Are Your Biases Keeping You From Finding The Perfect Apartment?
ShareEven if you have a list of must-haves and wants ready to go for your apartment hunting, you could still miss out on finding your dream place. You could have biases that impact your ability to fairly assess an apartment. Those biases could result in you missing out on an apartment that would be right for you. To help with your apartment hunting, here are some of those biases and what you can do to minimize their impact on your judgment.
Unfairly Stereotyping
If you have had a bad experience with a past neighbor, it can play into how you view future properties. For instance, if you lived next to a large family and they were rowdy, in your hunt, you might unknowingly be turned off by apartments next to families. However, stereotyping all families could mean missing out on a great place to live.
Although it can be difficult to remember, not all neighbors will be the same. Even though your previous neighbors were rowdy, the next family could be more neighbor friendly. You can discuss your concerns with potential landlords to determine if they are unfounded. You can even ask other neighbors whether there are any issues you should be aware of before making your decision.
Unevenly Weighing Amenities
Your must-haves and wants should be a guiding factor in finding your next apartment, but sometimes the list is forgotten when other amenities are available. For instance, if you have narrow your choices down to a larger apartment that has the space you need and one that has a fireplace that was never part of your must-haves or wants, you might be tempted to choose the latter. The problem is that you could miss out on a larger apartment on a whim.
Unevenly weighing amenities is avoidable if you stick to your core must-haves and wants lists. Amenities that you never factored into your decision are nice, but your list is composed of items that you knew you needed to live comfortably. Before giving up on a must-have for an unexpected amenity, carefully think about whether you can truly live without the must-have.
Your real estate agent will be instrumental in helping you find the apartment that is right for you, such as at Kirkwood Village Apartments. He or she can also help you stay realistic in your hunt and help you overcome any biases that could be clouding your judgment while you are assessing the apartments.