How to find the perfect flat

I was called in to the James Valentine show on 702 today to do a segment about how to find – and get – the right rental property for you.  I took along my “Need, Want, Like list” which is my way of narrowing down your search to make the best use of your time.

How to set up the list

Basically you need to draw up three columns with, from left to right, Need, Want and Like as headings.

In the left-hand column put all the essentials of your new home.  These are things you could not live without, such as the number of rooms, secure parking, level access and, let’s not forget, the absolute maximum you can afford to pay.  Basically this is all the essential things that your home must have and obviously these are different for different people.

In the middle column put the things that you really want but could live without, at a pinch, such as a large kitchen or a view or a balcony.

Some people couldn’t live without a balcony or deck.  Maybe because they have pets or they smoke.  Some people would like a timber floor for the aesthetics, others might need one for hygiene and allergy reasons.  Only you can tell what is essential and what is desirable.

Finally there the “like” column – things you’d prefer to have but could easily live without.

How to use the list

When you are looking at property ads, discard any that don’t tick all the boxes  in the “Need” column.  This will cut your search down to a manageable level and save you hours of wasted time.

Then you should look first at properties that have most of the elements listed in the second column.  This is especially useful if you have two similar properties viewing at the same time.

Finally, if you have to choose between two properties, or want to know how hard to go for one that you like, see how many items it has in your “like” or wish-list column.

Many of these elements could be interchangeable between  adjoining columns – and you might swap things around when you start to  think about what you really need and you really want. However, while you might discover you want to move things between Need and Want, and Want and Like, if you find you’re changing stuff between Need and Like, you don’t really know what you are looking for and need to think about this a bit harder or you face endless hours traipsing around properties that can never match up to a very fluid idea of your perfect home.

To see a sample of the list and print up a blank for your own use, click HERE.