

• What course of action would you take if a resident were to call about garbage overflowing or litter in the parking lot?

• How often are the community’s common areas tended to?

• Is there an on-site maintenance team focused on the building and

grounds?

RATE IT!

Property care rates a 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ]

for me / my family.


AMENITIES

Amenities are those special things that make an apartment – and its residents – feel special. They are the things that, if you were building a home, you’d want to include. Some amenities are functional and some are more decorative in nature, but both add to the feeling that you’re in a nice place that you’re eager to bring friends and family to. You’ll need to determine if the amenities you’d like are reasonable for the amount of rent you’re able/willing to pay.

WHAT Amenities Are You Looking For?

• Up-to-date appliances in finishes that are “on trend”

• Tile or faux wood entryway, kitchen and bathrooms

• Permanent window treatments (blinds or louvers)

• Higher-than-average ceilings

• Gas fireplace

• Deck or patio

• Ample common-area laundry facilities or laundry in every apartment

• Up-to-date faucets and fixtures (kitchen and bath)


WHAT To Think About

Amenities that are in good shape and 5 years old are not considered “old” and are not uncommon – no property, no matter how exclusive, can afford to replace every fixture or floor covering every year (or any other amenity). Also, think about the importance to each amenity in your lifestyle. For example, you may like granite but if you don’t cook and rarely entertain, consider the real value to you.

WHAT To Ask

Feel free to ask the leasing associate about updates:

• What triggers an update (a specific time since the last update, or a request by the resident)

• What amenities are typically updated (floors, fixtures, appliances, etc.)?

• When is the next update planned for this apartment and what will that update consist of (what type of appliance or fixtures, for example)?

RATE IT!

Amenities rate a 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ]

for me / my family.

Three amenities that matter most to me are:


FEATURES & SERVICES

Features and services are “extras” the community offers – things like swimming pools and fitness rooms. These are pretty important to many people, but others are content without them; likewise, some are more important to singles and others to families. How you rate this category depends entirely on personal preference and lifestyle.

WHAT To Look For

If you’re eager to take advantage of on-site activities and services, you may be looking for one of these:

• Swimming pool

• Fitness area with a full complement of equipment

• Outdoor grilling equipment

• Outdoor gathering spots with gas fireplace

• Car-care bays

• Dog parks

• Community rooms that can be reserved for personal use


WHAT To Think About

Think not just about your own wants and needs, but those of family and friends who may visit. You may not have children of your own but your nieces and nephews might enjoy spending time at the pool when they visit twice a year; similarly, you may not picture yourself relaxing by the outdoor grill, but it might be the ideal spot to treat friends to a juicy steak and a glass of wine.

WHAT To Ask

Here are a few questions to ask your leasing associate about features:

• Who’s responsibility is it to keep these areas in good order?

• How popular are these features/services with residents?

• Is there any additional cost associated with any of the features/services?

• Are there codes of conduct or rules for these features/services?

RATE IT!

Features and services rate a 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ]

for me / my family.

The features and/or services that matter most to me are:


LOCATION

An apartment’s location is not just about an attractive setting; many residents want to be in close proximity to shopping and nightlife, too, preferring an accessible home to one that’s remote and secluded. In a world where convenience is everything, consider where you live as a factor that could add to or reduce your stress.

WHAT To Look For

Choose the location that’s best for you based on:

• Drive time to work

• Access to walking/running paths

• Shopping and nightlife

• Proximity to the airport (if you travel frequently)

• How close you want to be to friends


WHAT To Think About

Though location is important, it may be less so depending on how long you plan to stay in one spot. If a slightly longer drive to your work is something you’ll only have to make for a year, a community’s amenities and other plusses may trump the distance.

WHAT To Ask

Your apartment representative should be able to answer any questions you have related to the “What To Look For” list on the previous page, as well those about local restaurants, schools, libraries, museums, city buses and healthcare facilities.

RATE IT!

Location rates a 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ]

for me / my family.


SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Are you someone who’s open to making friends and happy when you have opportunities to do so? If that’s you, consider a community where interaction is encouraged.

WHAT To Look For

You can’t create a healthy sense of community unless you offer the proper places and situations for that to happen. Look for a community that offers its residents and their guests:

• Common areas where people can gather, like pool seating areas, grilling areas, and a reception/lounge area

• Recreational activities initiated by the management

• A lively Facebook page that tells what’s going on


WHAT To Think About

It’s tough to judge a property’s overall community feel after just a visit or two – not only might you not see many residents while you’re on the premises, but not everyone you meet is going to have a ready smile. The best way to evaluate the property as a community is by the actions the management takes to foster interaction.

WHAT To Ask

Here are a few questions to ask your leasing associate about life in the community:

• What kinds of activities do you plan for residents? What is the overall response to those activities? Ask to see a list of upcoming events

• How often are the common areas used by residents as a gathering place?

• Can I attend an upcoming event before I move in?

RATE IT!

A sense of community rates a 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ]

for me / my family.


SPECIAL FEATURES

The special features below may have no value to some while others are delighted (and surprised) when they find them offered. For exam-ple, a person moving from a house might need a garage for their tools, while someone in their first apartment doesn’t need that extra space. Check the list below to determine which of these special features might be important to you.

WHICH Special Feature Are You Interested In?

• An apartment with its own outside entry

• An attached garage versus (or in addition to) a parking lot

• A pet-friendly community

• A pet play area


WHAT To Think About

If you determine that a special feature is important rate it highly, but if you feel that it’s a more of a “want” than a “need,” you might need to put it lower on your list of priorities.

WHAT To Ask

Because you may not see all the special features offered, be sure to ask about any you feel are important to you.

RATE IT!

This special feature, _____________________,

rates a 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ]

for me / my family.


MANAGEMENT APPROACH

This is where a community can distinguish itself, and where you can get a good sense for how you’ll be treated as a resident. As you visit apartments, compare the eagerness, enthusiasm and genuine interest the leasing team has in answering your questions and un-derstanding your needs.

WHAT To Look For

• How does the management representative greet you when you arrive?

• Does he or she answer questions to your satisfaction?

• Does he or she seem eager to assist you?


WHAT To Think About

We all have off moments or are distracted occasionally by a pressing situation others may not know about. Generally speaking, though, someone representing the community should be welcoming, happy to accommodate your needs wherever possible, and thorough when answering direct questions.

WHAT To Ask

Here are a few questions to ask your leasing representative to get a good sense of his or her attitude and approach:

• Can you tell me a situation when a team member went above and beyond for a resident?

• What are the top 3 priorities of this property’s management?

• What would be considered a problem that’s “too small” for your management team? Too big?

RATE IT!

A professional, courteous property

management team rates a 1 [ ] 2 [ ] 3 [ ] 4 [ ]

for me / my family.


Take your completed Ultimate Apartment Search Guide along as you evaluate different apartment communities, and refer to the “What To Ask” questions to dig a little deeper into the categories that matter most to you.

Good luck and happy hunting! Don’t hesitate to reach out via phone or email with your questions about Springs apartments. We’re always eager to give tours of our beautiful communities and very happy to answer any question you might have.

p: 262-532-9344 e: [email protected]

mailto: [email protected]

the ultimate apartment search guide · the very first step you should make when starting an...

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