Gettin' the HELL out! Advice on flyin' the coup!

[lil_dcb7]

This WAS going to be a rant thread about my sister being a complete and utter bitch, but i decided to turn it around.


I looked at some of the apartments for rent around here (where my new job is, specifically) and i've come to the conclusion that I can head out on my own. I can't take my sister and my dad bickering all the time. And when they get pissed at each other, they get pissy with me.

ANYWAY getting off track. I figure the income of my day job i just snagged will be more than enough to cover living expenses (Income of that job is well over 2x the rent of a bunch of places im looking at). and money i make on the side with importing parts and cars and such will be purely for playing. (most likely saving )

My biggest concern is: Since I was laid off back in november, My credit is FAR from perfect (im guessing im in the mid 500's right about now. Is it possible to just pay for say, a year's lease upfront so i dont have to dick with the credit checks etc? I just want to hand some one a check for 12K and say leave me the hell ALONE for a year.

I'm 19. Is there an age limit to rent an apartment? Like 21 or some crap?

I've never rented before, will that disqualify me for a lot of places, even if i pay for a year (or six months) up front?

What about our cars? If my car is vandalized in their parking lot/garage/structure, are they liable? or am I SOL and using my own insurance?

I would really appreciate some advice from people with first hand experiences. Can you guys spare some advice or helpful info, warnings etc? I tried calling a leasing agent.. While she had helpful info, she couldnt answer any of the questions I had.

Gracias fellas!

[texasvtak]

Other half of that income enough for insurance and all the other wonderful life expenses?

[lil_dcb7]

Other half of that income enough for insurance and all the other wonderful life expenses?

yessir. I've learned a valuable lesson because of this recession. Overestimate.

[19dabeast85]

Each apartment complex is going to have different rules but....

Generally if you are under 21, you need to get a cosigner on your rent contract who is at least 21. Offering to pay the first year up front may override this though. Simplest thing to do is find what you're looking for, visit and ask questions. Also ask to what degree they attempt to protect vehicles or offer assistance on vandalism (most likely none).

Shop around for the best prices. Rent.com is a good place to start to find what all is in your area. Try to find brand new apartments as they usually run promotions to get residents quickly. Check online and newspapers classifieds for discounts, etc.


Oh and get rent insurance as soon as you move in. Remember to check with your auto insurance company as you might get a discount for having both policies with the same company (I do making rent insurance about $50/yr)

[sackingz123]

I would find a roommate on craigslist. Much cheaper.

[93EXaesthetic]

apartments.com isnt bad for seeing whats in your area

[lil_dcb7]

Im really looking into this community.

http://www.liveatvistaterraza.com/


Its TEN minutes away from where I work. Compared to now.. which is 37 minutes-ish. Looks really spiffy too.

[sackingz123]

those prices look good, is this typical SD apart rates? Wondering how small is that 1 bed for 5xx.

[lil_dcb7]

those prices look good, is this typical SD apart rates? Wondering how small is that 1 bed for 5xx.

Thats probably a studio. Typical price for a one bed is probably around 800-1100, depending on what part of town. You can be in the slums for around 500 bucks.

I figure my complete comfort limit is 1200. My goal is 850. That place looks like it can deliver.

[C91BLX7]

Work from home outta Wisconsin, you'll gain 100lbs and diabetes but shits cheap!

[lil_dcb7]

Work from home outta Wisconsin, you'll gain 100lbs and diabetes but shits cheap!

Unfortunately, I cant work from home. I need to be at the office.

[ChIoVnIdCa]

I'm 19. Is there an age limit to rent an apartment? Like 21 or some crap?

Many places want a renter to be atleast 21... Or have a stable work history, good credit, and a decent income

I've never rented before, will that disqualify me for a lot of places, even if i pay for a year (or six months) up front?

No worry about credit first

I figure the income of my day job i just snagged will be more than enough to cover living expenses (Income of that job is well over 2x the rent of a bunch of places im looking at)

It is said that you should spend 33% of your income on housing (utilitys, insurance, etc) ... When you get a mortgage you will hear that number..

My biggest concern is: Since I was laid off back in november, My credit is FAR from perfect (im guessing im in the mid 500's right about now. Is it possible to just pay for say, a year's lease upfront so i dont have to dick with the credit checks etc? I just want to hand some one a check for 12K and say leave me the hell ALONE for a year.

Crack heads do that. If I was the landowner id be concerned about accepting that money up front. When people rent houses/ apartments to convert to meth labs they will pay up front so they do not have to deal with the landowner every so often.. Its also risky for you.. What if the landowner gets forecosed on after two months.. What if the place burns down and the owner ditches it.. What if the owner dies...?

Most nice places will do a credit check.. If they accept you with a credit score in the 500's I worry about who your neighbors are..(since they accept basically anyone with a pulse). But also most will try to work with you... A larger security deposit, co-signer, references, etc...)

What about our cars? If my car is vandalized in their parking lot/garage/structure, are they liable? or am I SOL and using my own insurance?

No .... Unless they are grossly negligent.. In other words basically never.










If I was you I would be looking for someone trying to rent out a condo. Not though a agency. Probably will have better neighbors, less likely to do a credit check, and may be more understanding.

[Chrisisiced]

In your situation it looks like it would be best to deal with a landlord or owner directly as opposed to going through an agency or realtor. If you go through one of them they'll be more likely to do all their homework on your background ie. previous renting experience, work history, credit check and all that stuff. If you know for a fact you have bad credit then you want to avoid credit checks at all costs. I think you're best bet would probably be to check out the craigslist ads and look specifically in the section that says for rent "by owner"

Good luck

[Macaqueistrong]

If your interested in a place and they are willing to rent to you, make sure you ask what apartment they would like to put you in, once you know that, go to that complex and park by your possible apartment and sit and watch for a little while.

When I first moved into my apartment I was so excited that I was going to be on my own and I would have so much freedom and what not, that I didnt even consider my surroundings, I hated all my neighbors! My upstairs neighbor would stomp walk so I could basically tell where she was at, at any given moment, my next store neighbors partied all the time, and my other next door neighbor parked wherever they pleased.

If I would have scoped out my apartment before moving in, than I would have seen how that area was and I would have easily asked for another available apartment.

[owequitit]

Your best bet is to start asking the places you want to rent from.

Jump in and learn as you go.