How can you “shelter in place” if you don’t technically have a shelter? If you’ve been in the market for an apartment, you may be feeling discouraged about how long it will take you to complete the apartment shopping process and settle into your new home.
However, just because you need to practice social distancing, that doesn’t mean you are required to put your life plans on hold. We’ve put together some tips to help you continue your apartment search, find a location that makes sense for you, and prepare to settle in when the time is right.
1. Get acquainted with floor plans.
It can feel like there are hundreds of apartment complexes to choose from. However, just taking some time to look at the floorplans different locations offer can help you to start winnowing down your pool of options.
For example, if you know you want an apartment with an open floor plan, you might want to keep the Residences at the Mosey on your list. If you want a 3-bedroom apartment, you might find your perfect match at The Sherwood.
Doing this basic review can be easy and can be completed from home, as most apartment complexes include a floorplan as part of their online profile. By using the search function on the Ellicott Development website, you can easily start narrowing down your criteria and locating the perfect place to call home.
2. Get recommendations from friends.
Reach out directly to friends in the area who’ve stayed in apartments, but also consider posting online. It’s always nice to check in with friends, and most people are checking social media even more than usual during this period of social distancing.
By crowdsourcing your search, you might even hear about some locations you weren’t familiar with or might reconnect with a friend who could become an amazing neighbor.
3. Make a logical list.
Although you’d probably prefer to make your decision based on seeing an apartment location in person, you may actually be able to build the best foundation for your decision by starting your search from home. That way, you’re not overwhelmed with love for a certain location, then discover it’s out of your price range or doesn’t have the unit with the gorgeous view available until 2021.
Make a list that divides your must-haves from your nice-to-haves. For example, a two-bedroom unit might be a must, and a double sink in the bathroom might be a nice-to-have. You can then either review your checklist while doing virtual tours or reviewing photos of different apartment units to see how they match up.
4. Map it out (literally).
If you’re interested in a few different complexes, lay out a map and see how they fit into your daily life. You can ask yourself some of the following questions to determine whether it’s a fit:
– How far is it to your office?
– Does the commute time take traffic into account? What is traffic usually like on your proposed route to and from work?
– How far away are your friends’ homes and how often do you typically plan to see them?
– What are your after-work hobbies, and does this choice place you in good proximity to them (for example, if you love walking in Delaware Park, 960 Busti might be a fit)?
– Is it easy to get to your favorite restaurants and entertainment venues?
– How easy is it to access a gym (The Cooperage apartments might be a great fit if you’re considering working out at Central Rock Gym on a regular basis)?
Putting your potential location into perspective can help to ensure that you’re not swept off your feet by an apartment that checks all the boxes but that causes you to have to make major adjustments in your daily routine.
5. Contact the office.
Once you’ve done the mental legwork, you should have a better awareness of whether you’re serious about a specific location.
At this point, you may be ready to contact the office of the apartment building or property management company. They’ll be able to offer additional insights on the property, share any added benefits that might come along with your residency (like discounted gym memberships or dry cleaning services), and provide guidance on a proper social distancing method to finalize your interest and get set up with your new apartment complex.
What’s the most important thing to remember about your apartment search? Home is where the heart is. An apartment can look great on paper, but you need to consider all the relevant facts before naming a final decision. How far is it from your friends, your family, your favorite activities? Have you been able to balance price and convenience as you’ve selected your ideal location?
If you’re saving a lot of money but you’re letting a busy commute eat up your free time, you’re not going to feel heart-happy or truly at home. Find an apartment you love, in an area you love, in this wonderful Buffalo area that we all love.
