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Apartment Hunting on the Web

© Regina Ludes

Few things about apartment hunting will ever change. Renters still need to visit apartments, fill out lease applications and submit to credit checks.

One thing that has changed, however, is the expanded role of the Internet in the search process. As renters become more technologically savvy, they are turning to the Internet more frequently to get information about prospective apartments before visiting the community or completing an application.

What the Internet brings to the apartment search is information -- lots of it -- and it can take hours to sift through it all. With so much information available, it can be all too easy to get sidetracked by non-essential details in cyberspace.

In the following paragraphs, I'll describe the types of resources that are available to renters online. I'll conclude with a few tips for organizing your online apartment search.

Rental Resources on the Internet

Whether you're considering a move across town, across the country, or even overseas, the Internet's global reach makes it possible to conduct an apartment search anywhere in the world without ever leaving your seat. Apartment location sites, such as http://www.Apartments.com, http://www.ForRent.com, and http://www.RelocationCentral.com are helpful resources for finding apartments based on specific criteria. Likewise, http://www.MoveandStay.com provides the same service for renters looking to make a move to Asia or Europe.

These apartment search sites will ask you for your preferences for location, size, price and amenities. Once you enter this data, the site will present you with a list of apartments that fit your criteria. You can then browse the listings and determine which apartments are worth a visit while quickly eliminating those apartments that don't fit your needs. Much of the leg work is already done before you call for an appointment or complete a lease application. In addition, these apartment search sites generally have links to additional rental resources, such as moving companies, utilities, roommate matching services, and rental insurance companies.

If you are considering a move out of state or across the country, you probably want to find out as much as you can about the new area before packing up a moving truck. Check the local village or chamber of commerce website for information about schools, transportation, construction, business opportunities, utilities, and weather.

Concerned about social activities? Sites like Yahoo and http://www.Citysearch.com can give you information about nightlife, restaurants, and events in your prospective new city.

Don't forget the local newspapers and radio and TV stations. Their websites post the day's news stories, as well as weather reports, job opportunities, and, of course, apartment listings. These sites are guaranteed to give you the inside scoop on your prospective new community.

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