As college students, we are constantly moving. We start out living in the dorms, and as we proceed through our college career we move on up in the world to bigger and better things -- either our sorority or fraternity houses, or off campus apartments and houses. Moving into an apartment or house is a rite of passage for upperclassmen; it is the next big step we take into the real world. 

While most people probably already have their housing for next year figured out, here are some tips for the people who like to wait until last minute (like me). Keep these in mind when you are out there shopping for your ideal apartment or house.

Identify your top three priorities. Before you start looking, it is important to first know what you are looking for. Are you most interested in location or square footage? Having an idea of what you want can help you narrow down your search so you know exactly where to begin.

Ask questions. Better to know all the facts now before you sign a lease than to be surprised with bad news after you’ve already committed. A few questions to consider might be:

What utilities (if any) are included?

Are pets allowed?

Are any additional amenities offered within the apartment building?

Keep a comparison checklist. When you are shopping for a place to live, you usually have many options and sometimes they can all run together. In order to make your life easier develop a checklist with all your top options that you can refer back to when shopping, maybe even consider adding a picture of each to your list for further help.

Be an efficient shopper. In the tech savvy world that we live in there are lots of resources that we have at our disposal when apartment hunting. The worldwide web is probably our biggest resource with a huge variety of different websites with listings. Do not stick to just one website, visit a few and compare and contrast your results. Also, lots of landlords and companies stick to signs and flyers to advertise their apartment so make sure to keep your eye out for those when you are out and about.

Know your lease details. Before you sign anything, it is extremely important to fully know and understand the contents of your contract, first and foremost recognizing the length of your lease. Things happen, so make sure you know what happens if you have to break your lease and if you have the option to sublease if needed.

Beware of parking problems. Often, parking spaces at apartment complexes are limited and things get tricky when you have multiple roommates. If you are only allowed one or two parking spots, and you need more, make sure to ask about other parking options -- like street parking or a nearby parking garage.

7.Get everything in writing

If you were promised certain things on your house tour, ask your landlord to write it down for you to avoid any discrepancies that might come up in the future. This way you’re not liable if they decide to go back on their word.

Finding a home away from home can be hard, especially if it’s your first time, but hopefully these tips will come in handy on your search and before you know it you’ll be able to spot the perfect apartment a mile away. Happy apartment hunting!