Make Yourself a Budget

1. Set a budget.
Consider how much you can afford to pay and follow the “rule” not to exceed 30-percent of your monthly income. Focus your search according to your budget and though you may be forced to compromise when finding a bigger apartment in a better area, make sure it’s worth spending the extra money. If you’re looking for a cheaper place to rent, try roommate services to share an apartment, but make sure you know what types of people or habits you’d prefer to avoid.
2. Where to search?
Not going to use a broker’s services because of the extra cost the next thing is to look in the newspaper classifieds, apartment hunter publications, college campus bulletin boards or on the Internet. You’ll know the rental market much better and will will probably get yourself a better deal. Also tell your friends that you’re looking for an apartment to rent and maybe they know something in their buildings.
3. What to search for?

Take a sheet of paper and write them down your requirements list. Do you want a quiet building close to school or work, that allows pets and has free parking? How about a dishwasher machine or laundry facilities nearby?
You may also want to visit the neighborhood at various times of the day, night and weekend to see if it’s what you expected.
These all count when you decide where to live in for the next few months, if not years.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments

Making Space Bigger

The 87 percent of Americans who describe their home as small to medium in size know the importance of using every square inch to maximum efficiency. Rather than making their space look bigger, people want a cozy, intimate feel and prefer to use their space wisely and get the most out of it. "One of the great things about small rooms is that they help us think creatively about the way we live," said Jackie Hirschhaut, Vice President of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. "Furniture is a true complement to a small abode – it helps you maximize your space by providing function, comfort and style."AFMA suggests the following tips for ways to increase square footage without building on an addition:Go Vertical Consider tall furniture rather than wide to preserve precious floor space.e taken advantage of the valuable space under the bed – in style. Use decorative boxes and storage bins to stow out-of-season clothing, wrapping paper, sporting goods or anything else.Retractable Doors When shopping for an armoire or entertainment center, look for ones with retractable doors to provide more space when the doors are open.Try the Kids' Department Youth furniture is designed to fit into smaller rooms but also accommodates adults just fine. Have a small guest bedroom or a little alcove office? A child's dresser or desk might be the perfect fit.Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' Many pieces of furniture have wheels – whether it is a sofa, a coffee table, a storage shelf, kitchen table or an ottoman. Enjoy extra mobility and function with a wheeled piece of furniture that is fashionable and practical.Don't Leaf It Out If a full-size dining room table is just too big for the dining area, ask your retailer about one with removable leaves.Accent It A mirror is always a nice accent to any room, but especially a small one. Mirrors add light and depth when space is limited. And the right accessories will highlight one's personal style and enhance the intimacy of a small space.For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments

It Pays to Know Your Tenant Rights

By Rose Eustachio
February 2001
Fewer available rental units and skyrocketing rents have created a landlord's market in Los Angeles County, giving landlords an incentive to evict their tenants. Tenants are understandably worried about their housing options. Evicting a longtime tenant and replacing him or her with a new tenant who is willing and capable of paying the higher market rate has become easier and more profitable for landlords. This article will focus on the common reasons tenants get evicted and how to prevent an eviction.
Contract LawAll tenants must understand that leases and rental agreements, which are contracts, govern most tenancies. When you sign any contract, you are agreeing to be bound by its terms. If either party does not follow the terms of the contract, one party can be sued by the other.
It's important for every tenant to read and understand all the terms of their contract (lease). All of your rights and responsibilities as a tenant are contained in the written lease agreement signed by both the tenant and landlord. Most leases, for example, have a grace period or a fee for late rent. Unless given to you in the rental agreement, the law does not provide you with a grace period.
Advertisement Tenants should make sure that any oral agreements are properly written into the contract. A one-year lease, for example, may have a no-pets clause. If the landlord orally agrees to allow the tenant to keep a cat, the tenant should make sure either the landlord or the tenant crosses out the no-pets clause with a pen and adds a sentence allowing the cat before signing the lease. This is very important because handwritten terms are given greater weight in court that a pre-printed term. For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments

Questions to Ask When you Rent

The ad made it sound like more of a dream come true than an apartment for rent. You are desperate to land this place and know it’s the home you’ve been looking for. Your instincts, however, tell you that your dream pad isn’t as perfect as it seems. But what are the hidden problems and how will you uncover them before signing the lease? The next twelve months are way too long to live with squeaky plumbing, a ferocious dog next dog and a dishwasher that leaks all over the floor during every single cycle. The staff at Apartments.com knows the perfect rental is out there for you and wants to make sure you find it—not its evil imposter. Here are the questions you need to ask when renting an apartment.When you call about the ad…Confirm all the claims made in the ad and clarify any sketchy statements. “Cozy outdoor space” could mean a cute little deck or a fire escape running down seven floors. Ask the owner/management company for exact descriptions.Ask for the total square footage of the apartment as well as the footage of each room.Make sure the rent is exactly what was listed and that the availability date matches your schedule. There’s no sense in wasting time viewing an apartment that isn’t going to be ready for three months if you’re ready to move next week.If you have any special needs, such as a dog that will be moving in with you or an allergy to a certain type of carpet, be sure your requirements can be met.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments.