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Best Sites and Apps to Find, Rent, Buy Apartments 2018 | Best apartment search sites

Andrew

top 10 websites apps for finding apartments
Finding that perfect spot, where you come back and unwind after a hard day at work can be a difficult job, especially if you’re not the type of person that can be easily pleased, by any random location.

You have to look through various listings, see if they fit your budget and eventually go check out the place by yourself, just to be sure that everything is ok.

All these things take a lot of time and nerves and we strongly believe that you want to avoid being put in such a situation. In this case, we’re pretty sure that you’re wondering if there is not an easier solution, like doing it online. Well, you said the magic word: “online”.

After doing a bit of research, we’ve come across a few of the best sites and apps (yes, there are dedicated apps for this!) which you can use to find your dream apartment sooner than expected.

Most of these services are free, as the only difference between them is made by their integrated features, like filters, so you can sort out apartments, and many others. But no more chatting and let’s see what we have for you guys!

Apartment List

Available for both Android and iOS, this app can be considered the starting point for any apartment hunter. It presents a huge number of potentially suitable places meeting your criteria.

Also, one of its biggest pluses is the ability to set how much you want to spend, where exactly you would like to live, as well as your commuting route. After providing all this information, just give it a few moments and it will present you all the places matching your criteria.

By far, one of the best places for finding apartments right now!

Realtor.com

Ok, time to switch to a website this time, but one that also has its own app, doing exactly the same thing. We’re talking about Realtor Rentals, which allows users to browse by map or photo view, not to mention that it provides specific driving instructions, so you can check all the apartments you want in person, without an agent.

Within the app, you will find options for setting alerts for all the apartments meeting your criteria, just as they come on the market. Basically, with one simple tap, you can get in contact with the leasing agent or even the owner and start your conversation.

Apartment Guide

Moving on, we have another entry on our list with the best sites and apps to find apartments, called – you’ll never guess this – Apartment Guide, available for iOS and Android.

The app provides HD photos, as well as floor plans, so you can check out any potential location even in the tiniest details. Also, the app, no matter on which platform you’re using it, allows you to actually save listings and share them with your friends. No, not on social media, to brag about your future apartment, but to ask for a second impression.

Bonus points for the interface, which makes it really easy to navigate through.

Rent.com

One of the most popular rentals websites makes it to our top as well. Rent.com offers two methods of checking out properties, through browser or app, which is, by the way, available for Android and iOS.

What we like the most about this option is that you can find all the available times for visiting and, if you come across something you like, book a tour, so you can check out all the details. Additionally, you can check out reviews left by previous residents and narrow down your search according to these.

In the past, it was proven that reviews left by people who actually lived in those apartments had a high impact on the final decision.

HotPads

If you’re looking for listings from major cities, then this is the app to try. However, it’s not limited to these locations!

Something we really like about it is the fact that, besides any other relevant details about a listing, it includes neighborhood details, like nearby schools and the walk score of the area. These are great to help you get an overall feel of the area around the apartment you’re considering buying or renting.

Finally, let’s not forget about the designated hot listings, which are actually the ones attracting the most interest from the app’s users. We bet that you will find something you like here!

Zillow Rentals

With more than 400,000 available spaces, Zillow Rentals is definitely one of the best sites to find apartments. However, the big number of properties you can choose from is not everything!

The website (or app) offers you the ability to personalize a search using filters such as pet policy, in-unit laundry or even on-site parking. Once you’re done, just save the searches that interest you the most, if you’re not yet decided, so you can check them out whenever you want.

If you’re not convinced on whether you should rent or buy, you can also check out all the homes available for sale in the Zillow network. Because guess what? There are also a lot which you can purchase!

Abodo

Last but not least, we also have Abodo. Abodo provides a visually streamlined way to search for rentals, using basic requirements, like the rent price, the total number of bedrooms, but also gives you the ability to select non-negotiables, like air-conditioning or pet-friendliness. If you want to check out the details for selected listings, it’s actually very easy, as they open up over the search results, so you can sort them considering the relevancy, price, recency, or even popularity.

Search tip: In map view, listing icons turn grey after you’ve clicked on them, so you won’t end up checking the same listing multiple times.

And we’re done! Hopefully, our selection of the best sites and apps to find apartments will help you come across the perfect spot for you! Obviously, if you know any similar variants, do let us know about them, using the comments section below!

How to Get Your First Apartment as a College Student

Andrew

First Apartment for College Student
After the first year, most college students prefer to get their own apartment instead of living on campus. This will give you even greater independence and help you learn the responsibilities of adult life early on. Besides, it will certainly be a lot of fun. Renting an apartment, however, isn’t simple. Check out the steps you must go through and get practical tips on how to do everything right.

Preparing a Budget

You have to calculate how much you can afford to spend on renting an apartment while at college. When doing the math, include not only the rental rate, but also the additional expenses that tenants have to cover. These usually include the utility bills, although sometimes they may be included in the rent, and the subscription fees for the paid services that you will use on the property such as internet and satellite TV, to name some of the most common ones. You also have to take into account the number of roommates that you will be sharing the property with.

Defining Your Requirements

Location is the first thing to consider when renting a property. You’d want it to be close to your college and/or to have convenient public transport connections. When it comes to choosing a neighborhood, the ones that are popular with college students are usually the best choice as life will be easier in a community like this.

While most students can’t afford comforts such as having a private bathroom, you have to think about the things which you cannot go without and write them down. For example, many college students prefer to live in an apartment building where there is not only maintenance, but also a higher level of security.

Research and Evaluation

It’s best to start your search in the spring when graduates vacate the apartments they’ve lived in. The higher inventory at that time will give you not only a larger choice, but also more bargaining power. The more listings you check online, the better. Just make sure that you are using only legitimate websites.

It’s a good idea to keep a list of your requirements with you when you visit rental apartment. You should also have all questions which are important to you written down, so that you don’t forget to ask them. If you notice something strange or you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask about it directly.

Signing the Lease Agreement

In general, the longer the lease is, the lower the rental rate will be and vice versa. Still, it is reasonable for it to cover only the school year, unless you are planning to spend your summer there too. When reading the agreement, go over the terms and conditions very carefully to get a clear understanding of your rights and liabilities. Go over the list of amenities and items and ensure that they are present, just to be on the safe side.

Last, but not least, before moving in, you should consider getting renter insurance to cover your possessions. This is an effective way to protect yourself against a major financial setback, even if you live in a highly secure building.

Housing benefit for single person under 35 years in UK

Andrew

In the United Kingdom, there are certain housing benefit rules that are applicable to people who are single and under 35 years of age. This article will give a brief overview of these rules and explain how you can take advantage of them.

Eligibility

Before you apply for housing benefit, it is advisable to use a benefits calculator to confirm if you are eligible. There are instances when you might be required to claim Universal Credit. For you to qualify for housing benefit, these are the requirements:

  • Your savings are below £16,000
  • You pay rent
  • You are claiming benefits or have a low income

You are eligible to apply for the program, no matter if employed or unemployed. However, if you are living with a partner, only one person will get a housing benefit. If you qualify, you will be in a position to get a benefit for a single room in shared accommodation or a bed-sitter accommodation, if you are a lone.

Who is not eligible for a housing benefit?

  • You have saving of more than £16,000
  • You are sponsored to be in UK or an asylum seeker
  • You are a full-time student
  • You live in a relative’s home
  • You are living in the country as an European Economic Area jobseeker
  • You are under immigration control

The Shared accommodation rate

This refers to the rent level that is allowed for an individual who can afford one bedroom and shares a living room, kitchen and bathroom within the conditions of the tenancy agreement. In such a case, you can get housing benefit at the rate of a single shared room. This means that you may not get enough money to pay the house rent.

What happens to those who are under 35 and are renting privately?

In a situation where you have rented self-contained house, you are eligible for the local housing allowance rate for a one-bedroom house on the condition that:

  • You haven’t been paid housing benefit in the previous year
  • You were able to cater for your rent when you moved in.

In such a scenario, housing benefit will cover your house rent for the first 13 weeks. After the 13 weeks, you can only get the rate of shared accommodation.

Students

Full-time students are no eligible to claim housing benefit although there are a few exceptions. Part-time students who rent privately are allowed to claim housing benefit. Those who live in university owned housing are allowed to claim housing benefit if they fall into specific categories.

Additional Factors that are taken into account when determining housing benefits

After the Housing Executive decides on the rent level that will be used for the calculation of the benefit size, they must conduct a means test and consider all non-dependant deductions.

Means Test

The Executive will evaluate your weekly income to determine whether it is higher than what the government recommends. If so, you must use some of the money to pay your rent and contribute towards rates and charges.

Non Dependant Deductions

If you have a roommate, the Housing Executive may reduce the housing benefit that will be awarded to you.