Home Sweet Home

By Elyse Freeman on September 12, 2012

That time of the year has finally arrived—the hunt for off-campus housing in Athens. As a freshman, many of you probably wandered down Mill Street in awe of the beer scattered sidewalks and crowded front lawns dreaming about one day living on one of Ohio University’s infamous party streets. Others may have admired the softer, more relaxed side of campus in the likes of North Congress and High Streets. However, even more important than finding the perfect location to live off campus junior and senior year is finding a place that is the best fit for you—in all aspects.

From Flickr, by Cody Rapol

One of the biggest mistakes students make every year in the housing process is not researching their house, landlord, and lease. While it may be nice to snag the first promising house or apartment you have set your eyes upon, you may find yourself losing thousands of dollars for not paying attention to miniscule details on your lease. Before you sign your John Hancock, make sure to read and reread your lease from back to front and clear up any confusion regarding security deposits, utilities, etc. Check with past renters to see what problems they had with their property, including issues with the rental company. Hidden fees such as cleaning at the closing of the school year may take a hefty amount of money out of your pocket and into your realtor’s bank account. It is always a good idea to have a third opinion—preferably your parents or guardians –when finalizing any housing contracts.

When closing the deal on a lease, ask yourself if the house is good for you in the long run—especially for your wallet and sanity. If you find a property that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

 

 

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