The Arizona Republic

How to use social media to find right apartment

- Rent Smart Courtney Gilstrap LeVinus Guest columnist Courtney Gilstrap LeVinus is president and CEO of the Arizona Multihousi­ng Associatio­n.

Social media is a great resource to communicat­e with friends and family, receive local and national updates and find out what is on people’s minds.

These platforms can also be used as a beneficial tool to find an apartment that best fits your needs and personalit­y. Facebook, Instagram and Yelp are all good places to start when you are looking to move.

Because social media is such a popular way of communicat­ion, more apartment communitie­s are on Facebook and Instagram than ever before.

Looking at your community’s social media pages can help give you an idea of what it is like living in that specific area. This can help you narrow down your search and find a great place to live.

Once you have found what interests you, you can do some research on the communitie­s that match your ideal criteria. Looking up restaurant­s, parks, events, grocery stores, malls and other things to do that are close by can give you an idea of what the neighborho­od is like.

If you want to know what others think, try searching for a place on Yelp. It offers feedback given by residents who have been to that place before. Looking up “restaurant­s” will rank the best-rated places to eat near you and give you a better idea of places you need to visit.

Another idea is to search for a community’s social media page. Their profile will give you a preview of the apartment community you’re interested in. Social media often provides photos, virtual tours and reviews, and can give you a better feel for the amenities and services offered.

Once you have moved into your next rental home, you should then consider following them on social media. By turning on their post notificati­ons, you can be the first to know about events, specials, giveaways, local businesses and important updates. It’s valuable to stay up to date with your apartment community.

Not all comments and reviews on social media accurately reflect the apartment community or business.

The simplicity and ease of posting a comment can be abused by internet users.

You cannot trust everything you read online. It’s recommende­d to contact the property and express any concerns to the leasing agent. They can provide clarity on the issue and should are willing to answer any questions you might have.

Not all reviews should be negative. If you had a positive encounter with staff in your apartment home or at a local business, consider posting a review on social media or online. Doing this can help future residents navigate their choices by listening to your experience­s.

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