I hate spring semester finals. I hate the stress of trying to get everything done (at the last minute), cleaning, and packing – it’s pure horror.

And this year I get to add to the already too-many stresses: during finals this year, I get to look for a place to live and a job all at once.

The terrors of job-hunting non-withstanding, I think I can safely say I’m not a big fan of apartment hunting, either. It’s really not so bad a process, but for those of you about to go through the same things as I, here are a few tips.

Getting ready: Knowing your number$

First, make sure you can live within your means and actually survive. Texts suggest you shouldn’t be spending more than 35 percent of your after-tax monthly income on housing (extras such as electricity, Internet, and cable, do not figure into that percentage).

That means if you’re making, say, $800 per month, you shouldn’t be spending more than $280 on housing costs. As relatively inexpensive as it is to live in Greensboro, $280 per month isn’t going to do you much good.

A solution to this is to get a roommate.

Make sure you pick someone you can live with, share a bathroom with, and whose friends you can (in theory) tolerate crashing on your couch for extended periods of time.

Keep in mind that the 35 percent figure is a maximum that you don’t want to exceed -obviously, cheaper is better … though realize that cheaper is often equivalent to sketchier. The more utilities you can find included in the rent (i.e., water, trash, sewage, gas, electricity) the better, as this is extra money that doesn’t have to come out of your pocket.

Also, be aware that several local apartment complexes have a minimum monthly salary of three times the apartment cost (they will use the combined salaries for roommates). If you and your roommate were both making $800 per month, you’d be fine with an apartment that cost less than $530.

But what if the apartment complex you have your heart set on is $600 each month?

If you’re not making that minimum salary, or are a full-time student, some apartment complexes will allow (or even require) you to have a cosigner, also called a guarantor. Usually a parent or other family member, a cosigner promises to pay the rent if the person named on the lease fails to do so.

There are often stipulations placed on a cosigner. Usually a cosigner must have a monthly income of five or six times the apartment’s rent. They also must have proof of employment, and be able to pass both a background and a credit check (things that need to be clean for you as well).

Finding the right place to live

Okay, so you know how much you plan to spend, have a roommate lined up, and your mom has promised to cosign for you – what now?

Now comes the fun part: actually looking for an apartment.

If you pick up one or two apartment guides at the exit of Harris Teeter, you’ll see that there are literally hundreds of apartment complexes in the area. Many of them will be beyond your means – cross them out immediately, no matter what their super-cool but unnecessary extras are. If you can’t afford to live there, you can’t afford to live there.

It is, however, a good idea to decide what amenities are necessary for you. Do you need a dishwasher? Washer-dryer connections in the apartment? Pets allowed? Do you want to be in a certain area of town?

Expect to pay a little bit extra for these features, but you can find them.

Most apartment booklets begin with a list of the apartment complexes and what features they offer, so you can easily compose a list of places to visit. If you prefer to do this sort of searching online, check out www.rent.com, www.apartments.com, and greensboronc.areaguides.net/apartments.htm.

If you’re lucky enough to find two or more people you can stand to share living space with, you may want to consider renting a house instead of an apartment. Renting a house can give you more space and more privacy at a cheaper cost, if you search wisely. You also usually get a yard, essential for you horticulturalists and dog-lovers. Sometimes you can find houses that are fully furnished or include all utilities (even lawn care!) in the rent, making renting a house a really good deal.

If you choose the house route, you should browse the classified ads, which you can find at www.triadclassifieds.com. Other good websites to keep an eye on include www.brileyproperties.com, www.cassisproperties.com, and www.gsorentahome.com.

You’ll also want to contact local realtors about any availabilities they might have. Be ready to mention the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you want, your price range, and the areas of town in which you’re most interested. For an $85 fee, helpurent.com will send you a list of rental homes tailored to your needs, which makes the search a little easier, if more expensive.

Those seeking any sort of housing will also find it worthwhile to visit the webpages of the housing offices of other local colleges. For instance, UNCG’s housing office has a page that links to houses and apartment complexes within the area, usually well within the budget of a pair of roommates.

Touring your top choices

The next step, for both apartment and house hunters, is to visit the properties. For apartment searchers, this will mean driving around Greensboro, locating the leasing office for the complexes you’re interested, and sitting through a spiel from the leasing agent. Often, this will end with them asking what you’re looking for (number of bedrooms bathrooms, etc.) and then telling you that they don’t have any available that fit your needs.

Sometimes you’ll be shown a model apartment or a picture of the apartment layout. Most apartment complexes have monthly specials, such as getting the first month’s rent free or markdown on the monthly rent, but only if you commit to a year-long (or longer) lease.