Window treatments or nah?

It’s a good idea to check out your windows when you’re touring a place. Blinds and curtains can be a pain to measure, buy and install.

Check out the quality of the window area, too. Is it drafty? Are there water stains? Is any glass broken or screen ripped?

How much for a garage?

Garages are often available at apartment complexes for an extra fee, and a covered, open-air garage is cheaper than an enclosed one. This is a good thing to look into if you need extra storage or … if you want to park your car in it.

Also, owning a motorcycle in Iowa and having a garage basically go hand-in-hand. Little is more tragic than seeing a Harley sitting in a pile of snow and taking up a valuable parking spot in an apartment lot.

More about parking your vehicle

Some apartment complexes have a restriction on the number of parking slots you can use, often limiting tenants to one or two. This can be a problem if there are more people than that occupying the apartment or if you want to have guests over.

With that, apartment stalls can sometimes be slender. Make sure your vehicle can rest comfortably between the lines. SUVs and trucks beware.

Also, off-street parking is sometimes necessary, but beware the perils of snow removal during wintertime. The ticket you receive from being in the way of the plow is tough to pay.

Laundry, laundry, laundry

In-unit/house washers and driers are often a “make or break” aspect. It’s a total pain to have to spend your time and money doing your laundry at a laundromat or on-site area. Beware the extra coin you’re going to have to spend, however, because places that include a washer and drier tend to be more expensive.

Cable hookups

This is something that’s very easily overlooked. Think about how you want to set up your place and think about the measurements of your furniture. It would be crappy to have to run a bunch of cable extensions to get to your television.

Keep outlets in mind

Outlet placing directly affects where you can place all your stuff in your bedroom, kitchen and living room. Ensure you have plenty of outlets in the location(s) you want them.

With this, make sure both outlets and hanging fixtures — ceiling fans, lighting and whatnot — are safe. Loose outlets and wobbly fans are a hazard.

Not necessary, but nice to have

Check the place you’re touring for other things that are nice to have, including a dishwasher, ice maker, garbage disposal, ceiling fans, central air, etc. Also, does your place have a bar where you can place some stools or do you have to go buy a table?