To make sure you get the best deal while apartment or house hunting in the Sioux Falls area, here are some quick and useful tips.
         

·      First Time Home Buyers -- start saving extra money now. Depending on the type of mortgage insurance, you’re required to put somewhere between 3% and 20% down with the First Time Home Buyers Loan.

·      Make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. Fix any problems you discover because it will simplify buying a home or renting an apartment.

·      Only look to buy a house that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary, or rent an apartment that's no more than 25% of your income.

·      Use one of the many calculators found online to understand how your income, debt and income will affect what you can afford for housing.

·      Learn about your potential neighborhood. Visit the area at different times of the day and on weekends. You’ll get a good feel for activity levels, traffic and otherissues that’ll affect your living situation.

·      If you decide to rent, review and understand your lease. Make sure youfully grasp things like security deposit refunds, which utilities are covered by rent and the length of time before the first rent increase.