Don't stretch your financial limits!
I know this sounds like common sense. But, this can be very difficult for a lot of people. Living within your financial limits means that if you can afford $1,500 per month for rent, don't justify renting at $1,550 or $1,600 because you can "make it work".
Instead, why not look for the best place, in the best neighborhood you can find, for $1,400 or maybe even $1,350. This will give you a bit of a cushion and build a habit that will benefit you your entire life.
At Nu-Start Properties, Inc. we do our best not to put individuals or families into homes they can't afford. We would basically be setting them up to fail. However, because there are a lot of unexpected things that can happen to change our financial situations, if we're tight to begin with those "unexpected things" can really be hard to overcome.
It is sad to say that I have tenants who pay their rent late every single month, almost without fail. If making the rent is tough enough as it is, making it with late fees makes it even worse. By not stretching our financial limits to the maximum, we have a better chance at getting, and keeping what we really want in life.
