Finding an apartment should be an enjoyable and stress-free experience. Before you dive right into rental-hunting, though, keep in mind that you may be eligible for an affordable rental based off of your household income. SDHDA happens to host a search portal that highlights housing that is affordable for low-income families, seniors, individuals and persons with disabilities. (Check it out here.)

Looking for an apartment? A one-room or studio apartment may be a great fit. Living in a studio apartment is often more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, as rent and utilities are typically less expensive.

The biggest con when it comes to a studio setup is the amount of space, as you often don’t have the luxury of housing your excess belongings in the basement or converting a spare room to a storage space. Optimizing your living space is a must.

Here are some things to look for in your next one-room apartment.

Less is more, right? For some, small living quarters aren’t ideal, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t valuable. Knowing how to maximize a single-bedroom living space can save you a lot of money in the long run. There are plenty of tips and tricks to help you make the most of a small home or apartment. With the right attitude and perspective, maximizing your living situation can be an enjoyable experience.

Here’s how you can make the most of your single-bedroom space.

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.

If you’re new to living on your own and are a first-time renter, it may be difficult getting used to paying and budgeting for rent. In fact, a Gallup poll found that only 32 percent of Americans maintain a household budget. To be on top of the budget game, it’s important to track and record your earnings and expenses.

Follow these tips for managing a monthly budget as a renter.

Whether you’re in Brooklyn or Brookings, sometimes apartments can feel cramped. And if you’re living with other housemates, space can be even harder to come by. This especially takes place in one of the most important rooms in the house—the bathroom.

Whether you call a studio, a two-bedroom or a multi-level unit home, apartments can sometimes feel low on space—particularly when children enter the picture. So what can you do as a renter to make your space more hospitable for a larger family?

Here are a few easy tips to try out to make your apartment feel more spacious once you have kids.

Choosing a rental unit requires you to make several decisions, including on which floor to live. You should consider noise, cost, accessibility and more before making your selection. But how do you know which floor is the right fit for you?

Read on for the pros and cons of rental units on upper versus ground floors.

Deciding what type of place you should rent can be a head-scratcher. Do you save money and live in a smaller place? Do you pay more and avoid the crowded feeling of an apartment complex? We've broken the rental decision-making process down into three main groups—cost, space and neighbors. We've weighed the pros and cons of each type of rental unit, so you don't have to. 

Read on for some insight into which rental path is right for you.

Deciding where to rent is a big decision that can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life. All too often, renters are surprised and frustrated by the policies of their property managers, simply because they didn't know about those policies before signing their leases. When meeting with your potential future property manager, it's important to come prepared with a set of questions that can properly gauge how satisfied you will be with your living arrangement after you've signed on the dotted line. 

Check out these key questions to ask your property manager before you sign your lease.