Apartment hunting can be a tiring process. Many want to move but can’t seem to find any good options. Others don’t even know where to begin their search.  

When searching for an ideal home, everyone has a list of things they need to live comfortably (e.g., amenities, security, and distance from the train station). However, many people get burnt out searching for apartments because they cannot find one that matches their standards. 

In this article, we will discuss several reasons you can’t seem to get hold of your ideal apartment and five ways for tired apartment hunters to find the perfect home. Be sure to use this article as a guide when searching for your next apartment! 

Village House has over 1,000 properties throughout Japan, including 1DKs, 2LDKs, and many more. We charge zero deposits, key money, or brokerage fees. If you are still looking for an apartment, check out our website! 

Difficulties in deciding on a new apartment 

There are various reasons why you may have trouble choosing an apartment. 

Reason 1: No apartments meet your standards 

Many grow tired of apartment hunting because they can’t find one that meets their standards. However, if you are too particular, your options will be limited. Furthermore, if you have a limited budget, finding an apartment that meets all your criteria will take a lot more time and effort. Hence, you must be prepared to compromise during your apartment search, especially when it comes to lesser priorities. 

Reason 2: It’s too difficult to choose because there are too many good apartments 

If you have yet to narrow down your search area, you may find it hard to shortlist apartments. Visiting too many apartments will tire you out. If you need help deciding on a search area, try consulting a real estate agent. They will provide you with information about which neighborhoods are safer, their average rental rates, and recommend the best places to live in. 

Reason 3: Even if you find a place you like, someone else snatches it up 

Better apartments will have more interested renters, making them more difficult to get. Applications for apartment renting are generally on a first-come, first-serve basis. Better apartments will be taken up especially quickly during the peak period from January to March. Therefore, you need to act quickly if you are considering moving. 

Double-check your reasons for moving 

Common reasons for moving: 

and so on… 

If you are having trouble deciding on a new apartment, take a step back and think about why you decided to move in the first place. 

After a protracted search, it is not uncommon to forget your reasons for moving. By looking back on why you wanted to move, you can remind yourself of what it is you’re actually looking for in your next apartment. 

For example, if you are moving because you don’t have enough space in your apartment, then prioritize spaciousness. If you are concerned about noise issues, prioritize soundproofing and neighborhood safety. 

Review your conditions for an apartment 

Try listing down your conditions for renting an apartment. Here is an example: 

and so on… 

In reality, most people who tire themselves out searching for an apartment have expectations that are too high. Once you have reviewed your reasons for moving, we recommend that you decide what conditions you can and cannot compromise on. 

Finding a place will be easier if you can narrow down your non-negotiables to at most five conditions and compromise more on your lower priorities. 

Reconsider your budget estimate 

If you are having trouble finding an apartment, one option is to reconsider your budget. Generally speaking, as long as your rent is less than one-third of your take-home pay, it will not be a burden on your finances. 

Make sure to set a reasonable budget for rent. If you still have trouble finding an apartment even after reviewing your criteria and budget, you may want to consider lowering your criteria. 

Be open to new places to live and expand your search area  

If you can’t find a good apartment in the area you want to live in, consider searching in other areas. Expanding your search area will help you to find a place that meets your needs. 

Besides, rents tend to be relatively cheap near stations where only local trains stop. Although commuting to work or school may take longer, you may not have to compromise on amenities or floor plans. 

Move at a later time 

If you aren’t in a hurry to move, it may be a good idea to choose another time of year to start your apartment search. 

You will have to consider your circumstances and the renewal period of your current contract when deciding the timing of your move. However, if you have the option, avoiding peak moving seasons will make it easier to find a better apartment. 

For example, companies tend to shuffle their personnel around between January and March, and a new school term starts in September. Though more apartment vacancies open up during these months of the year, they often fill up quickly. Therefore, if you’re not in a hurry to move or want to take your time searching, why not consider choosing another time of year to move? 

The right timing can make the apartment-hunting process smoother 

Here are some tips to help with your apartment search: 

Consult with a real estate company 

Rather than looking for and deciding on an apartment on your own, we recommend consulting with a real estate agent. Before choosing a real estate company, it is important to check their reviews and opening hours. If you are busy and have little spare time, check to see if the real estate company’s business hours match your schedule. 

Major real estate companies and local real estate companies are not the same. Major real estate companies handle many properties and offer reliable service quality and great promotions. 

On the other hand, local companies are familiar with neighborhood circumstances and are flexible in price negotiations. It is also easier to find great bargains through local companies. Be sure to understand the differences and choose a real estate company that suits your needs. 

Set a deadline for moving 

To avoid agonizing for too long over which apartment to choose, set a date for when you want to move. If you start apartment hunting without a set deadline, you may end up constantly putting off making the final decision. 

Conversely, setting a deadline may help you be more decisive and speed up the search process. If you provide your real estate company with information about when you are planning to move (even just a tentative timeframe), they may take it into consideration when assisting you. 

Once you find an apartment you like, make a contract right away 

To avoid dragging out your apartment search, quickly put in your rental application after the apartment viewing if you like an apartment. You won’t have to waste time making multiple trips to your real estate company, and you’ll be less likely to lose the apartment to your competitors. 

You will have fierce competition if you are apartment hunting during peak moving season, so it is important to act quickly. Those who apply earlier will proceed to the tenant screening, so it is advantageous to act immediately after your apartment viewing. 

Many people tend to think “There may be a better place out there” even after finding an apartment that they’re interested in. However, it is not uncommon for it to become unavailable while they are still deciding.  

Timing and luck are also important factors when looking for an apartment. Once you find a place you like, we recommend you seriously consider sending in your rental application. 

Village House offers over 1,000 properties throughout all of Japan’s 47 prefectures. If you are having trouble finding the right apartment, please feel free to reach out to us. 

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Machiko Doi

Hello, I’m Machiko Doi, a freelance writer who writes about housing and living in Japan.

I live in an 80-year-old house that I inherited from my grandparents along with my two shelter cats and daughter.

We live a relaxed life while repairing the house.

I like to cook vegetables from the garden and fresh fish caught by my father, and enjoy them with cold beer on a hot day or hot sake on a cold day.