March is an exciting time! This excitement is not just because of St. Patrick’s Day, March Madness (for the basketball fans reading this), and the hints of spring happening, but because it’s when leasing season truly starts happening. People are looking towards the future, and, especially in the city limits of Pittsburgh, they’re expecting to move in during the summer. August is an especially popular move in time for downtown Pittsburgh residents.

There might be a lot of reasons you want to move, whether for new opportunities, budgetary reasons, or just a change of pace. With Lobos, that moving process can start with clicking on our ad, getting a referral from another resident, driving past a property and deciding you like it – there’s a lot of ways to get in touch with us!

From there, you’ll go on a tour of the place, whether virtual or in-person. While we always recommend in-person tours, as that’s how you can get the best feel of the place, virtual tours are great, too! With both types of tours, your leasing agent will walk you through the ins and outs of the apartment, answering all questions. This article will cover what to look for when touring an apartment, no matter whether you’re touring with us (and we hope you are!) or with another company.

FIRST THINGS FIRST…THE CHECKLIST

Listen, in a lot of ways, we’re old-school at Lobos Management. Yes, we love our technology and Macs and whatnot, but we also know how to appreciate a good, old-fashioned checklist. Whether on paper or on your phone, have questions ready. Know your…

• Budget – and that includes both rent and utilities. Often, you can call the utility companies and they will provide info about what the average cost is for a specific unit. That said, keep in mind this would just be an estimate; the actual total is always based on your specific usage.
• Move-in timeline – when are you moving in? This is important, as different apartments are available at different times. Some are available for an immediate move in, but don’t worry, if you let us know your preferred move-in month, we will match you with apartments that meet your availability.
• Neighborhood – it’s Pittsburgh; each neighborhood is basically a different country! Know what neighborhood suits your needs. Websites like Niche and social media groups can help inform you about what each neighborhood has to offer.
• What’s important to you – what matters to you in an apartment? Maybe you prefer carpet to hardwood, or you have to have a dishwasher. Perhaps you need to be close to a specific place, such as campus or work. Whatever is most important to you, don’t forget to jot down!

Have your questions ready, and know what makes an apartment perfect for you. While we understand that, sometimes, you don’t know exactly what you want until you’re actually in the unit, coming prepared will save you a lot of hassle.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS MATTER

And that doesn’t just go for a first date! What does the exterior of the building look like? Is it clean, landscaped, and well-lit? The conditions of the sidewalks and entryways matter, especially in icy, snowy Pittsburgh. No one wants to be carrying groceries up stairs that look as though they’re going to crumble at any moment. At Lobos, we’re proud to have a team of people dedicated to “walking buildings.” They follow a strict schedule of inspecting buildings for any issues, and any issues are addressed daily by our talented maintenance personnel.

First impressions don’t stop at the outside. What are the hallways of the building like? The smell? The upkeep or the lighting in the common areas is important, too.

THE INTERIOR

Of course, the big reveal is going to be the interior of the apartment. Here are some things to think about:

• Natural light – how bright is it inside the apartment? Understandably, if you’re touring on a rainy day, you might not be able to see this aspect. But, you can ask the leasing agent about natural light, as they’ve probably seen the unit at all times of the day, in all weather conditions.
• Furniture – make sure that your apartment fits all the furniture you can’t live without. You can even ask for a floor plan (at Lobos, we have them for most units) or bring your own tape measure, if you really want to be exact. Sometimes, bedrooms can seem deceptively smaller, when, in reality, they’re good to fit a king-sized bed!
• Storage – some of us have a ton of clothes and shoes, some of us don’t. If you’re in that former category, we don’t judge! All we’ll say is check the closet space to make sure it can fit all your items, and perhaps a closet organizer or two.
• Finishes – carpeting or hardwood floors, how updated the unit feels, whether it features stainless steel appliances – all of these details may or may not matter to you. If they do, be sure to take note of them while you tour!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the heating and cooling systems, as well as what utilities you pay. Clarify any lease details beforehand, and ask any must-know questions! Don’t be afraid to take notes on the apartment, writing down (or typing) what you like or dislike. This goes double if you’re seeing a lot of different places; you don’t want to get your tours confused! At Lobos, the apartments rent quickly, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do a thorough job of inquiring before applying.

THE BOTTOM LINE

We love showing apartments and working with prospects to find the units that work for them. Give us a call to help us find the perfect apartment for you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!