One of the biggest questions for many students, especially those moving off-campus for the first time, is just when should they start looking for housing.  The best answer is now!

But in all seriousness, it’s never too early to start asking the right questions, such as where you want to live, what your budget is, and who you’re going to be living with. Depending on the area in which your school is situated, off-campus housing could be limited, in which case getting a head-start could mean the difference between a sweet apartment, or a dump. Seriously, even a couple weeks makes a huge difference!

Some other things to consider: location, amenities, move-in fees, and whether or not you’ll need a co-signer. You can use our apartment checklist to ensure that you’re making the right decision for you once you’ve started your search.

All in all, it’s best to start looking for off-campus housing as soon as you can. But before you do anything, have an idea of what you want from your housing!