Deciding Which Rental is Best for You

By Chris Beringer

You’ve found some great places and you’re ready to make a decision. But how do you know which rental is the best for you?  It might help to revisit these basic questions:

Is it what you had in mind?

Before you started your search for a rental apartment or house, what was most important to you? Did you need a certain number of bedrooms or more storage space? Does it have the parking you wanted? If you’re choosing between a few places, revisit or create a list to see which place ticks most of your boxes.

Does it fit the budget?

Before you sign the rental lease agreement, think seriously about how the rental home fits in your budget. It’s recommended to spend no more than 30 percent of your income on a rental home, but if spending more on a rental means spending less on transportation, that may be something to consider. Typically, though, it makes sense to choose the budget-friendly rental home so you can more easily pay bills, build some savings and have money for entertainment and travel.

Is it close to necessities?

Think about all of the places you regularly go every day or week. How convenient would each rental be to work, school, groceries and entertainment? If you are the type of person who often forgets things at the grocery store, for example, it may not be wise to be 30 minutes away from one. Or if you need to pick up kids for after school activities, it may be essential your home be near school.

Does it feel safe?

A rental home may be beautiful and have all the necessities you need on the inside, but is it safe and secure? What security does each building offer? Check online to learn about area crime rates, and take daytime and evening walks around the neighborhood. Do you feel comfortable or is it a place you’ll want to run to the door late at night?

Does it feel like home?

Sometimes, you have to throw the lists aside and just go with what really felt like home when you walk in – the rental where you can picture your furniture or that has cute little quirks you love. No rental is perfect, but this is the place where you want to start and end your day. That’s where you should end your rental search.