HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt

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HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
REVIEWS AND ADVICE
        FROM CURRENT STUDENTS

     SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL

      HOUSING GUIDE
          2021

 HOUSING DATA             TOP PROPERTIES
 NEIGHBORHOODS EXPLAINED  LANDLORD INFO
 APARTMENT RATINGS        RENTER RESOURCES

               Intelligent Apartment Search
HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
TABLE OF CONTENTS                GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE GUIDE
                                                          Start with the Housing Facts section. This section
                                                          should help you determine the type of apartment you'd
4    HOUSING FACTS                                        like to live in and how much you should expect to pay
     Our data on housing                                  in rent.
                                                          Read about different neighborhoods and narrow down
                                                          your search to parts of the city that you like most.
5    ABOUT VERYAPT
     Using the VeryApt site alongside this
                                                          Use the Apartment Ratings section to identify the
     guide
                                                          best apartment buildings across the categories (e.g.
                                                          best amenities, highest rated) that matter most to you.
6    NEIGHBORHOODS OVERVIEW
     Most popular neighborhoods for SMU                   Visit VeryApt.com to read reviews, get pricing, and set
     Law students                                         up appointments for the apartments you like most.

      7   M Streets

     8    Vickery Meadow

     10 Oak Lawn                             ABOUT THE DATA IN THIS GUIDE
     12 Old East Dallas                      All of the data in this guide are based on feedback from real
                                             renters in Dalla. We asked students to rate their apartments on a
                                             scale of 1-10 across six categories:
13   DATA TABLE
     Compiled from SMU Law student
     reviews

15   APARTMENT RATINGS
     Top apartments, based on the feedback
     of SMU Law students
                                                    Overall                        Value                    Management
     15 Most Popular
     16 Highest Rated
     17 Best for Amenities
     18 Best for Value

20   LANDLORDS                                    Amenities                      Location                        Safety
     Ratings for landlords and management
     companies                               Based on their feedback, we compiled a list of the best apartment
                                             buildings for SMU Law students. If you are interested in
                                             additional data that is not in the guide or have a housing
                                             question, you can reach us at contact@veryapt.com.

                                             DISCLAIMER: The reviews and ratings presented throughout the guide and the
                                             VeryApt website do not reflect the opinions, position, or endorsement of VeryApt.
                                             The responses and reviews presented are solely those of the survey respondents.
                                             VeryApt assumes no responsibility for readers' or users' interpretation of the data.
                                             The results do not in any way constitute a warranty or representation by VeryApt
                                             as to the quality, safety, or other features of a property. We encourage you to
                                             check all available sources of information about properties prior to renting.
HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
Where SMU Law students live                      Who SMU Law students live with

                     35%   M Streets
                                                                          50%   Alone
                     25%   Vickery Meadow
                                                                          25%   Spouse/partner
                     25%   Oak Lawn
                                                                          25%   Roommate
                     10%   Old East Dallas
                                                                                (excluding spouse/
                     5%    Other                                                partner)

                                                 37% of SMU Law students live with pets

What type of properties SMU                      What size residences SMU Law
Law students live in                             students live in
                     75%   Large property (50+                            5%    Studios or efficiences
                           units)
                                                                          65%   One bedrooms
                     10%   Mid-size property
                           (20-49 units)                                  25%   Two bedrooms
                     15%   Small property (2-9                            5%    Three or more
                           units)                                               bedrooms

Distribution of property ratings                 Average rent by apartment size
                                                       $1,120
                                                      STUDIO
                                                       $1,300
                                                         1BR
                                                       $1,625
                                                        2BR

  10%      20%         25%        45%                  $1,900
                                                        3BR
 0 - 6.9   7 - 7.9    8 - 8.9      9+

Rent versus own                                  Commute methods
    90%
    Rent
    10%
    Own

                                                     90%         5%         5%
                                                     Driving    Walking    Biking

                                                 4
HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
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                                                               5
HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
NEIGHBORHOODS EXPLAINED
An overview of the most popular neighborhoods for SMU Law students

  1     M Streets                              2      Vickery Meadow                       Other Neighborhoods
35% of SMU Law students                      25% of SMU Law students                       less than 5% each

M Streets is a combination of smaller        Vickery Meadow is the consensus top
areas - Greenland Hills, Vickery Place,      neighborhood for SMU graduate                  5      Lake Highlands
Lower Greenville, etc. What this             students. The main reasons are 1) it's
neighborhood offers is quiet living,         very easy commute to class and 2) this
affordable rent, and the feeling that        area is home to the popular apartment          6      Southeast Dallas
you're not stuck in the suburbs since it's   complex, The Village at Dallas.
close to Downtown.                           Combining these two factors makes
                                             living here an easy choice for SMU grad        7      Downtown Dallas
                                             students.

  3     Oak Lawn                               4      Old East Dallas                       8      Far North Dallas

25% of SMU Law students                      10% of SMU Law students
                                                                                            9      South Dallas
Oak Lawn is a lively and vibrant upscale     Old East Dallas is a historical
district just north of Downtown Dallas.      neighborhood full of culture and art. It is
This neighborhood, proud to embrace          a quiet neighborhood that is perfect for       10     Northwest Dallas
diverse lifestyles, is adorned with tree-    somebody looking for something more
lined avenues, grand old homes, and          relaxing close to campus. It is also right
offers easy access to Interstate 35 and      next to Downtown, so it is very easy to
the Dallas North Tollway.                    get to the popular nightlife options.

                                                                 6
HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
M Streets
                                                   Slice of Small Town

             ABOUT M STREETS

   M Streets is the perfect neighborhood for a
   younger crowd that craves living in a classic
   neighborhood while not having to sacrifice a
  city lifestyle. M Streets exudes personality and
   charm. It’s an open and friendly community
  anyone would find easy to love. Parks, grocery
  stores, great schools, restaurants, and walking
      trails are all within a 10-minute walk.

              Restaurants         Bars

        Close to Downtown          Suburban

             MEDIAN RENTS IN M STREETS

 $1,100             $1,450               $1,905
    Studio            1 Bedroom           2 Bedroom

                                         WHAT RESIDENTS THINK ABOUT M STREETS

                                                                
                                                                     
Review by SMU Law Student                   THE ATWOOD              Review by SMU Law Student            VUE FITZHUGH
Overall it's very lowkey compared to other areas of                  The neighborhood is up and coming so there are a lot of
town. Everyone pretty much keeps to themselves. There                good restaurants popping up in the immediate area. Lots
are lots of apartment complexes in this area but mine                of young professionals live in this area.
doesn't feel too crowded or compacted. If you're looking
for something more relaxed and quiet, this is a good
place. If you're looking for a close location to night life or
entertainment, it's probably not what you're looking for.

                                                                 7
HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
Vickery Meadow
                                           Full of Graduate Students

        ABOUT VICKERY MEADOW

    In the northeast section of Dallas lies the
  neighborhood Vickery Meadow. In the 1940s,
  Vickery Meadow was a small town, and in the
   '60s and '70s, the area was developed with
  apartment complexes for young professionals.
  Today, Vickery Meadow offers a multitude of
    affordable apartments that are extremely
  popular for SMU graduate students because it
  provides easy access to class, yet is not too far
             removed from Downtown.

     Lots of Greenery         Close to Campus

         MEDIAN RENTS IN VICKERY MEADOW

  $870                $950              $1,300
    Studio            1 Bedroom          2 Bedroom

                                  WHAT RESIDENTS THINK ABOUT VICKERY MEADOW
                                                            
Review by SMU Law Student                BEND IN THE VIL.       Review by SMU Law Student  CORNERS IN THE VIL.
The neighborhood is great! It's near school and super            The neighborhood is super pet friendly. I always see
safe. There's 24-hour Village security that covers all of        people walking their dogs. The Village has its own
the Village properties. There is a lot of construction           private security that drives around the property 24/7. It
happening because they're building a new apartment               is also super affordable compared to other Dallas
and shopping/restaurant center nearby, but that should           apartments, and I think it is a great bang for your buck.
be finished soon.                                                The neighborhood is also mainly young people, from
                                                                 what I can tell.

                                                             8
HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
HOUSING GUIDE SMU DEDMAN LAW SCHOOL 2021 - VeryApt
Oak Lawn
                                             A Lively Neighborhood

             ABOUT OAK LAWN

     Oak Lawn is a lively and vibrant, upscale
   district just north of Downtown Dallas. This
     neighborhood is adorned with tree-lined
   avenues, grand old homes, and offers easy
   access to Interstate 35 and the Dallas North
   Tollway. The active social scene here offers
   some of the best restaurants & bars in all of
                       Dallas.

             Vibrant         Downtown

     Pricier Apartments            Grand Homes

                        Active

             MEDIAN RENTS IN OAK LAWN

  $1,315            $1,525              $2,050
    Studio             1 Bedroom         2 Bedroom

                                       WHAT RESIDENTS THINK ABOUT OAK LAWN
                                                           
Review by SMU Law Student              POST UPTOWN VIL.        Review by SMU Law Student               KNOX HEIGHTS
Great place to live. Plenty of restaurants, bars, and           It’s a great mix of young professionals. There aren’t a
grocery stores within walking distance. I do not have to        whole lot of undergrads living over here, which is really
leave a three mile radius unless I want to.                     nice. I love being so close to so many shops and
                                                                restaurants, but not too close, like I feel you’d be in
                                                                Uptown. Knox Heights is on the strip of McKinney
                                                                perpendicular to Knox, so you get the location benefits
                                                                without the noise.

                                                           10
Old East Dallas
                                                       History Abounds

         ABOUT OLD EAST DALLAS

  This neighborhood's name fits its feel, as the
   homes are a bit older and the area is full of
   history. That said, it's experienced a recent
       revitalization with an influx of young
  professionals and grad students moving here.
  If you're looking for a hip area with some old-
   school Dallas Charm, Old East Dallas is your
                         spot.

         Architecture            Well-Located

        Historic         Young Professionals

             MEDIAN RENTS IN OLD EAST DALLAS

 $1,410                $1,525            $2,000
    Studio              1 Bedroom          2 Bedroom

                                     WHAT RESIDENTS THINK ABOUT OLD EAST DALLAS

                                                             
                                                                  
Review by SMU Student             FITZHUGH URBAN FLATS           Review by SMU Student              2660 @ CITYPLACE
Apartments in Old East Dallas are close enough to                 The neighborhood is definitely a fun place to be as a
Uptown and Knox Henderson that you get the city vibe              social young person in Dallas - the proximity in the city
without the city prices. Check out Jimmy's Food Store -           and popular bars and restaurants can't really be beat
an Italian grocery store with THE BEST sandwiches and
cannolis!

                                                             12
APARTMENT                                                   KEY
                                                                         Excellent for a category

  RATINGS
                                                              ••••                                      $$$$   $1560+ per renter
                                                               •••       Great                           $$$   $1260- $1559
                                                                ••       Average                         $$    $1080- $1259
                                                                 •       Below average                    $    < $1080
                                                                                                               * Prices subject to change and may
                                                                                                               vary significantly by room type

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  3636 McKinney Ave                                       Apt        7.8      $$$                        ••      ••     ••• ••• ••••

  5 Mockingbird                                           Apt        8.5        $                       ••• ••• ••• ••• •••

  Arrive on University                                    Apt        7.6       $$                        ••      ••      ••      ••       ••

  Cityplace Heights                                       Apt        9.5      $$$                       ••• •••• ••• •••                 ••

  Gables Katy Trail                                       Apt        7.3       $$                        •••     ••      ••      ••       •••

  Glass House by Windsor                                  Apt        8.4      $$$$                       •• •••• ••             ••• •••

  Knox Heights                                            Apt        9.0      $$$$                       ••• •••         ••     ••• ••••

  Lakewood on the Trail                                   Apt        8.0       $$                       •••• •••• ••            ••       •••

  Landmark on Lovers                                      Apt        7.6      $$$                       ••      ••      ••       •       ••

  Post Uptown Village                                     Apt        7.8       $$                        ••      •• •••• •••• ••••

  Post Worthington                                        Apt        7.2       $$                        ••      ••      •• •••• ••

  The Ash                                                 Apt        9.7      $$$$                       ••• •••• •••• •••• •••

  The Atwood                                              Apt        7.4      $$$                       ••• •••         ••      ••       •••

** Buildings with fewer than 3 reviews or ratings below 7.0 are not listed in this guide but reviews can be found online at VeryApt.com.
*** Some buildings with fewer than 3 reviews are included above because of high ratings but do not appear in the top 10 lists.

                                                                     13
APARTMENT
  RATINGS

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  The Continental                                                    Apt     8.3       $$                           •••• ••• ••• ••• •••

  The Corners in The Village                                         Apt     8.7        $                           •••• ••           •••   ••        •••

  The Dakota in The Village                                          Apt     9.2       $$$                          •••• •••           ••   ••         ••

  The Gate in The Village                                            Apt     9.4        $                             ••      ••• •••• •• ••••

  The Lakes in The Village                                           Apt     8.7        $                           •••• ••• •••• •••                  ••

  The Merc                                                           Apt     7.0        $                             ••      ••• •••• •••• ••

  The Mondrian                                                       Apt     8.7       $$$$                         ••• •••• •••• ••• ••••

  The Taylor                                                         Apt     8.8       $$$$                          •••• •••• •• •••• •••

  The Teak                                                           Apt     9.9       $$$$                           ••      ••• •••• ••               ••

  Tonti Lakeside                                                     Apt     7.8        $                             ••       •• ••••        •        •••

  Upper East Side                                                    Apt     9.3       $$$                            •• •••• ••• •••• ••••

  Vue Fitzhugh                                                       Apt     8.0       $$                            •••       •• •••• ••               ••

  Westside In The Village                                            Apt     8.4        $                            •••       ••       ••    •         ••

  White Rock Lake Apartment Villas                                   Apt     9.8        $                            •••• •••• ••             •     ••••

ABOUT OUR CATEGORIES                                                               Living Situation Ratings
Property Type                                                                      Families          How students with partners and/or children rated the building.
                                                                                   Pet Owners        How students with pets rated the building.
Apartment (Apt)   Properties with one building manager. Often have
                  consistent pricing/features.
                                                                                   Building Quality Ratings
Condo             Properties with multiple owners. Lease terms and
                  features can vary significantly by unit.                         Management        Maintenance and service quality.
                                                                                   Amenities         In-room and building features beyond the basics.
Key Building Factor Ratings                                                        Value             Building quality given cost of rent.
Overall Rating    Overall feedback on building quality.                            Social            Building community and social scene.
Popularity        Estimated # of students in the building.                         Safety            Building neighborhood safety.

                                                                             14
MOST                                                1 st
                                                               5 MOCKINGBIRD
                                                               M Streets
                                                                                                               $          8+
                                                                                                                        PEOPLE

 POPULAR
 Buildings with the most SMU Law students

 READ MORE REVIEWS AT VERYAPT.COM
                                                            Review by SMU Law Student
                                                            “Pretty great place. My apartment looks over the pool which is
 What students typically look for:                          super loud when the weather is nice. The gym is pretty nice as
                                                            well but sometimes only one treadmill works.

                                                            Maintenance is quick. Apparently the other half of the building
                          Excellent location               experiences a lot of power outages but I've never had one.”
                          Reasonably-priced
                           apartments                2 nd
                          Solid amenities                     LANDMARK ON LOVERS $$$$                                    7+
                                                                                                                        PEOPLE
                                                               M Streets, 5201 Amesbury Dr

                                                            Review by SMU Law Student
                                                            "The apartments at Landmark on Lovers are quite pleasant
                                                            overall, and maintenance is always quick to answer any queries.
                                                            The location is fantastic too, being at walking distance of two
                                                            different grocery stores, several bus stops, and in the route of the
                                                            SMU shuttle. The biggest issue is getting management to reply
                                                            to any queries and requests you might have."

      Studio    1 BR        2 BR       3 BR          3 rd
                                                               THE ATWOOD                                   $$$           6+
      $1,120   $1,300      $1,625     $1,900                   M Streets
                                                                                                                        PEOPLE

      TOP 5
1st            5 MOCKINGBIRD            8+ PEOPLE
               LANDMARK ON                                  Review by SMU Law Student
2nd
               LOVERS                   7+ PEOPLE           “Quiet, very close to campus, pretty safe. Only issue is that
                                                            parking within the complex is limited. Unit quality is really nice.
                                                            Gym is nice. Pool area is pretty small but also nice. Good place to
3rd            THE ATWOOD               6+ PEOPLE           live if you want a small space to live alone.”

4th            THE ASH                  4+ PEOPLE
               POST UPTOWN
5th
               VILLAGE                  3+ PEOPLE

                                                    15
HIGHEST                                                     1 st
                                                                       THE TEAK
                                                                       M Streets
                                                                                                                     $$$$           9.9
                                                                                                                                  OVERALL

 RATED
                                                                                                                                   RATING

 Buildings with the best overall ratings

 READ MORE REVIEWS AT VERYAPT.COM
                                                                    Review by SMU Law Student
 What the highest-rated properties typically offer:                 “I’ve lived at the Teak for 6 months. The pool and gym are great
                                                                    and clean. The complex itself is not too loud. The location and
                                                                    proximity to campus is great and its a short drive to lower
                                                                    Greenville & Lakewood. There is trail access by the apartment so
                                                                    it’s a great place for runners or people with pets. Management is
                          High-end amenities                       virtually nonexistent but I have not had any problems since living
                                                                    here. Maintenance is always completed within 24 hours.”
                          Close proximity to work/
                           school
                          Nearby stores/grocery
                                                             2 nd
                                                                       WHITE ROCK LAKE APARTMENT VILLAS                             9.8
                                                                       Forest Hills
                                                                                                                         $        OVERALL
                          Excellent management                                                                                    RATING

                                                                    Review by SMU Law Student
                                                                    “Great location if you’re looking to be right off of White Rock
                                                                    Lake. The back of the apartment hooks into the trail that goes
                                                                    around the lake. It’s very quiet and if you take surface streets, it’s
                                                                    about 15-20 minutes to SMU.”

                                                             3 rd
      Studio     1 BR       2 BR            3 BR                       THE ASH                                       $$$$           9.7
                                                                                                                                  OVERALL
                                                                       M Streets
      $1,320    $1,500     $1,825          $2,100                                                                                  RATING

      TOP 5
1st            THE TEAK                     9.9 OVERALL
                                                RATING

                                                                    Review by SMU Law Student
               WHITE ROCK LAKE
2nd
               APARTMENT VILLAS             9.8   OVERALL
                                                  RATING
                                                                    “The ash is a great place to live. The bedrooms/closets are huge
                                                                    which was a huge plus for us so we could put large desks in the
                                                                    rooms. the amenities here are also really great - large updated
                                                                    gym, huge pool, hammock areas, dog park/showers. It takes
3rd            THE ASH                      9.7 OVERALL
                                                RATING              about 5 minutes to drive to campus and is really centrally
                                                                    located for accessing grocery stores and restaurants”

4th            CITYPLACE HEIGHTS            9.5 OVERALL
                                                RATING

               THE GATE IN THE
5th
               VILLAGE                      9.4 OVERALL
                                                RATING

                                                            16
BEST FOR                                                1 st
                                                                  THE MONDRIAN
                                                                  Oak Lawn, 3000 Blackburn St
                                                                                                              $$$$          9.8
                                                                                                                          AMENITY

 AMENITIES
                                                                                                                           RATING

 Highest-rated properties for amenities

 READ MORE REVIEWS AT VERYAPT.COM
                                                                Review by SMU Law Student
 What top amenity properties typically offer:                   “Pros: Nice hardwoods, thick walls so you don't hear neighbors,
                                                                good location, gym in the building, 24 hr concierge, safe and well
                                                                maintained, most units have balconies, pet friendly Cons: Lower
                                                                floors are mainly students and can get messy, power outages
                                                                during major storms can last a while as it's not on the main
                          Great common spaces                  Uptown power grid”
                          Convenient location
                          Excellent management          2 nd
                                                                  UPPER EAST SIDE                              $$$          9.6
                          Newer construction                     Vickery Meadow
                                                                                                                          AMENITY
                                                                                                                           RATING

                                                                Review by SMU Law Student
                                                                “It’s so amazing!!! The entire complex is beautiful and so well
                                                                maintained. We have a free coffee shop with unlimited barista
                                                                drinks, as well as a great place to study. We have multiple social
                                                                events a month that are free, as well as multiple pools and
                                                                multiple gyms. The staff and residents are all so sweet, and there
                                                                is a concierge who helps with a lot of things. The walls are also
                                                                very thick, so I never hear any of my neighbors. And finally, we
                                                                have multiple security guards at all times so it feels very safe.”

      Studio     1 BR       2 BR       3 BR
      $1,520    $1,800     $2,025     $2,300             3 rd
                                                                  GLASS HOUSE BY WINDSOR                                    9.5
                                                                  Oak Lawn, 2728 McKinnon St
                                                                                                              $$$$        AMENITY

      TOP 5
                                                                                                                           RATING

1st            THE MONDRIAN               9.8 AMENITY
                                              RATING

2nd            UPPER EAST SIDE            9.6 AMENITY
                                              RATING
                                                                Review by SMU Law Student
               GLASS HOUSE BY                                   “The location is great. The tollway is easily accessible from the
3rd
               WINDSOR                    9.5 AMENITY
                                              RATING            building, and turtle creek provides an easy route to campus. The
                                                                property is located between Victory Park and Uptown, allowing
                                                                access to both while remaining out of the traffic created by both
                                                                areas during games and on weekends.”
4th            THE TAYLOR                 9.3 AMENITY
                                              RATING

5th            CITYPLACE HEIGHTS          9.2 AMENITY
                                              RATING

                                                        17
BEST FOR                                                1 st
                                                                   THE MERC
                                                                   Downtown Dallas
                                                                                                                   $         9.9
                                                                                                                            VALUE

 VALUE
                                                                                                                            RATING

 Highest-rated properties for value

 READ MORE REVIEWS AT VERYAPT.COM
                                                                Review by SMU Law Student
 What top value properties typically offer:                     “Pros: pretty good amenities and the location is great (5 min or
                                                                less uber to restaurants/bars; Royal Blue, Wild Salsa, and Irish
                                                                pub beneath building); also great views Shared patio has
                                                                impressive view of surrounding buildings - great for entertaining.
                                                                Cons: Management can often seem bad, but they respond better
                          Great price-to-space trade           if you are assertive or firm with your requests. This was a great
                           off                                  place to live during summer clerkships - close to federal/state
                                                                courthouse and most law firms.”
                          Good location
                          Solid amenities and basic     2 nd
                           features                                THE LAKES IN THE VILLAGE $                                9.6
                                                                                                                            VALUE
                                                                   Vickery Meadow, 8610 Southwestern Blvd                   RATING

                                                                Review by SMU Law Student
                                                                “Beautiful area with lots of green space and pool access;
                                                                management is very responsive to work orders; a good amount
                                                                of interior space; new fixtures”

                                                         3 rd
      Studio     1 BR       2 BR        3 BR                       TONTI LAKESIDE                       $                    9.5
                                                                                                                            VALUE
                                                                   Vickery Meadow, 7777 Glen America Dr
      $920      $1,100     $1,425      $1,700                                                                               RATING

      TOP 5
1st            THE MERC                 9.9 VALUE
                                            RATING

                                                                Review by SMU Law Student
               THE LAKES IN THE
2nd
               VILLAGE                  9.6   VALUE
                                              RATING
                                                                "Overall, the location is great (about 10 minutes from campus, 15
                                                                minutes to downtown), and having gated access is nice for extra
                                                                security. My unit is updated with hardwood floors and granite
                                                                countertops and is the perfect amount of space for me. One
3rd            TONTI LAKESIDE           9.5 VALUE
                                            RATING              huge plus is that there's no monthly pet rent, only the fee and
                                                                deposit. If you have a unit overlooking the small lake or creek, the
                                                                view is very beautiful. I have had generally good experiences
                                                                with management."
4th            VUE FITZHUGH             9.3 VALUE
                                            RATING

               POST UPTOWN
5th
               VILLAGE                  9.0 VALUE
                                            RATING

                                                        18
Townhomes
                              Smaller properties and how to find them

         ABOUT TOWNHOMES

    Townhomes are apartments in older
 buildings, typically a few stories tall. They        Finding a townhome
usually do not have a doorman, an elevator,           Townhomes can be challenging to find because they tend to be
or many amenities, but can be cheaper and             individually owned and do not have full time leasing managers.
  more spacious than the apartment and
                                                      Townhome listings are typically available ~60 days in advance. You
         condo units in high-rises.
                                                      can find a townhome by searching online listings, contacting a
  WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A TOWNHOME                  landlord directly, or by working with VeryApt's Concierge Team
                                                      who can help identify some options.
       CHEAPER        LARGER FLOOR PLANS

   3+ BEDROOMS AVAILABLE        MORE PRIVACY          Preparing for a townhome search
                                                      Most SMU Law students opt for larger properties in order to live
 WHY YOU MAY WANT TO AVOID A TOWNHOME                 closer to other students and simplify the housing search. That said,
                                                      there are plenty of wonderful townhomes - be prepared to visit
 NO DOORMAN         LESS CONVENIENT LOCATIONS         more properties to find that perfect home, carefully examine the
  OLDER CONSTRUCTION         LIMITED AMENITIES
                                                      pros/cons, and move quickly if you find a unit you love.

           MORE MAINTENANCE ISSUES

                                                     TIPS AND ADVICE

      Reliable Landlords                            Noise and Neighbors                             Lease Terms
   Check online reviews and talk to                Sounds often travel well through        Leases with independent landlords
  previous tenants to find out about              townhomes and you can easily be          are negotiable. Check your lease for
   your landlord. Look for one that              disturbed by barking dogs, music, or     restrictions on sub-letters and visitor
  responds quickly to maintenance                    construction. Check out the           policies. You may be able to avoid a
    requests and has a history of                 surrounding area to get a sense for      rent increase by locking in a longer
          returning deposits.                            what it may be like.                              lease.
LANDLORD GRADES
and the Renting Process
GRADE      LANDLORD                                  Understanding
                                                     THE RENTING PROCESS
 A+        Alliance Residential Company
                                                     If this is your first time renting, here is a heads
                                                     up on what the process is like:
 A+        Berkshire Communities
                                                     Application process
                                                     You will be asked to fill out an application for an
  B        CIM Group                                 apartment. Likely this will include an application fee
                                                     ($30-50) and potentially a deposit (up to one
                                                     month’s rent). If you’re an international student, you
 A-        Gables Residential                        may have to provide alternate information - in the
                                                     absence of a social security number, bank accounts,
                                                     etc., often landlords will accept your visa documents
 A+        Greystar                                  and acceptance letter. Landlords will use your
                                                     information to approve you based only on your credit
                                                     history and income. In the event where there are
  A        Lincoln Property Company                  issues, a landlord may grant the application on the
                                                     condition that a guarantor cosigns the lease.

 B-        MAA                                       After you're approved
                                                     A landlord will often ask for a security deposit and
                                                     prepaid rent. A landlord typically charges up to two
  A        Sentinel Real Estate Corp                 months' rent as a security deposit and will ask for up
                                                     to two months in prepaid rent. Anything beyond this
                                                     is more than normal. At the end of your lease and
 A+        The Tipton Group                          after you give proper notification that you are
                                                     moving out (typically 60-90 days), the landlord has
                                                     30 days to return the security deposit at the end of
  B        Tonti Properties                          the lease. The landlord may not return the deposit in
                                                     full if there are claimed damages to the property or
                                                     other charges outstanding.
  B        Trinity Property Consultants
                                                     What to look out for
  B        Windsor Communities                       Check for additional charges or obligations that could
                                                     cost you more than the listed price of a property. This
                                                     could include move-in/move-out fees, renters
  B        ZRS Management                            insurance requirements, condo fees, common
                                                     electrical fees, etc. Definitely ask about what previous
                                                     electrical/utility bills have been to get a feel for any
                                                     additional monthly costs there may be. Be sure to
                                                     research the landlord and management company
Landlord Grades                                      before placing any sort of deposit. If you have any
Grades were assigned to landlords by using a         specific questions, feel free to reach out to us at
combination of management ratings and overall        contact@veryapt.com.
ratings for the properties they manage.

                                                20
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