Apartment #2

We saw our second option.

Two Bedroom Option

Money Details:

• $685 monthly rent
• Application $50 each adult
• $150 Processing Fee due at move-in
• $125 refundable deposit
• $50 Monthly Garage Rental

Apartment Details:

• 2 bedroom
• 2 Full baths
• 1051 square feet
• Full size washer/dryer connection in a closet off the bathroom
• His and Her closets in the master
• 1 bath is off the master
• large screened in porch with a storage closet.
• Living Room is 14X12
• Dining Room is 8'10''X8'2"
• Master bedroom is 13'4"X12'2"
• Kids Bedroom is 11'2"X8'6"
• Dishwasher
• Ice maker
• garage disposal
• Ceiling fan in living room
• Painted Accent wall

Three Bedroom Option

Money Details:

• $900 monthly rent
• All other details are the same
• Apartment Details:

• 3 Bedrooms
• 2 Full Baths
• 1334 square feet
• Full size washer/dryer connection in a closet off hall
• His and Her closets in the master
• 1 bath is off the master
• large screened in porch with a storage closet
• Living Room is 14X12
• Dining Room is 8'X12'
• Master bedroom is 13'X11'6"
• Bedroom #2 is 13'X11'6"
• Bedroom #3 is 11'6"X12'4"
• Dishwasher
• Ice maker
• garage disposal
• Ceiling fan in living room
• Painted accent wall
  

Complex Details:

• 1/2 mile walking trail
• redwood dry heat saunas
• pool
• heated whirlpool spa
• tanning bed
• Gym (decent)
• sand volleyball court
• picnic areas with grills and tables
• On-site recreational events & programs
• walking distance to all the basics (Grocery, Mall, restaurants, shops, nail salons, etc.)
• complimentary fax and copy service
• Free WI-Fi in common areas
• In elementary and middle school district with bus service
• Poolside picnic area with grills
• on-site 24 hour laundry room
• Car wash on property

The apartments appeared a little run down. They have the air of a place that used to be very nice but have gone down hill. They did have almost everything we were looking for. It had all the must haves except #4 was iffy. The 2 bedroom has 1, 3, 5, 7-10, 12-16, 18, 20-22, 24, & 25. The three bedrooms has 2, 3, 5, 7-10, 12-16, 18, 20-22, 24, & 25. I was happy they had so many of our wants but they were missing a must have. They were nice but off as I said. They people there seemed off as well. They have a very phony vibe. I just had the feeling that she was lying to me the whole way through.

There were big signs saying rent special everywhere so I asked what the rent normally was. The lady told me that's what the rent is. I said will it stay the same after the lease is up. She said I don't know. I asked her what she meant. I mean honestly they do not know what your rent will be? She said we go on fair market value. The whole thing seemed fishy to me. I came home and did a little research. Apparently they have a habit of luring people in with these low rental prices for the first year and then jumping the rent $200 to $300 a month when the lease is up! Most of what I found said that the 3 bedrooms jumped to $1150-$1200! That's ridiculous! After that it became clear that my instincts were spot on. These people are trying to rip people off. That was why they felt so sketchy.

This place has been marked off the list!

Apartment #1

We saw our first apartment option.

Here's the Details:

Money Details:

• Base Rent $725 (Must pay an extra $15 for first floor and waste water is set at $35 a month)
• Garage is an extra $50 with no opener
• Super picky about Credit, rental history and time at job
• $45 Application fee per adult
• $50 Administrative fee due at move in
• $99 to $725 Deposit dependent on credit

Apartment Details:

• 2 Bedrooms
• 2 Full Baths
• 1,125 SQ Feet
• Fully Equipped Kitchen with Frost free refrigerator, dishwasher, electric self cleaning oven, and built in Microwave oven
• Ceiling Fans
• Huge Walk-in Closets in both bedrooms
• Private Patio or Balcony of Living room
• Washer and Dryer Connection in a rather large laundry room
• Chandelier in Dining Room
• Coat Closet in Front Hall
• Looks Nice
• 1 Car Garage Rental
• No Stairs for First Floor Places

Complex Details:

• NICE GYM!
• Large Pool with huge Sun Deck
• Tanning Bed
• Tennis Court
• Full Basketball Court
• Sand Volleyball Court
• Recreational Room
• 24 Hour laundry on-site
• Clubhouse with Sitting Room with Fireplace and Wide Screen Television
• Indoor Racquetball Courts
• Picnic Area
• Playground
• Convenient
• In Elementary School District
• Possibly in Middle School District (They were not sure because lines just changed. Waiting to hear back from the school.)

The full rent will be $825. If it is in the middle school district then it has all the must haves. On the Wants list it has 3-5, 7, 9, 11-18, 20, 23, and 25. Kind-of's 8, 19, 6. It had issue about 5 years ago when a lady was stabbed in her apartment but they haven't had any problems since. The guy was caught.

Doesn't have 10, 21, 22 and 24. Not being walking friendly is the only one of these that really bothers me.

This place is still in the running. Over-all we liked it. The bedrooms were good sized, closets were huge, and the gym was great! My only concern is how picky they are about credit. I do not have much credit. My husband has credit from buying our car. I never wanted to hamper myself with credit cards that I did not really need. His credit is good enough but I do not know if mine is. We both have to meet the guide lines or we have to put down a full month of rent and here's the kicker, have a co-signer! I have been a renter for 10 years and I have never encountered this.

There's the Pros and Con's of apartment #1. On to #2!

Apartment Search has begun!

We will be moving again soon. I will be weighing in on each place as we see them. Then I will let you know which we choose in the end. In order to help us decide what was important we made out a list of things that are must haves and things we would like to have. The "can't live without" list is short. We will not move into a place in which we can not get these things. The "like to have" list is a different story. I have put the "want list" in order of importance to us.
Must Haves:

1. 2 bedrooms
2. 1 & 1/2 baths
3. Within the right middle school district
4. Nice looking and well maintained
5. First floor with minimal stairs (This is for Ivy since she may have to have surgery & physical therapy in the near future.)
6. If two stories there must be a bathroom down stairs
7. Washer/Dryer connections
8. Under our budget of $900 (This is a fair budget for housing in this area.)

Want List:

1. Under $800
2. 3 bedrooms
3. Garage
4. Large Closets
5. In the right elementary school district with bus service
6. Good overall reputation and newer buildings
7. Pool with bathrooms
8. Kid Friendly atmosphere
9. Large Living room
10. Within walking distance from shops and recreational places, with sidewalks
11. Nice kitchen
12. Patio
13. Newer Heating & air
14. Storage
15. Gym
16. Convenient location
17. Good Lighting
18. 2 Full Baths
19. Convenient Trash location
20. Playground
21. Garbage disposal
22. Ice makers
23. Vanity area in bathroom
24. Painted accent walls or the ability to paint
25. Tanning Bed

That's our demands, lol. I'll give you a run down of each place as we see them.