Austin Apartments for Rent - Helpful Tips for Prospective Renters

Apartments in Austin, Texas have witnessed growing demand over the last year as the economic climate in Central Texas has begun to improve and employers have continued to expand their businesses and hire new employees. In addition to the career opportunities offered by companies such as Dell, Motorola and AMD, Austin has long been a popular destination thanks to it's climate, attractive neighborhoods, highly-ranked public schools and institutions of higher learning such as the University of Texas.

Austin Apartments are offered in a number of sizes and floor plans from 400 square foot studios to 3,000 square foot downtown Austin penthouses. One can find hundreds of communities located within and in close proximity to Austin that range in size from one hundred to over six hundred units. These properties often have amenities such as courtyards, clubhouses, large balconies, lagoon-style swimming pools, stunning landscapes, direct-access garages and much more. A number of the newer Austin apartment communities also provide luxuries such as free WiFi, state of the art fitness facilities, restricted access gates and pre-wired alarm panels in every unit. Depending on the age of the property, location, and features, rents can vary from $650 per month for one bedroom floor plans to in excess of $2000 per month for premium downtown units. Fees associated with leasing Austin apartments generally include an application fee, administrative fee and a security deposit. Although the fees may vary widely from one community to another, renters should expect to pay around $40 to $50 for an application fee and anywhere from $100 to $300 for the combined administrative fee and deposit. Lease terms offered commonly range from six to fifteen months with twelve months being most popular. For those who require a shorter lease term, many communities offer three month leases for an additional monthly fee or "upcharge" of $150 to $400 per month. Not surprisingly, management companies usually offer a reduced monthly rent for a longer term, thus choosing a twelve month lease over a six month lease may help save the prospective renter anywhere from $15 to $35 each month or more.
Although many factors should be considered when selecting an Apartment in Austin, Texas, most renters give priority to the neighborhood, proximity to employers and academic institutions, as well as the current rental rates of properties in those areas. Additional considerations may include community pet policies for those renters who have large pets, parking options such as covered or garage parking, unit features such as washer and dryer connections, security features, lease terms and rent concessions.

One of the most discussed topics for would-be renters moving to and within the Austin area is when to begin their apartment search. Although it might be tempting to "get a head start" and begin searching for a rental six months before one is required to vacate their current accomodations, the reality is that looking beyond a 60 day time frame is generally unnecessary. The majority of Austin apartment communities require a 60 day notice to vacate from their current residents. Anyone who contacts a community more than two months before their desired move-in date will likely be told that the manager and leasing agents have no idea what units will be available. This is simply because they have not yet received move-out notices for that time period. In most cases, the leasing agents will offer to contact the prospective renter once they receive move-out notices that better suit the customer's schedule. However, it is important to note that due to the large influx of college students into Austin in the months preceding the Fall semester, many student apartments may offer renters the option to be placed on a waiting list for an apartment as early as six months prior to their move-in date.

There are a number of professional and non-profit associations in the Austin Metro area that offer information about apartment and condominium rental availability. In addition to these organizations, there will also be real estate agents who act as Austin apartment locators, assisting prospective renters in finding an ideal place to live. The internet can also be a rich source of information on Austin apartments for rent, with the most current and accurate data typically being offered by local apartment locating services who specialize in the Austin apartment market.