Are you looking for your next apartment because you want a bit of a change? Make sure to look out for the following things to ensure that you find a nice place to live.
Gated Entrance
Start by looking at the security of the apartment complex and how easy it is for people to get to your front door. Is there a gate that only residents can get through that leads to a courtyard or at least a front door that requires a key to gain entry? This extra layer of security is going to make a big difference when it comes to security and keeping your entire apartment complex safe.
Try to find out how the mail is handled, especially when it comes to packages. Some apartment buildings have a mailroom that only residents have access to, and all of the packages are put in a secure place that is monitored by a camera. Another building may leave packages out in the open where others can potentially steal a package when you're not home. It's important to know that your packages are secure, especially since more people are ordering things online these days.
Laundry
Laundry is not something many people think about when apartment hunting, but it is worth knowing what the situation is. Figure out if there is a washer and dryer in the unit or if there is a community laundry area. If it's the latter, take a look in person to see what it is like. Is there only one washer and dryer for a huge building, or are there multiple units that will allow you to take care of all your laundry at once? Some apartments don't even have a laundry facility, which means you have to take laundry to a nearby laundromat.
Parking
Does the apartment you are looking at offer a parking spot as part of the unit? Do you need multiple parking spots for multiple people living in the apartment? This is something you need to figure out early on, especially if the only alternative is street parking in a busy part of town. You want to know that your vehicle has a spot and that you don't have to worry about being ticketed for parking in the wrong space.
Storage
When touring an apartment building, ask to take a look at what kind of additional storage is offered. It is common to have a large locker in the basement where you can keep your odds and ends that you do not want taking up space in the unit itself. Look at the storage unit being offered for your specific unit and know that it is a fair size compared to the others.
For more information about apartments, contact a real estate agent.