When searching for an apartment, it’s always important to keep your budget in mind. Doing this involves more than just considering your monthly rent and utilities. It’s also important to take a look at what it will cost you to move to a new place. Some costs associated with moving include the price of a moving truck or service, new furnishings for your home and rental deposits and application fees.

If you’re comfortable with the amount of rent a complex charges but struggling to fit all the associated fees and deposits into your budget, one way to make things more affordable is by looking for move in specials. These are often offered by property management companies to help fill their units with reliable renters who are willing to commit to a six month, twelve month, eighteen month or twenty four month lease.

One of the most popular move in specials gets you the first month’s free rent. With this special, rent is waived for one or more months, either up front, in the second month or throughout the course of the lease. Some complexes also charge a flat free move in special, perhaps as low as $100, and this covers  your first month and possibly your security deposit, application fee and other related expenses.

To find this kind of move in special, a bit of searching is necessary. You can drive or walk by various buildings and see if there are signs up or even speak to leasing specialists in person to ask if they offer the first month’s free rent special. While this method can be effective, it is time consuming, and many potential renters become frustrated when their favorite complexes aren’t currently offering any specials.

Another way to find first month’s free rent specials is by calling around. Get a list of apartments in your area, and call them to ask what deals they currently have available. Some places may have a move in  special going on, but they aren’t in a position to spend extensive marketing dollars advertising it. At other times, an apartment complex might offer a special where you get the first month’s rent free at certain times of the year, often when it’s more difficult to get people to move in. If you ask about a special and they don’t currently have one, it can be helpful to know when they do plan to offer it, especially if you don’t plan or need to move in the immediate future.

Perhaps the easiest way to find move in specials that include first month’s free rent is by searching the Internet. Sites like apartmentspecials.com offer simple search features that make it possible for individuals to look for apartments that fit their budget and lifestyle and instantly see all of the specials being offered by them. These services are free to use, and some showcase exclusive move in specials that are only offered through the website.

When moving, reduce your out of pocket expenses by asking about and looking for move in specials. A free month of rent gives you more money to spend on what you need and want for your new place. You can save the money or use it toward things like furniture, cleaning supplies or groceries. It may also allow for you to take a little time off of work to move into your new place comfortably and without undue stress.

About the Author

Jonathan Leger is a freelance writer and small business owner. He also runs a popular question and answer site at AnswerThis.co.