by leah and elina furman

So you're in the market for a new crash pad, and have no idea where to begin? Join the crowd. You'd be surprised at how many people panic at the prospect of finding the right apartment to rent. Well, we're here to take the fear out of looking for a flat. Of course, we can't drag you from one apartment to the next; you'll have to do that part yourself. But we can prepare you for the stomach-turning process by clueing you in to what to look for, what to ask, what to avoid, and where to find help. Searching for a space to call your own is an art form — a discipline, if you will. The apartment masterpiece is a delicate balance of neighborhood, affordability, space, condition, light, and that certain je ne sais quoi. To achieve this mosaic, you'll have to contend with a grueling number of pesky brokers, phone interviews, and of course, some old-fashioned pavement pounding. Yes, finding a home is a long and arduous dance, but when you raise your glass at your housewarming bash, you'll know the agony was well worth it. next Leah and Elina Furman are freelance writers living in Chicago, and are currently writing The Everything After College Book, to be released by Adams Media in the fall of '97. © 1997 Tripod, Inc. All Rights Reserved.