First time apartment,have multiple questions!?

My boyfriend and I will be looking for an apartment for just us.we have already been living together with another roommate but the person who owns our condo has to move back do to her personal life.Anyway we just found out and she is moving here when our lease is up at the beginning of september so just a couple of months away.so I was wondering if we found an apartment now that we liked would that be to far away for them to hold it for us until september?I just want to get things taken care of as soon as possible.My boyfriend and I have already been saving up money because we have been planning to find our own place anyway but just not this soon.The thing is that we dont have any furniture so not only do we have to save for a place but to furnish it as well.How much does it usually cost to start electricity and things like that?And any ideas to furnish apartment on a budget.If you know any websites that would be very helpful as well.