How to Find an Apartment in Springfield, MA
- 1). Go to the areas that interest you and select at least three neighborhoods. Driving around a neighborhood reveals apartments for rent you may not find elsewhere. You can also gain a feel for the community's atmosphere, area amenities and neighborhood activity.
- 2). Go to the Springfield Police Department's website (see Resources) and research crime in your selected areas. The site provides information about arrests, the area's most wanted and registered sex offenders.
- 3). Contact a real estate agent and ask about properties in your selected locations. An agent can assist you with locating the right unit and setting up viewing appointments. Agents can also provide detailed information about Springfield subdivisions. SpringfieldMARealEstate.org, MacMillan & Son or Knight Associates Realty, Inc. are some firms in Springfield that offer these services. Agents charge a fee for their services.
- 4). Pick up a copy of one of Springfield's newspapers -- Valley Advocate, The Reminder or The Republican, for example -- and search the classified section (see Resources).
- 5). Visit online apartment and classified databases. Websites like Craigslist, Apartments.com, Move.com and Rent.com provide advanced search features that let you specify the number of bedrooms, price range and amenities. You should also search for review sites (ApartmentRatings.com, for example) to research candid apartment ratings.
- 6). Call desirable properties and schedule a viewing. Many apartment complexes have models that you can view to determine how well the unit fits your lifestyle. Complete a walk-through of the model and the property.
- 7). Complete the required paperwork (application, background check and financial statement, for example) for the unit that meets your requirements. Wait for the application to be processed and arrange to pay your deposit, first month's rent and applicable fees.
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