Finding your first apartment can be scary, but using an apartment hunting spreadsheet can make the process so much easier!
Don’t get lost in the details or feel overwhelmed by how many elements you need to consider. Instead, use a spreadsheet to organize your thoughts and keep track of the details from apartment to apartment. Doing this will help you make an informed decision later on.
This post will provide you with an apartment hunting spreadsheet sample to use. It will also explain some of the pros of using an apartment hunting spreadsheet and help you think through factors that are most important to you. Moreover, this article can help you feel in control and in charge while apartment hunting for the first time.
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Using an Apartment Hunting Spreadsheet to Organize Your Search
What Is an Apartment Hunting Spreadsheet?
Unless you are the type of person who loves to get organized and make lists, there’s a good chance you’ve never thought of making a spreadsheet to keep track of your apartment search. However, making a spreadsheet can be a quick and easy way to make sure you’re getting a good apartment.
In short, an apartment hunting spreadsheet is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a spreadsheet where you can log all the details of the apartments you look at.
Although you may think that each apartment is different and you’ll be able to keep them separate in your mind, the truth is all apartments start to blur once you’ve toured a few. Whether you’re moving across town or to a different state, Moving Center of California has got you covered. However, using a spreadsheet will help you stay organized and actually remember which details fits with which apartment.
In conclusion, an apartment hunting spreadsheet is a simple chart that allows you to track important details like cost, size, and amenities. It helps you organize these thoughts after you’re done touring and ready to make a decision before you move.
Download yours now!
How Do You Use an Apartment Hunting Spreadsheet?
If you’re a first-time renter, the whole process can feel so daunting. That’s why I’ve broken it down into four steps.
Search Online
The first step is to get ideas. What options do you have in the area? What’s the average cost of an apartment here? What kind of size variety do you have?
Be glad that you live in the age of internet searches! Take some time to bookmark all the apartments that catch your eye. You can narrow down later. First you just want to see as many apartments online as you possibly can. Some great places to look are Zillow, Apartments.com, Facebook, and even Craigslist.
Set Up a Tour
Once you’ve gotten plenty of ideas, it’s time to narrow down. The brainstorming stage is over, and you should have a better idea of what you want, check actionable advice. Mark your favorites of the apartments you saw online and call or email to set up a tour.
A few things to note here. First, don’t get too carried away. Everyone is different, and your stamina level will be different than mine. However, I suggest you limit yourself to touring no more than five apartments. Any more than that can be exhausting and give you a negative outlook on the process instead of having fun.
Another tip here is to make sure you contact a real person directly. I know from experience that the online apartment tour scheduling tools don’t always work. It can be so frustrating to walk into a leasing office and discover that no one actually knew you were coming.
Take Notes
While you’re on the tour, don’t be afraid to take notes and pictures. I always want to look at the bathroom and kitchen again when I’m trying to decide on an apartment, and it helps so much to have good pictures to turn to.
There are a couple ways you can go about this step. One is to bring a pen and notebook with you and jot down your notes as you go along. When the tour is over, be sure to insert these into the spreadsheet as soon as possible so you don’t miss any details.
Another option is to bring a phone or tablet with you on the tour and take your notes directly in your apartment hunting spreadsheet. This way you know that all the details are right there.
Make a Decision
When it’s time to make a decision, the notes and pictures come in handy. Pull out all your notes, scroll through your camera app, and narrow down your favorite apartment. This is the most fun stage, as you prioritize your wants and needs and get to choose a new home for the next stage of your life.
What Factors Are Most Important for a New Apartment?
In my sample spreadsheet, which I’ll provide below, I’ve tried to cover all the major factors so that you won’t miss any important detail. Here’s a breakdown though before we get to the spreadsheet.
First Impression
Your first impression isn’t everything, but it does matter. If you walk into a space and give an involuntary, “woah,” there’s a good chance that apartment is right for you.
On the other end of the spectrum, it can be a major warning sign if your first reaction is “ugh.” You’re going to be spending a lot of time in this apartment, so may sure you don’t hate the color of the walls or the state of the carpet.
Location
Location has often been the biggest factor in my apartment hunting. How close is my husband’s office? How close is the grocery store? What restaurants are nearby? Is this a quiet neighborhood? Are there parks in walking distance? Is there a Target within ten minutes’ drive?
But for real, location matters. You want to be comfortable in the neighborhood, but you also don’t want to spend two hours a day commuting to work or school.
Size
You should decide what size apartment you want before you tour very many. Think about the number of bedrooms, the number of bathrooms, and the square footage.
Cost
Budget is inescapable, so you should also go into apartment hunting with a budget in mind. Don’t forget to also lower your budget by a couple of hundred dollars to account for utilities and extra moving expenses.
Luckily, most apartment websites have the option to mark off the max you want to pay so that you aren’t tempted to look at apartments you can’t afford.
Move-In Date
Many apartments have a relatively small move-in date, so you need to find an apartment that is available on your time frame. Some apartments will be flexible on the move-in date, but others are really specific and will charge you extra for each day after the listed date. Make sure you ask if the set move-in date doesn’t work for you.
Amenities
In many ways, amenities are the key to apartment searching. They’re kind of like all the ad-ons that come with your apartment. They can be things inside your apartment, like a patio, a sunroom, a den, in-unit laundry, or a fireplace.
Amenities more commonly refers to shared spaces in the community, like a swimming pool, gym, car wash, dog park, playground, walking path, grills, picnic tables, community events, gates, valet trash, tennis courts, work-out lessons, and more.
Other
Every apartment hunt is a little different. What you need and want will be different from what I need and want, so you’ll probably want to personalize your spreadsheet and pay more attention to the elements that really matter to you.
Apartment Hunting Spreadsheet Sample
Hopefully I’ve convinced you on why an apartment hunting spreadsheet is a good idea. If you want to try it out, you can check out this helpful spreadsheet I’ve created as a sample.
I included the important elements to consider, plus a space to write out all the pros and cons of each apartment you visit.
Be sure to download the spreadsheet (link above!) and modify it if there are any other features that are important to you. This is a guide to help you get started on your apartment search. With a bit of organization, the search can be a whole lot easier!
Final Thoughts
All in all, apartment hunting can feel intimidating but it doesn’t have to be. You can streamline the process by getting a good idea of features and amenities that are important to you and logging them in your apartment hunting spreadsheet as you go. It is possible to find a great apartment and have fun doing so!
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