4 Easy Ways To Save On Your Housing Costs
It's no secret that finding affordable housing, especially in the city, can be a tricky challenge. Housing costs seem to keep rising every year; in 2017, the renters of unfurnished apartments in the U.S. paid a median price of 1,492 U.S. dollars per month. If you want to save as much as possible on your future housing and rental costs, here are a few tips you can use to make the best use of your cash.
Know how much space you need: There's a huge difference in looking at whole houses versus just one bedroom apartments. Before you start your housing search, know exactly the amount of space you'll need for the number of people living in the new home. Don't be afraid to look a little smaller than you initially plan; one bedroom apartments can work for a couple if needed.
Don't limit your options: When searching for affordable apartments, most people tend to look for the standard options and limit themselves to unfurnished, long-term apartments. Don't be afraid to venture into new territory, like short term furnished apartments. You might find a hidden gem in your price range that's exactly what you're looking for.
Watch for hidden fees: You might have finally found the right apartment at a reasonable rent, but be careful; you could be walking into a trap. Make sure you ask about utility costs, additional fees, pet fees or rent if you have a pet, parking fees, and so on. If you're not careful, these surprise expenses could drive up your costs to unreasonable levels fairly quickly.
Temporary solutions could help: If you're in a tight spot and need to relocate quickly, it's ok to look for a temporary housing solution first. That way, you have a secure place to stay while you find something more permanent. Check corporate housing availability near you, or look for short term apartments that can be leased quickly. This way, you won't end up getting locked into a long-term lease that you can't afford out of last-minute worries about housing.
Next time you're in need of a new place to stay, use these four tips and you could save a shocking amount of money on your housing costs.