Apartments in Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol,Tri-City, TN

Save Money On Your Next Apartment Search

Do a Little Research

With so many online resources (like Tri-City Apartment Guide!) you can accomplish a lot before stepping out the door. This makes it easy to compare rents, amenities, relative locations, pet policies, and more before physically visiting each property. If you can rule out some of the communities on your list prior to visiting, it will minimize the time and money spent touring apartments.

Don't Bother with a Broker

Using a real estate agent or a broker can be very helpful, but in most cases isn't necessary to find a new apartment. Since the aforementioned resources are readily available online, it's simple to find the apartments you may be interested in and set up appointments with the property manager for a tour. In the end, not using a broker can really save you money: typically they charge a hefty commission, a percentage of your first year's rent.

Plan Tours Logically

Planning the apartment tours you'll take ahead of time is a fantastic money saver. Set aside specific days or blocks of time solely for tours, so you can group them in the same time frame. Then, try to schedule them in an organized manner, such as by neighborhood, so you minimize driving between each location. Not only does this save you money, but it puts less stress on your schedule.

Ask About Utilities

Sometimes rent can sound like a steal until you get your first month's utility bills! While taking an aparmtent tour, make sure to ask about average utility costs. The more energy efficient a unit is, the better. Make note of these costs and add to the advertised rental rate for a final number. This will allow you to compare apartments more accurately. If the prospective apartment community cannot give you a number, you can call the local utility company and with the community's address, they will give you the information.

Clear out the Clutter

The more things you own, the more you have to move. By de-cluttering your current space you will in turn be saving money by being able to get a smaller truck, renting it for less time, and needing less manpower to move things.