3 tips to make your Melbourne apartment hunt easier

Starting your apartment hunt? In areas as hot as Melbourne’s northern suburbs, winning rental properties go fast.

While there are plenty of amazing homes out there, there are also heaps of tenants eager to snatch them up. As an apartment hunter, this can get frustrating – particularly if you’re not having any luck.

There are ways, however, to make your search easier and more successful. Here are three pro tips:

1. Write a list of exactly what you’re after

Browsing the web, viewing homes, filling out applications – it all requires a bit of running around. You can save time, however, by only inspecting homes you’d realistically move into.

Start by thinking critically about your requirements. Is a parking space essential? Do you need an extra bedroom for guests? How important is garden/balcony space to you?

In addition to considering your must-haves, think about your no-ways and note these as well.

Once you know exactly what you’re after, you can narrow your search by only seeking out and viewing homes that meet all of your requirements.

You can make your apartment hunt easier by registering for Property Alerts via the Nelson Alexander website by creating an account and entering in your property requirements such as how many bedrooms, bathrooms, parking spaces and the maximum rent per week you are willing to pay – you will then receive alerts when a property that suits your needs becomes available!

2. Introduce yourself to the agent during a home viewing

At crowded open houses, it can be very difficult to connect with the agent or property manager. Making that contact, however, could help your application stand out in the stack.

Rental properties in popular areas could get hundreds of applications, which is why it’s so important to make a strong impression at the house viewing. If you can, secure a private viewing. If not, simply introducing yourself or asking a few questions can go a long way.

You can also express your interest by:

• Including a brief description of yourself in the application,
• Sending an email to the agent after the viewing to thank them for their time, and
• Phoning the agent, a couple of days after you’ve applied for a rental.

Any extra effort you put in could be the secret to landing your dream home!

3. Be organised and act fast on great rentals

Don’t miss out when you find something you really like – act fast and apply right away.

Anyone who has completed a rental application knows how much information is needed. To avoid delays, make sure you have everything sorted ahead of time, including:

• Passport
• Proof of residency,
• Copy of driver’s license or other photo ID
• Proof of employment
• Medicare card
• Student card

You should also take the time to contact your references and let them know that they may be contacted.

Ready to take the next step in your apartment hunt? Get in touch with the team at Nelson Alexander today.

Working with an experienced real estate agency is a guaranteed way to make your apartment hunt quicker and easier, so don’t hesitate. Give us a call or drop into one of our offices.