How to Use the Internet to Help Your Apartment or House Hunting

So you are looking for an apartment to rent or a house to purchase. One of the most important steps is researching the neighborhood to decide if you really like to live in that area. The best way to do this is driving around that area to see if you really like that neighborhood. You should pay attention to traffic, available stores, available transportation, noise level etc. Also, you should try visiting the neighborhood during different times of the day.

Do you know you can get help from the Internet for your apartment or house hunting?

You can view interactive maps on the Internet. The best tools I've seen so far are Google Maps (http://maps.google.com) and MSN Virtual Earth (http://virtualearth.msn.com). With these online tools, you type in the address of the place you are interested in and a map centered at that address will show up. You can zoom in, zoom out and drag around the map to see what other streets are close and how close this place is to the highway, etc.

You can view satellite images on the Internet. This new service is available at Google Maps and MSN Virtual Earth. After you type in an address, you can choose to view a satellite image of that place. Just like maps, you can zoom to different levels and move around using your mouse. This might give you a more direct feeling on what this neighborhood look like than looking at the map alone.

You can find out what business/services are available around a place on the Internet. With Google Maps, MSN Virtual Earth and Yahoo! Maps (http://maps.yahoo.com), after you get a map or satellite image of an address, you can do a local search in that neighborhood. For example, you can search for "Pizza" and all nearby pizza restaurants will show up on the map. This way you can get a feeling if it'd be convenient for dining, shopping or entertainment in that area.

You can get driving directions on the Internet. Google Maps, Yahoo! Maps and other online map sites provide driving direction services. You type in the starting and destination addresses and they will show you a detailed driving direction with map, total mileage and estimated driving time. This way you can estimate how easy would be for you to drive to other places (such as to work or school) from that neighborhood.

Although this Internet tools are pretty cool, it's still important to go check out the neighborhood in person by yourself. Happy hunting!

Brian Walker is a freelance writer who has written many self-help articles. Check out more apartment living guide at 101ApartmentForRent.com (http://www.101apartmentforrent.com) and mortgage guide at Mortgage4House.com (http://www.mortgage4house.com)

Apartment Inspection Checklist

You have found an apartment you like and you are eager to move in this lovely place. Hold on! Before you sign the lease with the landlord, some inspection is necessary and it might save you a lot of trouble. If you have already signed the lease, it will still be helpful to carefully inspect the apartment if you haven't done it yet. In case you find any problem, you should let the landlord know and get the problems fixed.

Below is a checklist for apartment inspection.

1. Check the entrance: Does the door seal properly? Does the lock work?

2. Check the floors: Any stain or stuff on hardwood floor? Are the carpets clean?

3. Check the ceilings and walls: Any dents, cracks or holes? Is the wallpaper in good condition? Paint on the wall in good shape?

4. Check electricity and lights: All lights working? Electrical outlets functioning? Air conditioner working well? Ceiling fan working well? Phone jack in each room? Is there a cable TV connection?

5. Check the kitchen: faucets leaking? Water pressure good? All appliances working and clean? Refrigerator looking good and not making too much noise? Dishwasher working fine? Gas/electric stove working fine? Microwave functioning?

6. Check the bathroom: Faucets leaking? Hot water from the shower? Toilet working fine? Water pressure good?

7. Check safety: Windows in good condition and safe? Intercom working? Locks on all doors working? Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors functioning? Lead hazards?

If you have found problems with the apartment, write them down and show it to the landlord (keep a copy for yourself). Make sure the problems get fixed before you move in.

Brian Walker is a freelance writer who has written many self-help articles. Check out more apartment living guide at Apartment Rental Guide ( http://www.apartment-rental-guide.com ) and 101ApartmentForRent.com ( http://www.101apartmentforrent.com ).