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Locating a residence
The best way to find a new home is to either look in the classifieds
of the newspapers, use a referral service or walk around the neighborhood
you want to live in and look for "For Rent" signs on buildings.
The Seattle Times changes their print classified ads only two
to three times a week, but their internet classifieds are updated
every day. Therefore if you have consistent access to the internet,
it is best to look up listings online.
Find out when
the open houses are and try to drop by in the earlier hours to ensure
you have enough time to walk around, ask questions and chat with
the manager.
What
to look for outside
When you get to the building,
look around the neighborhood and see what type of people live near
you. You may want to see where the closest bus stop and grocery
stores are. If you can drive to the neighborhood after dark, see
what the lighting is like around the residence and on the street.
Would you feel comfortable walking to the store or bus stop if you
had to?
What
to look for inside
Once inside the unit or house,
check the door locks to make sure they're strongly in place. Is
there a smoke alarm? Have the walls been recently painted? Turn
on the faucets to see what the water pressure is like. See if there
are heating sources (like gas vents or baseboards) in all the main
rooms. Are the windows secure? Put your hand by any that look thin
or loose. Is there a breeze of air by it? It could indicate that
window is easily breakable or that it leaks heat from the inside.
Will the doorways and access routes accommodate your furniture when
you move in? You may even think about seeing how many electric outlets
are in the walls for all your electronic belongings.
What
to ask
All these observations and questions may seem
a bit much, but it's best to prepare yourself so you don't have
any surprises after you're moved in. Ask
what an average heat bill costs to keep the place comfortable. Find
out how long the previous tenant lived there. If they lived there
for only a few months, you may want to ask why they left in case
it's a building or neighborhood related reason versus personal circumstances.
Ask what the minimum lease time allowed is...do you have to sign
a year lease or one that is month-to-month? Ask what the average
rent increase is and how often it goes up. Find out how close the
manager lives or how accessible he/she is in case something goes
wrong. You may also want to ask if they spray for bugs on a regular
basis because that indicates you may be fighting pests at home or
have to have your personal furnishings sprayed with repellent on
a regular basis.
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