FINDING YOUR
DREAM APARTMENT - RENT FINDER GUIDE SEARCH LEARNING LIFE
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EDUCATION ARTICLE
Understand
your need, wants, and must haves.
HOW
TO FIND YOUR DREAM APARTMENT
Before you go shopping for the dream
apartment, you need to know what
part of your fantasy you can afford
and what very practical and real
issues will affect your decision.
Don’t bother reading the ads or
wasting your time or the time of an
agent until you’ve done the steps to
determine just what a “dream
apartment” means to you.
Keep a list
First, get a notebook and carry it with
you for at least a week. Write down every characteristic you want in your
dream apartment. Go ahead and get wild about it. Fireplace, pool, or sauna
might be on the list.
Do you want pets or a pet free zone? Are you looking for someplace near to the
airport or beach or near to work? Do you want a big kitchen or great southern
exposure? Are you looking for covered parking or do you want only a garage?
Prioritize apartment must haves and wants
Now take that list and choose 5 “must have” items. For example, if you cannot do
stairs then elevator access might be on your list. Or if you must take “Spot”
with you, then pet friendly apartments are your only choices. Write the five top
items of your choosing or need on an index card.
Now take the remaining items and simply number them in no particular order. For
example, a big kitchen might be #1, close to work might be #2, no-smoking
environment might be #3, cost less than $750 a month might be #4, etc. After all
items are numbered, go through the list and ask yourself if item #1 is more or
less important than item 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and so forth. Eventually you’ll find the
top ten items of importance in your dream apartment. Make a listing of the top
ten in ranked order and if you wish, do the same with any remaining items.
With a list of your absolute “must haves” and “wants” in hand, you’re now ready
to browse the ads, scan the neighborhoods or call that agent to find your dream
apartment!
BUDGET LESSONS
Use these lessons and lesson plans to teach basic budgeting concepts. For teaching and
learning household budgeting.
Understand
your need, wants, and must haves.