How to Find an Apartment in Dallas Before You Move
February 23, 2021Apartment hunting in Dallas can sometimes feel like looking for a needle in a haystack but put a few thousand miles between you and the city and it might feel like looking for a long-lost sock. The biggest problem, of course, is not being able to see it all in person. You won’t be able to check out the apartment yourself and you’d generally have to guess which neighborhood would fit your needs best. You’ll also be pretty much guessing what the reasonable rent rates are. It’s definitely not an ideal situation. Fortunately, a thing called the internet exists.
Searching online won’t necessarily give you the same experience of finding an apartment in Dallas but knowing what to research and who to reach out to would help you significantly decrease all your disadvantages being out of town. All the same, though, finding an apartment in Dallas before you move out of your current one would need careful planning. Before you even spend your last day in your old home, you should already know what you want in your new home and what you’ll need to do to get it. The last thing you’d want is to sign an ironclad lease in the wrong place. Here are some tips to get you started.
Research the Local Market
There are a lot of decisions you have to make in an apartment search but the very first one you have to make is what are you want to live in. Given that Dallas is a pretty big city with diverse neighborhoods, it would be great for you to talk to people you know who live there and ask them what places they’d recommend. You can also check out local blogs or social media pages to get a feel of these neighborhoods.
After that, it’s important you also research the rental process in those areas. Check if landlords put up available spaces months in advance or only at the very last minute, look for what amenities you can expect, and all the like. The best way you can get a glimpse of these is to check out online listings of the areas, real estate websites, and again, local blogs. By researching these, you can already narrow down which neighborhoods you can afford and which are just a bit way above the limit of your budget.
Think About Your Commute
Aside from the features or the community in a neighborhood, one factor that could help direct your choice is the commute. Whether you’re moving there for a new job, a new school, to be closer to family, or for a fresh new life, knowing what you’re comfortable with will help direct the search. Consider things like commute time, traffic dynamics in rush hours, public transit options, walking, driving, or biking. Map your various routes and let it guide you.
Make Must-Haves List and a Wish List
In every apartment search, it’s important to know what you want before you even start looking at places but it is even more important when moving to a new city like Dallas. When you finally visit the place, you won’t be flush with time to check out every detail of the apartments and debate whether you want the one with a gym in the complex or the one with in-unit laundry. That’s why it’s wise to make a “must-haves” list and a “wish” list. Knowing what are the nonnegotiables would easily help you narrow down your choices.
You might also have to check in with your budget to see if those amenities fit into it. Some parts of Dallas may have apartments that are much more expensive than others based on the amenities they offer. But you don’t have to get too deep into it. Just check what apartments are available with those amenities you need and at what prices so you’re aware of your choices.
Consider Hiring an Apartment Locator
The best way to find an apartment in a city you don’t know is to enlist the help of someone who does like an apartment locator. These people, especially those who have consistent listings in neighborhoods in Dallas like the A OK Apartment Locators can significantly decrease your search time and search troubles. You won’t have to spend all your time and energy looking through various listings and squinting at blurry apartment pictures online. Apartment locators can immediately provide you with available units from their updated listings based on your preferences. They can also provide accurate information on pricing, amenities, commute times, floor plans, pictures, and the like.
Just make sure that the locator you’re enlisting, however, is willing to work with a client who can’t be physically available at the site. At A OK, we do our best to give our clients the most accurate picture of the units through pictures and video chat tours in the apartment and also around the neighborhood.
Research the Building and Landlord
The research doesn’t end once you or your apartment locator finds a promising rental. To really make sure that you’ll be in good hands in your new city, take time to be as informed as possible about your new building and landlord. Look up how old is your building, how many people live there, what amenities it holds, and what are any issues it might have had in the past. Then, look up its owner. If you have a smaller landlord, search them up on review sites and if you have a large management company, lookup for any reviews on them online.
Get Your Documents in Order
In cities like Dallas, the market is a competitive one and with each rental, the list of prospective renters might belong. That’s why it’s important to get all your documents in order in advance. This way, you can just hand them over to your agent as soon as you start your search and they can immediately secure a spot for you once you find the perfect place. Some of these documents include bank statements, credit checks, pay stubs, renter’s profile, and the like.
Schedule a Visit
Photos and videos can only show so much. While it’s not impossible to like a place enough to rent it from photos and videos, it’s definitely a lot more ideal to see the place in person. If that means crashing with a friend or family for a few days or staying in an Airbnb for a few nights, then do so.
Ask your landlord if it’s fine for you to see the place first before signing. If not, then try to negotiate a clause that says you can back out within a certain amount of time if the apartment isn’t living up to your needs. Remember though, be realistic about your search. There’s no guarantee you’ll find the perfect apartment and that your search will go off without a hitch. Prepare to be flexible and keep your judgment in good places.
