A College Student’s Guide to Finding a Place to Live
College is an exciting time, but being out on your own for the first time can be stressful. You no longer have your parents there to help you out!
Whether you’re going to your first year of college or you already have one or more years behind you, you might be getting ready to find housing. You’re leaving your family’s house or your on-campus housing for greener pastures!
Trading dorm life or home life for your first adult housing is exciting but finding a place to live is tricky (especially in a tight housing market). We’re here to offer advice for college students looking to move out on their own.
Keep reading for our quick guide!
Find Online Listings
This part is easy, but if you’re a newbie, it may feel complicated.
Use your search engine to find housing in your area. You can use sites that host local listings, the Facebook Marketplace, or even property management and realty sites. All of these places will show you available housing options near your university.
You’ll rule some of these options out right away based on cost (after all, finding a cheap place to live isn’t easy), but after that, you can move on to the next step.
Check Features and Requirements
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, look for more information about each property. Most property listings will tell you about their features and requirements to get an idea of whether or not they’re a good fit.
Look at the photos of the home to see whether or not it’s suitable for you. Do you need features like a dishwasher or a tub? Do you like to have an outdoor space?
Make sure that you fit the requirements before you apply. Most homes near college campuses are flexible when it comes to income and rental history, but you may need a cosigner.
Look At Reviews
Before sending in your application, check out reviews of the property and property management company. Getting a home that looks perfect on the surface without reading into what other people say can be a disaster.
If you can, it’s also helpful to ask friends or other classmates about different apartments or management companies. They may have relevant experiences that can help you make your decision. It’s never bad to ask for help finding a place to live!
View The Property and Apply
After you’ve chosen one or several potential options, start looking at them in person if you’re already nearby. Sometimes you’ll realize that an apartment or house either is or isn’t for you when you visit it. Not everything is easy to capture on camera.
When you decide that you’d like to live in one of these homes, send in a rental application. There’s usually an application fee. After that, cross your fingers and hope for the best!
Finding a Place to Live: Don’t Overcomplicate It
Finding a place to live for the first time is stressful, but use our tips to pick your perfect home. You’ll find a place to live off-campus, so don’t worry. Start finding potential roommates and searching today!
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