Do You Know How to Find the Perfect Apartment?

By: Alex Wittman
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Do You Know How to Find the Perfect Apartment?
Image: piranka/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

OK, we know you’ve seen "House Hunters" because, let's be real, who hasn’t? From bougie mansions to adorable bungalows, we’re not-so-secretly obsessed with watching other people find their dream homes. 

And, it can also be fun to hate on people who walk through a house making the most unnecessary comments. You know what we're talking about! Sorry, but your $13 per month isn’t going to get you the 10-bedroom palace you’ve always dreamed of! Even when we can’t stand the buyers and renters, watching "House Hunters" is so SO less stressful than actually house hunting (or apartment hunting) ourselves.

Maybe you already know the pressure. If you don’t, don’t worry, you will! Apartment hunting is one of the quintessential adulting experiences. It's kind of like getting your oil changed for the first time or wondering how the heck you’re going to make this month’s credit card payment.

Seriously, though, apartment hunting is no joke. Countertops and outdoor spaces are just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’ve been renting for years or are thinking about starting your search soon, take our quiz to reveal if you know how to find the perfect apartment. No lie, it’s not as easy as HGTV makes it look!

1 making a budget
Jamie Grill/The Image Bank/Getty Images
Have you ever made a budget before?
Of course, who hasn't?
Just a really basic one
Only when my financial manager forced me
Nope, that sounds boring.

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2 showhome
sturti/E+/Getty Images
How many apartments should you see before deciding on "the one"?
As many as it takes!
Three is good, right?
I usually go with the first place.
Tbh, I have no idea.

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3 apartment hunting
Generistock/E+/Getty Images
You can be honest with us. Have you ever apartment hunted?
Many, many times
A few times
Just once
Nope, sorry!

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4 shaking hands
FluxFactory/E+/Getty Images
When you find the perfect place, how long should you wait to tell the landlord you want it?
Tell them immediately.
Wait a few hours.
Wait a few days.
Um, is a week too long?

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5 roommates
Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision/Getty Images
How do you feel about roommates?
I'd rather get a place I can afford solo.
I'm open to the idea to cut costs.
It would be fun to live with my BFF!
You just find randos on Craigslist, right?

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6 planning
Unsplash by Estée Janssens
How long before your move-in date should you start looking at apartments?
Approximately one to two months before
As soon as you know you want to move
A week seems like enough time.
I haven't ever given this any thought.

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7 balcony
Kelvin Murray/Stone/Getty Images
Which of these bonuses would you love to have with your apartment?
Balcony
Close to bike paths
Pool
My place better have all of these!

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8 online research
valentinrussanov/E+/Getty Images
Is online research enough?
Seeing a place in person is always better.
Sometimes, but not usually.
It's (kind of) worked out for me.
Sure, why wouldn't it be?

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9 check list
atakan/E+/Getty Images
Is it ever OK to redefine your wish list?
Of course, no place is perfect.
I make exceptions here and there.
I don't generally make a wish list.
Never, you must be uncompromising.

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10 monthly rent
Clarissa Leahy/Cultura/Getty Images
What percentage of your monthly income should your monthly rent NOT exceed?
20%
30%
40%
Rent costs what rent costs!

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11 ideal neighborhood
pastorscott/E+/Getty Images
Are you willing to look outside your ideal neighborhood?
Only if I've exhausted my ideal neighborhood
Sure, you often get better value for your money.
I'll do anything to find a place quickly!
What's an "ideal neighborhood"?

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12 negotiate
sturti/E+/Getty Images
Do you feel comfortable negotiating prices?
I could negotiate a hostage situation.
It's weird, but I'll do it if I must.
To be honest, I rarely do it.
I didn't know you could negotiate rent.

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13 renter insurance
Kidsada Manchinda/Moment/Getty Images
Do you know what renters insurance is?
Definitely!
Yes, and I usually get it.
Yes, but I don't usually get it.
I have no clue.

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14 landlord
FG Trade/E+/Getty Images
Which of the following qualities is most important to you in a landlord?
Honest
Helpful
Forgiving
Aren't they just someone who takes my money?

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15 lease
Peter Dazeley/The Image Bank
Before you sign a lease, which of the following is the most important to consider?
Price
Location
Amenities
Whether or the apartment will impress my friends

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16 talking to neighbor
Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Who is the best person to ask about an apartment you're considering?
Former or current tenants
Landlord
People who live in the neighborhood
Google?

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17 partner
praetorianphoto/E+/Getty Images
When you're apartment hunting, who do you ask to accompany you?
Someone whose opinion I trust
My roommate (if I'm going to have one)
My BFF
I'd probably just go alone.

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17 luxury apartment
praetorianphoto/E+/Getty Images
Would you look at an apartment out of your price range?
No, I'm sticking to my budget.
Maybe, if it's not too much more.
Sure, just for fun though.
Hey, maybe I can get a loan or something!

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19 bus stop
Hispanolistic/E+/Getty Images
Do you consider the proximity to public transportation when choosing an apartment?
Yes, an easy commute is important to me.
No, I have a car.
I usually look that up after I move in.
No, that's why we have Uber!

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20 big city
Alexander Spatari/Moment/Getty Images
Is apartment hunting different in a big city vs. a small town?
Definitely!
To a certain degree
Not really
No, I think it's exactly the same.

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21 real estate agent
SolStock/E+/Getty Images
Would you hire a real estate agent to help you find an apartment?
Yes, if it's standard practice where I'm looking
Sure, if I was really struggling on my own
No, I wouldn't want to spend the extra money.
No, I can do it on my own.

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22 newspaper
South_agency/E+/Getty Images Plus
Other than searching the internet, how do you look for apartments?
Checking newspapers
Asking friends
Pounding the pavement
Putting my intentions into the Universe

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23 pros and cons
DonNichols/E+/Getty Images
Do you make pro and con lists?
Yes, for every big decision in my life!
I've made one for an apartment.
No, but I'd consider it.
Nah, that's nerdy.

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24 rent an apartment without seeing it
Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media / Getty Images Plus
Would you ever rent an apartment without seeing it first?
Never!
Only in a very extreme situation
I've done it before.
Sure, why the heck not?

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25 measuring tape
Unsplash by William Warby
When you go to inspect an apartment, what do you bring with you?
A measuring tape
A flashlight to see into dark places
My smartphone to take pictures
Um, myself?

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26 reading document
mediaphotos/E+/Getty Images
Do you read your lease before signing it?
Yes, I have someone I trust read it, too.
Yes, I read it carefully.
I just skim it.
Nope, too boring.

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27 rental application
Compassionate Eye Foundation/DigitalVision
How do you dress when you go to turn in your rental application?
Neatly, but not over the top.
Fancy as possible
My nicest sweats
I don't see why how I dress should matter.

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28 pet
Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/Getty Images
Can pets live in any apartment?
No, you need to pay a pet fee.
Yes, if you have sufficient space
Maybe, if it's OK with your roommates.
As long as you keep them a secret

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29 expenses
David Sacks/DiitalVision/Getty Images
After rent, what's the most important cost to factor into your living expenses?
Utilities
Maintenance fees
Parking fees
Cable

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30 too good to be true
Witthaya Prasongsin/Moment/Getty Images
If you think an apartment sounds too good to be true, what should you do?
Don't even bother looking.
Check it out, but don't get my hopes up.
Drop everything to go see it first.
Wire the landlord money so no one scoops it.

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