Finding an apartment or house can be extremely stressful, especially in Morgantown. There are many places and factors that go into the housing market here. However, knowing what to ask and what to look for will make the house search go much smoother.
Do: Make friends with your neighbors
Neighbors are everything. They are either going to be loud or quiet (or even a combination of the two). Remember: you’re in Morgantown. Be prepared for anything.
Do: Find a pet friendly place (if you want animals).
Don’t: Sneak a pet into a non-pet friendly place.
This can have serious consequences for some landlords. You could lose your security deposit, have to pay a fine, and confiscate the animal. To avoid all of these mishaps just find a pet-friendly place. There are a lot in Morgantown, and if you go tour a place, just ask.
Do: Be prepared to pay quite a lot up-front
In most cases, you have to pay a security deposit and occasionally the last-months rent so that they know you are serious about living there. Depending on your price range and the rent price, it can be a hefty expense.
Do: Make sure you’re living with someone/people you get along with.
Just like the dorms or any other form of living with other people, make sure that you get along with your roommates. It can be quite different than the dorms, simply because there aren’t as many rules stipulating what you can and cannot do (there may be, just make sure you look at the lease).
Do: Make sure there’s parking
Don’t: Assume there is parking at every place
Morgantown is notorious for it’s various parking issues. If you have a car, make sure there’s parking available. At some places, you have to pay a monthly fee. At some places, there is absolutely no parking. At some places, there is street parking. At some places, parking spots are assigned on a first-come first-serve basis. Some places have free parking. There are a lot of possibilities – just make sure you look into it.
Do: Try to find a good landlord
Don’t: Go in blindly
Again, research. Ask other people you know. Find out all you can about a landlord so that you know what you’re getting into.
Do: Look at the house before you sign the lease
Don’t: Just look at pictures/videos and assume it’s great from those.
Really, you need to go look at it. You will be living there for at least the next year – if not longer. Make sure it is what you want.
Do: Read the lease, carefully
Don’t: Skim through the lease.
There is a lot of valuable information in the lease. Every consequence, requirements, hidden fees and even just general information will be there. It will be your best friend, so hold onto it if you ever have any trouble with your place.
Do: Start looking early
Don’t: Wait until the last minute
Unless you absolutely, 100% know that the place you are looking at will not be at full capacity, start looking early. The best places may not be available if you start looking too late. It’s better to have a head start on the house hunting process than to be scrambling around at the last minute.
Do: Find a price/stay in your budget
Don’t: Pay out of your price range
The prices for places in Morgantown can be outrageous. Don’t go out of your range just to find a good place to stay. You will find something that works.
Do: Research. Everything.
Don’t: Assume anything
Here in Morgantown, there are a lot of factors that go into finding a place. Do you think you know everything about a place? You may, but chances are, you don’t. Research, research, research. Find out about the landlord, the utilities, whether or not the neighborhood is quiet or more rowdy. Research locations and prices that will best benefit you – after all, you’re the one who will be living there.
Do: Ask questions.
You do not want to find out the answers to any questions you may have pertaining to the house/apartment after you move in. Google common questions or even use this as a guide if you’re unsure about what to ask.
Happy hunting!