Housing 101

Here are some tips and tricks to relocation, whether you plan on renting an apartment or eventually purchasing a home.

Relocation

Relocating to a new city can be an exciting opportunity, but can also stir up up some anxiety. Make sure you are prepared!

The web site http://www.apartments.com/ provides comprehensive listings of apartments all over the country!

Another great resource to check out is http://www.move.com/. This site not only lists rental listings, but home listings and provides a guide to planning your move. 

Along with getting your living arrangements squared away, make sure to explore the life of the city you're moving to.  The website http://cityguide.aol.com/  provides restaurant reviews as well as upcoming events in the area.  Be sure to check it out!

All about leasing

Before you sign that lease - here are a few things to keep in mind.

When looking at an apartment here are some items to consider:

• Do all the light switches work?
• How about the air conditioning, heat, appliances?
• Do any of the sinks leak?
• Are the windows in good shape?
• What about the noise level?
• Is there ample parking?
• What's the neighborhood like?

Read the lease before signing it!

The lease is a contract between you and the landlord. Know what you are agreeing to!

• Note the length of the lease... is it a year lease, or month to month? Some year leases have the option to go to month to month after one year. Make sure it is what works for you. By signing a year lease, you are obligated to pay for rent for an entire year, even if you decide to move out before that time.
• Ask your landlord if they are planning on raising the rent at any point during the lease period.
• What is the security deposit? What are the terms of receiving it back after the lease period?
• If something is not working or there are damages, determine who is responsible for fixing the damages. It might not be a bad idea to talk to other tenants to see how responsible the landlord is.
• Make sure that your apartment will be cleaned prior to your arrival.
• What are the privacy rights? How much notice will your landlord give you before they enter your apartment?

By ensuring everything is in writing, you are able to hold your landlord accountable to what they agree to and vice versa!

Home Buying
 
If you are a new graduate, this may not a be a priority right now, but it might not be a bad idea to learn a bit more about the process.

Learn more by visiting http://www.hud.gov/buying/index.cfm. Another great is resource is: http://www.mortgageloan.com/news-advice, which provides great information on mortgage loans (or home loans).