By Sally Anderson of MSN Real Estate

Hunting for an apartment is akin to a scavenger hunt: It can seem as if every place you see falls a few pieces short of your wish list. If your budget is low or the market is tight, don’t be too discouraged if you have to settle for less than perfection. You can always move up — maybe even in the same building.

If this is your first apartment you’ll be renting on your own, consider the apartment hunt a rite of passage. It may you remind you more of getting your driver’s license than a first kiss, but once you’ve mastered the mechanics it can be a liberating, even life-changing, event.

Apartment hunter’s checklist
Whether you go for fun and funky, a spare “designer” look, or big complexes with Friday happy hours, start your search by listing your top priorities. What can you not live without, and what are you willing to sacrifice? Take copies of this checklist with you as you look — or steal some ideas and make a list of your own.

* Location of building (safety, proximity to places you visit often)
* Location in building (bottom floors may be less safe; upper floors are harder to move into)
* Emergency exits
* Smoke detectors/fire extinguisher
* Elevator or stairs (ease of moving or evacuation)
* Hallways (well-maintained, well-lit)
* Lead-based paint (important for the very young and those with weakened immune systems)
* Number of bedrooms and bathrooms
* Furnished or unfurnished
* Room for a desk or home office
* Natural light
* Hardwood floors
* Fireplace
* Separate dining room
* Kitchen space (meal area, counter space, storage for cookware and small appliances)
* Kitchen drawers and cupboards (storage and ease of opening)
* Appliances included (and condition of refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, washer and dryer)
* Gas or electric heat
* Gas or electric oven
* Air conditioning
* Closet space and other storage
* Garden, yard, balcony, patio or rooftop access
* Outlets in all rooms (plentiful, safe, well-located)
* Phone jacks for phones and modems
* Television reception (cable required or provided)
* Door locks (locks on all doors; deadbolt and security chain on entry door)
* Windows (ease of opening, locks, screens)
* Soundproofed walls (neighborhood and building noise)
* Privacy of unit and bedrooms
* Curtains or blinds
* Water heater (large enough to keep showers hot)
* Faucets and shower heads (condition and water flow)
* Tap water (odd color and taste might indicate a problem)
* View
* Laundry facilities (hours of access, adequate lighting)
* Parking (paid building parking or off-street)
* Bike storage (security and lighting)
* Mailboxes (security and lighting)
* Swimming pool
* Common areas
* Workout facilities
* Wheelchair access
* Neighborhood flavor
* Onsite landlord