What Does an Apartment Search Request Do?
An apartment search request tells our team what you need in your next home, so we can do personalized apartment research for you. The more complete it is, the more useful your list will be. A good request takes about five minutes, and you don’t need any documents.
This guide walks through each part of the request, what to enter, and why we ask. If you’re ready, you can start your apartment search request and come back here if a field gives you pause.
One thing to know up front: a search request is not a rental application. We use your answers to research communities that may fit. Each community confirms its own rents, availability, eligibility, and screening rules, and makes its own approval decisions.
What we never ask for
We never request Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, ID documents, or income-verification uploads for a research request. If anyone asks for these to “hold your spot” on a list, be cautious.
Step 1: Location and Timing
Primary city. Choose Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, or San Antonio. This sets the market we start with.
Preferred suburbs, neighborhoods, or ZIP codes. Be as specific as you like. “Near my job in Irving” or “Pearland or Friendswood” both help. If you’re open to anywhere in the metro, say that.
Other areas you’d consider. You can add more than one market. Many renters search Dallas and Fort Worth together, or Austin and San Antonio along I-35. We list each community once, even if it fits more than one area.
How far you’re willing to move. This tells us how wide to look. A tighter radius gives a shorter, more focused list. A wider one may surface more options.
Target move date or range. A range like “December 15 to January 31” gives us more room than a single date. Availability changes quickly, so timing matters.
Step 2: Budget and Household
This is where most of the research decisions come from.
| Field | What to enter | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly rent budget | The most you can comfortably pay | We research around it, not above it |
| Gross household income | Approximate total before taxes | Income limits and minimum-income rules both use it |
| Income frequency | Monthly or annually | So we convert it correctly |
| Household size | Everyone who will live with you | Income limits rise with household size |
| Bedrooms needed | Studio to 4+ | Unit size affects rent caps and occupancy rules |
Enter your approximate household income before taxes. It helps us research potential apartment options and is not an eligibility decision. If your pay changes week to week, a reasonable average is fine. Our guide on how household income is calculated explains how properties usually count it later.
Optional Fields That Make Your List Better
You can skip these, but each one helps when it applies:
- Voucher status. Tell us if you have a Housing Choice Voucher, are on a waiting list, or prefer not to say. We don’t issue vouchers, but the answer shapes the research.
- Pets. Type, size, and number. Pet rules and fees vary a lot.
- Accessibility features. Describe the features you need, like a ground-floor unit or no stairs. Please don’t share medical details.
- Credit or rental history. A short, optional note is enough if something might affect screening. We never promise approvals.
- Other considerations. Transit routes, a school, a 55+ community, a student household, or anything else that matters.
Step 3: Contact and Delivery
Enter your full name, email address, and mobile number. We use them to deliver your list by text and email and to contact you if we need clarification. Marketing updates are a separate, optional checkbox.
Double-check your email and phone number before you submit. A typo is the most common reason a list doesn’t arrive. If you can’t use the form or can’t receive texts, email texas@incomebasedapartments.com and we’ll help another way.
What Happens After You Submit?
You’ll see a confirmation page. Our team reviews your request, researches communities, and contacts leasing staff when something needs clarifying. Your list arrives within 48 hours. Our guide on what your list will contain explains each field and label, so you can act on it right away.