Establish your priorities
Write them down. Be organized. Life is about choices.
Establish how much you're prepared to pay for an apartment. Give yourself a little leeway -- that is, know how much you're really willing to pay for the perfect place.
Decide the features you require your new apartment to have, and the ones you'd like it to have. From reserved parking to a swimming pool, a dishwasher to a balcony, pets to laundry facilities, wheelchair accessibility to security features, recognize what matters to you.
The same goes for location. How important is the location to you? For instance, are you willing to accept a lesser apartment than you'd like so as to live closer to your workplace or within walking distance of a good school for your children?
Will you pay up for a complex with a swimming pool and gym even if it means a longer commute? You need to know what it is you're looking for.


