Online reviews are an invaluable resource for apartment hunters. Apartment reviews give renters a chance to learn about the particulars of an apartment community – everything from service to square footage, amenities to ample parking, even about the surrounding neighborhood — straight from residents themselves.

When you’re searching for your next place to live, it’s great to get the scoop on a potential apartment. Keep in mind, however, that not all reviews are helpful, so it’s a good idea to put on your critical-thinking cap when you read them.

These tips will show you how to interpret apartment reviews so you can really make the most of the information for your apartment search.

Step one:  Read & interpret
When you’re checking out online apartment reviews, try to read as many as possible about an apartment community. The more reviews you read, the closer you’ll get to a true picture of the community.

As you read a number of reviews, you may begin to notice similarities between comments. These similarities provide helpful feedback, as an adundance of agreement may well indicate more accurate observations.

When you’re reading, look for reviews that are well-written. A person who’s taken the time to write a clear, concise review is probably thoughtful. A review that sounds even-handed will likely be more helpful than one that sounds off-the-cuff and emotion-laden.

You may see a few really angry-sounding reviews. Take any extreme opinions with a grain of salt. Keep in mind that many negative apartment experiences could be due to unrealistic expectations, personality conflicts or issues beyond an apartment community’s reasonable control.

And don’t forget to consider the source of a review. You want apartment reviews that are direct from the source, the resident him- or herself.

Step two:  Look for apartment community feedback
Some online review sites allow business owners to respond directly to customer feedback. Keep an eye out for posts written by apartment staff. It’s a good sign when apartment managers respond in a polite, professional manner. 

The way management responds to reviews may tell you about how the community values customer service. Note when apartment professionals reach out to offer a solution to a resident’s concerns.

Step three:  Take careful notes
When you’re shopping for a new apartment, you’re going to be bombarded with a lot of information. It’s a good idea to take notes on apartment reviews in order to keep everything straight. Write down the name of each community you’re researching, and make a list of the common positive and negative feedback that keeps coming up in reviews. You can keep this list in your apartment search folder and refer back to it later to help you with a final decision.

Step four: Make up your own mind
When it comes to selecting an apartment, remember that online reviews are just one piece of the puzzle. In the end, it’s your opinion that really counts.

Make sure you do your own thorough research. Visit any apartment communities you’re considering, talk to apartment managers and check out neighborhoods. As you visit, see whether your in-person experience reflects what you have read online.

In short, remember to think for yourself on your apartment search!