Know what you are looking for - This might seem obvious, but the better picture you have of what you want, the better and the faster that you will find the perfect apartment for you. Apart from the obvious factors such as size, number of bedrooms, bathrooms and the onsite amenities such as parking, pool and laundry facilities, other important questions that can help you narrow your focus follow.

Know where you want to be to achieve the perfect balance between work, play, schools, shopping, restaurants and amenities so you don't waste your precious time in rush hour traffic. For example,if your new city is Las Vegas, the area has great neighborhoods and shopping centers and many apartments are just a short distance away. One of the many benefits of downtown apartment living is the proximity to restaurants and activities and you should easily find an apartment that is within easy and convenient commute of your work.

Will you get good service? - There are several tell-tale signs that can clue you in to how of how well-run your property is. What are your first impressions of the exterior appearance, the office and the grounds? Be sure to tour common areas such as the laundry room. If you see liter or an untidy exterior appearance you should probably look elsewhere. Is the staff professional and courteous in their appearance and demeanor? Are they willing to accommodate any special needs like disability etc? Ask about routine maintenance and how quickly they handle service requests. Typical turn-around times for service request should be between 24-48 hours.

Know your budget - When renters first visit an apartment they're often swept away by emotional responses. The view from the living room, the beauty of the grounds, the fine-grain of the kitchen cabinetry and the spaciousness of the rooms - all can be quite intoxicating. Enjoy visualizing your beautiful new home but ask yourself what it's really going to cost you. Take care to consider the small stuff, like parking, water, gas, and electric. Ask about typical utility costs for your desired unit - both summer and winter. Remember, the bigger your apartment, the more it will cost you to keep it comfortable, especially in the hot summer months of Las Vegas. Also, check out the often overlooked hidden costs. Do neighborhood prices for groceries, gas, video rentals, laundry services etc meet your expectation?

Will you feel secure? - In the rush to find your perfect apartment rental, security is often an afterthought. And yet it's perhaps a more critical detail for you as a renter, especially with neighbors that you may have just met. Ask if the apartment performs a criminal background check on all applicants. Note features like night-time courtesy patrols and day night video cameras. These are great for easing your security concerns in choosing your new home.

Use this "Five Factor Find Formula" and you'll quickly find the perfect apartment for you. Know what you want, know where you want it, look for good service and property management at a price that you can afford and pay attention to your security. Before you know it, you'll be enoying the view from your new home.