Factors to Consider When Leasing an Apartment

For those who grew up in cities, leasing an apartment can be pretty simple. For others who might’ve grown up in more rural areas, leasing an apartment can be a daunting task. With so many great colleges and universities here in Albuquerque, it’s actually a pretty common situation.

If you’re currently looking to lease your first ever apartment, there are some considerations you might not have thought of. Fortunately, we’re here to help! We found a great article on The Huffington Post last week featuring a list of things to consider as you take this big step towards independence and urban living. Here are some of our favorites:

Narrow your search by price and location.

According to Doug Culkin, President and CEO of the National Apartment Association, those are the two biggest factors you should consider when selecting an apartment.

We'd all love to live in an apartment straight out of Friends, but I'm going to drop a truth bomb: Monica and Rachel never could have afforded their place in Greenwich Village. If you settle on a place that's above your means and fall behind on rent payments, pulling a Ross and claiming you were "on a break" isn't going to fly with your apartment owner. Choose wisely.

(And for the record, Rachel and Ross were so not on a break.)

Find a community with a reputable management company or owner that meets your price and location criteria, and also offers the specific amenities you're looking for.

The National Apartment Association (NAA) has a network of affiliated member companies that provide quality, affordable rental housing and follow NAA's suggested best practices.

Once you've called your local apartment association and verified that the management company is a member of NAA, consider which amenities mean the most to you and narrow your results accordingly.

A fire pit, billiards room, state-of-the-art fitness center and poolside cabanas may all seem like "must haves," but you have to ask yourself which amenities you'll actually use. I'm a charitable individual, but I resent my monthly donations to Gold's Gym. Be honest with yourself.

Click here for the full list of things to consider before leasing an apartment!