Apartment in Dallas: How to Get one Fast
April 17, 2021Finding a new apartment in a week may seem impossible or at the very least absolutely and hellishly stressful. But you can do it.
Ideally, you’ll get to research on your own time, look at listings, visit different neighborhoods, tour all your best options, weigh the pros and cons of each one, and finally settle on the place that feels absolutely right. Unfortunately, that is a very rare situation for most of us.
Between jobs, life, and procrastination, it’s not easy to find the luxury of time, and all of a sudden, you’re just scrambling to find another apartment as the need for it draws ever closer. The worst part of this is that given that you need to make a decision quickly, you might end up settling for an apartment that won’t satisfy you. With preparation though and a little strategy, you can achieve the near-impossible and find yourself a new apartment within a week. Here are some tips to help you.
How to get an Apartment in Dallas Fast
Budget, Budget, Budget
Budget is one of the most crucial things in finding an apartment and before you can set out to find one, you have to get your money affairs in order first.
Calculate your monthly expenses and determine the minimum and maximum of what you can afford for rent. Don’t forget to include things like the cost of moving, commuting, parking, and other expenses you might have.
Choose Your Top Neighborhoods
After setting your budget, you can start your research. To avoid being all over the place with it though, try starting out with researching neighborhoods. Look for locations that would meet your lifestyle needs but also consider their proximity to your workplace, the safety rate, and, of course, transportation options.
It also helps to narrow your search in areas with the most rental properties since these areas tend to have more vacancies.
Since you won’t have the time to scope out the neighborhood in person, you can then use google maps to explore the areas and get a sense of it all before you start picking out units.
List Down Your Apartment Wants and Needs
One thing that lengthens decision-making in apartment hunts is the apartment features. For instance, one apartment may have a gym while the other may be close to a park. To avoid taking longer than necessary on these, create a list of your desired apartment features and separate them into must-have features and some that you may be flexible about. Consider things such as space requirements, amenities, public transportation, parking, and proximity to entertainment and dining venues.
Get Your Documents In Order
Each landlord may have a different set of requirements but to be safe and to save time, it’s wise to get all the usual documents in order. For instance, have a copy of your tax returns, bank statements, and letter of employment. In addition to that, make sure that you have references ready to vouch for you, and don’t forget to have their contact information ready to go.
Search for Apartments
With your price range, top neighborhoods, and list of apartment features ready to go, you’ll find that your apartment search will become a lot easier. You can set to narrowing your choices by setting filters and just clicking on places that meet your needs. After looking around, choose a few of your favorites and prepare to make emails or phone calls.
Make Contact
Now, remember, apartments can come and go pretty fast especially in the Dallas area. Rental availability is also always changing. To save time and to get the most up-to-date information, contact the property managers or landlords via email or call and set up appointments for tours.
Document Tours
If you can’t be there in person, try asking the landlord or property manager for a virtual tour. And if you can, set all tours on the same day to maximize time. During the tour, ask as many questions as you can about the unit, the neighborhood, the people, the lifestyle, and such. Also, don’t forget to document your tours whether it be in person or not. Take pictures, notes, measurements, and the like, and don’t depend on your memory to remember it all. After the day, you’d want to mull over your options and these notes will help a lot.
Use a Reliable Apartment Finder
Another route you can take which might be a lot easier and a lot more convenient is to get the help of professional and reliable apartment finders like A OK. These people know all the best neighborhoods and they have a wide network of property managers and landlords from who they can get up-to-date information. For instance, A OK has hundreds of listings in the Dallas and Fort Worth area and they’ll be able to point you to the best parts of town that have everything you need and that fits your budget. You can even find apartments that you won’t find anywhere online with them. The best part is that their services are free!
A rushed apartment search may be absolutely stressful but the key is to know how to be efficient with your search. Find your rhythm, gear up your computer, gear up your mind, and start your search. Good luck!
