If you find yourself moving to a new city or area, you may be searching for an affordable apartment or house to rent. The good thing is you have a variety of options to help your search.

You should first consider your monthly income status. If you are searching for an apartment, you may be eligible to seek financial assistance from organizations such as HUD, if you fall within a certain income bracket. Such organizations will work with your specific level of income so that you only commit to pay what you can afford. You might also take a few minutes to sit with a financial services representative at your credit union or bank. Often times, these representatives are willing to consult with you and help you understand what monthly expenses you can afford.

Once you know how much rent you can afford per month, you should make a list of areas which are ideal to your place work, daycare or other obligations. You might choose specific neighborhoods based on your income level and the proximity of the apartments to your daily destinations.

Now you are ready to start your search. A first stop might be an online search using key words such as “affordable apartments for rent,” or “affordable homes for rent,” followed by the name of your desired area or city and state. This search should prompt a list of specific rental postings as well as rental companies that help manage properties owned by others. These type companies can certainly help you in your search if you contact them directly and explain what you’re looking for. Often rental agencies have access to properties not listed in other rental guide books or online. They might even have alternative housing options available to you, such as a private apartment for rent behind a homeowner’s main house.

A second option is to seek guidance from those around you. Ask your colleagues at work, friends, family members or others (those that might be familiar with the area) where the best locations are for affordable rental properties. These people too, might know of inexpensive, unadvertised properties in your desired area.

You can also search for rental properties in the local newspapers and/or rental property guides available in many communities. You can identify available apartments for rent and then “do the legwork” of contacting each or driving to the locations and visiting with the apartment managers or home owners to ask questions.

Keep in mind you’ll want to understand the complete rules, regulations and specifics of the rental contract prior to making any kind of commitment. As a renter, you must abide the contract, so you’ll want to be familiar with the management’s expectations ahead of time.

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