Looking for spreadsheets for apartments?
Introducing the best apartment hunt spreadsheet!
I’ve
created a new and improved version of my Apartment Search Spreadsheet template.
I spent countless hours maximizing the design until I was certain I had created
the ultimate apartment comparison worksheet tool. Like
any other product, apartments also have certain attributes (rents, utilities, community/neighborhood, etc.) that need to be identified and prioritized/rated
based on their relevance or importance. The importance of these attributes
varies from one person to another. The number of parameters involved (easily in
excess of 20 parameters) creates a need for a framework that measures and
normalizes the results to arrive at a numerical “score” to simplify the
decision making process. An excel-based product was created to organize
apartment data, assign weights and finally compute scores automatically for the
user to evaluate in order to easily figure out which apartment best fits his
needs. So, how does it work?
Understanding
Bubble chart and Slider:
I use the Apartment Search Spreadsheet to compare features of
different apartments using a bubble chart in Excel. A bubble chart is a
variation of a scatter plot where each of the data point in the series is
represented by a bubble that can vary in size or color depending on the area of
the apartment being considered. Larger bubbles represent larger apartment
scores.
The bubble chart in the scoring model uses three values per
data point:
- X- Axis value : X axis represents the total scores
- Y-Axis value : Y axis represents the total monthly cost
- Bubble Size : Bubble size is proportional to the total area (in square feet)
The apartment search bubble chart is created by an embedded
macro which runs through the score data and adds the bubble series, adjusts the
colors and fills effects. The chart needs to be updated every time data is
modified in the apartment sheet. Once updated, adjustments to the slider
updates the chart automatically. The bubbles can also be replaced with
apartment pictures, if available and desired. It is advisable to update the
chart manually using the command button provided on top right corner of the
chart.
To create Bubble charts in Microsoft Excel:
1. Select
data series
2. Click
Insert, Select the Charts
3. Select
the chart type as Bubble
The sliders are added as:
1. Select
Developer
2. Click
Insert
3. Select
the combo box in the form control box
4. Use
Format Control to Cell Link
Excel Sheet with
Weighted Rankings
Weights are assigned for each of these categories based on
relative importance/relevance. The slider assigns a number ranging from 1 to
100 for each category. The weight for that category is then calculated as “the
assigned number divided by the sum of all the assigned numbers for all the
categories”. With this weighting logic, an adjustment to the weight of a
category automatically changes the weights of the other categories while keeping
the total percentage at 100. The horizontal bars, next to the slider,
graphically represent the values set by the slider.
Watch
the video embedded below to learn how to use the slider and bubble chart
features for apartment rent comparison:
I have
invested a significant amount of time and effort into perfecting the comparison
spreadsheet as well as researching the best methods to find an apartment.
Included in the download is a free pdf copy of my Apartment Search Guide which
contains many tips on searching for a new apartment as well as how to use the
new spreadsheet and an apartment hunting checklist.
Thanks,
and please let me know if you have any questions or comments
.
P.S. YOU
can earn 75% commission for every friend you refer. Visit our affiliate page for details.
Hi! Could I please have a copy of the Excel spreadsheet for my apartment search? Thank you, Amy
ReplyDeleteamy.vertacnik@gmail.com