It's your second or third year in college and you're looking for a place to live. Dorms are out of the question for most, as many students like to have their own space at this point. It is definitely an exhilarating process that can be stressful at times. To stray away from added stress, here are a couple things you should know before signing a lease and moving into the awesome apartment you just found.

1. Read the lease thoroughly. The little details do matter. You can also request changes. Just because your landlord sent this piece of paper to you does not mean every rule is set in stone. The landlord does not have to agree with your changes, but probably will if they are reasonable. Just know as soon as you sign it, you are agreeing to that specific set of opinions.

2. You are stuck with your landlord. Some landlords are fair and easygoing, and some are not. You can easily find out the personality of the landlord by talking to past tenants, or looking up reviews online. Make sure to find out the difficulties people had with that apartment and how the landlord dealt with the problems. Was he/she organized and respectful?

3. You are also stuck with the location of your apartment and the neighbors you have yet to meet. The three most important aspects of your new home are location, location, location. If you are not happy with the surrounding area of the apartment, or who the neighbors are, you are not going to enjoy living there or feel safe in your space.

4. Utility prices change with the seasons. Even though you are paying a fixed amount of $500 per month, that does not mean you will never pay $600. During the especially cold or hot seasons, and depending on the size of your place, you could be paying upwards of $100 total for your whole house to be heated plus water and electricity.

5. Moving costs more money than you think. While you may find that Craig's List couch for $30 and a kitchen table and chairs for $20, you will spend more time and money than you expect. Moving furniture, decorating, and paying deposit fees for utilities will start adding up. Make sure you prepare in advance, and save a little more than the expected cost.