Are you renting your first home? This is incredibly exciting. You may have questions about what happens when something breaks, what happens if you can't make rent on time, or if you can have pets. With so many questions, it Can certainly be overwhelming. Have you already started your apartment search? Are you looking for apartments near Santa Fe? This is a beautiful area to call home, and many things to do. The food is fantastic, the sites are great, and if you know where to look, you can find amazing apartments at reasonable prices. Let's take a look at some of the ways you can get the best apartment for your dollar.

Check Your Budget

Your budget will play a role in how much apartment you can get. Three times your gross salary is about all that most apartments will allow. Going above this number is quite dangerous. It won't give you enough wiggle room for other things like insurance, food, entertainment, etc. Go over your budget before ever putting in an application. This will help you narrow down what apartments are within your price range. It will save you a lot of headaches falling in love with an apartment that is just outside your reach.

Consider A Roommate

You may need to have a roommate. Times are hard. A roommate can certainly lower your monthly rental payment. You can also qualify for a nicer apartment with the help of an extra income. Consider taking on a roommate, or if you already have one in mind, remember to fill out a joint application. Co-applicants mean that both of you are on the hook for the rent. Somebody who is occupying has no tie to the apartment, and therefore if they leave, you could be on the hook for the entire lease.

Avoid Damages

Try to avoid damaging your rental at all costs. It will come back to you when it's time to move out. The costs for repairs, if you look at the itemized sheet that your property manager has, can get expensive quickly. For that reason, take great care of your rental so that you can use that property as a reference in the future.

Do The WalkThrough

Don't skip the walkthrough. It can be tempting to just agree with the property manager that everything is in good order, but it is not. Even if they say it is, it isn't. Make sure you note every little thing that could be wrong with the apartment so that you are not held liable when you move out.