My first apartment. Advice?

[MaxPowers]

I am deployed in the Army. Just got promoted to E6, so when I get back to the states, I will be authorized to live off post and get BAH ($831/m for single E6 in Lawton, OK)
I was looking at apartments online and found a studio apartment for $390, close to post, close to walmart. Good location. Or a 1 bedroom for $420. Also good location. They have decent grounds. It's a ghetto town where ever you go. The one with the studio apartments is a little nicer.
I want to have a place reserved so all I have to do is sign the final papers and move in when I get back. Is this a bad idea? Picking an apartment without fully seeing it in person? Maybe have a friend look it over, and then if he approves, I can throw down the down payment a couple months before I move in.
Also, I have no furniture. zero... I have a coat rack. What's the best way to go about buying furniture? used or new. I will probably end up going cheep.
Any other advice you can give me before I regret something would be great. I should be back in the states in June.

[bjl584]

Well, I never rented, so I can't help you there. I bought a house after college. But, I can tell you that there is nothing wrong with second hand furniture. It's amazimg what some people consider junk. I've gotten countless deals at yard sales, in the classifieds, and at flea markets. A lot of what I have was free. People I work with and people that I am related to or am friends with are always trying to get rid of a couch or a table or something. New furniture is way overpriced if you ask me.

[disneysteve]

I'd feel kind of strange renting a place I had never seen, but I can see doing it. Have a trusted friend check it out. Maybe he/she can send you a bunch of digital photos and video of the place.

As for furniture, the best way today is craigslist. People sell all kinds of great stuff. Back when I rented my first place, that didn't exist and I went to a used furniture store. I also got some hand me down pieces from family.

[simpletron]

when I leased my first apartment, i never saw it in person until i moved in because it was over a thousand miles away. I got a friend, who lived 45 minutes away, to visit 3 apartments and take pictures. he mail me the pictures and talk over the phone about his impressions of the places. then I made the decision on which one. I mail the apartment the security deposit a couple of months before i moved in. when i got there i signed the lease, wrote a check for first and last months rent and moved in. everything went very smoothly.

for furniture, used is way cheaper than new. a new sofa can cost more than a thousand, whereas going used you can furnish the whole apartment for a thousand or less. thift stores, yard sales, and college move outs are good places to find used furniture.

[kork13]

I graduated college last May (had to live in dorms the entire time), and I went in for an apartment with 2 others in my squadron sight-unseen. However, the apartment complex was recommended to us by someone in our unit, so we weren't too worried about it. It's worked out fairly well, so whatever... However, I don't think I'll be doing it that way in the future. It worked out this time, but having been here for a few months now, there are definitely some other places that I would have considered instead of where I'm at now.

My recommendation would be to talk to them and let them know you're interested, but don't put down any money on a place until you can have a chance to look around, see what you like/don't like, and take stock of all your options.

As for furniture, I mostly agree with the rest... You can get some great stuff on craigslist, or also in local consignment/second-hand shops. I will admit, however, that I splurged for much of my bedroom furniture when I furnished my place, because I knew that it was high quality furniture, and stuff that I can/will be able to keep for many years to come. On that note, I'd say if you're looking for good quality, long-term furniture (bed, dining room table, etc.), sometimes it can be worth spending more to get something that will last you for years and years.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by kork13

sometimes it can be worth spending more to get something that will last you for years and years.

On the other hand, if it is likely that you will move a number of times before you find your permanent home, it's better to beat up the cheap stuff and save the good stuff for when you buy a house.

[LuxLiving]

Don't forget to hook up with the local freecycle group when you get situated. Ask for what you need and it may turn up - wouldn't think it would hurt to say that you are military, that might help getting someone to donate.

Don't forget your local curb mall! Check out the curbs near local colleges, etc. Also you can call around to local apartment complexes. Where my son is renting the apartment manager is always offering him free furniture from the folks who have moved out in the middle of the night and left it all behind (who does this?????????). Anyway, there is FREE stuff to be had if you're not too picky to start off with.

[deadgoon]

You can try Apartment Ratings. They might have a listing for where you plan to live. You can also go ahead and reserve the place, but I wouldn't spend any money on that. I would make them show me the place once I arrived, but before I signed a lease. If it doesn't look good, don't sign. Go live in one of those pay by the week hotels until you can find something you like.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

As for furniture, the best way today is craigslist. People sell all kinds of great stuff. Back when I rented my first place, that didn't exist and I went to a used furniture store. I also got some hand me down pieces from family.

Craigslist is a godsend for people relocating and looking for furniture. I've relocated 3 times in three years, and never know how long I will be staying, and used craigslist to buy and sell a lot of furniture. In less populated places (Oklahoma, for example) you may have a lot less luck. I've found it's usually cheaper and easier for long distance moves to simply sell most things one place, and re-buy again in your new town than deal with renting a truck, finding friends to help you move, etc.

The thing about craigslist is: people are listing stuff because they want it GONE, usually quickly. If you have cash in hand and a truck to pick it up, you can reallllllyyy negotiate with people. There are so many people who reply to ads and want you to hold stuff "until the next payday" or "until my buddy with a truck can help me out" that when you have a buyer who says "I have cash and a truck, and I can be there in 30 minutes" sellers are willing to take less than advertised.

As for studio versus "real" apartment, I live in a studio and love it. There is something nice about living in a very space-efficient way. It teaches you to be smart about buying things, and keeping things neat and picked up. I'm MUCH better being organized and reducing clutter in my studio, because you see all of it pretty much all the time. Mine is a big studio, with a separate kitchen, but I think I'd be fine in something smaller as well.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

On the other hand, if it is likely that you will move a number of times before you find your permanent home, it's better to beat up the cheap stuff and save the good stuff for when you buy a house.

I still don't own a house, but have started to buy a few nicer pieces of furniture in addition to my cheepy Ikea and Craigslist stuff. It's mainly because my income is a bit higher now, and I've found a reasonably priced furniture company that really fits my tastes (Room & Board).

[scfr]

Are futons still around? That's why I used for 8 years. That and a small table or desk and a couple of chairs and you've got the basics covered.

[swanson719]

Since your getting the w.o dependent rate for BAH, I would rent the cheapest POS apartment you can find, and just save. Look for a mom and pop shop that sells furniture, and go in with a wad of 100$ bills and ask for a discount. Don't finance anything, because it's a pain to move and travel will probably damage your furniture anyway. Then again, a DITY move is tax deductable and you get the DLA with it, which is pretty high. If you plan on being at Sill for a while, you could buy a duplex for an interest only loan, rent out the other half to pay the mortgage, and then sell it when you PCS, which should turn a pretty decent profit. You'd be saving the BAH because the rent from the other half would pay for the mortgage, so that's a free $860 a month - utilities. The only downside is if you don't get BAS.