When you're out and about looking for apartments in Houston, here's the first thing to keep in mind: management companies want to fill each and every vacancy they have as soon as possible. As a Houston apartment finder, we've seen it all: misrepresented units, specials that don't really exist and pictures so old you'd swear they were photoshopped to look like the city park! Shopping for your next Houston apartment doesn't have to be a headache. You can be smarter than the management companies and avoid some of the potential pitfalls and time-wasters others might by following a few simple tips!
Use a Houston apartment finder: Yes, it's a shameless plug for what we do here at Houston Apartment Insiders, but there are lots of benefits of working with us. For one, we're completely free (yes, free). We're compensated by a property when you sign a lease - there's never any cost to you. Secondly, since we're on the phone with and touring properties in and around Houston every day, we KNOW what the property looks like. And since we get paid only when you sign a lease, we're not going to send you to a dump. Finally, can you think of anything better than having apartment professionals scour everything for rent in Houston according to your preferences...for free?
Neighborhood and Safety: Two properties you're considering may be in close proximity to one another but in VERY different socioeconomic areas. One block or three can make a HUGE difference. Know what the safety features are of your proposed apartment home: built-in alarms, gated entry, key card-secured parking, private garage, on-site security patrol. It may also pay to drive by the properties on your list after dark to see what goes on when the sun goes down.
Finances: Your rental dollar wil get you different things in different parts of Houston. For example, apartments in The Heights will be in one price range and the mid- and high-rise apartments in Houston will be in another. Know before you go what the average price ranges are for each so you don't waste time shopping above (or unnecessarily below) your budget.
Posted by Melanie Belasco Levy on 06/29/10
