Photo by Jeffrey Eisen
Located in the British Columbia interior, in the heart of the Okanagan Valley and right on the banks of the Okanagan Lake, Kelowna is one of the most popular destinations in B.C. for transplants. Kelowna is known for being in the heart of B.C. wine country and being surrounded by mountains, lakeside beaches, hiking trails, golf courses, and ski resorts. Living in Kelowna can feel like an extended vacation, and tourism is an important part of the town’s economy.
Kelowna’s popularity has spurred a surge of new development. As the city has tried to focus on intensification rather than continuing to sprawl out into the natural beauty of its surroundings, Kelowna is seeing a number of new high-rise developments. There are more and more options are opening up for people looking to move to or within Kelowna, but the province as a whole still faces a pretty striking housing shortage.
Finding Kelowna apartments for rent isn’t always easy in the current market. With these tips, you’ll be a competitive applicant and have a better chance of finding the perfect place to call home.
#1 Look Online
Start your search where you can find the most possible listings. Online rental listings should give you the most listings in one place, as well as the ability to filter your searches depending on factors like price, size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and other essential factors.
#2 Make a List of Criteria
Searching online will be much easier when you know what you’re looking for. As you start looking at listings, make a list of essential criteria for your new home. What’s the minimum size you’re willing to look for? Are basement apartments out of the question? Is parking a non-negotiable? Once you have answers to these questions, you can narrow down your search and make it more efficient.
#3 Set Your Budget
The single most important step in finding the right apartment is setting the right budget. Not only will you be able to focus on places that you can afford, but landlords will be more likely to accept your application when you’re searching in the right price range.
As a rule, you should only spend about 30 percent of your pre-tax income on rent, although in tight rental markets, that percentage is a bit more flexible. In high-cost markets, make sure the rest of your budget fits your shelter costs.
#4 Explore Neighbourhoods
Kelowna is a city of over 220,000, and there are a number of different neighbourhoods to choose from. If you’re looking for an apartment to rent in a high-rise or you love the convenience of urban living, Central City is the place for you.
However, if you’d rather be a quick drive away from the natural features of the Okanagan Valley, neighbourhoods closer to the urban edge, like West Kelowna, Brighton, or South Mission, might be better bets.
#5 Get Your Application Ready
Expedite your apartment hunt by getting everything you need for your application ready ahead of time. Photocopy your government-issued ID, get your credit report, and ask your previous landlords for references so that you can be the first to get your application in.
Make your apartment search in Kelowna a cinch by searching online, deciding on your budget and your must-haves, exploring different neighbourhoods, and getting your application ready in advance.
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