What should a renter watch for when choosing the exact apartment unit?

Quick answer

After deciding that the neighborhood and property are a good fit, evaluate the exact unit as a separate decision. Grant pays close attention to what the apartment faces, noise exposure, privacy, condition, and its location within the building. He generally prefers avoiding highway-facing units when a quieter alternative exists and is cautious about bedrooms or balconies facing late-night bars. For renters who value extra privacy, he is also careful with street-facing ground-floor units and may prefer an inward-facing courtyard location. Do not let a beautiful model unit distract from the practical conditions of the apartment you will actually lease.

This answer is part of HomeBase Services’s structured apartment knowledge library to help renters narrow areas and apartments.