The Secret to Scoring the Best Deals on Apartments in Oklahoma

According to a recent report by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, one in four renters spend half their income on rent and utilities. Competition is rising as more Oklahoman’s choose to rent instead of buy. This, in turn, is driving up the demand in rental markets – pushing renters to be more strategic in their apartment hunting.

If you’re building credit, saving for a down payment or simply not ready for the responsibility of a home, renting an apartment is great. However, the search itself can be as much fun as getting a tooth pulled. We have some good news, though. If you roll up your sleeves and do a bit of homework earlier, not only will the process involve less stress – but you’ll be in a place of power when negotiating rent.

Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn our industry secrets for scoring the best deals on apartments in Oklahoma.

The Best Time(s) of Year to Rent

Aside from your current lease or living situation, finding a good deal starts with timing. For example, if you’re searching for an apartment in a town with lots of college students, waiting until September can allow you to secure a better rate. This is because apartment communities are pushed to fill vacancies. And because it’s often slower in spring and autumn, the demand is down so you’ll encounter more price-drops.

The Best Places to Start Your Apartment Search

To find the best deal on apartments in Oklahoma, you’ll need to start searching online. Sites like rent.com and apartments.com are great for side-by-side comparisons. However, they may not include all the pricing details so it’s best to reach out to the complex itself once you’ve narrowed down your choices. Another place to look is individual property management sites. The most important thing is to be persistent and checking listings on a regular basis.

Another thing to do when searching for apartments is taking your search to friends and family. Let them know you’re looking for a place. Sometimes you’ll find out about a developing community before it’s on the market. Other times, you’re able to gain good leads or even a roommate!

Assess the Rental Market

Once you’ve narrowed your search and found a couple places you’re interested in, do a comparison search to identify if the rent is competitive with the rest of the market in that area. Sites like hotpads.com and rentometer.com are great resources that analyze how a complex’s rent compares with others nearby.

Practice Flexibility

If you’re not in a rush, you might consider a smaller, less costly floor plan with the same number of bedrooms. Or, if your heart is set on a city-central apartment and you can’t afford the rent, expand your search to the surrounding neighborhoods. You’ll often find that nearby apartments provide similar if not identical features with better rates.

Ask About Incentives

When speaking with a leasing agent or touring an apartment, ask if they offer any incentives for new resident (or renewals). For example, most places will offer you a lower price if you sign a 12-month lease versus a 6-month. Some apartments also waive application fees or offer bonuses for referring a friend to the complex.

Weigh the Amenities

Having troubles deciding between two properties? Bring your focus to the amenities each one offers. For example, one may cost less but the other offers free wi-fi and a 24-hour gym. Determine the potential cost of the amenities and take them into consideration when making your final decision. One may offer you short-term savings while the other may be more affordable in the long-term.
You may be feeling all sorts of pressure to sign the dotted line. But, going into the conversation with research and market comparisons gives you more negotiation power when it comes to price. And, keep in mind; rent is always something you do until you buy a home. The more time and effort you put into any apartment search, the happier you (and your wallet) will be.

Searching for an apartment in Norman, OKC, Edmond or Tulsa? Our Northstar Properties team is here to help. Reach out to us at (405) 310-6450 to schedule a personal tour of our communities today!

For More Info: Best Apartments Norman Okc

A Student Living Guide to Affordable Apartments in Norman

Students want to find the most affordable housing possible. Can we blame them? With tuition, facility fees and books, things can get expensive really quickly. Most colleges and universities require freshmen to live on campus. But, by the end of that first year, many find themselves searching for cheaper living arrangements elsewhere.

In addition to cost, other common reasons students choose to venture off campus include noise, limited space, strict rules, non-negotiable meal plans and roommate problems. Sigh no more, though. In this quick guide, we’ll show you where to find affordable apartments in Norman and help you prepare for any expenses during the transition.

Where to Find Affordable Apartments in Norman

With resources like Apartments.com, Zillow and Trulia at your fingertips, you can explore just about any area and its living options. You’ll first narrow your search by geographic location, budget and number of bedrooms.

However, finding the right apartment goes beyond the price tag. Sometimes the cheapest apartments don’t offer the best quality, while the most expensive apartments might be limited in space.
To help jumpstart your hunt, Northstar has five apartment communities in Norman that strike the perfect balance of quality and affordability. Each is strategically placed in an area of Norman that makes commuting easy for its residents.

For example, if you have a tight schedule but would love to run home in-between classes, Alameda Pointe is only eight minutes away from campus. Or, if you only have school 2-3 days out of the week and prefer quiet places to study, The Landing on 9 is a great option.

Another aspect you want to consider during your search is amenities. The majority of our apartments feature saltwater swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds and more. Click here to explore what each of our five Norman properties has to offer.

8 Expenses to Consider With Apartments

Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to 2-3 apartments, it’s time to start scheduling tours. As you speak with leasing managers and begin learning more about the properties, you’ll want to take your other living expenses into consideration when weighing the total cost.
Here are some additional expenses to think about:

1. Deposit

Landlords and leasing companies usually require a deposit in the case of potential damage to the apartment. During your tour, ask if the deposit is refundable and inquire about the factors that typically cause residents to lose it.

2. Renter’s Insurance

Some leasing companies require renter’s insurance while others don’t. Ask the leasing agent if it’s required and if they offer a resident discount. Typically, this will cost anywhere between $5 to $10 extra a month depending on the policy. If the apartment doesn’t require renter’s insurance, don’t shrug it off just yet. Depending on your belongings and how valuable they are, it might be wise to insure them just in case.

3. Washer and Dryer

The majority of apartments won’t come with washers and dryers in the unit. However, some do and others might have laundry facilities on premise. Ask the leasing agent if they have them in the apartments, and if not, if they have their own laundry facilities

4. Pets

If you have a pet, there will most likely be an extra deposit or monthly fee to let them stay in the apartment. Ask if pets are allowed, what the added cost would be, and if the apartment has special areas for pets to run around and play.

5. Uncovered Utilities

During your tour, ask if any utilities are included in the rent amount such as trash/sewer, water, gas, electric, cable or other services. If they are, score!

6. Subleasing

If you find yourself in the situation where you need to move, it’s good to know your apartment’s protocol. Ask the agent what the rules and costs are for breaking the lease, how it would affect your rental history and if they would allow you to sublease to another student.

Ready to Start Apartment Hunting?

Rent and utilities will often equal 30 to 50 percent of your monthly income. As a whole, aim for 30 percent but remember that safety trumps affordability. Financial aid can cover some of these costs, but not all of them. If you plan to live off-campus, you can’t afford to overlook any possibilities to save on housing.

Having a roommate or two can help cut the cost of rent, utilities, internet and food significantly. It can also boost your credit standing or lack of references when applying for apartments.

To keep yourself from being financially stressed, use a budgeting app like Mint to track how you’re spending your income. Identify your reoccurring expenses, arrange by priority and sync up due dates with your phone. Being proactive is the best way to make adjustments along the way and save more money in the long-term.

Have a Question About an Apartment We Mentioned?

If you’re ready to start apartment hunting, our team at Northstar Properties is here to help. Reach out to us today at any of our five Norman apartments and we’ll be happy to schedule a personal tour for you!

The Landing on 9 // 405-364-4862                Alameda Pointe // 405-701-3622
Savannah Ridge // 405-360-7887                   Savannah Square // 405-321-0002

Savannah Harbor // 405-321-0002

For More info Visit Here : Large Condominiums OKC