6 Steps to Finding the Right Apartment Rental

Earlier this summer, we asked whether America was becoming a nation of renters. Statistics would seem to bear that out: Construction of single-family homes grew by 9.4 percent in June, the Wall Street Journal reported, but construction of multi-family homes with at least two units increased at triple that rate. Developers wouldn't be putting up apartment buildings unless they believed the demand for rentals would far outpace the need for new homes.

If more of us are going to be living in rental units, we need to get savvier about how to hunt for the right apartment. Daniel Hedaya, whose company, Platinum Properties, manages more than $150 million worth of New York real estate, offers these six tips to help prospective renters find the place that fits their needs and budget.