If all goes as planned, you'll find a place in the right location, at the right time, and for the right price. Everything requires planning and a little research if you're not familiar with the area and what exactly you want. With these tips and a little thought, you'll have an apartment secured in no time.

Plan 2-3 months in advance. Never wait until last minute to move, especially in the busy season when things happen fast.

Sign leases with 12-24 month terms, othwerwise you'll pay a monthly premium for short term leases. often times premiums run 10-25% of rent.

Know what you want . Pets, Public Tansportation, Parking, Shopping, Roomates, ect. When you contact your realtor, they're going to ask it anyway, so might as well be prepared.

Hire a moving company, or at least rent a van. Avoid bumps, scrapes, and back pains. To avoid trust and handling complications, ask around, research ratings, and search for compaies that have been in business for a while.

When on tours, have your drivers License, Social Security Number, Reference Contact Information, ect. Scrambling to reserve your dream apartments and trying to get fax machines to work is very frustrating when your not prepared.

Bring a friend when apartment seeking. They'll offer input, give you more confidence, and help you sort our the good and bad parts of a place, but remember, ultimately you are going to be living there.

Know someone nearby where you're moving...in case you get stuck. Cars break down, keys get lost, airports get delayed, things happen.

See if the company you work with or the school you attend has relocator services. Sometimes they offer incentives to relocate for them.

Ask important questions. Why did the last people move out? What are the neighbors like? These can prevent a lot of problems down the road.

Before signing, give it some thought. Once a lease is signed, it's a legal document that cannot be void without paying hefty fees.

For more information regarding renting, please visit the following suggested links:

Apartment Hunting 101 - It Doesn't get any more Basic

About.com Suggestions for Finding an Apartment

Student Search for Off Campus Housing

The Ultimate Checklist for Apartment Searching