This fall, millions of renters are hunting for their next residence on the Apartments.com Network. Here’s a look at what they’re searching for, according to the total volume of searches conducted from July through September.
The 1BD/1BA unit comes out on top
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does the unit have? This is one of the top considerations renters use to select an apartment.
Approximately a third of searches are for one-bedroom units, with another third for two-bedroom units. When you factor in searches for studios or units of “any” configuration, over half of renters are looking for a space with just one bedroom and bathroom — or smaller.
Bathrooms matter, too. Nearly 40 percent of searches are for units with more than one bathroom. But renters are more willing to sacrifice an extra bathroom than an extra bedroom. While nearly half of searches are for units with two or three bedrooms, only 39 percent of renters specify that they need more than one bathroom. The majority of searches — 53 percent — are for units with a single bathroom.
Over half of searches are for under $1,700
How much are renters willing to pay for their next rental residence? About 54 percent of searches are under $1,700. These searches are evenly split among three price ranges: under $1,100, between $1,000 and $1,399, and between $1,400 and $1,699.
About 35 percent of searches are above $1,700 and under $3,000. In the highest price category, only 10 percent of searches are for units with a price tag at or above $3,000.
Renters prefer practical amenities
Amenities can make or break a renter’s decision. But which amenities are renters most likely to filter their search to? These were the five most popular criteria:
- In-unit washer and dryer
- Air conditioning
- Parking
- Dishwasher
- Utilities included
These preferences matched up to renters’ self-described essential amenities in a recent renter survey, where practical considerations like in-unit laundry and A/C topped the list, and the option for off-street parking or a garage ranked third. In the survey, the presence of a dishwasher came in fourth place, and the fifth slot was taken by having a balcony, patio, or outdoor space.
Although the survey did not list bundled utilities as an amenity to choose from, it did reveal a strong preference among renters for seeing fees included in the total price. A full 80 percent of renters said they would prefer to see the total price listed rather than just the base price. Only 14 percent preferred the base price, while 6 percent had no preference.
Beyond the available search filters, renters were also likely to look for something extra. The top keywords searched for related to water access, the character or style of the unit, and the view. Renters also sought out new or renovated units, as well as specials and discounts, such as move-in concessions.
Want more search insights?
These trends reflect the search behavior of renters at the national level. For insights on what renters in your local market are doing, talk to your Apartments.com representative.
Your representative can give you a breakdown of local trends each quarter, as well as insights about specific types of renters, like students or seniors.
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