By: Kendra Leavitt
Posted In: Opinion
Sophomore year is synonymous with apartment searching. During the months of September and October, sophomores preoccupy their time with finding apartments for junior year. As a member of the sophomore class, I experienced the mad dash to find and claim off-campus housing. With little knowledge on the process, I became overwhelmed. A knowledgeable realtor helped and with a little research, the process went much easier than expected.
Prior to looking for an apartment, one must consider several aspects. Such areas of thought include location, parking availability, neighbors, and prices. Every student’s answer to these will be different based on personal preferences. These topics need to be decided before making an appointment with a real estate agent. These factors will narrow down available property listings. However, if you find yourself having trouble making decisions on what you are looking for, consult with a realtor. Realtors will provide honest and useful information to aid in any decision-making.
Since most students have a college budget to stay within, cost is an important factor. A student must remember to find an affordable apartment, with rent payments they can make each month. According to Barbara Milott, a realtor at Bellevue Realtors, the average apartment costs between $500 and $600 per bedroom. The condition of the apartment, as well as the location, also strongly influences the price.
Another aspect to consider is whether the utilities are included in the monthly rent. During the search for our own apartment, my roommate and I knew we would rather have the utilities included in our rent, rather than pay them separately. This eliminates the hassle of contacting separate businesses for utilities such as gas, electric and heating, as all three go straight to the property owner.
After seeing possible candidates, a decision is reached as to which apartment is most suitable. In order to claim the housing, a security deposit, as well as first month’s rent, must be paid. Make sure you have enough funds to pay for each. Once all paper work is completed and the money has been sent in, the apartment is officially rented for the next year.