Does the fast paced city life of Friday nights out, restaurant openings, comedy shows, and shopping call to you? Then you’re probably in the market for a condo if you’re ready to set down some roots and invest in real estate where you want to be. With the space crunch and high prices, a condo is the perfect stepping stone for a city dweller like you.

When searching for a new condo to live in, there are a few tips to follow to find the best ones that are available in your area.

CONTACT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

Make it a point to contact property management companies in the city to inquire about current or upcoming condos that are available. This will allow you to get information that you might otherwise not obtain from a general search that you perform online.

CHECK NEWSPAPER LISTINGS

Newspaper listings are constantly updated with condos that are available to rent or buy in the local area. Stay updated by reading the newspaper throughout the week and contacting any listings that provide the amenities that you’re looking for in a property.

DON’T BE SHY – ASK AROUND

Sometimes the best way to get a great deal on an incredible condo is simply to ask around. Word of mouth is the best way to find condos that are currently available or will soon be listed in the coming months. Ask your family members, friends, and colleagues if they know of anyone who is moving soon or needs to rent out their property. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to befriend a real estate agent or two.

STAY DEDICATED TO YOUR FAVORITE REAL ESTATE SITE

Visit real estate websites each day to look at what’s available and find properties that are newly listed. On Firstteam.com you can search by property type, bed and bath count, draw a polygon to narrow down your search area and more. It’s easy to have new listings that match your criteria come straight to your email as well when you start a saved search just by clicking the heart next to the properties you love. It pays to be vigilant when you’re searching for

JUST START DRIVING AROUND YOUR FAVORITE AREAS

You’ll be surprised at the amount of condos that you’ll find that are available in the city simply by driving around and performing a manual search. Many ads and signs are posted in yards when condos are available to rent or buy, making it important to explore certain areas or neighborhoods that you’re looking to live in. Write down properties that catch your eye and take your time when searching.

MAKE A LIST

It’s important to make a list of must-haves and wants before really searching in-depth for a condo. For example, if you like to be in the middle of city life, consider high rise condos, like those at citycreekliving.com. If you have pets, be sure to find a condo that accommodates your pet’s needs.

Knowing these things ahead of time will help you pinpoint exactly what you need. Although you may not know where to begin when it comes to finding the best condos in your area, you can always reach out to a real estate agent for help. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, a First Team agent can help you through the process to make it all that much simpler and easier.

This guest post was written by Anita Ginsburg. Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO and often writes about home, family, real estate and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing.