How to Find the Best Apartment in Dallas

February 19, 2021

In a city as big as Dallas, there are plenty of beautiful apartments to choose from, however, not every single one of them would be a match to what you want. That’s why as exciting as it is for some, a lot of people find it difficult if not tedious to find the best apartment for them. The key to that is a thoughtful and thorough apartment search. 

Think of finding the best apartment that matches your needs like looking for a house. In house-hunting, you’d probably want to see a dozen or more houses first. You’d also ponder carefully on what features you want and how much you’re willing to pay for it all. You would probably be meticulous, thorough, and specific to make sure that every penny you’re paying for is worth it and you might even think of hiring a professional along the way. The same thing goes for apartment hunting. Even if it’s not as huge an investment as a house and even if you won’t be living in it as long as you’d be living in a house, it is still your home. And to find you the best one, you have to give it the same care as you would in searching for a home you’d finally want to settle in. 

With so many details to consider though, it can be easy to lose track. However, if you go about it the right way though, you can save so much time, money, and effort. Here’s a guide to help you find the best apartment for you in Dallas. 

Specify What You Want In A Good Apartment

All of us have a different definition of what a good apartment is. After all, we have different needs. Determining all these specific features we want and need though would be a great start to finding the best apartment for you. Consider the following when looking for an apartment in Dallas:

• Location: Start big. Pick areas in Dallas that would make your life a lot easier. Map your route to work from these areas and check for any alternative roads. Also include places that you would frequently visit like parks for your pets and active lifestyle, restaurants, your friend’s home, and the like.  
• Budget Range: Sit down and decide on a budget range. Calculate how much rent you can pay after paying off all your other living costs. This way, you will be able to prevent yourself from falling in love with an apartment you sadly can’t afford. Also, remember that the closer you are to the city center and the different economic hubs in Dallas, it’s going to be more expensive.
• Occupants: If you’re going to be living alone, you don’t have to necessarily cross this off. Think of who might be living with you down the road like a partner or a family member. You might also suddenly think of getting a roommate. Looking out for these possibilities will impact your decision on the size and layout of the apartment you look for. 
• Size and Layout: After considering how many people you will or might be living with, consider how much space you need. Will you need an extra room to convert into a home office? Will you need plenty of storage? Do you like entertaining?
• Parking and Transportation: The best apartments won’t have you walking a long way to your parking spot or to public transportation. So look for this in the listing. If not, call and ask. 
• Amenities: List down all the extras you want in the apartment whether it be a gym, a laundry room, or a washer and dryer in the unit. Given that no apartment would probably have them all, arrange them by priority.

Set Apartment Hunting Priorities

Once you have a list of your needs and wants, you have to identify which are the deal-breakers and which aren’t. If there are only certain locations with parks or outdoor areas near them for your pets, then limit your search there. The same goes for if only one location works best for you. 

Setting these priorities will considerably narrow your search and make it so much easier. You can look for apartments that meet your primary needs first and hope that it also has some of your additional wants. In addition to this though, you also have to know when to start looking. Don’t wait until your lease ends. It’s better to start your search at least 60 days before it ends to give you ample time. 

Be Organized

Even if you’ve narrowed down your search, you’d still have to view plenty of apartments. The best way to prepare for the final decision is to take notes. And while you’re touring the place, check off your priorities it meets. This gives you a quick reference sheet when the time comes and will help you snatch the best apartment you want. Remember though, the rental market is also a fiercely competitive one especially in cities like Dallas. If you see an apartment you’re interested in, don’t wait to jump on that listing even if it’s just to take a tour. And when you find the right one, don’t dawdle because the best apartments go fast. 

Get Professional Help

One of the best ways to get you an immediate list of the best apartments in the areas you like in a city as big as Dallas would be to hire the help of an apartment locator. These people would be able to match up your needs and preferences with all the available apartments in their directory and they’d be able to get a list much easier and faster than you. This way, your work will be cut in half. Just make sure to give them specific criteria as much as possible to really narrow down your search. 

Be Prepared

Even if you’ve found the best apartment for you, you won’t immediately be able to get it if you are not properly prepared. You might even lose it to someone else. Before you even start searching, prepare all the documentation you’d need. This includes your renter’s resume, ID, credit report, proof of income, latest bank statement, pet information, and letters of recommendation. With this, you can easily jump on the best apartment the moment you find it. 

Takeaway

The most important part of finding the best apartment for you in Dallas is to layout a good groundwork. Take stock of your needs and wants, do your research, and get everything you need ready to go to get your rental application approved. Getting yourself organized about all this will help you immediately get the best apartment to match your lifestyle and needs once you find it.