You've probably overheard a dozen first-hand accounts from certain enviable individuals who "lucked out" by stumbling across a fabulous, affordable apartment rental. If you're in the midst of carrying out your own apartment search, stories like these can be truly disheartening because they emphasize the "luck" element.

What you might not know, however, is that there are certain skills involved in learning how to find an apartment that not a lot of people know about. Here are five apartment search tips that show you don't need good luck to find a great place for yourself.

1. The Early Bird Catches the Worm

There's a reason this idiom is as relevant today as it ever was—because it's also a truism. You can't put 10 percent of your effort into finding an apartment rental and expect to achieve a successful result. And you can't count on being one of the few who just happens to have dumb luck smile in their direction. Good fortune is great when it strikes, but it's persistence and hard work that increase your chances of finding a really great place.

If you're conducting your search in the classifieds section of your local paper, make it a point to get up early and read the listings first thing in the morning. If you're using an online resource, have email or text alerts delivered to you anytime there's a new posting so you can be among the first to jump on it.

2. Use All Your Resources & Contacts

Don't limit your apartment search just to classified ads or online resources. It's important to cast your net wide in order to yield the greatest possible results.

Update your status on Facebook and Twitter with phrases like "Looking for a two-bedroom apartment in the XX part of town. Anyone have any leads?"

Pick up the phone and call the business offices of all nearby apartment complexes and ask about availability and discount deals. A quick call could tip you off to an upcoming promotion that you can take advantage of.

3. Dress the Part

You wouldn't show up to a job interview in ripped jeans and a t-shirt, so why should you demonstrate any less care when apartment hunting? You're essentially being interviewed by the landlord, so dress neatly. This doesn't mean you have to go all out and wear a business suit—but doing so doesn't exactly hurt your chances. Keep in mind that even if you arrive early, you're probably one of a dozen people who are asking for the opportunity to move in. What you project to your landlord could have a significant influence in whether or not your application is approved or rejected.

4. Check Your Credit

Most landlords and apartment rental companies will want to run a credit check on you to determine your ability to pay rent and also as a measure of your reliability as a potential tenant. You can avoid any surprises by pulling your own credit report and going over it thoroughly, contacting the credit reporting agencies to correct any errors that could hurt your overall score.

Another smart move during your apartment search is to print out a copy of your credit report and bring it along with you when meeting with a landlord. This saves them from having to go to the trouble and reflects positively on you.

5. Be Prepared

Although it's advisable to look at a good number of apartments before you make your decision, you might find yourself in the right place at the right time to take advantage of an opportunity that's too good to be true. If you do, you need to be able to act on it. Keep your checkbook with you at all times so that you can fork over a deposit or earnest money to secure an available apartment before someone else scoops it up.