Oswego Apartment Rental Tips

To every thing, there is a season – and that includes apartment rentals. In fact, in the Chicagoland area, that season is almost upon us. That means if you’re looking for an apartment in Oswego, this is the time of year when you’ll typically find the most options.

This is also the time of year when you'll find the most fellow would-be renters looking at Oswego homes and apartments to rent. Couple this with a continued booming west suburban rental market, and finding the perfect apartment in Oswego can seem like a daunting proposition.

With many years in the rental industry and as an executive with RMK Management Corp., the Chicago area’s largest market rate apartment management firm and property manager for Farmington Lakes in Oswego, I have these tips to help make your search easier this Spring:

1.)    Start online.

Save time and effort by starting your search on the Internet. You will quickly be able to see what types of apartments are available in Oswego, what the typical rents are, and scout out locations. It’s a quick and easy way to get a feel for the rental market in Oswego.

2.)    Work with a professional.

Working with an apartment search firm or a large management company is an ideal way to streamline your search, especially if you are a new Oswego renter. By simply telling your leasing agent what you’re looking for in an apartment and what your budget is, he or she can present you with a variety of options – without you having to do all the legwork of pulling listings, setting up showings and driving around from apartment to apartment.

3.)    Be prepared.

Make the most of your time by being prepared.  That means bringing things like a paper and pen, camera, area map and listing sheet. It’s also a good idea to bring a tape measure and the measurements of any large pieces of furniture you have. Lastly, keep your energy up by having a snack and bottle of water on hand.

4.)    Be realistic.

Don’t plan to visit too many apartments in one day. Give yourself plenty of time for looking at each unit and traveling between properties. And don’t overload yourself with too much information. Three to four is probably the max for one day.

5.)    Be ready to rent.

When you do find that perfect Oswego apartment, be ready to lease it. The west suburban apartment market is very competitive these days, and if you take too long deciding on a home, it could be gone. So come with the common information needed to fill out an application including employer information, references, previous addresses and income verification. Copies of bank statements may be required, as well. And it never hurts to have a personal check ready to cover at least the application fee. Your landlord or property manager may request a cashier’s check for the first, last and security deposit, so be prepared to provide that, too, once you’re approved for the apartment.

Good luck apartment hunting in Oswego!