If you’ve looked for apartments in the greater Denver area before, you know that many of the available leases follow the academic year. With so many colleges in the area, it’s no wonder that many property companies opt to follow this schedule. However, for people looking to move outside of those times, it’s not uncommon to have trouble finding open units in the first place. Here are a few simple tips from your trusted Colorado moving team to help you find an apartment in the off-season.
Start Your Search Online
The internet is one of the best ways to find open and available apartments. However, instead of relying solely on Craigslist, start broadening your search. Check with individual property management companies to see if they have any units that will fit your needs. Use resources like Zillow to identify homes that are up for rent. You’ll even be able to narrow down your search by neighborhood and price point to only show homes that are right for you.
Drive Around
Believe it or not, many private landlords don’t put their properties up online. Instead, they place a sign in the front yard and wait for people to call about the property. The only way you’ll find these units is if you drive around looking for them. Pick the top three neighborhoods you want to live in and take a drive. If you see a “for rent” sign on a property that looks appealing, make a note of the address and the landlord’s phone number and call them when you get home.
Don’t Dismiss Subletting
Situations change and many students end up needing to find a tenant to sublease their apartment in the middle of the year. Unfortunately, these openings often don’t show up on general rental listings. Instead, check sites like Airbnb and Flip display sublet listings. However, many people still rely on Craigslist to find tenants to take over their lease quickly.
Head to Apartment Complexes in Person
If the internet is not giving you the results you were hoping for, try meeting with an apartment manager in person. They’re always up to date on the leases in their building, but they may not have had a chance to post an opening online. If a unit is open and it fits your needs, they’ll work to get you into the apartment as quickly as possible, saving you the further strain of hunting for an apartment. If no units are available, most property managers will happily take your information and contact you as soon as a suitable unit opens up.
Ask Around
Your coworkers and friends are a wonderful resource when it comes to finding housing outside of the main leasing season. If you’re looking for a new place, don’t hesitate to ask the people close to you. They may have a friend that just moved out of their apartment or know of a unit in their building that just opened up.
Though finding an ideal apartment can be a bit of a challenge, finding the right movers to help you relocate doesn’t have to be. At Eden’s Moving Services, our dedicated staff can handle the heavy lifting for you so you can focus on enjoying your new home. Contact us today for a free moving estimate.