This is going to seem very random, and I understand if I get no responses to this post.

I am in the multi-family housing industry (apartments) and I am in line for a promotion! I could be the next Marketing Director if I wow my bosses in the next two weeks. (double salary!) So, I was hoping to use you all as a resource for a little project I am preparing. I am NOT asking for personal information, or even the place where you live. You can answer here or through PM's if you prefer.

I want to know....

1. What was the best experience you've had in trying to rent an apartment?
2. What was the worst?
3. When looking for an apartment, what resource do you refer to? Internet, publications, or word of mouth?


Thanks so much for any response that anyone has for me. I am curious especially about how apartment leases are handled outside the US, so if anyone cares to share that let me know.

Never had a "best" experience, but my worst was when I walked in and as soon as the agent saw me that quickly informed me that they did not do section eight.

Country: Singapore

Haven't ever rented an apartment. Word of mouth would probably be best in terms of the apartment actually being what you want. Plenty of advertisements around in both newspapers and posters being stuck on the streets (lampposts, walls, bus-stops etc).

The "posters" are basically just an A4 piece of paper upon which the one wanting to rent the room out print some info about the room, and along the edges of it print their contact number cut it into a "fringe" of sorts so people who are interested can just tear off the number and call.

Holy hell you should have sued them under the Fair Housing Act, or filed a complaint.

If I may ask what is section 8?

A government program that helps lower income families with a housing allowance.

1. What was the best experience you've had in trying to rent an apartment?

The first time I rented an apartment on my own was great, I went through an apartment locator service and they found me a good apartment that very same day at a decent place with a fairly decent rent. Which rocked cause I had to turn the Ryder Truck the next day.

2. What was the worst?

The last apartment I had looked nice when I moved in, and was way bigger than any 1 bedroom 1 bath I'd had before, but shortly after moving in, I discovered it was infested with bugs. *shudder*

3. When looking for an apartment, what resource do you refer to? Internet, publications, or word of mouth?

I prefer apartment locator services. I haven't the patience or dedication necessary to hunt on my own. LOL.

Thank you very much for the feedback! A couple more questions I should have added are...

1. What do you think of the "theme" promotions a lot of apartment communities do?

By theme, and some of you know what I am talking about...when an apartment community has a promotion/marketing program, they decorate their offices, model apartments and signage in accordance. Most of the time they are silly, such as in the Autumn, they make us do cheesey things like, "FALL into a great apartment at Lusternia Vistas!" at Christmas, we had to answer the phone with "Welcome Ho Ho Home"

2. What do you look for in an apartment community or what would be your primary concern? Price, service, location, nice staff?

You guys really are great for helping me out. I will be sure to buy credits with my raise and uhm share or sell cheap to those that help!

Sounds pretty stupid... *cough* Decoration isn't so bad, but I think I'd rather let the phone ring than answer it that way. Heh.

If there were such a thing here, my primary concern would probably be the location and quality of the apartment (like no bugs / leaks). Service isn't so important unless I have to interact with the staff frequently. Price whatever as long as it's affordable and isn't a rip off.

1. What do you think of the "theme" promotions a lot of apartment communities do?

I usually think they're cute. Unless they're badly done. You know, using cheap and/or tacky decorations that only vaguely make sense as far as the promotion they're going for. Having said that, the promotion and/or theme has no pull as to whether I'll rent at a place. I honestly can't imagine someone renting a place because of their awesome promotional theme, ya know? There's just too many actually important things to consider.

2. What do you look for in an apartment community or what would be your primary concern? Price, service, location, nice staff?

Well, back in Austin, I didn't have a car. So, one of the first things I looked for was proximity to bus routes. Then price. Then what kind of deposit there might be. Then apartment size. Then if there were ceiling fans and central air/heat. Then if there was a 24 hour maintenance service. Then if there was a 24 hour security service. Then I looked to see if any utilities were included (many places gave free water/trash or cable or something). Then I checked if there were laundry facilities. Then I checked for pools and fitness centers. Then I looked at what sort of pet deposit there might be (in case I decided to get a dog or cat someday).

Those were the main things I looked for, in order of importance.

How about cable / dsl lines?