Showing posts with label Apartment hunting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apartment hunting. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

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!