Don’t… come without questions 

It’s easy to be dazzled by a walk-in closet or top-notch appliances when you’re touring an apartment. But don’t forget to write down questions to ask the leasing agent while on the tour, says Melissa Zavala, a broker at Broadpoint Properties, a real estate brokerage and property management firm in North San Diego County. Here are some sample questions that she suggests asking:

• Are pets allowed? If so, are there weight restrictions? Is an additional deposit or monthly fee required?
• How much is the security deposit? What other fees should I know about?
• Who pays the utilities? 
• How do you qualify applicants? 

Also, don’t stop at touring the unit alone. Ask to see any communal areas, whether that’s a rooftop, gym, pool, or game room.