Apartment Financial Matters in Tuscaloosa
Financial Matters
Tuscaloosa Apartment Articles
Deciding where to live when moving to
Tuscaloosa can be an unnerving task, especially when the options are as many and as varied as in the
Tuscaloosa area.
One of the most important considerations when it comes to finding a new apartment home is finances. How much
Tuscaloosa apartment can you afford?
Half the fun of moving into a new apartment in the
Tuscaloosa area is decorating your space. But sometimes that can be a challenge.
When budgeting for an
Tuscaloosa apartment, don't forget to include the cost of renters insurance.
A lease is a legally binding contract between a tenant and a landlord. A lease obligates both tenant and landlord to specific terms.
You've signed the lease on your new apartment in the
Tuscaloosa area and now the work really begins. Moving can be one of the most stressful of life's events, but there are steps you can take to alleviate the pain of the process.
Before you begin a serious apartment search in
Tuscaloosa it's a good idea to delineate what you're looking for and to prioritize those desires.
Safety is a primary consideration, when choosing an
Tuscaloosa area apartment community. No amount amenities - of swimming pools and clubhouses and fancy appliances - are worthwhile if you don't feel secure in your own apartment home.
You've found the perfect apartment. Now it's time to make application, sign the lease and get moved in.
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One of the most important considerations when it comes to finding a new apartment home is finances. How much Tuscaloosa apartment can you afford? What will a prospective landlord be looking for in terms of income and credit history?
You'll want to start with a budget. There are general guidelines about how much of your take-home income should be allocated toward different expenses that can be helpful in this process:
- 30% Housing
- 18% Transportation
- 16% Food
- 8% Miscellaneous
- 5% Clothing
- 5% Medical
- 5% Recreation
- 5% Utilities
- 4% Savings
- 4% Other Debts
So, if your monthly income, after taxes, is $3,000, then $1,000 per month in rent would be an appropriate target. Of course, these are not hard and fast rules. Regional costs may vary - average transportation and food costs could be lower in a particular area, allowing for a reasonable shift of those funds toward housing costs. By the same token, you can take personal steps to allow you to allocate a larger percentage of income towards housing - lowering debt costs, saving on recreation or clothing.
A rule of thumb with many Tuscaloosa apartment communities, when evaluating tenant applications is monthly income that is three times the monthly rent. If you don't quite meet a community's income requirement, a higher security deposit a co-signer might satisfy the landlord.
Most apartment communities also require a security deposit and many will want your last month's rent paid at the time of lease signing, so you'll need to have approximately three months rent on hand when you set out to find your new apartment.
A standard part of the application process is also a credit check. A credit report will show any liens, evictions, wage garnishments and delinquencies. It's a good idea to get a copy of your credit report in advance. It is estimated that 30-50% of all credit reports contain serious errors, so you'll want to correct any errors in advance. The three main credit reporting agencies, from which you can obtain reports, are:
- Equifax
- TransUnion
- Experian
Don't panic if there are some blemishes on your credit. Few people have spotless credit histories, and many apartments will still be willing to lease to you. You can help mitigate a less-than-stellar report by making sure that you are current with all payments at the time of application. Pay off as many small balances as you can before beginning your apartment search can help. Again, a larger deposit or a co-signer may satisfy a potential landlord.
Getting your ducks in a row, before you meet with potential landlords, will go a long way toward improving your chances of getting the lease. Evaluate your income and expenses to get a good idea of what you can afford, pull a credit report and take steps to correct any errors, and do whatever you can to polish up your ratings. You're ahead of the game already!
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