I Want to Find an Apartment for $350, Part 2.

Part two.

 

In order to keep my previous blog reasonably short and readable (a prospective renter was looking for a $350 per month apartment in her town – a town where Fair Market Rents for FY 2010 were $705 per month, or twice what she was looking to pay), I didn’t go into some possibilities the prospective tenant could look into.

 

I’ll offer some thoughts here.

 

Note: the prospective renter did not explain why she only had a $350 per month budget.  It could have been that she and her fiance were choosing to save as much money as possible for some big event (such as getting married), or it could be that they just plain don’t have the money.

 

Either way, an apartment that fits the budget she’s offered will be hard to find.  There are options, though and I hope one of them works out for her.  Obviously she’s trying, since she posted her request on line.

 

a) The renter and her fiance could move into a larger apartment with some friends, and all could split the rent.  This has been happening more and more lately, as families and friends double up.  While some landlords don’t like it, others are okay since they believe they have a better chance of keeping the unit rented.

 

b) The renter and her fiance could consider moving in with a family member temporarily.

 

c) The renter and her fiance could go to General Assistance for short-term help or Section 8 (I know… there’s a waiting list).

 

d) The renter could try to find a family willing to rent out a room or two, even if it weren’t an actual apartment.  She might do well to post on church bulletin boards or meet with her pastor regarding her situation.

 

e) I’m presuming she wants to stay in her current small town for work or other reasons.  If not, then it might be worth moving to a less expensive town or county; again, it could just be temporary.

 

I suspect the prospective renter has considered all of these option, but wanted to throw them out anyway.