Whether you’re new to the city or a long-time resident, an apartment is an excellent place to live. But not all apartments are created equal — some are better than others. What should you look for in an apartment before you move in? Here are the top features that every apartment should have.
1. In-Unit Appliances
You’re probably not moving into a cramped studio or one-room apartment. Instead, you may be moving into an apartment with at least one full-size living room and kitchen. You don’t want to end up with a microwave and a tiny refrigerator. Whether you’re the only resident in the apartment or the tenant is just downsizing, make sure that your appliances are operable without being in each other’s way. If your stovetop doesn’t work, it’s tough to cook. If your refrigerator doesn’t have a freezer, you’re not going to be able to store any frozen food. For the most part, don’t worry too much about this feature.
Newer apartments will have at least some appliances. However, if you’re moving into an older apartment or the landlord is planning on renovating, it might be worth double-checking that all of your appliances are operable without being in each other’s way.
2. Furnished Units
Not all furnished apartments in Rockwall, TX, are created equal either. It’s one thing to have a furnished apartment with a couch and a television. What if you want a community space with a pool table, an exercise room, and an open area the tenants can use for parties? This feature is often included in luxury complexes or even middle-of-the-road ones. If you’re going to be paying more rent than you would normally pay for an unfurnished unit, it should at least come with some amenities that justify the extra fee.
3. Professional Landscaping
This can be a very practical feature if you plan to move into an apartment with a ground-floor entrance. You don’t want to trip over fire hydrants, trash cans, parking cones, and other obstacles when trying to get in and out of the building. If your apartment doesn’t have professionally landscaped grounds, you will usually have to walk through the parking lot or courtyard to get from your car to the front door.
4. Elevators
It is expected to have an elevator in a high-rise apartment building. Although it’s nice to have access to your floors while wearing slippers, it’s infinitely more convenient if you don’t have to walk up and down numerous flights of stairs every day. Suppose your apartment doesn’t have an elevator that can handle all its residents. In that case, you’re probably going to end up with a lot of stair-climbing during the winter, when the temperature outside can be several degrees colder than it would be otherwise.
5. Security
Some apartments don’t have security features at all. At any given moment, you could find someone in your building smoking a cigarette or going through your apartment in search of valuables. Even if your apartment doesn’t have a security deposit box, you should at least expect to be able to rent one out or set one up yourself. It’s also good to have a code lock on your front door if it gets stuck or someone is locked out. Ensure you have a spacious and well-lit entryway with enough room for guests.
6. Parking Space
Having enough parking spaces is a feature that is often included in newer apartment buildings. But there are still apartments with garages or plenty of street parking for not-too-expensive apartments, so this shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. But it helps if you can park your car right outside of your apartment and don’t have to worry about it getting towed.
7. Air Conditioning
You will be able to keep your apartment cool without it getting too hot to live in, but you will also benefit from saving on your electric bill. Air conditioning is becoming more popular in apartment buildings due to concerns over energy costs and the environment. When apartments are being built new, they often come with air conditioning units.
Conclusion
Don’t just settle for an apartment that comes your way. You can do a lot of comparison shopping and take advantage of your apartment’s features before signing a lease and moving in. Depending on where you live, these features could vary quite a bit. Some apartments have more parking than others, while some buildings have security entrances or professional landscaping that other buildings do not have. Take a look around when you visit an apartment to see if it has any of these features and make sure that they are included before you sign the lease.
