👍🐶 Questions You Should Ask On Your Apartment Tour (From a Fresh Aggie Grad!)
Howdy, y’all! 👋 As a brand-new Aggie grad stepping into “real adult life” (yes, that means paying rent with your name on the lease), I’ve learned that apartment tours are way more than just checking if the pool looks cool or if the lobby smells like Starbucks.
When I first started touring, I thought it was all about “Does this place look nice?” But trust me—there’s a lot hidden behind the granite countertops and shiny gym equipment. Asking the right questions can literally save you from roommate drama, surprise fees, or even worse… moving AGAIN six months later.
Here’s the list of must-ask questions I’ve built for fellow Aggies making the move to Houston, Dallas, Austin, or beyond:
🏠 Apartment Basics
What’s actually included in the rent? (Water, trash, internet, parking?)
What’s the average monthly utility bill here? Sometimes that “cheap rent” gets eaten alive by $300 electric bills.
Is renters insurance required? (Spoiler: it usually is.)
📜 Lease & Money
What’s the lease break policy? Life happens—new job, new city, or just a bad fit. Know before you sign.
How much is the security deposit and what does it cover? You don’t want surprises when moving out.
Do you raise rent at renewal—and if so, how much on average?
🚗 Parking & Location
How secure is the parking? Gated garages are gold.
Do I have to pay for a parking spot—or is it first come, first served?
How’s traffic at rush hour from here to downtown/the office? (Houston grads know this one can make or break your sanity.)
🔧 Maintenance & Safety
How fast is maintenance response time? Broken A/C in August = nightmare.
What security features are in place? Cameras, controlled entry, courtesy patrol.
Any issues with bugs, flooding, or noise complaints? Don’t be shy—ask.
🛋️ Lifestyle & Community
Do you allow Airbnbs or short-term rentals? If yes, RUN. You don’t want random strangers coming and going every weekend.
What’s the pet policy (fees + breed restrictions)? Even if you don’t have a dog now, you might later.
What community events do you host? (Free pizza and networking? Sign me up.)
🎓 Aggie Grad Pro-Tip
When you walk through, don’t just look with your eyes. Use your ears (listen for noise), nose (any funky smells?), and feet (check the hallways, elevators, and parking). Trust me, the details tell you more than the tour guide sometimes does.
Final Word
Being fresh out of Texas A&M, I wanted a place that wasn’t just a roof over my head but a spot where I felt safe, social, and ready to build my next chapter. Asking these questions saved me from almost signing at a “too good to be true” place.
So when you go on your apartment tour, be that grad who’s prepared—you’ll thank yourself when move-in day comes! 👍
👉 Fellow Aggies (and future big-city Texans), what’s the ONE question you wish you had asked before signing your lease? Drop it below—let’s save each other some headaches! 🏡💬
________________________________________
Aggies—find your perfect apartment in your new city for FREE with Howdy Apartments! We’ll guide you on the best areas, recommend the right places, and even set up your tours. 100% free and Aggie-focused.
👉 Sign up here: howdyapartments.com/start
📲 Call or text me anytime: Grant – 214-492-9791
________________________________________