Business & Real Estate

Archive for the ‘Buying Home’ Category

Dane Cross is a UK based freelance writer currently writing on behalf of One UK, providers of apartment and apartments in Leeds.

Anyone with experience of finding a city centre apartment will tell you that it’s no simple task. There are many considerations to make when finding a new place to live that lay outside meeting the weekly or monthly rent. The market is fluid meaning that the process can be wildly unpredictable. Your dream flat could be available today but gone tomorrow – such is the dynamism of the property market.

Demand makes finding a city centre flat quite difficult, meaning that property seekers must use several tools in order to find the right place for a reasonable price. Here are some tips for taking the stress out of finding a city centre apartment:

Know Your City

Every city has its unique ‘feel’. Aside from the hustle bustle of busy traffic and pedestrian crowds, each locality has its own style, so make sure that you venture outside of your comfort zone and explore the ins and outs of your desired city. You are likely to find one or two surprises!

Establish a Budget

Knowing your wage is not enough – you must know exactly what you bring home at the end of every week or month. Make sure that you account for taxes, utilities, insurance, amenities etc. You will then have a more realistic idea of how much you can afford in rent. One rule of thumb is to earn 30 – 40 times your rent.

Look for your Apartment at the End of the Month

The ideal time to look for your ideal flat is at the end of the month, as listings seem to be in greater density at the end and very beginning at this period.

Search for Long Term Vacancies

Landlords are often more willing to negotiate a price when a property has been empty for a number of months. Keep your eye on apartments that are in your higher price range – landlords will often come to the conclusion that less rent is indeed better than no rent at all!

Know When to Say No

There are certainly some bad characters in apartment rentals. A rental ad might sound like a good deal, but once you’ve looked at the fine print, it might turn a bit ugly. If a deal sounds too good to be true, chances are it is.

Consider the Possibilities

When taking a look at potential properties, make sure you get a good feel of the place. Actually touch the walls, counters, floors and ceiling. Doing this will eliminate unpleasant surprises at a later date. Also be sure to count how many steps it takes to walk across a room so you can remember the approximate size later on. This will enable you to mentally furnish the property, determining if your belongings will fit.

Haggle the Landlord

When looking at the flat with the landlord, the issue of rent is bound to come up. Make sure you do your homework before the viewing and find out what the asking rent is. When the conversation comes up, take off about 3 per cent of the asking price. In likeliness, the landlord probably won’t want to lose a potential renter over a few pounds. Even if he does decline the offer, you can still look in other places.

Finding your ideal apartment can be made relatively easier by staying positive, keeping a realistic outlook and by doing your research.