14 • | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021 | SPRING HOUSING GUIDE
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Renting and buying tips for college students Morris said it is important to read the entire lease off campus, Morris said she doesn’t regret it. carefully before signing to be aware of the renter’s “I love not living on campus,” Morris said. “I and landlord’s rights. sometimes miss the convenience of living on camTenants are expected to pay a security deposit for first and last month’s rent. Morris said she had to save for months in order to pay the deposit for the apartment and her pet. Many students start the search for off-campus “Once we were approved, we had to fork over housing after living in residence halls their first a $900 deposit and had to start making payments year. In order to make the process as smooth as on a $500 pet deposit,” Morris said. possible, students should give themselves time to research and save money for the essentials. Payton Morris, senior elementary education major at Missouri State University, said it can be difficult to find an apartment in Springfield. She and her roommate looked at four different apartments to find one that fit their budget and needs. Morris said she wishes she’d known about the apartment-hunting process before actually looking Illustration by Madison Harper Follow Madison on Instagram @madiharpart for her own. Once they found an apartment they liked, Morris and her roommate applied for housing in Febpus, but having my own space with my pup is so ruary 2019 and were notified of their approval in much better than living in a cramped dorm. I apMorris said she has lived in the same apartment preciate the privacy and comfortableness more April 2019. “It was kind of nerve-racking,” Morris said. for two years and made a one-time deposit for her since I lived in the dorm for two years and didn’t The stress doesn’t end at getting approved. dog, which she will get back when she moves out have much of either.” Renters are required to sign a lease, which is a if there are no damages caused by her dog. Renting apartments aren’t the only student oplegal agreement between a tenant and a landlord. Despite all the time and effort it takes to move tions for housing in Springfield.
“I sometimes miss the convenience of living on campus, but having my own space with my pup is so much better than living in a cramped dorm.” -Payton Morris
Sabrina Wright, senior exercise and movement science and Spanish major, lived in Woods House and Hutchens House her first year at MSU. After coming back from a semester in Spain, Wright decided to put a 20% down payment on a two-tothree-bedroom house to rent out since she planned on attending graduate school in Springfield. By renting the extra bedrooms, Wright said she offset the monthly costs of the house and treats the house as an investment. “I was lucky enough to get enough scholarships to be able to use my college fund as the down payment,” Wright said. According to Wright, Springfield is a relatively cheap place to live compared to California, where she previously lived, so it is a lot more realistic for students to buy a place to live. Morris said she used apartments.com to find the apartment she currently lives in. Users enter their desired location along with their preferred number of bedrooms, bathrooms and cost, and the site will generate a list of apartments that fit the criteria. Facebook Marketplace and Zillow may also have property listings for potential renters or buyers. Wright said she had a real estate agent help her shop for houses on Zillow.
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