Whether your current lease is almost up or you’re just starting out on your own, hunting for the right apartment can be exciting and overwhelming. While location and budget are your biggest factors in choosing a new place, there are plenty of other things to consider when picking a new apartment. If you’re searching for a new home, keep these three things in mind before you sign that lease.

Age of the Building

Old buildings can feel pretty new with a fresh coat of paint and some modern furniture and decor. But some older buildings can be full of potential problems, like bed bugs fort myers and higher risks for fires. Make sure the building is up to current codes and talk to the landlord about their policy on pest control. If you do end up choosing an apartment in a building that isn’t relatively new, it’s important to know your options if you have to deal with vermin.

Distance to Necessities

If there are no laundry machines on site, how far is the trek to the closest laundromat? Will it take a major expedition every time you run out of milk or need to have a prescription filled? Make sure you aren’t making life unnecessarily hard on yourself by mapping out the distance to banks, convenience stores, gas stations and even restaurants before you make a final decision.

Neighborhood Safety

If you’re moving to a new area, it can be impossible to tell how safe it is without input from others. If you don’t have a friend, coworker or even a realtor who can offer sound advice, visit the area at night on a weekend. It’s a great way to get a feel for the neighborhood when it’s at its busiest.

Moving into a new apartment brings the promise of a fresh start. Just make sure you’re starting out in the best place for you and your roommates and research your options thoroughly.…

If you are currently remodeling your home, your mind is full of paint color options, new models of dishwashers and different kinds of carpeting. You may become so focused on the interior of your house that you forget to update these areas outside your house that need your attention.

Driveway and Cars

You rarely think about your driveway, and that’s understandable. It’s the place where you leave your car after work or where your children play basketball. Don’t let your lack of thought about this area translate into a lack of care, though. If your driveway begins to crack, you need to have it repaired before winter, since the cracks will only get worse then. You should also make sure your cars are reasonably clean. Car wash maintenance happens infrequently, so you can get your car washed at almost any time of the day.

Trash Cans and Recycling Bins

Trash cans hold garbage, but that doesn’t mean they have to look like junk. If you store them and your recycling bins outside, make sure they won’t scare away any visitors. Always keep the lids shut to prevent raccoons and other animals from digging through them and to hide the mess inside. Several times a year, wash all of the bins inside and out. They’ll smell and look much better.

Front Porch and Sidewalk

Some houses have the gift of amazing porches with huge steps that are perfect for spending a summer evening outside. Smaller porches are less fun but still need attention. Sweep your porch and sidewalk weekly and pull weeds out of the cracks in the cement. As with driveways, you may need to have these cracks fixed if they become too big.

Keeping up with home improvement projects inside your house may be more fun than outdoor maintenance. However, if you want to have the nicest possible home, you need to take care of these issues as well.…