From the bustling streets of the Historic East Village to the tranquil paths along Gray's Lake, each corner of Des Moines has its own charm and character. You'll be exploring stylish lofts, cozy studios, and spacious townhomes, all while imagining how each space could become your new home.
But apartment hunting is more than just viewing properties. It's about envisioning your life in Des Moines. Picturing where you'll enjoy your morning coffee, the parks where you'll take evening strolls, and the local spots where you'll become a regular.
So, how do you go about it? Let's go through how to find Des Moines apartments for rent.
1. Figure Out Your Budget
Start by evaluating your monthly income and existing expenses. A general rule of thumb is to allocate no more than 30% of your monthly income to rent.
This percentage ensures that you have enough left over for other essential expenses, such as groceries, utilities, transportation, and savings. For example, if your monthly income is $3,500, you should aim to spend no more than $1,050 on rent.
2. Do Your Research
One of the top apartment hunting tips is to do plenty of research. Begin by exploring online resources. Websites offer extensive listings and advanced search filters that can help you find apartments that meet your criteria.
You can filter results by price, number of bedrooms, amenities, and more. Take advantage of these tools to create a shortlist of potential rentals. Look for properties that seem well-maintained and have updated amenities.
Consider signing up for local Iowa forums and social media groups dedicated to the Des Moines rental market. Different platforms can give you important information from current residents.
These communities often share first-hand experiences, recommendations, and warnings about specific buildings or landlords, giving you a clearer picture of what to expect.
3. Look Into Tenant Placement Services
If you want to have an ideal apartment search, look into tenant placement services.
These services can be a valuable resource, especially in a bustling rental market like Des Moines. Tenant placement services are designed to help renters find suitable apartments by matching their preferences and budgets with available listings, streamlining the search process.
These services often have connections with property managers and landlords, giving them access to apartments that may not be advertised on popular rental websites.
This can be particularly helpful in places where desirable properties are quickly snatched up. Plus, they can give you renting tips and advice you might now have thought of.
4. Visit Options
Seeing a property firsthand provides valuable insight that online listings and photos can't convey.
It's a good idea to plan multiple visits in one day if possible, so you can compare more effectively when you're finding rental properties. Be flexible with your schedule and try to view apartments during daylight hours to get a better sense of the natural lighting and the surrounding neighborhood.
Des Moines Apartments for Rent: Find Your Dream Home Today
With these tips, you'll be able to find great apartments for rent in no time at all.
Do you need some extra help? PMI Central Iowa's franchise only works with top-quality property owners, so you know all the rentals we're involved with will be well maintained with great customer service.
Contact us today.
