There are a million apartments in the naked city. But how to uncover a really great one? You’ve got to think like Sherlock Holmes, V.I. Warshawski, Miss Marple and Columbo. So pull on a wrinkled trench coat, pick up a magnifying glass and start sleuthing.
When looking for suspects, the newspaper classifieds are a good place to start, but many apartments never make it to the real estate ads.
A lot of successful hunting is done by word-of-mouth, says Rick Erdenberg, a principal at Erdenberg Otten Associates, a Chicago realty firm. “If I wanted a really special place, I’d start networking six months ahead of schedule.”
For a May occupancy, that means beginning in December. “Get on the social circuit,” advises Erdenberg. Holiday parties can be great way to gain access to different units and buildings. During cocktail chatter, make others aware of your apartment hunt. It beats discussing the weather, and when something comes up, you’ll be in a position to find out first. Friends and acquaintances can also help by putting in a good word with management.
Driving around neighborhoods you’d like to live in is another way to turn up prospects. Look for signs posted on premises. Drop in nearby stores and laundries to look at bulletin boards and neighborhood newsletters.
Proximity a problem? Try the Internet, where online rentals are a small, but growing phenomenon.
“It’s a big advantage if you’re shopping long-distance,” says Jonathan Kempner, president of the National Multi Housing Council in Washington, D.C. Not only are all the vital statistics available, but photos are usually provided, says Kempner. “If you’re in Los Angeles and moving to New York, it’s possible to rent an apartment without having to fly across the country.”
Insider information
All the great gumshoes rely heavily on insider information. Where to find a mole? Existing tenants are wonderful sources for confirming, contradicting or elaborating on what a landlord tells you.
If you don’t already know someone in the building, hang around at the end of the day and catch people as they come home from work. (They’re more apt to talk than if you try to catch them in the morning). Ask about the quality of maintenance and how quickly problems are resolved. Inquire about amenities near the building as well as those on the property.
If pressed for time, research over the phone. Reverse directories, available at most libraries, reveal who lives at what address, as well as their phone numbers.
Stakeouts
Remember, it’s not only the unit and building that you’ll want to investigate. The surrounding neighborhood can make or break your renting experience.
Many experts recommend going back after hours to uncover additional information. There may be plenty of street parking during the day, but what about in the evening? How busy are nearby bars and restaurants?
“It also gives you a sense of who your neighbors will be,” says Tom Bozzuto, head of The Bozzuto Group, an apartment owner and manager in Greenbelt, Md.
Watch the comings and goings of folks on the streets and to and from surrounding buildings. Do they look like people whom you wouldn’t mind lending a cup of sugar to? Or are they surly characters you’d cross the street to avoid?
If there’s a parking lot on the premises, give it the once-over. If lighting isn’t bright enough, it could be a security concern. “If it’s too bright, you might feel like you’re living in a shopping center,” points out Bozzuto.
Parking lots can also tell you about social strata of the building. “It’s not foolproof, but it’s a good indicator,” says Kempner. A surplus of station wagons–especially those with car seats strapped in–could translate into young families. If you have (or like) children, this may be a plus. If you find rug rats annoying, you may want to take a pass.
Physical evidence
Remember, no clue is too small to disregard. A well landscaped yard indicates vigilant owners or property managers who are on the ball. Make sure you view the entire property–not just the front where people drive by. Does the building need paint? Is the parking lot full of pot holes? What does the area around the loading dock look like?
Inside, don’t let one fabulous feature–French windows, a woodburning fireplace or private balcony–blind you to incriminating evidence. Check out even routine items such as heat and water pressure.
If the apartment is already vacated, give it the white glove test. If management hasn’t bothered to clean well even during the midst of marketing, it’s a definite black mark.
Pay attention to windows, evaluating not just the view, but potential noise pollution. Is the bedroom off a busy street or near garbage dumpsters? If the latter, better find out when trash is picked up. Is it during the middle of a weekday or at 6 a.m. on Saturday?
While we’re on the subject of commotion, consider nearby businesses. One woman moved into an apartment without realizing that her alley, adjacent to a large grocery store, was where vendors unloaded their deliveries. This became a major source of irritation during her tenancy.
Sniff out potential problems. Does the memory of previous animal occupants linger on? What about cooking odors? Another woman recalls moving into an apartment where former tenants had a passion for Indian cooking. Curry powder permeated the place and it took months before the aroma was eliminated.
Scrutinizing management
Property management is a big buzzword these days. Make sure you’re not just getting lip service. One way to evaluate landlords or managers is to watch how they treat employees and current residents, advises Anne Sadovsky, head of her own multi-family housing consulting firm in Dallas.
Return to the scene, says Sadovsky: “Visit two or three times before making a final decision. You want to make sure (managers/owners) are consistent in behavior and appearance.”
“See how flexible they are when you ask challenging questions,” she adds. Suppose there’s a plumbing crisis in the bathroom and you’re late for work. How would they handle it?
A shadowy past?
Call the Better Business Bureau or local apartment association to see if your future owners/managers are members in good standing. Surf the Internet. Or, if you’re not online, visit the library and check local newspaper indexes for anything about the firm.
“Remember this is where you are going to live for a year. It’s worth investing an extra hour to find out who your business partner is,” says Kempner.
Tying up loose ends
Determine the motive for the current tenant’s leaving. It might reveal a problem you hadn’t considered. If the apartment is vacant, ask the rental agent or landlord what they know. To track the resident down, look at the name on the mailbox, and check in the phone directory if there is a new number for that person.
Follow the money: Compare rent with comparable units in the building or neighborhood. If the figure is drastically low, try to discover why you’re getting such a deal. Maybe it’s something you can live with, such as no air conditioning. But maybe you’re next to the Love Canal.
Living in a high-rise? Check out the number of elevators compared to residents in the building. Time how long it takes to get to the lobby, especially if you’re looking at a unit on a high floor. And make sure you also time the elevators again during rush hour.
Future proof: Call your local building department. Any chance there may be construction soon nearby? If so, the inevitable dust and noise could be a turnoff.
Take advantage of deals. With the supply side of apartments rising in many areas, concessions have improved. Besides extra amenities, managers may offer a month or two of free rent to entice new residents. “I’d be shopping brand new properties and then be ready to move again,” says Rick Cavenaugh, president of Prime Residential Inc., a Chicago-based REIT (real estate investment trust). You get about a year of the good life, before rents shoot sky high, he explains.
Yet think carefully when weighing proximity against amenities, adds Cavenaugh: “Once the euphoria of a new place wears off, a long commute gets old fast.”
