By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy.
Accept
Digitized HouseDigitized House
  • Alexa
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • Smart Components
    • Security Cameras
    • Security Systems
    • Smart Displays
    • Smart Door Locks
    • Smart Lighting
    • Smart Plugs
    • Smart Product Round-ups
    • Smart Shades
    • Smart Speakers
    • Smart Thermostats
    • Smart Water
    • Smoke + CO Detectors
    • Solar Photovoltaics
  • About + Policy
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertising, Affiliate Link, and Sponsorship Policy
Search
© 2015-2022 Digitized House Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: 7 Tech-Focused Tips For Stress-Free Apartment Hunting
Share
Notification
Latest News
smart home at twilight with smart shades
Smart Shade Buying Guide for 2023
Amazon Alexa Apple HomeKit Connected Home Google Home Privacy & Safety Product Guide Samsung SmartThings Security Network Smart Shades
Kohler H2Wise+ Marks Rise of the Water Network
Connected Home Featured Articles Review Smart Water
Best Cyber Monday Smart Home Buys
Deals
Black Friday 2022 Top Smart Home Deals
Deals
Kohler and Phyn Integrate Smart Water Monitors with Alarm.com
Smart Water
Aa
Aa
Digitized HouseDigitized House
  • Alexa
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • Smart Components
  • About + Policy
Search
  • Alexa
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Google Home
  • SmartThings
  • Smart Components
    • Security Cameras
    • Security Systems
    • Smart Displays
    • Smart Door Locks
    • Smart Lighting
    • Smart Plugs
    • Smart Product Round-ups
    • Smart Shades
    • Smart Speakers
    • Smart Thermostats
    • Smart Water
    • Smoke + CO Detectors
    • Solar Photovoltaics
  • About + Policy
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertising, Affiliate Link, and Sponsorship Policy
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2015-2022 Digitized House Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Digitized House > Blog > Featured Articles > 7 Tech-Focused Tips For Stress-Free Apartment Hunting
Featured ArticlesReal Estate

7 Tech-Focused Tips For Stress-Free Apartment Hunting

Mike Johnston
Last updated: 2022/01/17 at 10:10 AM
By Mike Johnston
Share
7 Min Read
city skyline apartments
Image: Eugene Aikimov on Unsplash.
SHARE

An apartment tour is often a deciding factor for many renters. However, what if you cannot visit the property in person? Do not sweat it. Modern technologies help you fully digitize the rental process, from taking video tours in real-time to virtually renewing a contract. Here are seven tech-focused tools that will help you rent an apartment in a new city without seeing it.

Contents
Use Rental Listings That Enable ReviewsPerform Google Search To Assess the Landlord’s CredibilityHarness the Power of Google Maps and Street ViewRead Local Blogs To Get a Feel of a Particular AreaRequest a 360-Degree Tour of the HomeSchedule a Virtual Meeting Seek Seamless Online ExperiencesOver to You

Use Rental Listings That Enable Reviews

In the past, apartment seekers relied mostly on recommendations from friends and family. Today, they can harness the power of digital technologies. Look for the rental listing websites and apps that enable user reviews. If the apartment you are viewing has loads of negative ratings, it may be time to continue your search somewhere else. That is also an opportunity to sniff out an unreliable landlord. If they regularly ignore negative feedback, that is usually a very telling sign of an unhealthy landlord-tenant relationship.  

Perform Google Search To Assess the Landlord’s Credibility

While reading reviews is an essential aspect of the apartment hunting process, it is usually not enough. You will need to perform a thorough Google search to check a property manager. For example, google the apartment’s exact address. Collect information about the building, such as its age, nearby amenities, etc.

Check whether there are any negative stories or reports about the building or its neighborhood. Past tenants with negative experiences often share their stories on forums for tenants, rental listings, local news, etc. You can also use the land registry service to check who the property’s owner is. Inconsistencies in the landlord’s name and personal details may indicate that you are dealing with a con artist.

Harness the Power of Google Maps and Street View

Image: Edgar Moran on Unsplash.

Google Maps are any apartment seeker’s reliable partner for several reasons. With Maps, you can determine the distance from an apartment to your key locations, such as work, schools, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. 

Additionally, Google Street View lets a virtual stroll around the neighborhood. The tool offers you accurate and reliable insights into the community. All you have to do is enter the exact address of the apartment into the search box and take a walk around the neighborhood. That will give you an idea of your new area and encourage/discourage you from viewing the apartment.

Read Local Blogs To Get a Feel of a Particular Area

Renting an apartment in a new city can be challenging. For example, say you are moving from San Jose, California to Midland, Texas. When seeking Midland apartments for rent, start by searching for safe neighborhoods that meet your needs. 

Read local blogs and reviews to assess your preferred area. Aside from the apartment’s location, factor in other variables, such as crime rates, the ease of access to the places you will need the most, and the average rent price. Most importantly, learn more about the rental process in your future city.

Request a 360-Degree Tour of the Home

When looking for apartments online, searchers depend on the property photos published by a landlord. That kind of content is prone to manipulation, so make sure you do not end up disappointed. For example, property managers may hire professional photographers or use photo-editing software to make the apartment appear larger or more flattering.

Now, you can avoid such scams in multiple ways. For starters, tech-savvy property managers provide 3D property tours. These technologies offer a 360-degree view of the property. That way, you can get a better sense of the apartment before you sign a lease.

Schedule a Virtual Meeting 

Renting an apartment in a new city does not allow you to meet with the landlord in person. Fortunately, with the rise of cloud technologies, such as Skype or Zoom, you can schedule a virtual meeting. Do not hesitate to ask the landlord to give you a live video walkthrough of the apartment. 

If they have nothing to hide, they will be thrilled to show you the place and answer your questions. Plus, they will want to meet you to ensure they can trust you as a renter. On the other hand, if they refuse to meet with you on Skype, you should be careful how you proceed. 

Seek Seamless Online Experiences

If the new city is far away from your current location, going through the rental process in person is not an option. In that case, the goal is to do as much as possible online. Look for online rental websites or agencies that allow you to rent an apartment without even seeing it. 

Choose a property manager or a real estate agency that can do the paperwork virtually, from signing the lease to contract renewals. Ask a property manager whether they use an online billing system. That way, they can send more accurate invoices and simplify the rent collection process. 

Over to You

Virtually renting an apartment is not easy, but it is not impossible either. For starters, you will need to learn more about your new city and set realistic goals. With the help of advanced digital technologies, you can facilitate the rental process and make informed decisions. 

Mike Johnston 17 January 2022
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy Link Print
By Mike Johnston
Follow:
Mike Johnston is an avid freelance writer and blogger. He’s a regular contributor to numerous blogs and online magazines, where he writes about entrepreneurship, small business, commercial and residential real estate, as well as technology and the environment. Mike’s goal is to create interesting and compelling content and then share it throughout the online community.
Previous Article A modern smart home in Alabama. Image: Digitized House Media. Getting the Most Out of Your Smart Home Upgrades
Next Article Smart Tech Helping Build Sustainable Homes

Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, Digitized House may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links, ads, or buttons on this page. See our full Affiliate Link, Sponsorship, and Ad Policy.

Latest News

smart home at twilight with smart shades
Smart Shade Buying Guide for 2023
Amazon Alexa Apple HomeKit Connected Home Google Home Privacy & Safety Product Guide Samsung SmartThings Security Network Smart Shades 3 January 2023
Kohler H2Wise+ Marks Rise of the Water Network
Connected Home Featured Articles Review Smart Water 30 December 2022
Best Cyber Monday Smart Home Buys
Deals 28 November 2022

About Digitized House

We are the Guide to the Connected Home and help global consumers make their 
Connected Homes smarter, healthier, and safer through streams of original content. You can see our story here.

Like what you see on this website? You can also read us on our Apple News App Channel.

Contact Us

Registered Office
Digitized House Media LLC
517 Ocate Mesa Trail
Liberty Hill, Texas 78642
United States
Email: [email protected]

Visit our Facebook Page

Latest Product Reviews

Kohler H2Wise+ Marks Rise of the Water Network
Connected Home Featured Articles Review Smart Water
Healthier Smart Home Air Filtration: Aura Air Review
Connected Home Featured Articles Healthy Home Review Sustainable Home
Digitized HouseDigitized House
Follow US

© 2015-2022 Digitized House Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?