Not sure what apartment is right for you? Apartment hunting can take time, patience and a little bit of homework. At any given moment in the United States, there are millions of apartments from which to choose. That’s a lot of choices! Narrowing down your options is the first step to finding your next home.

Read on for tips on how to find the right South Dakota apartment for you.

How Much Can You Afford?

The first thing you should do before starting your apartment hunt is to find out what you can afford. Take the time to budget and figure out how much money you’re comfortable paying in rent. A general rule of thumb is that your monthly apartment rent shouldn’t exceed 30 percent of your income. Figuring out your budget will make apartment hunting much easier.

What Are Your Must-Have Amenities?

It’s important to take time when prioritizing apartment features. Your apartment’s amenities can dramatically change the price of rent.

• Do you prefer a new or old apartment?
• Renovated or non-renovated?
• In-unit laundry or not?
• Are utilities included?

These are all questions to consider before you pick your next place. If you don’t have priority amenities in mind, you can save considerable money in the long run for opting for a more affordable apartment with less bells and whistles.

What Are the Added Costs?

Be aware of all the costs of living in an apartment. You will likely be paying more than just monthly rent. Some typical fees include:

• Security deposit
• Application fee
• Pet deposit
• Parking access fee

Apart from the additional fees, utilities being included in your monthly rent isn’t always guaranteed. Be sure you know how utilities are paid with any prospective apartment.

Follow these tips, and you’ll be on a great start to finding an affordable apartment in South Dakota.