There are many reasons to choose finding a furnished apartment. Sure, they cost more, but sometimes it’s actually more cost effective than the more expensive alternatives.

A common scenario is the business person who has never quite settled down. He is transferred almost annually and the stress of packing a huge household is not worth the effort. He found out early on that it’s easier to pack a few suitcases and simply move into his new furnished quarters, unencumbered with hundreds of boxes that most probably will never be unpacked anyway.

Other times it’s because they never bought furniture at all and it’s nice to have everything brand new every time they move. It’s just easier to pack up your personal belongings only, and forget the stress of hiring large interstate moving companies. Even that can get expensive! You can do a short term rental, or even a longer term.

Choosing this type of apartment means you could possibly have two separate contracts, which is ideally what you should have. Having your own contract for the furniture is terrific because you can choose what you want, make changes every so often (Want a new couch? Just ask!), and never need to watch your furniture get old and warn out – while you’re still paying for it!

It’s no different than leasing a car – you pay for the time you have the item. It doesn’t get old, and you can keep turning it in almost whenever you want. Actually, with furniture, by the time you pay for it, it’s time for new stuff, right? You might as well just pick out what you like and rent it.

This is the perfect way to redecorate every year, too, if this is what you like to do but otherwise couldn’t afford it. Who could? And it’s easy! Assuming you have your own contract with the rental people, you can look through catalogs, choose new items, and everything can be swapped out in a day.

Even though furnished units are an attractive option, there are some rental situations to stay clear of. Some places advertise “furnished apts.” But their target market is not the person we just talked about, it’s a low income family who can’t afford anything at all and probably never had any furniture. These rentals give them the opportunity to have a halfway decent place to live if their only alternative would be an empty place with a mattress on the floor and a box for a kitchen table. If you plan on doing some internet research or phone calling to plan your move, just be very careful about these places, unless of course this is exactly what you’re looking for. Just keep in mind the furniture in these places is probably worn out and dirty.

Also be aware of how the building, or the city, handles appliances. Some cities tend to provide stoves, refrigerators and even washers and dryers as part of the apartment rental – furnished or unfurnished. Other cities might provide the stove but you need to have everything else. Ask everyone you speak with on the phone exactly what appliances are standard and what you will need to arrange for on your own.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Furnished-Apartments---A-Logical-Alternative&id=3558422] Furnished Apartments – A Logical Alternative

Author: The Apartment Dude

I am excited to try out one of those new culinary pseudo-classes that let you show up and prepare your own meals that are supposed to last you for about a month.

The only reason I have hesitated is I’m a bit of a picky eater. I don’t care for vegetables, and I also don’t care for seafood (an unpopular decision in this era of sushi, so I tell people I’m allergic).

Another words, I don’t want to show up expecting chicken and find out that half the menu is seafood. So, in essence, I am chicken to show up. Stop with the booing…that’s funny.

Well, apartment shopping is the exact same thing for me. I’m a bit chicken. I need to find an affordable place, but I want to make sure I end up in an apartment that I really like. I want it to match my tastes, my life. Basically, I want it to be perfect.

Not much in life is perfect, so how can I get close?

Tip 1: Think through the specifics

Think through your location: location to family, friends, work and nightlife. Who do I need to live by? Who do I see weekly? Can I stand to commute 40 minutes if it means I save $75 a month? Do I need to live downtown or will the suburbs suffice? Do I go out three times a week, or twice a month?

Think through your budget: financial planners say only 30% of your income should be spent on your housing costs. Not a big problem if you make $6,000 a month. A little bit more of a problem when you make $1,600 a month. What’s your realistic, total budget? And even though I may want a one-bedroom with a den, can I only afford an efficiency?

Think through your pet situation: I have a dog. He’s a miniature poodle. Would I be willing to part with Ziggy? Never. Can I afford to shell out $500 for a pet deposit. Never. Could I afford $250 if I saved up beforehand? Possibly. Think through if you plan on getting that bulldog you’ve always wanted. First, does the community you want to live in even accept pets? If so, how much will the deposit cost? You may need to save up, or bow out.

Tip 2: Research your options

Now it’s time to compare. I like this catalog for a quick reference, but I also like to go online to look at virtual tours and compare amenities. At apartmenthomeliving.com, I can fill out a personality profile that matches me to the apartments that are right. It even goes a step further to find out what else I like. Do I want a pool? Do I work out? You betcha. There’s a match out there and I want to see all the choices.

Tip 3: Visit your top choices and enlist the help of friends

Seeing is believing. I know that the product itself is terribly important to me. I have to visit to know it feels good to me when I drive in. I want lush landscaping. I want good lighting in the living room, and a pool with a nightlife around it. I want a clean apartment. I can only find out these details by visiting.

While I’m visiting, do I like my leasing professional? Does she seem knowledgeable? Friendly? Does she answer my questions about maintenance to where I feel comfortable? Do I trust this person? Because this is who I’m going to get on the phone when something goes wrong in my apartment.

And two pairs of eyes are better than one! Do my friends agree this is a cool place to live? Will they visit me here to hang out? Do they agree with what I think?

Make your decision

Finally, decide what’s the best match for you. I knew when I picked Ziggy it was love. I know when I pick my next apartment it will at least be lust! And that can last at least a year. Happy hunting!

Visit Apartment Home Living for more tips on getting the most out of your apartment living experience.

About the Author:

As a Managing Partner of Apartment Home Living, Jeff wants to help you find the right apartment by getting to know you. At AHL Apartmentites have a platform to share their own stories, get great info & tips on apartment living, read Jeff’s entertaining blogs/stories, and have a ton of fun sharing their love of apartment living with others.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-to-find-an-apartment-that-matches-your-taste-245756.html