With spring here and a load of midterms mounting, looking for an apartment for next fall may be the last detail on most students' to-do list. Even if procrastination is a familiar friend, now may not be a good time to ignore the dozens of fliers that crowd mailboxes and campus boards, all advertising \Great Location ... Great Prices ... Only TWO blocks from State Street!"" The frenzy of the apartment-hunting season may have dwindled, but options remain for last-minute renters.
Many rental companies, as well as the Campus Information and Visitor Center's off-campus housing listing service, explained most leases for the fall semester are signed between December and the end of January. However, the Internet is an easy approach to finding the last available units scattered across campus.
The CIVC Web site provides an easy-to-use listing that matches preferences such as desired price range and number of rooms with available units and contact information. The service also answers more commonly asked questions like ""How do I sublet my apartment?"" or ""Can I bring a pet?""
Another handy source for students is the Start Renting guide, which can also be found online. The guide lists all types of housing in the Madison area from apartment units to condominiums to cheap flats.
Ken Sinner of Forward Management also advised prospective tenants to snatch up anything they find as quickly as possible.
""Come up with a strategy, look at five apartments in one afternoon, and make a decision,"" he said. ""Coming back in two weeks will maybe lower your chances.""
If no search strikes the groups' fancy, they may want to re-evaluate their preferences, according to Jim Lynett, a student employee at La Ciel apartments.
""In March, it is more difficult to be selective because there is less availability in terms of layouts and floor level,"" he said.
Therefore, it is important to know how many bedrooms everyone will need and how many people will be living together. By spring, it may be more difficult to find units that offer four or five bedroom units and larger living areas. According to Sinner, three bedroom units rent the fastest and usually one and two bedroom units are the only ones left.
It may even be easier to wait until rental companies lower rent price for some of their units. Often, if there are available units during the summer, owners may reduce rent prices to attract more prospective tenants.
UW-Madison sophomore Jessica Lim recalled having the exact same experience last summer when she began her search.
""The rent was $100 dollars cheaper and my roommate
found an apartment during the summer,"" she said, adding, ""I'm not very picky, so it turned out fine.""
However, Michael Greiber, corporate counselor of Madison Property Management, said prices decrease depending on available units and market trends.
Before sprinting to class, be sure to glance at the posted signs advertising off-campus housing.
Simply jotting a number down or logging on to the Web may bring the future homeless college student closer to finding a place to call home for next semester.
For more information, go to www.startrenting.com and http://housing.civc.wisc.edu.
