HOUSE HUNTING

And so it begins.

This is the fifth time that Alex and I have done this and it never gets any easier. It's so difficult to look for a decent place to rent these days, one that you can actually call a "home" and is priced within your budget. It's all the more difficult now because there are a lot of people who, like us, have fallen victims to Ondoy's wrath and are house hunting, too. As expected, rent is more expensive these days. Some people really know how to take advantage of other people's misery. I could only sigh in exasperation... there are so many things we need to take care of, to consider, to pay for. It makes me tired just to think about it.

If you do not happen to have any experience in looking for a house, let me give you a few tips on what to look for or ask about in a potential home based from my own experience...

1. Accessibility. It should not be so far from your workplace/school or at least it should be easy enough for you to get a ride to work/school from where you live.

2. Location. It would be an advantage if there is a sari-sari store, drugstore, convenience store, hospital and market near the place.

3. Check the neighborhood and your neighbors. I'm sure you wouldn't want to live next to someone who plays loud music all day long... or in a neighborhood where theft is a natural thing.

4. Plumbing, electricity, cable TV, internet accessibility and network signal.

5. Clothesline and laundry area. While you're at it, ask whether the sun shines in that area, too.

6. Ask why the previous tenant (if there was) left. Heaven knows what happened in that place before you got to it.

7. Check for drips (sink, roof, etc.) and drainage.

8. Ask whether the place gets flooded and check if there are any bodies of water nearby. I learned this last and learned it the hard way.

So far, those are the basic things I look out for when in search of a new home. Keep in mind that these guidelines are subject to change depending on your needs and demands. As for me, I need to figure out where I am going to look at next... it's another long and tedious journey.