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11 Things to Think About Before Renting Your First Apartment

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 07:00:00 GMT

Getting ready to move away from home and into your first apartment is super exciting. However, it can also be incredibly intimidating. After all, renting an apartment is a pretty big deal, and there are a lot of things to consider. Even people who have rented before can get caught up in the process of finding a new place – when it’s your first time, there can be enough new information to make your head spin.

Here are 11 things to think about during your apartment-hunting process that will, hopefully, make the whole thing much easier:

1. Upfront Costs

Even first-time renters know they’re going to be responsible for their monthly rent, but it’s easy to forget about the upfront costs of renting an apartment if you’ve never done it before. In addition to the monthly costs of apartment living, you’ll almost always have to pay up before you move in – often, before you can even sign the lease. Plan ahead to avoid new-place sticker shock.

Nearly all apartment companies will require that you pay a security deposit before you move in. This protects the landlord in case you trash your apartment and skip town. As long as you don’t do that, you should get it back once your lease is up. In addition to the deposit, you may have to pay application fees, or even one month’s rent, before you can get settled into your new place.

2. Long-Term Costs

Rent isn’t the only thing you’ll have to pay month-to-month, either. You’ll also have to pay for utilities like heat, gas and electricity. Different buildings have different rules about what you’re expected to pay and what is covered in your rent. If you need to pay for it, you’ll also need to set it up – be ready to reach out to utilities companies to get the services put in your name.

Don’t forget renter’s insurance! Some landlords actually require tenants to get a renter’s policy, but you should whether it’s mandated or not. Insurance policies protect you in the case of accidental damage, theft, and disaster. It usually doesn’t cost all that much per month, so you should definitely fit safety net into your budget.

3. What You Need

Furnishing a brand-new apartment is super exciting, and you’re probably full of ideas about how you want your new place to look. Before you go wild with your decoration schemes, however, you must make sure you have the basic furniture you’ll need to live. Eating take-out on the floor feels very cool and devil-may-care … for about a day. After that, you’ll wish you had a table.

Here’s a quick list of the basic furniture you’ll have to bring in: A bed, a couch, a table, and some chairs. In addition, there are little around the house items you probably won’t have, but will definitely want. These include things like towels, shower curtains, and utensils. Cookware is a must, as well, unless you want to be perpetually tied to delivery and carry-out food.

4. What You Don’t Need

You might be tempted to take every little knickknack and item you’ve ever collected with you to your new place. Although this might make your apartment feel well-stocked early on, you’re sure to regret it once you start actually decorating. All the junk you’re packing up now will feel like a complete pain when it gets in the way of having a tidy, put-together place.

Instead of moving everything from back home with you when you head into your first apartment, use moving as a chance to purge. Have an honest conversation with yourself about whether you’re holding on to items because they’re useful, or because you’re reluctant to let go. Donate, throw away, or recycle anything you don’t really need – you’ll be glad you did down the line.

5. Lease Terms

A lease is often the first legal document a young adult encounters. Although this does make the process a little bit stressful, it also makes it great practice for other contracts later on in life. Learning how to read complicated legal text is a valuable skill, and skimming your lease is an awful idea. Carefully read the entire document, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if there’s something you don’t understand.

If you want to be extra certain about the lease before you sign it, ask the landlord if you can have a few days to look it over. Then ask someone you trust, like a family member or experienced friend, if he or she can look it over with you. If anyone in your life is experienced with legal matters (particularly housing issues), they should be able to help you fully understand any confusing clauses.

6. Roommate Worries

If you’re moving in with roommates, make sure everyone you’re going to be living with is signing the lease. One or more roommates avoiding the lease spells out bad news later on – if they stop paying rent or decide to up and leave, there’s nothing you can do except pay on their behalf. If you’re thinking of living with someone who refuses to get on the lease, pick a different roommate.

7. Pets

Bringing a furry friend with you to your new place? Make sure you talk to your landlord about your pet – or pets – before you sign the lease or move in. Even if you know your building allows pets, it might have restrictions about weight or breed. In addition, most pet-friendly buildings require you to pay a pet deposit, or add an extra pet fee onto your rent.

In addition, make sure your apartment has plenty of room for Fido or Felix. If you’re bringing in a dog with lots of energy, it will need plenty of room to run around, and to be exercised outside regularly. Even cats call for extra space – have a plan for where you’ll put things like food, water, and the litter box before you decide on a unit.

8. Location, Location, Location

Before you pick an apartment building, make sure you’ve given real thought to where it’s located. Ideally, you’ll be close to all of the essential shops and services you’ll need, like grocery stores and restaurants. How close depends on your lifestyle. If you’re comfortable driving most places, within a couple of miles should do. If you’d rather walk, try to make sure you’re no more than a mile away from the important stuff.

9. Moving Plans

Moving is hard work, and you’re probably not going to be able to do it on your own. If you have a lot of friends who are free on your move-in date, ask them if they’d be willing to help you haul your stuff into your new place. This is going to be your cheapest option – traditional friend payment is pizza and beer, and the promise to help out next time they move.

If your friends are busy, you may want to look into hiring a moving company. The great thing about these services is that the movers are professionals who have done this a thousand times before, so they’ll know exactly how to load the truck and handle the boxes. These may seem like small details, but they’ll dramatically reduce the time it takes to pack up your stuff and get it into the new apartment.

10. Organization

Unless you’re moving into an apartment with an abundance of closet space, you’re probably going to need to come up with your own storage solutions. One of the very best things you can get is under-bed storage bins. As the name suggests, these slide neatly beneath your box springs and live totally out of sight. This is the perfect place to store out-of-season clothes and other small items.

If the storage can’t be hidden away, try to find things that look good. One cool way you can sneak storage into your decor is to use on old trunk for your coffee table. It will look totally cool, and you can use it to store away infrequently used items. Bookshelves work well for storing things that are decorative on their own, like figurines, ornaments, and, of course, books.

11. Decoration Scheme

The earlier you decide what you want to do, decoration-wise, the easier the process will be. There’s no better time to decorate an apartment than when you first move in – all of your stuff is already out of the way, and you still have all the freedom to sort your items the way you’d like. Unpacking things into their proper place is way easier than moving them later on.

Take a look at different design schemes to build some inspiration for your new place. Do you want something rustic and earthy, or sleek and modern? Make lease-friendly changes before you unpack all of your stuff, so you don’t have to deal with a bunch of little items while you’re decorating. This way, your place will look like home as soon as you’re done unpacking.

Dress Your Bed on a Dime: Thrifty Shopping & Design Tips

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 08:00:00 GMT

The bed is one of the most important spots in your home, and spending time making it look a bit more luxurious is a benefit to both your bedroom decor and your mental health. That said, buying beautiful sheets, comforters and pillows can add up and might feel like something you should skip when you are on a tight budget. But, your bed doesn’t have to be basic. Here are some thrifty shopping and design tricks to help you dress a bed on a dime.

Look for printed sheets and pillowcases when you thrift

I’ve always loved the retro patterns and floral prints that only an eagle-eyed vintage store shopper can find. Many thrift stores don’t often carry a lot of bedding, so you might have to take the time to dig in a little deeper, but you can sometimes stumble on some surprisingly cool designs that will be just the unique detail your bed needs. Or, you could find good quality secondhand plain sheets and pillow cases to experiment with the next suggestion.

Add a DIY detail

You don’t necessarily have to learn how to monogram to customize your bedding. There are a lot of creative small things you can do to make your bedding unique and luxurious. You can add ribbon or other trim to the edges and surfaces of sheets, blankets and pillow cases to give them a personal touch. Try your hand at simple embroidered motifs or stamped designs. Stitch on tassels or pompoms. No matter which style direction you take, you can add a lot without spending a lot.

Focus on the top layer while bulking up with basics

Sometimes when a bed feels a little naked and less than luxurious, it’s just too flat or skimpy. You can easily fix that by layering in more basic elements, some that you might already own. Use extra older or inexpensive filler pillows to prop up newer, fresher prettier pillows to add structure and better show off the attractive ones. Fold and layer less decorative blankets and comforters under the prettiest topper to give your bed some bulk.

Let the headboard be the show

Sometimes a well-dressed bed is one of simplicity when you’ve got a statement-making headboard, which is often just a quick, affordable DIY away.

Shop sales with an eye to alter

If you know how to sew, shop bedding sales online and in stores with an eye to potentially alter them. For example: two or three different color twin size clearance sale bargain blankets could be cut up and restitched together to create a custom, color-blocked cover for your king size bed.a

Cellphone Dead Zone? 3 Ways To Boost Reception At Home

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 08:00:00 GMT

“Can you hear me?” “Can you hear me now?” If most of your cellphone conversations begin this way — or if you’ve taken to hanging out a window just to get a signal — you’re not alone. Spotty cellphone service can be especially frustrating when you have full bars in your building’s lobby or hallway but one measly bar as soon as you set foot inside your home.

It turns out, there are good explanations for why this occurs (no, the cellphone gods aren’t trying to punish you for posting too many selfies) and solutions that renters can easily implement. Here’s how.

Cause #1: The position of your building’s cellphone antenna

“Cell carriers in all major cities position their cell sites close to the ground because that’s where most of the people are,” says Graham Caparulo, principal consultant for Diligex, a New York, NY–based managed IT services provider. “On the corners of buildings, you’ll see them 20 to 30 feet up, and they’re angled toward the street.” That doesn’t do you much good, especially if you live on the 30th floor of a high-rise.

Cause #2: Building materials can block radio signals

Tinted windows (especially the ones found on “green buildings”), concrete, and metal all interfere with cellphone reception — which is why you can often get more bars if you hold your phone out your window or step onto a balcony.

Cause #3: You live in a densely populated area

Have you ever noticed that your service is slower at night or on weekends, or when you attend a packed basketball game? The more people using a network, the slower it runs. (Kind of like the lines at your favorite coffee joint now that word about their croughnuts has gotten out.) “Each cell tower only has limited radio channels it can use,” says Caparulo. “When it’s full, you’ll have bars but can’t make a call or use data.”

Solution #1: Invest in a cellphone booster

“Invest” is the right word here, because a cell signal booster will typically set you back between $400 and $1,000. (WeBoost is a popular option.) “A traditional cell signal booster takes in a signal on one end, amplifies it, and spits it out on the other end,” says Caparulo, who cautions that you have to have a good signal to work with in the first place, which may mean putting the booster’s antenna outside your window — a no-no insome apartment buildings. Also, cellphone boosters need to be registered with your cellphone carrier, and the company has the right to withhold its consent for usage, especially if you live in a heavily populated area.

Solution #2: Enlist a femtocell

“A femtocell, also called a microcell, basically uses your Internet connection to back up your cellphone,” says Caparulo. The device plugs right into your modem or router and uses your Internet connection as a cell signal booster. The only drawback is that typically you have to buy the device directly from your cellular provider, and they cost around $150 to $200. (Note: Some consumers claim to have gotten one for free after lots of complaining.) Also, femtocells work only with your specific provider, so if you have AT&T and your roommate has Verizon, their phone may still struggle to get a signal in your apartment.

Solution #3: Enable Wi-Fi calling on your smartphone

This feature, available on the iPhone 6 series and many Android phones, allows your phone to use your in-home Wi-Fi connection to make calls. (On the iPhone 6, go to “Settings,” then “Phone,” and it should be the first option.) AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile all support Wi-Fi calling — and Verizon has recently begun rolling it out. Not all phones can use Wi-Fi calling, however, so you’ll need to check with your carrier to find out which devices are compatible.

Source: Forbes.com ~ By: Trulia

Understanding Renters’ Legal Rights

Sat, 06 Feb 2016 08:00:00 GMT

Renting a home can be highly beneficial for anyone seeking a short-term housing option or a lower commitment than a home purchase.

However, this option can lead to uncomfortable issues in the event a landlord is lax in following the terms of the lease agreement — or otherwise forgets that renters have legal rights.

Here are some of the more common issues that arise between renters and landlords. If you think your landlord is acting outside the bounds of state and federal housing laws, be sure you have a little legal ammo to make your argument.

Security deposits

Security deposits for leasers are highly regulated in most states, and lease agreements must clearly and unambiguously detail the specific instances in which a landlord may withhold all or some of a deposit.

First, the deposit must be in a sensible amount (such as the sum of two months’ rent).

Second, a landlord may only keep the deposit if there is a definitive reason that falls within the terms of the lease. Wrongful withholding is undoubtedly fodder for a claim against the landlord for the return of the money, as well as for costs and fees associated with bringing the issue to court.

Accommodations

All renters have a right to reasonable accommodations for a disability. In the context of apartment complexes, a landlord must set aside a certain number of units that are accessible to people with a physical handicap. This means rooms must be accessible from the ground floor, fitted with accommodating bathroom and/or kitchen fixtures, and generally compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Also, all landlords must accommodate renters who rely on specially trained service animals, even if the building as a whole maintains a no-pets policy.

Repairs

Renters have the right to timely, competent repairs to major appliances and fixtures — provided the damage occurred as a result of normal wear and tear or other forces outside the renter’s control.

By contrast, damage that the renter causes is generally not the landlord’s responsibility to repair. If a landlord is taking an unreasonably long time to fix the problem, a renter may usually arrange for the repair himself and withhold rent in the amount of the repair. Be sure to save your receipts as proof.

Privacy and safety

Renters have a right to both privacy and safety in their leased unit. This means that a landlord is not permitted to enter a renter’s private unit unannounced.

Further, a landlord must contact the renter prior to sending repair technicians or inspectors — and must respect the renter’s schedule when scheduling maintenance.

With regard to safety, a landlord must maintain the premises to control known dangers or hazards — which may include extensive locks, deadbolts, or special entrance codes as well as the presence of security personnel and surveillance cameras.

Rent and eviction

Of course, renters are obligated to pay rent each month. However, as mentioned above, the payment of rent may be premised on the dwelling’s habitability — and renters may be within their rights to withhold rent if the landlord fails to attend to certain major repairs.

Additionally, renters have the right to fulfill the terms of the lease agreement, and may not be evicted arbitrarily without cause during the rental term.

If a landlord attempts to evict a tenant prior to the conclusion of the lease, the renter may initiate a lawsuit against the landlord for the costs — both direct and incidental — associated with finding a new place to live on unreasonably short notice.

Moreover, a landlord who is believed to be evicting tenants for discriminatory or fraudulent reasons could face criminal culpability in many jurisdictions, if proven guilty.

Renters enjoy a long list of rights pursuant to the lease agreement and state and federal laws. Any violations of these rights can lead to a lawsuit by the renter, as well as bad publicity for the landlord. So renters take heed: You’re covered.

Source: zillow.com ~ By: Stephanie Reid

Habits of a Creative Renter

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 08:00:00 GMT

Renters often feel like their homes can never be as Pinterest-worthy as a space they own, but food stylist Hannah Messinger challenges that notion.

Messinger and her husband, Dan, live in East Nashville, where the front room of their 750-square-foot rental doubles as her food photography studio.

“Your home should be somewhere where you can relax and put your mind at ease,” Messinger said. “If your hobby is something that relaxes you, then it should be incorporated into your space.”

But making room for her love of food and photography wasn’t easy.

“When I first moved in I thought, this is never going to work,” she said. For photographing food, a house ideally would have a kitchen or dining room that faces north, with large windows on two adjacent walls. The lack of “ideal” light — not to mention a dining space — meant Messinger had to look at the entire space differently.

“I got rid of our coffee table and couch and bought a table for the living room/dining room with leaves,” Messinger said. She also began to see the lighting situation in, well, a new light.

“Never tell yourself that your house has bad light. At the very least, believe that your home has interesting light, and I swear that you’ll find it. Move around and try new places and times of day and use what you have to your advantage instead of complaining — even if it’s to yourself — about what you don’t have.”

Messinger’s lemons-into-lemonade attitude is how she got into food photography in the first place. She graduated with a degree in photojournalism in 2009, but had trouble finding a job in the media. After a year of shooting festivals and events, she decided to give still life photography a try and worked hard cultivating her skills, going to blogger conferences and making Pinterest boards with styling that she liked.

Her first client, Olive & Sinclair Chocolate, hired her through Twitter. She quit her office job on a whim and then struggled with freelancing for two years until fellow stylist and friend Kyah Hillis helped her land a cookbook shoot, which sent Messinger’s career into the fast lane.

While renting a home provides its challenges to cultivating a creative space, Messinger uses her Yaya’s condo in Florida as design inspiration.

“I keep everything really neutral being in a small space,” she said. “These days greens can be a really beautiful, almost organic look. They aren’t a pop of color — they feel grounded.”

Her home’s pale, muted seafoam and apricot tones are paired with big, bold, flora and fauna pieces. She also uses a mixture of family heirlooms, flea market pieces and even junkyard finds to make her rental feel more like home.

“[The junkyard is] where I bought a vintage mantle and Spanish hearth tiles for less than $100. Dan attached it to the wall in our living room with herringbone-patterned wood in the middle, and it makes the space feel so cozy,” Messinger said.

Messinger says she could live in a small space forever because it has made her a conscious consumer who doesn’t buy a lot of junk.

“In a small space you have to be a minimalist. You can’t own 50 pairs of shoes. Embracing that has been good for me.”

A small space, however, is not without its caveats.

“My husband would tell you that I’m a terrible cleaner. I get all worked up and pour the entirety of my energy into a creative project and don’t leave myself any stamina for cleanup. Even the most minute mess looks enormous in a small space.”

Source: zillow.com ~ By: Hannah Messinger

FOUR WAYS TO SIMPLIFY IN 2016

Sun, 17 Jan 2016 08:00:00 GMT

Everyone I run into lately has brought up their desire to slow things down this year. The always on, always connected, always sharing what’s new, what’s next, where I am right this second seems to be weighing on people. I think we’re hitting a tipping point to change our collective approach to the rat race and I’m all for it. Anything that makes the day’s pace slow is alright by me.

Luckily, there are pretty easy ways to bring some semblance of sanity into daily life. I’ve decided to try four things to add an air of calm to my world this year.

CLEAR THE CLUTTER

The art of tidying was all the rage in 2015 and it’s certainly not going anywhere. The concepts are pretty straight forward. Set a bar for what you surround yourself with.Keep things that bring you joy, that are useful or are just extra special. Things that don’t make the cut? Anything that’s sat in a drawer for a year, stuff that needs to be fixed, something you’re saving “just in case,” or anything you’re just sick of looking at.

I’m definitely taking a “out with the old” approach to decorating in 2016. Notice there was no “in with the new” at the end of that cliché. I’ve been having a ball getting rid of stuff and firmly believe if you purge the physical things clogging up your life, it will spill over to your mental and emotional life as well. You quite literally have space to breathe. Design books that I haven’t revisited in the last year? Buh-bye. The magazines I keep thinking I’ll reread? Oh no.

My coffee table is now a blissfully open expanse, punctuated by a tray to set my daily cup of blisscoffee – but nothing more. Thankfully, our pending move is going to help facilitate an even deeper mass exodus, but you don’t have to move to do your own version of decluttering. Here’s how I try to tackle it: take one hour per week to address a specific area in your house that feels stuck, but won’t overwhelm you. That might be the junk drawers, under the bathroom sink, the box of unsorted paperwork. Then you can block out an afternoon for major projects like the closet clean out. I promise, you’ll slowly but surely chip away at the overflow.

REFRESH YOUR ARRANGEMENTS

With all those things that do bring you joy – display them! Put them within arm’s reach. Set them out in high trafficked areas that you’ll see daily. I’m a big fan of using picture rails to not only display art or personal photos, but also books, magazines and even a candle or air plant for some texture. They add a ton of interest without taking up a lot of real estate. They’re perfect for small spaces or a hallway. Any time you need a mood booster – rearrange. It’s my form of meditation and I swear by it.

TAKE A TIMEOUT

All too often I grab a coffee on the go, chugging it while I’m racing to from point A, 15 minutes late to the point B. This year I’m committing myself to sitting down and fully enjoying a cup of fresh coffee and a little time to myself everyday. Thankfully, I’ve fallen in love with my VertuoLine Evoluo from Nespresso. I’ve been partnering with Nespresso as part of their “A Cup Above” campaign. (You may have spied this post or this post).

Having a Nespresso at home makes taking a few minutes to myself really easy. A push of a button and I have a beautiful cup of coffee and a good ten minutes of sanity-returning quiet time. And the fact that Nespresso’s coffee capsules are made of 100% aluminum and recyclable means no additional clutter. I’m currently obsessed with the Limited Edition Swiss Chocolate variation that was available during the holiday season. That little whiff of chocolate makes mama very happy. You can also try the Intenso variation that is a permanent addition.

SET AN INTENTION (OR 2!)

There are just too many things coming at us all the time to remember them all. And we can all agree there aren’t enough hours in the day to get through your entire to-do list, so this year I’m committing myself to serious prioritization. And to hold myself accountable, I’m writing it all down. There’s something about putting pen to paper that adds a whole new level of gravitas to a goal. This is something you can do while enjoying said cup of Nespresso and revel in your tidy minimalized space.

There you have it. Just a few simple changes to your daily routine and updates to your environment will help you get 2016 off to a positive start. I’m going to do my best to keep the momentum going long after January has passed.

Who else is with me?!

Source: apartment34.com

5 Steps to Help You Actually Stick to Your New Year’s Resolutions

Mon, 04 Jan 2016 08:00:00 GMT

It’s December 31st and you have written goals for the upcoming year. You have ambition, plans, and so much motivation. It’s the day before the new year and there is no way you can fail with your list of goals happily tucked away in your jacket pocket as you clink champagne glasses with your friends, enjoying your last night before hitting the gym, eating healthier and reading more books. January 1st you feel great — you’ve got this — but a couple months later you’re starting to have doubts. Your grandiose plans and goals somehow seem much less attainable than they once were and eating nothing but carrots and waking up at 5 a.m. for morning yoga and shopping less have all become really difficult. Maybe you should just give up — there’s always next year, right? New Year’s Resolutions have their place, a new year is a fresh start, but it is actually possible to fail at your goals if you aren’t prepared for reality.

Here are five steps to help you actually stick to your New Year’s resolutions all year long:

1. Be realistic.

You know yourself better than anyone else. The last thing you need to do is set your expectations for yourself too high because then (unfortunately) you are destined to fail. Try to find a happy medium between the “new you” and the old you — somewhere that gets you closer to your version of ideal.

2. Be organized.

Organizing your goals into individual categories will help you determine how realistic they are and also what areas of your life you are focusing on. A good way to categorize your goals is: personal, professional, financial and fun / miscellaneous. Once you write all your goals into their categories take a moment to decide if you are satisfied with the amounts in each category. Is there an area that is getting too little or too much emphasis? This will also help you prioritize — if one of your goals is “personal” (to eat healthier, for example) and another is “fun” (to travel more) it’s easier to decide which is more important to you when they are split up.

3. Quantify.

The worst goal we can set is a general one without any tangible end point. A perfect example is the resolution to “get healthier”. What on earth does that even mean? Eating better? Exercising more? Drinking more water? Not smoking? It’s too vague and there are also no numbers. A better resolution might be: “Eat five healthy meals per week,” or “Exercise once a day.” Only you will know how to quantify your own goals but unless you do, you will have no actionable way to accomplish them.

4. Set milestones.

A year is a long time. 365 days to fail (if you want to think of it that way). Instead of trying to make it to the end of the year accomplishing one goal, break your resolution up into several mini-goals and track your progress throughout the year. Perhaps sit down once per month and determine how you have been working towards your overall goal or set something more concrete — “read one book by June.”

5. Be focused.

Everyday is a new day to work towards the resolutions you made at the beginning of the year. If you start off each day thinking about what you can do to accomplish your goals there is no way you can fail. In the same sense, don’t spread yourself too thin. It is tempting to make hundreds of goals and resolutions but it is much harder to actually stick to so many. Focus on the ones that are most important to you, and save the others as bonuses. If you zero in on those few must-do’s, you will succeed.

Source: huffingtonpost.com ~ By: Samantha Munoz

Boom: Older Renters Comprise Largest Share of Market

Sat, 26 Dec 2015 08:00:00 GMT

Your kids are off to college, and their bedrooms house nothing but the memories of days gone by. Your muscles may not be what they used to be, and you really, really don’t want to keep mowing the lawn or replacing shingles on the roof. And that commute to work just gets longer and longer.

You’re an empty-nester, and you wonder whether you should downsize – sell the suburban house and rent an apartment in one of those shiny, amenity-laden new properties near downtown.

You wouldn’t be the only one.

The younger generation may be poised to take over the apartment industry in the next 10-15 years, as my colleague KC Sanjay wrote in this space last week , but baby-boomers and older Generation Xers accounted for the largest share of renters as of 2014, according to Axiometrics’ analysis of U.S. Census data.

As the chart above shows, the age demographics of renters has changed from 10 years ago. Back then, renters ages 45-64 comprised 25.8% of the market. They’re 30.2% of the market today, and when you add in renters ages 65 and older, that percentage grows to 44.4%. Meanwhile, youngsters ages 25 and younger make up 9.1% of all renter householders today, compared to the 13.4% of 2005.

These older renters like the reduction of responsibilities that come with homeownership, and they enjoy the benefits of urban-core living. Being in town reduces their commute to work – they may not even have to drive if solid public transportation is nearby – and they can enjoy the nearby restaurants, shopping, sporting and cultural arts events.

Though apartment demographics have changed, the 2005 rental market was pretty healthy, especially coming just a few years after the tech-bust recession of the early 2000s. The table below shows some crucial data points related to the apartment market in 2005 and 2014.

The average effective rent may be $206 more today than in 2005 – a 21.4% increase that fits well with the 21.2% cumulative inflation rate from 2005-2014 — but the good news for renters is that an apartment is actually more affordable now when you look at the ratio of rent to household income.

Regardless of whether the age group itself is growing – or just its renter householder share – property owners, developers and investors still face the reality that a larger proportion of renters are now ages 45 and older than any other time in the past 10 years. How does that affect the apartment industry?

Renters in their 20s, living on their own for the first time, likely have completely different demands than those in their late 40s or 50s who are downsizing. For example, millennials prefer one-bedroom apartments, and apartment developers are adding more of those units to their unit mix. But the boomers and Gen Xers are more likely to demand two-bedroom units: The second bedroom can be used as an office and double as an extra bedroom for when the kids and grandkids come over.

Of course, people in all age groups enjoy many of the same amenities: the pool, the fitness center, the high-speed wi-fi.

From the property owner/manager side, the 45- to 64-year-old who has worked for 20-40 years likely makes more money than a 20-something who recently entered the work market. Nearly 65% (64.9%) of renter householders in the 45-64 age bracket makes over $50,000 a year. That ratio for renter householders under the age of 25 is 26.1%. That could be one reason the apartment market has been so strong the past 18 months: Higher income means landlords can raise rents higher, and the 45-64 set still sees good value.

If you’re one of those empty-nesters who might be ready to downsize, there’s plenty of urban-core apartments to choose from. You might even make some new friends in the clubhouse.

Source: forbes.com ~ By: Sophie Zatterstrom Gore

Meet Blink: The Ultra Affordable Wire-Free Home Monitoring System

Fri, 18 Dec 2015 08:00:00 GMT

Over the past few years we’ve seen tons of innovation in the home security marketplace; smaller, smarter cameras have made it easier than ever to keep an eye on things at home while you’re away – but with a hefty price tag. Enter: Blink , the simple, chic answer to affordably monitoring your whole home.

We Think You’ll Like Blink, Here’s Why:

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Blink is a new wire-free HD home surveillance system that offers serious battery longevity and a super simple setup. The cameras themselves are really straightforward; since they’re battery-operated and connect to a central hub over WiFi, you can place them just about anywhere. There’s no installation required beyond finding a space on your bookshelf or using the included wall mount to swivel and tilt the camera into the ideal position. Best of all, the batteries only need to be replaced once a year! Other wire-free home monitoring cameras need a recharge about every two weeks, so that’s kind of a big deal.

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The whole Blink system works with your smartphone via the Blink app. As soon as motion is detected by a Blink camera, a short video is captured and an alert is sent to your device so you can log on and see what’s happening. Live View mode lets you access a live camera feed anytime—perfect if you’ve ever wondered what your dog gets up to while you’re at work. (Spoiler: He’s probably sleeping… on your bed… where you told him not to. Good luck with that.)

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Initially funded on Kickstarter , Blink is now entering production! For a limited time, you can pre-order a one-camera system for just $79. A three-camera system is only $189, which is about what you’d pay for a single camera from most other video surveillance systems these days.

A NEW HOLIDAY DECORATING TREND

Thu, 10 Dec 2015 08:00:00 GMT

STEP THREE: Reverse the direction of your olive branch bundles for the last third of the wreath frame that you have left

STEP FOUR: Take a piece of silky ribbon and tie a bow around the empty spot where your branch stems meet.

STEP FIVE: Tie a long piece of twine to each end of the wreath frame for hanging.

I think this is one project I can actually pull off before Christmas Eve rolls around!

Source: apartment34.com

Terrible Credit? Here’s How You Can Land A Great Apartment

Thu, 03 Dec 2015 08:00:00 GMT

A poor credit score can negatively impact how landlords view your application, but it doesn’t have to keep you from scoring a great apartment.

Your credit score is like your financial report card. It’s a measure of creditworthiness, and places such as banks or lenders associate this number with your level of financial responsibility. Just as a D in high school geometry had severe consequences on your TV time, a bad credit score can really come back to bite you.

Lenders won’t give you low interest rates, banks may turn you down for loans, and worst of all for renters, landlords may not allow you to rent. That all sounds pretty dire, but here’s the good news: You can get proactive about improving your credit score.

Paying off debt, keeping low balances on your cards, and establishing a history of paying your bills on time and in full will contribute to a better score.

But that all takes time, and you may need to sign a lease on that apartment for rent in Boston, MA, before your credit score has improved. Fear not: If you have terrible credit that you’re working to correct, you can still land a great apartment — you just need to try a few of these strategies.

Prepare a letter of explanation

If your financial situation looks bad on paper because of a terrible credit score, but in reality your finances are in good shape, you may be able to write a letter of explanation to the landlord. This document is just what it seems: a letter that explains why there’s a discrepancy between your credit score and the current health of your finances.

Provide as much detail as possible and include documentation for any claims that you make. In addition, plan to get letters from a past landlord or a current employer. Past landlords can vouch for you, attesting to the fact that you paid your rent on time and in full. Employers can verify your employment status and your income.

You can also ask for recommendations from others who understand your financial situation (such as a financial adviser) to further show you’re more financially responsible and capable than your credit score may suggest.

Prepare to offer more cash upfront (and other incentives)

Landlords may deny you if you apply with a poor credit score. Looking at it from their perspective, this harsh move makes sense: They’re simply trying to protect their own financial interests.

While it’s hard to judge someone by a single metric, credit scores can provide insight into whether you’ll be able to afford your rent — or how likely you are to pay each month. Considering this, putting down a larger cash deposit can help ease a landlord’s fears.

Besides cash, there are other ways to negotiate renting with bad credit: You can offer to move in immediately so a landlord doesn’t have to deal with vacancies. Or you can ask to sign a shorter lease, so their perceived time of risk is shorter.

Set up automatic payments

In addition to putting down a larger cash deposit, you can provide a landlord with peace of mind by offering to set up automatic rent payments each month. This way, there are no concerns about human error (such as forgetting to mail a paper check), and the landlord knows the rent payment will be made in full and on time, every month.

Terrible credit can hinder your ability to get the apartment you want — but it doesn’t have to be the final word on your search for a great apartment. By being proactive, you can ease a potential landlord’s concerns about your financial situation and show that you’re prepared to handle the rent payments and secure your ideal home. And best of all, paying monthly rent can actually build your credit history and help raise that less-than-ideal score.

Source: trulia.com ~ By Kali Hawlk

Using up the Thanksgiving Leftovers

Fri, 27 Nov 2015 08:00:00 GMT

A traditional Thanksgiving dinner is the meal that keeps on giving. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the leftovers filling your fridge, here are 10 resourceful recipes to give you some post-Turkey Day inspiration.

1. SAVORY CREPES WITH TURKEY AND STUFFING

If you’re not out shopping all Friday morning, reward yourself with these savory Thanksgiving crepes from the blog Butter with a Side of Bread. The insides are filled with leftover stuffing and strips of turkey, and then topped off with a drizzle of gravy and cranberry sauce. The recipe even makes use of your leftover mashed potatoes by incorporating them into the batter for the crepes themselves.

2. TURKEY POT PIE SOUP

A fast way to get rid of any excess leftover turkey is to transform it into a soup. This turkey pot pie soup from the blog Handle the Heat takes only 30 minutes to cook, and it will provide you with quick and easy meals for the rest of the holiday weekend. The addition of fresh sage is the perfect way to prolong the flavors of fall—even when it starts to feel like winter outside.

3. MASHED POTATO AND STUFFING PATTIES

What’s the best way to re-purpose the starchy sides leftover from Thanksgiving? By pressing them into patties and frying them, of course. In addition to using stuffing and mashed potatoes, these patties from Pocket Change Gourmet also call for leftover turkey, so they’re substantial enough to be eaten as a snack or a meal.

4. THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS STROMBOLI

Thanksgiving sandwiches start to get old after the third or fourth time you make them. If you’re in search of something a little more innovative to do with your leftovers, try stuffing them into a stromboli. This glorious creation from the blog Betsy Life includes turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, all braided inside a golden-brown crust. The recipe uses pre-made pizza dough, so putting it together takes even less effort than you’d think.

5. THANKSGIVING LEFTOVER CASSEROLE

This casserole from Family Friendly Recipes has it all. Just layer your turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce into a baking dish and 40 minutes later you’ll have a dish that delivers that perfect Thanksgiving taste all in one bite.

6. FRIED MASHED POTATO BALLS

It’s easy to overlook the sad bowl of leftover mashed potatoes sitting in the corner of your fridge. This recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen injects new life into your old mashers with healthy heapings of bacon, cheddar, green onion, and jalapeños. Roll the mixture together into 1-inch balls and fry them for a delicious bite-sized snack.

7. STUFFING SANDWICH

See the video

8. PUMPKIN PIE MILKSHAKE

Blogging Over Thyme

Some pumpkin milkshake recipes call for pumpkin puree, or perhaps a scoop of pumpkin ice-cream. This leftover thanksgiving pumpkin pie milkshake from Blogging Over Thyme recipe requires a whole slice of pie. A thermos full of this stuff might make the Monday after Thanksgiving a little more bearable.

9. TURKEY AND SWEET POTATO ENCHILADAS

This is How I Cook

For a Mexican spin on the all-American flavors of Thanksgiving, use your leftover turkey meat as stuffing for enchiladas . The baked sweet potatoes emphasize the fall flavor profile and smoky chipotle sauce adds an extra spicy kick.

10. THANKSGIVING LEFTOVER PIZZA

See the video…

Most conventional Thanksgiving sandwiches include stuffing between the bread. In this sandwich from Sporkful, the stuffing is the bread. By binding the leftover stuffing with egg, it can then be formed into slice-like patties and fried up to crispy perfection. The stuffing buns make the perfect vehicles for all the classic sandwich components like turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.When looking for a tasty leftover vehicle, it’s hard to go wrong with pizza. This recipe for turkey, mashed potato, and mushroom pizza steps out of the box by swapping out the pizza sauce for gravy. That sounds like a brilliant idea no matter what time of the year it is.

Source: mentalfloss.com

For a More Peaceful Home: Minimize Your Tech

Sat, 21 Nov 2015 08:00:00 GMT

Let go of or disguise your television

If you feel like you watch too much television (that novel’s not going to write itself, you know), you might consider getting rid of your television set all together. Doing so will make your living room focus again on conversation, connection or creative endeavors. If you’re not ready to get rid of your television completely, consider disguising it with decor so that it doesn’t stand out so much.

Declutter your old tech

Still have a VCR in your media center just in case you want to watch that couple of tapes you’ve been toting around for years? Or that old computer you replaced long ago but haven’t gotten around to recycling? Or a drawer full of old phones? Or even just some technology you don’t use like a gifted e-reader? These things are just dust catchers now, and getting them out of your house and out of sight will not only free up more space, but also make your home just feel better.

Upgrade to sleeker, smaller and wireless

Can that clunky stereo system you’ve had since college be upgraded to a newer, smaller, wireless speaker system? Do you have the budget to upgrade to a screen and projection system for movie nights so you can roll the screen up and out of the way when you’re done? If you’re not a big tech person, you might have old technology that’s clunkier than it has to be. Grab a tech-loving friend to help you upgrade the technology you do need and use so the stuff you have in your home is as streamlined and useful as possible.

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Handle the wires

Because not everything in the world is powered wirelessly, chances are you have wires somewhere in your home, even after a good tech purge. Put the work in to organizing them and your home will look and function better.

Go for furniture that doesn’t scream “entertainment center”

Remember that time a couple a decades ago when furniture was made to show off and display your technology, and words like “entertainment center” and “media center” became things you actually wanted in your home? No more, please. Invest in high-quality furniture made for tech that hides seamlessly behind doors and drawers or DIY existing furniture to house the tech you need without screaming “this is where I keep my Roku!”

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Tuck away daily technology

From the cell phone, to the cell phone charger, to the iPad to your laptop — these are all pieces of technology we need that can (and usually do) bring joy and helpfulness to our lives. But that doesn’t mean they need to be laying around visible all the time. Carve out or create spots that they “live” in that are tucked away out of sight so when you’re finished with them you can really set them down, hide them away and focus on other activities.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com

6 Sneaky Ways to Make Your Home Look Expensive

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 08:00:00 GMT

1. Declutter

Nothing says “this home ain’t worth much” like tons of disjointed knickknacks, piles of books, and other miscellaneous items that should be tossed or stored.

No, you don’t need to go full Marie Kondo, but going through your rooms and getting rid of anything that doesn’t mesh with your personal style is a great first step toward transforming your home from average to exceptional.

Walk through each room of your home and edit items. Make some tough decisions. Sure, you love your grandma’s vintage Chinese vase, but does it really jibe with your West Elm look? It might be time to store it or let it live in another room with similar family heirlooms.

Next step: Tackle any stuff that piles up—toys (if you have kids), shoes by the door, mail on the dining table. At the very least, find places for your stuff to live in a more organized way; an upgraded closet with beautifully sorted nooks and crannies looks luxurious. (Pro tip: We love Pottery Barn’s build-your-own pieces. )

2. Eliminate grunge

You may not have time for intensive cleaning on a weekly basis, but a once- or twice-yearly deep clean is an easy way to make your home look far more luxurious. After all, you rarely see a mansion with dirty baseboards.

Go through your home and search for overlooked areas that have become dirty and downright gross. You’ll want to pay special attention to the grouting, says designer Young Huh.

“Having old tile cleaned and regrouted makes a huge difference in having your bathroom look sparkly and fresh,” she says. Best of all: The process is simple and inexpensive.

Get sparkly new floors–minus the refinishing. Try steam cleaning wood floors for an immediate lift to the finish.

3. Add—or rearrange—lighting

Designers use lighting to define spaces and separate rooms, making a small space grand.

Think of your living room—where you might have a reading nook, sofas and chairs for company, and a television. Visually differentiate among the areas by using different kinds of lighting: Add a table lamp beside your cozy reading chair and sconces behind your couch for conversation. Consider a dimmer for overhead lights. Architects and lighting designers swear by them. Installing is a relatively simple DIY.

Bonus cheapskate tip: Use warm-colored lightbulbs, Huh says. Cool tones are a “sure-fire way to make your home look down-market,” she says. Daylight bulbs work best for reading nooks.

4. Upgrade your hardware

Don’t have a kitchen renovation in the budget? You can get a similar effect for much less by swapping out old, dated hardware for new.

Tired of your brushed-steel drawer pulls? Try gold, bronze, or even crystal—or make an adventure of it and scour your local thrift store for vintage hardware that screams your style.

It’s not hard to find attractive options in any decor style for next to nothing (a drawer pull, for instance, might start at just $3 or less). For hard-to-find designs, search etsy.

Changing the countertop and faucets is another change that can make your home look much pricier, Huh says. If you have the budget, exchange your dated sink accessories for something fresh that matches your brand-new hardware.

5. Repaint

There’s no simpler way to make an old home feel new than painting.

“This is the most important part,” Huh says. “Repaint and choose beautiful colors for an instant makeover.”

You can’t go wrong with classy neutrals. Minimalists might love a bright white combined with a bold accent wall; DIY decorators might enjoy a tasteful, sandy tan tone, which pairs well with any number of woods.

Paint isn’t just for your walls: Add some color to your front door, window trims, or even the floor, if you’re brave (hardwood can look amazing when painted white).

6. Focus on the devil in the (decor) details

Does your home feel a little meh—and you’re not sure how to change it? Try vignettes—combine decor items (e.g., vases, frames, and objets) that add visual interest to an otherwise bland area—perhaps a shelf or console table.

Organize your vignette around a theme so that the decor items are unified and tell a visual story. Go around your house and cull items you love that need a new home (see tip No. 1 on decluttering).

For example, take that silver tray you’ve been wanting a use for, add a glass tumbler with a fresh flower, that postcard your parents sent from Thailand, and a white bowl filled with colorful candy. Voilà: You now have a magazine-worthy vignette!

Another way to go: Grouping together multiples of the same object (e.g., glass vases in the same color) is an instant update. Decorators often use odd numbers because they are said to be more appealing.

Before you know it, you’ll be posting pics of your gorgeous home.

Source: realtor.com ~ Author: Jamie Wiebe

What To Do With That Small, Awkward Gap Behind the Sofa

Thu, 05 Nov 2015 08:00:00 GMT

If you float your living room furniture (and you should consider it) then you might have one of those pesky spots that’s not quite big enough for traditional furniture, but it’s too big to completely ignore. What to do, what to do? Sometimes it’s 12 inches, and sometimes a few feet. Either way, it’s an opportunity.

There’s usually always enough room for a leaning mirror against the wall. If it’s large enough, like this one in Roger and Chris’ home, you’ll get the illusion of furniture with its reflection of whatever is across the room. (Lead photo above)

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A bookcase behind the sofa is a great way to add a little texture — and a little storage — to your living room. (Naturally, things you don’t use as much go directly behind the couch.)

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Rohde had just enough space behind his living room sofa for a slim desk that fit his laptop. Instant office.

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These art ledges , filled with frames, disappear behind the pink sofa and go down to the floor, as captured by Annika von Holdt. The wall is a huge statement.

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A narrow console table is a great opportunity for displaying vignettes, or a pretty pair of lamps. Steve and Stacy used theirs for bookshelves and other accessories.

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This floating shelf behind Nina’s sofa is wide enough for some plants. Since it’s also the same color as the walls, it’s not hugely visible as well.

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I’m intrigued by the narrow ledge behind the sofa in this Paris apartment, designed by Sarah Lavoine . Is it functional storage, or just a built-in feature? I can imagine a similar IKEA hack happening.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com

Last-Second Pumpkin DIY that is Scary Good

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Around here, no orange gourds will do. They just don’t mesh with my color palette people! With this look it’s all about the muted hues: white, gray and various shades of pale green. The funkier the better.

Then all you need is a box of crayons, a hair dryer and five minutes to complete the look! Now that I can handle.

The final result is a little bit spooky, a little bit artistic and a lot cool. This is taking modern pumpkins to a whole other level don’t you think?

Are you the Halloween loving type? Whether you’ve already had your costume figured out for months or you’re scrambling for inspiration {like me}, I know you’ll appreciate this tabletop , this drink , these costumes for the adults and these costumes for the littles .

Happy haunting friends!

Source: apartment34.com

5 Tips for Haute Halloween Decor

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Halloween is almost here, and before you know it, trick-or-treaters will be ringing your doorbell. Decorating your house for the season should be easy, fun, and bring just the right amount of spookiness.

Follow these simple tips to bring hauntingly elegant Halloween flair to any area of your home.

1. Drape spooky fabric as a base

Whether you’re decorating a buffet, side table, or even front door, fabric is a great base layer. Stretch cheesecloth to mimic cobwebs, then drape it haphazardly to create a little Halloween drama.

2. Place black branches for accents

A great way to hint at the Halloween season without going too cheesy is to use bare black branches. You can cut some from your yard, strip the leaves off if they haven’t fallen yet, and give them a quick coat of black spray paint.

If DIY isn’t for you, many stores have caught onto this trend, and you’ll find a variety of black branch wreaths and even candle holders.

3. Light some black candles

Few things say magic like flickering candles. To really play up the season, trade in your traditional white tapers for black. Nothing is more stylishly spooky than black candles in a black candle holder.

For added effect, place the candle holder and lit candles in front of a mirror. The reflection gives off a truly eerie glow.

4. Plant black and white pumpkins

Trade the usual orange pumpkins in for some black and white. The white ones are available any local farmer’s market. For the black, head to your local craft store. They have these faux black pumpkins in a variety of sizes this time of year.

5. Sprinkle in a few seasonal symbols

Don’t go overboard with the spiders and bats, but a few of these Halloween symbols spread throughout your vignette can add just the right finishing touch. For example, a raven is the perfect creepy character to tuck into your scene.

Another nice touch is a candy bowl with some real seasonal personality. The stores are crawling with spider- and claw-adorned serving bowls. Just stick to the black and white palette, and it won’t compete with your other decor.

Whether you’re decorating for a party or just making your home festive for youzillor family, these tips will turn your Halloween house into the hit of the block.

Source: zillow.com ~ By: LINDSAY JACKMAN

Budget-Busting Bad Habits You Need to Break

Thu, 08 Oct 2015 07:00:00 GMT

We all have bad habits. Some of us stay up a bit too late each night. Others work too much or snack when they aren’t hungry (guilty!). Some bad habits are small and relatively harmless, while others can affect your health or well-being a great deal. But some of the worst bad habits don’t necessarily have to do with health– they have to do with finances.

Think about the way you spend money. Do you follow your budget perfectly, spending only as much as you make and saving an ideal amount each month? If so, you’re a financial wizard and don’t need to read any further.

If not, you– like most of the rest of us– have at least one bad financial habit that could be broken. Here are some of the most common budget-busting bad habits you should try to break as soon as possible:

Dipping Into Savings

Living paycheck to paycheck is no easy feat. It takes a serious commitment to create a budget and stick to it– something not everyone is great at. Some people find the lifestyle easier than others, but inevitably, no matter how good you are at it, you’ll need to dip into your savings at one point or another.

You have money saved up for a reason, so if you’re withdrawing from savings for an emergency purchase or an unexpected necessity, that’s one thing. But if you’re taking money out of savings because you ran out of money and there are still a couple of days until your next paycheck, that’s different. The worst part about this practice? It’s one of the hardest bad habits to break once you start. Do your best to stick to your budget and avoid that slippery slope altogether.

Embracing Credit a Little Too Much …

Similarly, many people lean on their credit cards when they’re earning a starting salary. While credit cards are useful tools, maxing them out is a financial burden you want to avoid as much as possible. And the more you spend on your credit card, the longer it will take you to pay off the balance, which means you’re basically throwing money away for the interest you’re being charged.

If you know you’re likely to get into bad credit habits, force yourself to spend only as much as you can pay back right away– that way, you’ll avoid debt.

… And Paying the Minimum

Don’t forget that if you do have more on your credit card than you can pay back immediately, it’s a bad idea to pay only the minimum required each month. As bad habits go, this one is costly.

Think of it this way: If you pay twice the minimum payment each month, you’ll pay a fraction of the interest you would have. That could mean saving hundreds!

Failing to Account for Smaller Purchases

Are you a coffee-shop-before-work-every-day kind of person? Or someone who would rather buy lunch than bring it from home? While these things may be delicious and convenient, they’re certainly bad habits that could be costing a lot of money.

Even if you buy a simple black coffee every morning for a year, that’s a good $500 or $600 down the drain– a more complicated drink makes that total skyrocket. Though the purchases may seem small at the time, make sure you’re keeping track of every last penny spent. And if you need to, cut down on those small expenses.

Grocery Shopping Without a Plan

Buying groceries rather than eating out for every meal is a great way to spend money. However, grocery shopping can be a source of money-related bad habits. For one thing, many people spend more than they budget on impulse buys (like those frozen taquitos that are on sale). Avoid this by making a list before heading to the store and buying only what’s on it.

Another common grocery shopping issue? Buying food you won’t eat before its expiration date. If you notice yourself throwing away food from your fridge regularly, you may need to start planning your meals and grocery shopping a little better.

Emotional Buying

When I have a bad day, nothing makes me feel better than a quick shopping trip or drowning my sorrows in Thai food (crab rangoons are my Achilles’ heel). But as good as emotional purchasing may feel, it’s hard on your bank account.

Limit these expenditures when possible, or work them into your budget if you know you’re in for a stressful week or month.

Paying Bills Manually

Believe it or not, if you’re still paying your bills yourself each month, you may be costing yourself some money. Between rent, electricity, cable, Internet, gas, and everything else, keeping track of bills can be tough– and not keeping track carefully enough can lead to expensive late charges.

Automate as much as you can. You’ll avoid late fees, but you’ll also find you’re less stressed about bills each month.

Source: apartmentguide.com ~ by Lindsay Smith

7 Things to Think About Before Adopting a Pet

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 07:00:00 GMT

It might happen when you’re out running errands: A local shelter has set up an adoption event outside the grocery store, and you’re drawn to the happy wagging tail of a black lab. Or perhaps the moment comes when you’re visiting a friend. “Oh, my neighbor’s cat just had kittens,” she says. “You have to look– they’re so cute.”

It’s even possible that you’ll happen upon the moment yourself. In an attempt to de-stress, you pull up the website for your local humane society. I’m just looking, you think. It’s not like I’m going to adopt a puppy or kitten today.

And then, out of nowhere, you fall in love.

Before you decide to take any furry friends home, however, there are some things to think about. Here are seven questions you should ask before you adopt a pet:

1. What Does My Lease Say?

It’s not enough to make sure your building allows pets.

Make sure you understand what your landlord expects as far as notification, and whether or not your landlord or the building has any additional deposits or monthly charges for keeping an animal– you’ll likely have to pay a bit more each month than if you were moving in sans cuddly creature.

2. Can I Afford a Pet?

Thoroughly research your potential pet’s monthly food and care needs, and figure out how that will fit into your budget. Don’t forget to include regular and emergency veterinary costs, and consider building an emergency pet fund before you bring your pet home.

Your new pet will probably not come with its own savings account.

3. Do I Have Time?

Different pets require different time commitments.

Make sure you know how much of your time your pet will need for attention, exercise, and grooming. If you work long hours or travel regularly, consider how that will fit into your pet care.

4. Will Your Companion Need a Companion?

Some animals are very social and need to have a companion. For example, ferrets can become depressed if they don’t have a ferret friend around, which means you effectively need to adopt them in pairs.

Other animals, like hamsters, are perfectly content to be the only pet around.

5. Is This Pet Legal?

Speaking of ferrets, did you know it’s illegal to own, breed, or sell ferrets in California and Hawaii?

Make sure the pet you’re thinking of adopting is legally allowed in your area. Different states and cities have different laws about exotic animals, so do your research if you’re considering anything other than a cat or pup.

6. Do I Have the Space?

How much space you’ll need will depend entirely on what kind of pet you’re looking at. It’s not just the size of the animal that matters: For example, a low-energy, medium-sized dog might require less space than a large cat. It’s not that the cat itself takes up more room, but the accompanying litter box does.

Take into account your pet’s size, energy, and accompanying accessories, and figure out how that will fit into your apartment.

7. What Will Happen Down the Road?

The future is one of the most important things to think about when considering pet adoption. What will you do if you have to move somewhere that doesn’t allow pets? How will you handle your companion developing a chronic illness?

Asking these questions now will help you cross the bridge if you get to it and let you know if you’re ready to have a pet at all.

Souece: apartmentguide.com ~ By: Michelle Brandstetter

Five Perks of Solo Renting

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 07:00:00 GMT

While it can certainly be fun, living with roommates may also be chaotic at times. Figuring out how to share utility bills, the bathroom, chores — and even your Wi-Fi connection — isn’t always easy.

If you’re wondering whether you’re ready to live on your own, check out these five perks of solo renting.

1. You have control over your bills

No more fighting over the thermostat, who’s hogging the internet, or shower time limits. Keep the temperature set at your ideal 67 degrees while streaming your favorite show sans-buffering, and take all the bubble baths you want.

When you live alone, you have (almost) complete control over what you see on your billing statements at the end of the month.

2. Those passive aggressive days are over

That note on your fridge telling you to keep your music down? Gone.

And you know those dishes that pile up in the sink while everyone waits for that one roommate to get the hint and finally wash her own pots and pans? You can kiss those days goodbye.

Blast that new Taylor Swift tune, and keep your dishes in the sink as long as you’d like.

3. Your home, your style

Trying to mesh a number of decorating styles into one home can be tough. Sure, it’s normal to deal with the plaid couch from your uncle, a roommate’s grandmother’s vintage gold lamps, another roommate’s sister’s animal-print rug, and the floral wallpaper you got stuck with.

But once you rent alone, you get to choose your own place and plan the decor your way. Your landlord may even let you paint.

4. Give your creativity and productivity a boost

Being alone actually helps enhance your creativity and increases productivity , which makes sense as you no longer have roommates dragging you away from your computer for movie night in the living room.

5. It’s a chance to get serious about budgeting

You may pay more in rent, but there are ways to keep costs low. Try negotiating a lower monthly rent with your potential landlord, and look for a place with extras included , such as an on-site gym, a covered parking spot, and cable or Internet.

Not paying extra for these perks will make a difference to your monthly budget.

Making the leap

If those five reasons aren’t enough to convince you to strike out on your own, science has some compelling evidence as to why living alone may be a wise move.

Research shows “living alone seems to encourage more, not less, social interaction,” according to Eric Klinenberg, author of “Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone.”

Fortunately, when you’re ready to make the leap to living solo, finding a place is easier than you may think. You won’t have to worry about getting your roommates’ opinions before putting down the deposit. If you want it, go for it.

From how to break your existing lease to what you need to know about rental pricing and your rights as a renter, the Zillow Renter’s Guide will get you on your way to a home you can call your own.

Source: zillow.com ~ By Sarah Pike

How to Walk a Dog in Your Community

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Dogs are some of the most loyal and affectionate pets, so it’s no wonder why so many people want to own one. But when it comes to bringing a dog into an apartment building, there are a lot of factors you have to think about. Does your building or landlord have a strict pet policy? Will a dog feel cramped in your shoebox apartment?

Even things that should be simple, like going on a daily walk, can become complicated in an apartment environment. With that in mind, if you’re considering adopting a pup (or you and Fido already live together), here’s how to walk a dog in your apartment community:

Find a Dog-Friendly Apartment

It should go without saying, but one of the most important factors of taking Fido on walks in your apartment community is finding one that allows dogs in the first place– you don’t want to sneak around every time you need to take him out for some fresh air.

Better yet, look for a building that’s actively pet friendly if you can, like a place with a doggie recreation area or treats at the front desk.

Take Advantage of Nearby Green Spaces

When considering how to walk a dog in an apartment community, one of the main concerns is that running into other residents and potentially their dogs could cause some problems. So, look for other spots in your neighborhood where you and Fido can go to let off some steam and have a little more personal space.

Take your pooch to nearby parks, trails, and other green areas to get in some exercise. You may also want to find a dog park where you can let Fido have some off-leash time– taking him there and letting him get a lot of energy out will make him healthier and happier.

Keep Him on a Short Leash

Whenever you’re in your apartment building or community, practice the short-leash rule.

This will help you maintain control of him if he spots a dog he doesn’t particularly likeor you run into another tenant of the building who doesn’t like him.

Be Courteous With Other Residents

If a lot of your neighbors have dogs, it’s a good idea to keep track of their dog-walking schedules so you can avoid having aggressive or distressing run-ins with them– especially if the two pups don’t get along.

Also, be courteous when deciding when you and Fido are going to take a walk. Early-morning or late-night neighborhood strolls may make sense for your schedule, but if you or your dog cause a lot of noise, you may disturb other people in your building.

Stay Alert

Whether your apartment community has a dog recreation area or you simply have to take Fido through the building to get outside, make sure you stay alert at all times while inside.

Hallways, elevators, and stairways are all very close quarters, which means you and other pet-owners may have a hard time passing by one another without the chance of a fight breaking out between your dogs. Most importantly, it’s crucial to know your dog, recognize signs that he’s feeling scared or aggressive, and act accordingly.

Be Poo-lite

No matter where you are, pick up your pup’s poop. Period. End of story.

Get Him Trained

All dogs, but younger ones especially, can benefit a lot from a little bit of puppy training. Even knowing just a few commands, like “wait,” “heel,” and “leave it,” can make a huge difference in your dog’s behavior while walking through a crowded building or playing fetch in a park.

Plus, if you’re planning to move again, prospective landlords will love seeing his dog-training certificate, so it’s really a win-win.

Source: apartmentguide.com ~ By: Lindsay Smith

Apartment Living: How to Love the Apartment You’re In

Sat, 12 Sep 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Unfortunately, it’s rarely possible to find the perfect apartment. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize when apartment hunting based on what’s most important to you. Usually that just means sacrificing a bit of storage space for an apartment that’s closer to public transit or something similar, but sometimes the place you find isn’t quite what you wanted in a lot of ways.

So what are you supposed to do when you’re apartment living situation is one that you aren’t crazy about? It’s vital to create a space you’ll feel happy and comfortable in for the duration of your lease, but that’s actually easier than you may think. Here’s how to work with what you have and create an apartment you love:

Find Your Ideal Setup

Believe it or not, your furniture arrangements may make a huge difference when it comes to how you feel about your apartment. Even if you don’t subscribe to Feng Shui, there’s something to be said for using furniture to create a certain flow within a space.

A couple of tips: One, don’t fill your place with too much furniture – it can start to feel cramped and uncomfortable. Two, don’t commit to one setup right away. Try different arrangements every few days until you land on one that just feels right.

Add Lighting

Lighting, and especially natural lighting, is a great way to perk up any apartment. My apartment is adjacent to an alley, which unfortunately means most of the sunlight is blocked by the building next to me.

If, like mine, your apartment is woefully lacking in illumination, supplement with extra floor lamps and use full-spectrum lightbulbs that imitate sunlight. You can also hang mirrors strategically to reflect light and brighten the apartment.

Work With the Walls

If your landlord allows it, and you have written permission, consider painting your walls. A few pops of color on an accent wall or two can add some zest to otherwise boring white walls.

Bright colors, like yellow and pink, are joyful and energizing, whereas greens, blues, and browns offer a more calming effect.

Make Your Bedroom a Haven

Whether you’re in a studio or have a separate bedroom, the area where your bed is should be as comfortable and serene as possible. In fact, ensuring the bed itself is just the way you like it can help you feel better about your whole apartment.

Use plush sheets, blankets and pillows to create a haven you can retreat to.

Get Rid of Clutter

Clutter is a lot more psychologically stressful than you might think, which means keeping your apartment tidy may help you enjoy spending time in it. If you’re feeling like any room in your apartment is too cluttered, whether with furniture, tchotchkes, or anything else, make yourself get rid of five to 10 items.

Choose furniture pieces or other things you aren’t as crazy about or that you never use – you’ll start feeling better in no time.

Make it Pretty

Spend the first couple of weeks (or months, if you’re a procrastinator like me) after moving into your apartment making each room pretty.

Add wall hangings, framed pictures, and anything else that makes you feel good. Real or fake, flowers in a vase are a charming touch that can make for a happier apartment.

Splurge on a Statement Piece

If you’re in the market for a few furniture basics, you may want to consider springing for one that you absolutely love.

Whether it’s a large antique armoire or a beautiful couch, this sort of splurge will make you enjoy your apartment more. Just make sure the money you’re spending is an investment on a piece you’ll be able to bring with you as you move in the future.

Entertain

Want a super easy way to love where you live? Just invite some friends over! Almost anything is better with the addition of a few great memories, so have your girl or guy friends over to watch your favorite show or invite a bunch of people over for a party.

It’ll instantly liven your space up and make it feel homey– and compliments from everyone on your great taste in decor can’t hurt either.

Keep Comforts Around

To make your apartment feel like home, surround yourself with your favorite and most sentimental belongings.

This could mean displaying photographs on your dresser, stacking a few of your favorite books on your nightstand, or keeping a secret stash of chocolate in your freezer. Having comforting items around is a bit like hanging onto an old security blanket (in the best possible way).

Take Your Time

If you aren’t in love with your apartment right away, keep in mind that it may take a little bit of time to settle in.

Make changes, add decor, and rearrange things every so often until you figure out the best way to use the space you have. Give it enough time, and you may find you’re pretty darn fond of where you live.

Source: apartmentguide.com – By Lindsey Smith

Reinventing What You Have

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 07:00:00 GMT

When you read shelter mags and design blogs and browse Pinterest, it’s easy to want to replace everything and redecorate your home with new things, but a fresh look is often just a matter of reinventing what you already have. A good cleaning and a fresh coat of paint time and again has come to my rescue as one of the most budget friendly makeover tools. There’s a satisfaction that comes looking at a piece with new eyes and reinventing it rather than tossing it out.

I was asked by Annie Sloan to share their current #MadeItMyOwn contest and giveaway now through September 30th. I’ve worked with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan for years and have a stash of several quarts in my paint cupboard, it’s one of my favorite paints for furniture.

I call it the lazy gal (or guy’s) paint since it’s so easy to grab and start painting in place, just lay down a tarp, pop open the can and go to work. No priming (yay!) and no odor so it’s easy to work with indoors.

I spent last Saturday painting a few pieces, two for myself one for my MIL. I’ve had a plain dresser in my entry for years, I found it at a thrift store, stripped and stained it many moons ago. I like it because it fills the narrow space and stores office and school supplies. The dark wood works for our traditional entry but it was feeling very blah to me all one shade of brown and with very plain knobs.

I gave the drawers two coats of Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan in Old White then substituted the old knobs with inexpensive geode knobs at World Market. I also changed the silver finish on the mirror to gold with the help of paint and gold leaf found at a craft store.

This old end table was given to me by a friend, it sat in his garage and he was getting rid of it, but I loved the classic lines, the leg detail, and the fact it was finished on all four sides. Sadly the top was in very bad shape.

I needed a new end table for our family room when our new sectional sofa arrives in two weeks, this one is the perfect shape and with a drawer it will hold remotes. I sanded it and gave it two coats of Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan again in Old White then painted its toes with gold leaf paint.

You can’t go wrong with a white + gold combination, it’s always chic! I also found these faceted gold knobs at World Market for $4 each.

I think anything looks great with a coat of white paint but there are dozens of other colors to play with. Find your local stockist here.

Of course you can mix the paints to create your own custom color which is what I did.

My mother in law had an old cabinet where she stores her candles in a corner of her office, she wanted to paint it something vivid and fun so I suggested jade green.

I mixed three parts Florence with two parts Olive to create the color.

I mildly distressed the cabinet by sanding away some of the paint on the edges to reveal the wood underneath. All three pieces were given a coat of Clear Wax to protect the paint, this piece is headed back to my MIL’s house on her next visit.

More Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan projects from the archives!

Apothecary Chest in Dresser in Napoleonic Blue Thrift Store Cabinet in Pure White

French Linen

How to Arrange Furniture in Your Bedroom

Thu, 27 Aug 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Arranging furniture is an art– no, seriously, it’s one of the most important parts about interior design. That’s not to say that it’s best left to the pros, though. Everyone can design their own perfect space with just a little bit of thought and a lot of experimentation. In fact, figuring out how to set up your new place is a really fun part of moving into an apartment.

When it comes to arranging furniture in your apartment,it’s sometimes necessary to get a little creative (and even to just throw the rule book out of the window every now and then). One of the most difficult rooms to design tends to be the bedroom, especially if it’s small. So, read on to learn how to arrange furniture in your bedroom:

Use Only Necessary Furniture

Before you start deciding where to put what, think about the furniture you’re using and try to use only the pieces that are necessary for the room to function.

This is especially important in small apartments when there isn’t a lot of extra space– using fewer pieces will make the room look and feel a lot more spacious. If your room is extra tiny, use taller dressers and shelves to get more storage while taking up less room.

Arrange the Furniture You Have First

Another quick tip before you get started: Don’t buy new furniture until you’ve arranged the pieces you already have.

That way you’ll know the exact furniture you need, along with the dimensions and style you’re looking for.

Draw it Out

It’s a good idea to experiment with different arrangements on paper before you start pushing furniture around the room. That way you can eliminate some options that won’t work without potentially scratching your floor or walls while moving your dresser for the zillionth time (believe me, it happens).

Measure at least your biggest items (bed, dresser, shelves, etc.), as well as the dimensions of your room, then sketch out a couple of different options. If you’re not much of an artist, check out an app that can do the job for you. Try Home Design 3D (iOS) or Floor Plan Creator (Android).

Think About Function

While figuring out how to arrange furniture in your new bedroom , think about your lifestyle. This could really affect where your furniture ends up.

For instance, if you tend to watch a lot of TV in bed, you’ll want to find a layout that works well for that. Also, plan your walkways. If your bed is blocking your path from the dresser to the mirror, you may find yourself a little annoyed down the road.

Dive in Bed First

Once you’re ready to put the pencil and paper (or app) down, and start actually arranging, begin with your bed. Traditionally, beds are placed on the wall opposite the door or the largest one with no windows.

In a small bedroom, you may have to break these guidelines, though. Find a spot for your bed that makes the most sense to you, just make sure you can open and close your bedroom and closet doors. Also, while placing your bed under windows is totally OK from a design perspective, you may find yourself feeling uncomfortable drafts over the winter.

Go Big to Small

When you’ve found the spot you think works best for your bed, arrange everything else starting with the biggest furniture item followed by smaller ones. Usually the dresser comes next, followed by bedside tables, a desk, shelves, chairs, and anything else you may have.

Small-bedroom tip: If your closet is spacious, see if you can fit your dresser inside it. This will open up a lot of extra space (for activities!) in the room itself.

Place Your Area Rug Properly

Though it’s not a furniture item, your area rug placement will definitely depend on your room’s finalized layout.

Area rugs are typically placed underneath the lower two-thirds of the bed so they create a cushy area to step on as you get out of bed in the morning. If your bed is tucked into a corner, your rug will likely have to be placed somewhere else, like next to the bed or in the center of the open part of your room.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

There are a lot of guidelines when it comes to how to arrange furniture, but there’s no wrong way to design your bedroom’s layout. If your bed ends up being beneath the windows, or your dresser has to be directly next to it, that’s OK. Just figure out what works best for you and your space.

If you want, try experimenting with different layouts during your first few weeks living in your new place. When you hit on one that works, you’ll know it.

Source: apartmentguide.com ~ By Lindsay Smith

Moving Day Just Got 100x Easier With These Simple Tips & Hacks

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Dread your upcoming move all you want, but it’s going to happen. Make moving day less painful with this series of clever and easy tips and hacks that are simple, but will make the whole process faster and easier. And then maybe, just maybe, you won’t go insane after packing your 99th box, and will enjoy the first night in your new home.

Above, a toothpick or safety pin marks the end of packing tape, making it easier to spot the edge so you don’t waste time running your finger around the roll, looking for where the tape begins.

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Put any screws or hardware in marked sealable bags, then tape the bag inside the corresponding boxes, or on the furniture itself.

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Don’t bother emptying your bedroom dresser of its contents. If you cover each drawer with plastic wrap, you can move them as is without the need to unpack, then repack and organize your clothing.

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Use socks as packing material to protect glasses, and extra linens for other breakable dish ware. It’ll save you money on bubble wrap and is more protective than newspaper.

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Cover salt & shakers, half-used shampoo bottles, or anything else in danger of leaking during the move, with more plastic wrap. Screw on the tops over the plastic wrap. Hey look, no spillage in transit!

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Before you unplug and pack up all electronics, label your cords. A piece of duct tape or masking tape, with the name of the corresponding equipment written in pen, will save you from having to guess what’s what when you reassemble everything in your new home.

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Also, take a picture of the back of your television and/or stereo equipment, so you’ll know exactly how to set it up once you get to your new home.

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Pack the heaviest of your objects (like books) in suitcases with wheels. No hernias to see here, keep moving and thank you very much.

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Place knives in padded potholders so no one gets cut, poked or scraped in the process of moving. (If they are really nice knives, you can wrap them individually as well so they don’t damage each other.)

Source: apartmenttherapy.com

How to Budget for Your First Apartment

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:00:00 GMT

When you’re thinking about becoming a first-time renter, there are lots of things to ponder. Many of these factors will revolve around knowing how to budget for your apartment upfront and setting up a monthly budget between yourself and potential roommates.

Finances aren’t going to be the most fun aspect of your first apartment, but they are a necessary one. In today’s competitive rental market (especially in big cities) it’s crucial to have all of your budgeting skills up to par, as it could help you gain an edge over other applicants.

If you need some budgeting pointers, follow the guidelines below to get started:

Location is Everything

There’s a good chance you already have an idea of which neighborhoods you want to live in. Depending on the locale, your monthly budget can differ drastically. Many renting experts recommend that you not spend more than 30% of your annual income on rent.

However, you might have to be flexible about this rule in cities where high housing costs are way above the norm, such as New York City or San Francisco. In places like these, you might have to plan ahead even further in advance, as the screening and budgeting process could take much longer.

No matter where you choose to live, though, you will need to– above all else– ensure that you are setting a realistic budget based on your take-home pay and the desired city/neighborhood.

Select Roommates Carefully

Many first-time apartment dwellers tend to live with friends who they met in college. Sometimes, this situation works out great. However, hanging out with a good friend and living with him or her are two totally different things.

You could find a couple months down the road that your college buddy might not be so great at keeping up with his or her finances, which could make for an awkward living situation.

As such, it’s crucial that you screen each individual who might be a potential roommate. If he or she seems like a great candidate, meet with him or her to discuss how you might divide bills and rent, as well as where you stand on additional guests and splitting up chores.

Expect to Pay a Lot Upfront

Renting might be cheaper than buying a place, but there’s no doubt that you will be expected to fork over some serious cash in the first few months to secure your dream apartment.

In most situations, landlords will expect you and your roommates to pay a security deposit, first and last month’s rent, application fees, a possible finder’s or broker’s fee, and a pet deposit for your furry friends.

All in all, you will likely be paying at least double the amount of your monthly rent upfront, so be sure you and your potential roommates are saving accordingly.

All of the Bills … And More

In addition to settling upfront costs for your apartment, you and your roommates will also need to contact local utilities for electricity, water, Internet, cable, heat/gas, air conditioning, and parking.

In most cases, if the apartment has a thermostat, you will be expected to pay for heating (though this is not always the case … be sure to ask your landlord), and your air conditioning will likely be part of your electric bill. Additionally, be sure to ask your landlord whether water is included in the price of the rent.

There are also additional expenses you’ll need to consider with your roommates, including furniture, groceries, and renters insurance. You will all need to sit down and decide whether you will be handling these expenses individually (such as one person taking on the electric bill while the other handles the cable/Internet bill), or if you plan on splitting everything down the middle.

Save for Those Little Extras

You might plan out every detail with you and your roommates and think all of the bases are covered upfront. However, you’ll need to consider your rainy day fund, as well as other monthly expenses that might have slipped under your radar.

For instance, do you like going to the gym? You won’t have one on campus anymore, and gym memberships can get pricey, so you might have to reallocate your spending. You also need what I call a “fun fund”– it’s not all work and no play, after all. This budget is for non-essentials like money for dining out with friends, going to the movies, expenditures for various hobbies (gardening, painting, etc.), gifts, shopping, and traveling.

Source: apartmentguide.com ~ By Rachel LaCroix

Roommate Search: How to Find Your Roommate Soul Mate

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 07:00:00 GMT

The roommate relationship is like no other. Sharing a living space means letting all of your habits and quirks hang out– you won’t be able to hide forever that you shower less than is typically considered “normal” or that you have a serious aversion to doing the dishes.

That’s why it’s so important during a roommate search to look for someone whose quirks you can live with, who doesn’t mind your oddities, and who you in general get along with like two peas in your own apartment pod: a roommate soul mate, if you will.

But how do you find someone with that type of compatibility? Here are a few tips:

Know Yourself

The first step in finding your roommate soul mate is knowing your own habits and personality traits, so that you can find someone who can live with them (within reason – nobody should be expected to live with someone who’s unwilling to ever clean the toilet, for instance).

It’s always a simpler process to find compatible roommates after already having lived with another person, because you’ll know better what your own strengths and weaknesses are. But if you haven’t lived with anyone before, don’t worry. Look for someone who’s relatively tidy, responsible, and shares similar interests.

Don’t Leave it to the Last Minute

Looking for a new roommate? Start your hunt as soon as you can. When you leave a roommate search until the last minute you’re more likely to settle for someone who seems OK rather than find somebody who’s truly compatible with you.

That’s how people often end up in less-than-satisfying scenarios with people they don’t get along with at all.

Be Even Warier With Friends

If you have a friend or sibling who you love hanging out with, it can be tempting to move in with them rather than live with a stranger. Remember that a great friend does not always (or even often) make a great roommate.

Tread carefully, and really delve into your personalities, habits, and other compatibility issues before making a big commitment.

Meet in Person

You’ll definitely want to meet any potential roommates in person (or at least over Skype if that’s not possible). You wouldn’t agree to marry a guy after only messaging him online, would you? That’s because you can’t know if there’s in-person chemistryor compatibility just by reading a message or email.

If you’ve given yourself plenty of time for your roommate search, you may want to meet candidates in person a couple of times- invite people over for an interview, then grab coffee together a few days later. You’ll be able to see how the roommate chemistry is and learn more about his or her communication skills.

Talk About Your Interests

Sure, things like tidiness, financial habits, and lifestyles are hugely important parts of compatibility, but interests matter too. If one of you hates reality TV and the other can’t go a week without “Say Yes to the Dress” or “The X Factor,” you may find yourselves at odds.

There’s something to be said for opposites attracting, but it’s a good idea to find somebody with at least a few common interests.

Find Your Tidiness Twin

One of the most common reasons roommates fight is because they don’t have the same cleanliness habits or expectations. A dish soaking in the sink for a couple of days may not bother one person, while someone else could consider it really gross.

Look for someone who shares your views on cleanliness, whether it’s trying to keep things relatively neat in common areas or needing things to be sparkling clean at all times.

Walk a Week in His or Her Shoes

Speaking of lifestyle, you and your prospective roommate candidates should both be very upfront about yours. A great way to do this? Share a typical week in your lives.

Talk about work hours, weekday rituals, and what you’re usually up to on Fridays and Saturdays. If a candidate has an opposite schedule to yours or would rather party on Tuesday than be in bed by 10 p.m. like you, you may need to consider someone else.

Be Realistic

Even married couples fight sometimes– it’s just part of having a relationship with another person, and it’s likely to happen more when you live with somebody.

Remember that no matter who you find, you’ll still have to flex your compromise and communication muscles. If you aren’t willing to compromise about small things, you may be better off living on your own.

7 Tips for Moving on Short Notice

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Planning a move in the near future? You’re not alone—in the months ranging roughly from May to September, roads are bustling with the activity of what is known as the “on” season for moving companies –when it comes to the summertime, moving tends to stay an incredibly hot (and profitable ) industry.

So where do you start? Read our guide below for some tips on ensuring a smart and relatively stress free move when your deadline has come down to the wire.

1. Get Started

When planning your move on short notice, you’ll want to begin by properly assessing everything that may be required for the weeks (or even months) ahead.

Confirm the fundamental info of your move before delving into the more complicated steps that require making paid reservations and the like—knowing an exact move-in date, etc. will help lay a fundamental groundwork that will allow the process to go much smoother overall.

2. Begin Pre-Packing

You don’t need to wait for every bit of paperwork to be filled out before beginning to pack—in fact, preliminary packing of less commonly-used rooms can prove to be an outright requirement.

A good rule of thumb is to start packing at least a few boxes per day once you’re sure you’ll be moving in the near future. And start getting your place cleaned up if you are able to– this will save you cleaning time later.

3. Make Reservations

This one is no joke—moving during the summer means dealing with the busiest and most booked-solid mover schedules of the year. Arguably the most important factor in avoiding major issues will be to contact your movers of choice the moment your move in date is confirmed.

Otherwise, there’s an unfortunate and potentially disastrous chance that you may find yourself without any movers available in time—definitely the furthest thing from a fun situation to have to deal with.

4. Set Your Own Deadlines

Managing an arduous task like moving on short notice means you’ll need to pay special consideration to the importance of deadlines—in this case, managing your own self-discipline and ensuring things get done in time will be extremely important.

Set your own personal deadlines for when moving milestones should be completed, and before you know it you’ll have formed a realistic (and informed) moving timeline that gives you a clearer understanding of what to expect.

5. Recruit Help from Friends

As challenging as moving tends to be, you can expect to take those challenges and multiply them tenfold if you’re facing them on your own.

Recruiting the help of even just one or two friends can go an extremely long way in making the process much faster and much less of an overall burden—a committed team of friends can even sometimes knock out an apartment move in as little as one afternoon. Just be sure to reward them with pizza afterwards!

6. Compare Rates

A major factor in ensuring a smooth move without much time to spare will be to lock down an affordable overall rate as early as possible—you won’t want to scramble for a moving package at the last minute, only to find that the one you had in mind will run you considerably more than you wanted to pay.

Price can (and should) serve as a large deciding factor in your choice of movers and services, so there’s certainly nothing wrong with shopping around based primarily on price! Knowing how much you’ll be able to spend will most likely prove to be one of the earliest things you’ll need to get done before you proceed.

7. Label Boxes Smartly

One of the simpler ways to keep your moving process running smoothly can be to come up with a simple method for labeling your personal possessions—a few rolls of colored painter’s tape or something similar will usually be all you need.

Before moving in, coordinate the layout of your destination by deciding on a color (or similar labeling distinction) for each room or major area across your new home. Then, label your boxes and containers appropriately so that the contents intended for each room match their corresponding color.

This will allow you to quickly unload the contents of each room without having to give it too much thought. If your move is extremely short term and you don’t have colored labeling materials on hand, you might consider something as simple as labeling boxes by number or letter.

Source: apartmentguide.com

How to Know if Your Apartment is The One

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Nobody ever said finding “the one” was easy. It takes some time, a great deal of persistence, and definitely the commitment to make your way through a few bad eggs before finding one with potential.

The same is true for finding your ideal apartment– it really does take the same amount of dedication . However, in the same way that it’s hard to know if you’ve landed a guy or gal you could commit to, it’s also tough to know while apartment searching when you’ve found the place you want to snatch up.

Every place is going to have its advantages and disadvantages. So, to give you a little assistance on your apartment quest, here’s how to know you’ve found the one:

You Like Your Landlord (and Your Lease)

It’s important to enter into a lease confident in your landlord’s expectations and dependability. You don’t want to get stuck with no heat mid-December, only to find out you have a landlord who’s no help at all.

When talking (whether in person or over email or phone) to potential landlords or building managers, pay attention to how they answer your questions or concerns and how quickly they respond. Find someone who you like and feel you can trust.

Also, be sure the terms of your lease are OK. If no utilities are included and the rent is already on the high end of your budget or there are strict lease terms you can’t really agree to, the situation may not be the right fit for you.

It’s Well-Maintained

No renter should have to live in a place that’s constantly in need of repairs, small or large. During your apartment search , observe the overall condition of the building and the apartment, including its floors and walls.

Then, inspect appliances, heating and cooling systems (if applicable), and faucets and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom to make sure everything is in good working order. Don’t feel bad about taking the time to do this– as they say, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Your Location is Ideal

You should have done ample research on the best neighborhoods for you before beginning your apartment search. If not, consider whether the locations of the apartments you’re viewing are a good fit for you.

Is the neighborhood safe? Is the commute to school or work reasonable? Is the area easily accessible by public transportation or is there parking nearby? Are all of your everyday necessities in the vicinity (i.e., a grocery store, coffee shop, pet store, etc.)?

The Price is Right

It’s always best to go into apartment hunting with an ideal budget in mind, but you should nail down a maximum price you’re willing to stretch to in case you aren’t finding anything within your optimal price range.

Your apartment may be “the one” if it’s a little over what you’d like to spend but makes up for that with amenities and location. Perhaps, for example, an apartment with a nice workout facility is more expensive, but then you could also cancel your gym membership to offset that added cost.

However, that doesn’t mean you should go over what you can reasonably pay per month.

It Has Your Non-Negotiable Amenities

Personally, I can’t live in an apartment without a dishwasher. In my experience, that will result in a sink constantly full of dirty dishes and an overextended food budget. Why? Because I’d rather buy food than clean my dishes and make meals at home.

Decide what your non-negotiable amenities are before apartment searching. Your ideal apartment should have as many of these as possible.

It’s the Right Fit for Your Furry Friend

Do you have a pet? Or are you considering getting one in the near future? Then the apartment has to be the right fit for your furry friend too. You wouldn’t marry someone your kids (assuming you have them) didn’t like, would you?

In any case, look for a place that has the right setup, amenities and location for your pets, and make sure the added deposits, fees and monthly rent will still keep the place within your budget. If you’re wondering how to know if a place is good for animals, look for other signs of dogs or cats in the building, like an outdoor doggie play area or a jar of treats at the front desk.

Keep in mind that it’s rare to find a “perfect” apartment. Much like finding the man or woman who is “the one” for you (you know, if you believe in that sort of thing), finding the right apartment may mean having to make a few compromises. While you shouldn’t settle for something that truly isn’t a good fit, give yourself a little wiggle room in all of these categories and look for a place that meets your most important criteria.

Source: apartmentguide.com ~ By Lindsay Smith

6 Traps That Snare First-Time Renters

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Skimming the lease agreement. Do yourself a favor and look over all of the terms.

For instance, are pets allowed? Anna Dillulio, a rental agent in Monmouth County, New Jersey, who has a business RentinMonmouth.com, says a common mistake people make is not verifying whether the landlord allows pets.

“So many tenants have been heartbroken to learn on moving day that Fido isn’t allowed to stay,” she says.

Skimming the home. You’re going to live here. You want to do more than a casual walk-through that involves little more than eyeballing whether your bed will fit in the room.

“Many tenants do not measure their furniture to make sure it will fit and often get carried away by the aesthetic of the home, rather than if the rooms are the right size for them. The eye itself is tricky. Sometimes things seem like they would fit, but pay attention to doorways, too,” Dillulio says. She suggests bringing a camera, a notebook and a measuring tape.

And there’s one more thing you may not think about, says Elli Bishop, a spokeswoman for SafeWise.com, an advice site about home security systems.

“Make sure that all of the appliances are working properly, especially anything that uses gas, like a stove,” she says. “When you check out a home or apartment, test the burners, the fridge and all water taps before signing a lease.

Lying. There are plenty of bad landlords out there, but not every tenant is going to win a good conduct award either.

“In my years of doing business, I’ve seen many types of mistakes on the part of the tenant, first and foremost being dishonesty,” Dillulio says.

You’re a good person. Dillulio isn’t suggesting you aren’t. But you might lie to a landlord, and if you do, it’s probably because you’re cracking under pressure.

“When people rent, they often have a strict time frame to move out of one unit and into the other,” she says. “Even honest people are tempted to say whatever they think the landlord wants to hear.”

So don’t say it’ll just be you living here if you have a live-in boyfriend or girlfriend. Don’t say you don’t have a pet and figure you’ll hide your furry friend somehow. Don’t add an extra zero (or two) when you list your income on an application. If you’re caught in a lie before being accepted into a place, you can pretty much forget about moving in, Dillulio says. And if you’re caught in a lie after you become a resident, that could really be costly.

Lisa Kanarek, of Dallas, owns several rental properties and an 88-unit property with other investors. Once, she found a tenant with two bedrooms reeking of cigarette smoke.

“According to our lease, the tenant could have been evicted the next day and lost her entire deposit,” Kanarek says.

Instead, they gave the tenant another chance, and as far as she knows, the tenant doesn’t puff in the property any longer.

Failing to get or understand your renters insurance. It probably sounds like a scheme the insurance industry came up with, but renters insurance really is important – almost as important as having homeowner’s insurance.

“Your landlord likely has an insurance policy that covers structural damage to the house or apartment you’re living in, but that policy probably doesn’t cover your possessions,” Bishop says. The average renter’s policy costs less than $200 per year, she adds.

Still on the fence? Rachel Drake, a marketing executive with the insurance shopping website Obrella.com, offers up a cautionary tale.

“We recently had a renter call us because a water pipe burst in the apartment above him,” Drake says. “The pipe was pushing out 25 gallons – a minute. The pipe burst in the middle of the day and went a few hours without being stopped.”

Drake says that the landlord was, indeed, insured, but just for the property. The tenant was out luck.

He asked if there was anything that we could do to provide him coverage, but it was too late,” she says. “His TV, his furniture, his speakers, his books, his Blu-ray player, his DVDs, his digital media controller and a painting on his wall were all ruined.”

Drake echoes Bishop’s claim that renters insurance isn’t expensive. She pegs it at about $12 a month. “If you do have to make a claim, that $12 a month will be the best money you’ve ever spent.”

(That said, make sure you understand the renters insurance policy and have gone through the terms thoroughly. For instance, if you work out of your home, and you have business-related items that are destroyed, those may or may not be insured.)

Not putting a new financial agreement in writing. Your apartment manager might be a really nice person but have a faulty memory, especially if he or she is overseeing dozens of units. Or your manager might be a snake. Either way, don’t chance it. Get whatever you’re discussing put down in writing.

Melanie Baravik, who works for a surety bond agency in Columbia, Missouri, says she learned this lesson the hard way. When she and her boyfriend rented their first apartment, they needed to exit their lease a few weeks early. They talked to the landlord, who agreed that they could move out without being charged for the remaining rent.

Except the landlord did charge them, taking the rest of the rent from their security deposit. “While it was unfair,” she says, “we should have gotten the agreement in writing.”

Not thinking about your exit strategy. You should be thinking about the day you move out before you move in. That may sound like a drag, especially if you’re all excited about your new home, but especially if you think you’re only going to be living here for a year or two, or less, you have to prepare for the end game.

Landlords and leasing companies know that “when you move out, the odds of you ever coming back are close to zero,” says Jonathan Macias, a real estate broker and the president of the Macias Realty Group in El Segundo, California.

Because they aren’t too worried about customer loyalty, “management will try to take as much as possible [from your security deposit] for whatever reason, whether that be cleanup, scratches, paint chips and so on,” Macias says.

So take photographs and document any problems with the place before you sign the lease, Macias stresses. Not doing so can potentially cost you thousands of dollars upon moving out, he adds.

And forking over a lot of money you didn’t plan to pay will just make your next move harder. Renting can be a wonderful experience with the right landlord and a little forethought on your part, but with all the blunders that can be made, it’s a safe bet that expensive errors are why many first-time renters soon go on to become first-time homeowners.

Source: money.usnews.com

6 Tips to Position Yourself as an Ideal Renter

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 07:00:00 GMT

2. Be Punctual

Your ability to arrive at an appointment on time is an indicator of whether you will meet rental payment deadlines.

3. Dress to Impress

When it comes to selecting a tenant, landlords admit that first impressions matter. A clean, pressed outfit helps to illustrate that you are likely to keep a home neat. It might be wise to make sure that your car is equally presentable. As you pull up to a property, some landlords will see your vehicle as another indication of how well you would take care of their property.

4. Offer Incentives

A good way to show a potential landlord that you are serious about renting a place is to come to your meeting with cash or a checkbook so that you can immediately put down money for any application fee or deposit. If you have a pet, you also can suggest a higher security deposit as reassurance that your furry friend won’t wreak havoc in the home.

However, be cautious about putting down a large security deposit before signing a lease. Scammers sometimes use the guise of collecting fees and a security deposit upfront to take your money.

Offering to sign a longer lease also can be attractive to landlords who want to reduce turnover.

5. Communicate Clearly

During the interview, speak clearly and confidently to emphasize how you will be a good tenant. A landlord wants a tenant he or she can communicate with should problems arise. Yet the landlord is not seeking someone who will yammer on or constantly contact him with minor annoyances about the apartment that the tenant can resolve.

6. Maintain Your Image

Selling yourself as a stellar tenant shouldn’t end once you have secured a rental. Make sure to pay your rent on time, keep the apartment clean, and do not make excessive noise that disturbs the neighbors. Especially don’t do anything that would violate the lease terms, such as bringing home an animal when your lease says “No pets.”

By being a model tenant during the landlord interview and, hopefully, after you move in, you can have greater certainty that the landlord will value you when it comes time to sign or renew the lease, or return your full security deposit.

Source: realtor.com

The Paint Personality Test: What Your Wall Color Says About You

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 07:00:00 GMT

This pup’s yellow accents tell us that he’s an optimist at heart.

Moody blues, fiery reds, mellow yellows. It’s long been known that color affects our mood and typically reflects our personality. What do your walls say about your personality?

The BEHR MARQUEE Interior One-Coat Color Collection offers an exclusive one-coat color collection that’s guaranteed* to help you quickly achieve a color you love. With 372 colors to choose from, be it loud, quiet, calm, or outrageous, BEHR has a hue for every personality and makes it easier to find color and coordinate palettes based on what you feel, rather than just what you see. After all, color is personal, and we all interpret color differently.

Blue

You have a soft, soothing, and compassionate demeanor. Blue represents tranquility, calm and security. If you are drawn to blue hues, you probably view your home as an oasis of calm in a hectic world. You may also be a bit of an introvert, and enjoy staying in with a cool shade on the wall. Blues likeHigh Dive also impart a note of self-confidence, which is quite fitting given the name. You like to be admired for your steady character and wisdom.

Burnt Orange

If you gravitate towards warm orangey reds, your personality radiates energy, enthusiasm and vitality. People who use such warm tones in their homes tend to be exceptionally friendly and nurturing—they love having others over. You are a social butterfly and you rarely stay in, but you loving the warm feeling of coming home to a color like Kalahari Sunset. Though you can be a little fickle and indecisive, on the whole you try hard to be agreeable. Orange is the color of fearlessness and curiosity.

Green

You are a practical, down-to-earth person. As lighter shades of green like Bermuda Grass symbolize renewal and harmony, it is not surprising that you actively try to maintain a peaceful balance within your home and life. You are often the go-to for advice, and you thrive off of helping others. After a busy day, green lovers prefer to use their homes as the setting for calm activities, like reading or yoga.

Purple

You are probably outgoing, confident and creative. If shades of Sweet Lavender and Violet Vixen are your thing, you are more unconventional and adventurous in your home decorating endeavors. Purple paint can make a room feel glamorous, while creating intimacy and coziness in any size room. Purple people are highly individual, witty and sensitive, with a strong desire to be unique and different.

Red

You are warm, passionate and ready to take on the world. As red traditionally connotes power and drive, colors like Intrigue and Red My Mind are often chosen by someone outgoing, aggressive, vigorous and impulsive – or someone who would like to be! Red people usually can’t stand monotony and therefore embrace change with open arms and ruby hues. Red paint is usually chosen by people with a zest for life! The intensity of your room definitely pushes you to embrace your fiery personality.

Black and Dark Grey

You are dignified and impressive without being showy. People who choose a dark wall color have sophisticated taste and like order and direction in their lives. Entering your Moody Black home is like entering your sanctuary, and the dark, comforting color helps you unwind from your day. You are definitely independent and like to take control in many situations. You are especially meticulous when it comes to decorating decisions, making sure every detail is perfectly planned out.

Have multiple color personalities? BEHR’ s MARQUEE Interior allows you to achieve spectacular color with just one coat, which means a room can easily go from happy-go-lucky to warm and cozy in just one coat from the BEHR MARQUEE Interior One Coat Collection.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com ~ By Behr Paint

The Surprising Facts Your Landlord Wishes You Knew

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 07:00:00 GMT

“The quality landlords value most is stability,” said Mia Melle, president and broker of Renttoday.us. “An ideal renter is one who will stay in the home for years to come, raise a family, create memories and treat the home like their own.”

Landlords also like to see that you are good at managing your finances.

“Having a few months’ worth of rental payments in the bank” is very helpful, Melle said.

Do the Upkeep

Once you have moved in, try to treat the space like you own it. Keep everything clean, well-maintained and in good, working order.

“Many times renters aren’t familiar with the cost of home improvements, so something as simple as not watering the lawn and causing the grass to die can result in thousands of dollars to the homeowner to replace the sod once the renter moves out,” Melle said.

Take care of landscaping, clean up spills as soon as they happen and keep children and pets from causing any damage to the walls or flooring, and your landlord will thank you for it.

Always Ask First

After you have lived in a rental for a while, your tastes—or your life—may change. You may decide to adopt a new puppy, or you may want to repaint the kitchen to match your curtains. Before you make any of those changes, ask your landlord if they are allowed. Not only do bigger changes such as adding a pet often require an addendum to your lease, but your landlord will appreciate being considered.

Call for Backup the Right Way

When it comes to making maintenance requests, be careful when and how you contact your landlord.

“A renter should know how to do simple repairs around the property and understand the landlord cannot always be at their beck and call or send a $200 repair guy to change a light bulb,” Melle said.

If you have to call to request a repair, make sure you explain the problem thoroughly and be willing to let your landlord troubleshoot issues with you over the phone. If you can save your landlord a bit of time (or money) you will build a great relationship.

See Things From Your Landlord’s Point of View

“Ultimately, landlords want renters to understand that they are just regular people with jobs and bills and not faceless, emotionless corporations with huge bank accounts,” Melle said.

Understanding that your landlord is just another human being who struggles to manage time and money just like you do will go a long way in building a relationship.

Source: realtor.com

10 Questions to Ask When Apartment Hunting

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Like entering a new relationship, finding the right apartment requires being a little level-headed. You wouldn’t just run off and elope with the first attractive person you see, right? No– you’d want to spend some time making sure your values, interests, and goals are a good fit.

The same is true for apartment hunting: There are a few important things you should know before signing a lease agreement, even if you already love the way the place looks.

The great news is that we’ve put together a list of 10 questions to ask while visiting apartments to make sure you find the right place for you. Bring these questions with you while apartment hunting:

1. What Are the Lease Terms?

Ideally you should already be aware of when the lease begins and ends before you even look at a place. But if you aren’t, make sure you know when you’ll be able to move in and how many months the lease is for.

You should also know exactly how much the unit costs per month and what the manager’s late rent policy is– is there a grace period? Finally, ask if there are any other common lease terms you need to know about, like quiet hours or restrictions on painting.

2. Can You Go Over Any Move-In Fees?

Each property handles moves completely differently, so make sure you know what moving in will look like for you financially while visiting apartments.

For instance, do they require first and last months’ rent up front? Do they need a security deposit? How about any moving or elevator fees? If the move-in expenses are too costly, you may have to find a different apartment.

3. What’s Your Pet Policy?

Whether you own a pet or just think you might want to adopt one within the next year (or however long the lease term extends), you should absolutely ask about the pet policy. Most importantly, are pets allowed?

If not, it’s best to move on– trying to hide a dog or cat could be very costly for you down the road. If they do allow pets, what are the deposits and fees? Pet policies vary widely, but most properties will charge at least a non-refundable pet deposit (this covers deep cleaning after you move out and any damage your pet may cause), if not monthly pet rent.

4. How About Your Guest Policy?

Most leases will mention a guest policy, but some are stricter than others.

For instance, in some places, having a visitor for longer than two weeks is not technically allowed (which means allowing your friend to stay with you for a month this summer may not be an option).

5. Do You Require Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance is another thing to think about while apartment hunting. Renters insurance provides coverage for all of your property in the event of things like a fire, flood, and often even theft.

It may also cover injuries that happen within your apartment. This type of coverage tends to cost very little per month, so it’s a good idea to get it anyway. However, some apartments actually require renters insurance, so it’s important to ask while making visits.

6. What’s Included in the Rent? What Isn’t?

Rent is almost never the only expense you’ll have when living in an apartment, but many property managers roll some utilities and other amenities into the cost of rent. Often, things like water, gas, heat, and cooling are included in rent, for instance.

It’s best to know exactly what is and isn’t included in order to determine the total monthly cost of living there. If an apartment’s rent is cheap, but covers no utilities, cable, Internet, or anything else, it still may be a bit above your budget.

7. How Are Emergency Repairs Taken Care Of?

Even if everything in the apartment appears to be in good working order, make sure you check how emergency repairs are handled. You definitely don’t want to be stuck in an apartment with a broken heater in January for any longer than you have to.

Is maintenance available 24/7? How quickly do they typically respond? Also, ask about non-emergency repairs. Sometimes landlords and property managers will ask tenants to take care of those themselves and subtract the cost from the month’s rent.

8. How Secure Is the Property?

Ask the property manager to cover what security features the apartment has, including a doorman, a buzzer system, and anything else.

You may also want to ask about the neighborhood– is it a relatively safe area? Make sure you walk around and scope out the area before you put down a deposit.

9. How Often Does Rent Go Up? By How Much?

Many apartments go up in rent upon a renewal of the lease. These types of charges aren’t always spelled out in the lease, so make sure you know going in how much you can expect to pay if you decide you want to live in the same apartment after your lease term is over.

If you’re looking for a long-term apartment, but the rent goes up by quite a bit each year, this may not be the apartment for you.

10. What Is the Parking Situation?

If you own a car, parking should be high on your priority list. In many neighborhoods– especially in larger cities– street parking can be hard to find and expensive, so finding an apartment with a parking garage or lot may be necessary.

However, a personal parking spot or pass is often an added charge, so ask about the cost as well.

Source: apartmentguide.com ~ By Lindsay Smith

Make Your Rental Search Mobile

Mon, 08 Jun 2015 07:00:00 GMT

When you are out looking at a variety of rentals, it’s hard to keep track of all the places you’ve seen. To avoid that frazzled feeling, add your own photos to each listing to jog your memory. Add pictures of features you liked or photos of the view from the balcony. Simply sign in and click on the photos icon on any Rental Details page to upload your photos. These visual reminders will come in handy after a hectic day of house or apartment hunting.

In addition to pictures, you can also add notes to each rental details page. Just click on the Notes icon and type your thoughts while you are out and about.

Once you have taken photos or notes, you will notice new icons in your map view. Properties you’ve saved or made a note will have a red star icon, properties you’ve contacted will have the blue envelope icon, and the grey eyeball icon means you’ve looked at that property in the app.

While you are out on the road looking for a rental, it’s easy to contact landlords and property managers. Each detail page has links to email and/or call directly. Get in touch and find your next rental!

In the map view, you can keep track of all your progress. Just check the little icons to see which properties you have viewed, which ones you have noted, and which ones you have contacted.

We have also made it easy for you to filter your rental searches. Use the slider tools to help you find the right size and price. And for pet owners, we have made it easy to find a place that’s hospitable to your animals. Just check the boxes to filter for places that allow dogs and cats.

If you want to save your search activity, just click on the “Save” link next to the search box. You can access your saved searches and other recent activity by clicking on the menu in the upper left corner.

With all these useful utilities right at your fingertips, we know that the realtor.com® Rentals App will be the key to finding the right rental for you!

Match Your Personality With Your Rental

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Low Maintenance

There’s no shame in the lack of a green thumb. If you’re not interested in keeping a yard at a rental home, you’re better off renting in a high-rise building or a complex that takes care of all gardening responsibilities.

Enjoy Exercise

Workout aficionados should look for apartment complexes with a gym option. Many complexes offer workout facilities, but you should make sure to scope them out before committing. If an on-site option isn’t available, make sure you find a place that’s close to a great gym. Also, keep an eye out for local trails and walkable neighborhoods around a rental.

Pet Priorities

You love your pets, but you may have difficulty finding a rental that allow animals. This is a deal-breaker for many renters, so make sure to find out a rental’s pet policy up front. Our realtor.com® rental appprovides an easy way to screen for pet-friendly landlords.

Not Into a Scene

For people actively avoiding the hustle and bustle of an urban environment, the suburbs are a welcome respite. Parking is plentiful and the streets are quiet at night, but some renters may be turned off by the perceived sameness of suburban life. If you have a personality that doesn’t thrive on an urban scene, consider renting a place in the ‘burbs.

Thrilled by Newness

Some renters want to have the latest and greatest when it comes to appliances, fixtures and amenities. If this sounds familiar and you want all the modern conveniences, consider complexes built within the past five to 10 years.

Character is Important

On the other hand, if you’re a person who values charm and quaintness, and you can overlook funky flaws, your best bet is to look for a rental with character. Don’t get character mixed up with dump—if a rental is a dump, there’s no sense in trying to polish it. But if a place has the charm and spark you need, your rental experience will be sweet.

Storing It Up

If you’re one of those folks who end up acquiring stuff as the years fly by, think about where you’re gonna put it all. Whether you have well-curated collections on display or closets overflowing with boxes, if you tend toward the pack-rat personality, keep an eye on the storage options a rental offers. You’ll want to scope out the square footage and figure out how to make it work for you.

Source: Realtor.com

Budgeting for Your First Apartment

Tue, 26 May 2015 07:00:00 GMT

One simple savings is to pack lunch for work or school rather than stopping at a local cafe. You’d be surprised how much of a difference this can make. It’s always cheaper to buy in bulk from the grocery store than it is to buy individual meals from a fast-food restaurant.

Another way to save money is transportation. Consider carpooling or using public transportation instead of commuting alone. You might cringe at the thought of ride-sharing or taking the bus, but it can be an effective way of saving money, especially if moving to a new apartment is your ultimate goal.

Decrease the amount you spend on entertainment, clothing and other optional expenditures. Consider going to a dollar movie or a matinee rather than the full-price, night-time showing on the weekends. There are also tons of things to do in your city that cost little or nothing. Most art exhibits are free. Rather than taking a date to dinner and a movie, try going on a picnic in the park—it’s cheaper and much more romantic. There are countless options to help you save for that new apartment.

Don’t move until you’ve thoroughly evaluated your budget. You should be able to pinch enough pennies to move into a new place, and you will establish better spending habits in the meantime. You may even find that paying rent has its benefits—it can boost your credit score.

Source: realtor.com

5 Things I Never did to a Rental and Probably Should Have

Wed, 20 May 2015 07:00:00 GMT

2. Dealt With Sucky Lighting: There’s bad lighting and then there’s sucky lighting. Bad lighting means the place is dark and you obviously need a lamp. Sucky lighting is the kind that is enough light, but it’s not great and even though a few extra light sources would have helped. You tell yourself you’re not really home enough to worry about it, but think about how it would have improved the look of the room to add a few lamps or liven things up.

3. Put Heavy Things On The Walls : Now I’m no stranger to patching holes, but most of them are on the small side. It’s easy to shy away from large artwork or heavy pieces because of the hole that they will leave. For the most part, you can patch any hole or paint over any surface with the coordinating color. Life would have been better with my amazing porthole mirror on the wall instead of sitting in the back of my closet for the day I didn’t rent.

4. Bought Space-Specific Items: When you live with one foot out the door, buying things that are specific for a single space can seem like money spent unwisely. Sure you want to organize that closet and make your kitchen pantry exactly what you need, but buying things that fit in those exact spaces that might be the wrong scale for somewhere else means you make due with what you have and although “making it work” can be a badge of honor, having it be right creates peace of mind.

5. Looked At What It Was Instead Of What It Wasn’t : Even though there’s no act of buying, repairing or decorating in this last item, it can be an easy thing to forget when you have a less than awesome, but kind of ok apartment. Sure a space might be utilitarian, boring, or even cookie cutter, but a home is a home. Focus on the goodness that you bring to it, smile and laugh and play great music. Make it your own space without worry and don’t wish for something else… until it’s time to move anyway.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com

How to Clean Grout

Tue, 12 May 2015 07:00:00 GMT

• To bring even more cleaning power to the party, make a paste of baking soda and water, cover the grout lines with the paste, then spray on the vinegar solution. Once the mixture stops foaming, scrub with a brush and rinse with plain water.

• For moderate stains, you may want to use hydrogen peroxide, which is available in most drug stores. You can use the product straight or make a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.

• For tougher stains and really grimy grout, try using oxygen bleach (most often sold in powdered form). Some common brands include OxiClean, Clorex OxiMagic, and Biokleen Oxygen Bleach Plus. Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions, and make sure the area is well-ventilated. Generally, you will want to let the oxygen bleach solution work for 10 or 15 minutes before rinsing. Always rinse with clean water so that the dirt doesn’t resettle into the grout lines.

• Chlorine bleach and commercial cleansers can be used sparingly in extreme cases. One of my go-to products when all else fails is Clorox Clean-Up spray. Long-term use of caustic cleaners will erode grout, so these products should be used on a limited basis.

• Steam cleaners can be an effective and environmentally-friendly method of cleaning grout—or for that matter, many other surfaces around the house. Bissell, Oreck, Ladybug and Hoover all make steam cleaners for residential use.

To keep your grout clean and stain-free, it’s a good idea to spray it with vinegar and wipe it down once a week. You can also wipe grout with alcohol to keep mold and mildew at bay. In any case, just a few spritzes and wipes a week can save you a lot of time and effort cleaning, preserving the attractive appearance of your home in the process.

Source: bobvila.com

What to do in the first 24 hours in a New Place

Tue, 05 May 2015 07:00:00 GMT

The first 24 hours in a new place are vital — they can make a difference on how the first few months go and set the tone for the rest of the time you live there. So how should you spend the first 24 hours in a new place? Consider this list as your guide for those precious first hours.

Document everything and save it all or send it

If your landlord has asked you to fill out a condition report, do it as soon as you’re able to, and follow their instructions on whether you’re to drop it off to them or send a digital file, and include photos if you can. Also make plenty of notes and photos to keep yourself. And while there might be plenty of other things you want to dive into doing, also consider doing a walk-through and taking notes of certain maintenance items you want to do, like make your windows more energy efficient, and more. You don’t have to do anything just yet, just make a list.

Clean some spots that seem to need it

Even if your new home was cleaned before you moved in (and hopefully it was!) there still sometimes seems like there are a few spots that need a little extra attention by you. Some folks prefer taking extra swipes over places like toilet seats and door knobs. We like to suggest you do an extra clean in places that you might not be reaching often when your furniture gets into place.

Put together all the furniture and put it where it’s supposed to go

Start with the furniture that needs to be assembled, getting them together and putting them and their non-assemblage needing siblings in the rough areas of where they need to be located. If you didn’t have a lot of time to see the space before you move in and don’t have a furniture plan in place, go with your gut.

Make your bed

Trust us on this one, once your bed is assembled and in place, make it so you don’t have to try and find and wrestle with sheets after a long day of moving boxes.

Jess’ Colorful Urban Townhouse

Put all the boxes in the right rooms

You don’t have to unpack all the boxes yet, but at least try and move the boxes to the correct rooms they belong in. Whether you unpack in one long, unbroken string of hours or peck at it a bit as your first weeks in your new home go by, it’ll make it easier to put away and put together small areas and whole rooms faster if you’re not darting from room to room.

Take out and arrange your daily stuff

There are some things you just need on a daily basis. From toiletries, to towels to coffee-making supplies, take out the things you need and arrange them as best you can, and you’ll make having to get ready for work in a sea of boxes a lot easier.

Introduce yourself to any neighbors you come across

You don’t have to bring over warm, oven-baked cookies or anything, but if you happen across any neighbors in your first 24 hours in your new place, don’t tuck your chin and run (even if you are dirty from moving). Say hello and establish friendly terms early on.

Alecia & Jon’s Luminous Simplicity

Avoid doing loud things like hanging paintings and vacuuming late at night

Even though you’re bent on working through the night to get as much stuff done as possible, your neighbors are probably just trying to enjoy their lives (and sleep) as they normally are. So try not to be extra noisy and start out on the most considerate foot first.

(If there’s still time) Complete one room as much as possible

Choose a small space and try to “complete” it as much as you can. Unpack the boxes for that room and put stuff up where it needs to go (while making note of any storage solutions you might need in that space). Maybe not hang the art on the walls yet, but at least unwrap and lean in a spot near where’d you like to put it. Do all this so when the sea of boxes that seems never-ending threatens your sanity in the coming weeks, you’ll have one spot in your home you can retreat to so you can forget you just uprooted your life!

Source: apartmenttherapy.com

Renters’ Obligations for Moving Out

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Management companies and some landlords have been known to be flexible with departing tenants, and they generally appreciate a tenant’s efforts to clean the unit before he or she departs.

Your request for a few extra days to vacuum and pack up the last of your belongings will often be met with agreement, but don’t be surprised if your landlord or management company asks for a daily fee in return for their flexibility. That’s perfectly within their rights, according to the real estate law books, so there’s not much you can do when faced with a fee — except to hurry up and ship out.

And speaking of cleaning up before your departure, what are your obligations as a tenant? Do you have to leave it as spotless as it was when you moved in? (That question assumes that your unit was adequately cleaned, of course.) The answer is yes.

Err on the side of “too clean” in order to prevent your deposit from being reduced. You don’t have to hire a professional carpet cleaning company or buy an expensive contraption to clean the carpeting yourself. But by all means, vacuum the floor, dust every surface, and consider wiping down the windows with a little glass cleaner. It doesn’t take long, and it leaves a good impression.

Depending upon who leased you your apartment, you could be faced with a reduced deposit — or even no deposit — based on criteria you find ridiculous. Instead of getting involved in the hassle of debating those points with your soon-to-be ex-landlord or management company, spend a good half-hour giving your empty apartment a once-over.

Generally, you don’t have to repaint your walls unless you changed the paint color while you lived in your apartment, and your lease stipulates that you restore the wall color to its original condition before you leave.

If you rented your apartment from a management company, inquire if they have a mover’s checklist to help you inspect your unit before moving out. You may even request an informal inspection from a leasing agent or landlord after you clean the unit. At that time, the inspector can inform you if you’ve missed any spots and help you prevent any deductions to your deposit.

If you’ve caused damage to your apartment during the time you’ve lived there, you’re going to face either a considerable deduction from your deposit, or you may not receive any of your deposit back. If the landlord or management company decides the cost of the damage exceeds the amount of your deposit, it’s within his/her/their rights to sue you for the difference. Owning up to the damage and paying for it immediately is the best way to avoid major headaches — not to mention a “black mark” on your renter’s record.

Some reckless renters who know they’ve caused considerable damage to their homes and know that the dollar amount will exceed their deposits have elected to hit the road suddenly and without warning.

While some tenants may have gotten away with it, many haven’t. And the consequences of such actions — including the real possibility of a lawsuit filed from your former landlord/management company to gain compensation of the rent they lost when you fled, plus compensation for damages, is far more expensive than accepting responsibility for the damage you caused.

Accidents and even occasional bouts of stupidity happen. Owning up to these incidents will pave a smooth path to your next home. Believe it or not, management companies and landlords do call on a prospective tenant’s former management company/landlord. Moving is hassle enough.

In the renters’ world, those tried-and-true rules you learned as a kid apply: Clean up after yourself, take responsibility for your actions, and you’ll be well-received. Mom always did know best, didn’t she?

How to Fit Everything You Own Into One Storage Closet

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 07:00:00 GMT

One of the biggest shortcomings of many small apartments is the amount of storage space they offer. Or rather, the lack of storage space. In fact, in many cases, it’s not uncommon for small apartments to have a single storage closet for everything from clothes to shoes , cleaning supplies, luggage and more– especially in single-room studios.

For people with numerous belongings, small storage makes for a big problem. However, if you’re planning on moving into a place with a single closet, there are a few practical ways to handle the matter. Here’s how to fit everything you own into a single storage closet:

Organize, Organize, Organize

Even in apartments with multiple closets, organization is the key to maximizing your storage. This means you should do two things: downsize and consolidate. Start by getting rid of stuff you don’t need anymore or items you’re simply hanging onto because you’ve had them forever (you know, like the CDs from your favorite band in middle school or your class notebooks from college).

Then, with the items you have left, categorize them and decide the best way to store each group. Use similar containers when you can to eliminate as much dead space as possible– rectangular containers will stack together better than a mixture of square and round boxes and baskets.

Find Storage Elsewhere

Remember that even if you have one storage closet, it’s not the only place in your apartment where you can tuck extra stuff out of sight. Utilize other storage options to make more room in the closet. Try under-the-bed containers or drawers, for instance. You can even place bed risers underneath the legs of your bed to give yourself more room for bins and drawers.

Or, buy double-duty furniture, like an ottoman with built-in storage or a dresser you can use as a TV stand. And don’t forget to use your bathroom and kitchen cabinets for as many items as you can– the more you use these other storage spots, the less you’ll have to worry about fitting into your closet.

Use Every Inch

Make practical use of the top shelves as much as you can by keeping items you don’t need very often on them. Opt for tall containers that will fit plenty of your things and maximize that often unused space at the very top (you may need to keep a step ladder on hand to get to these items).

If you can, utilize floor and wall space, too. Hanging hooks and baskets on the back of the door or on the wall will provide an extra place for stuff that doesn’t fit anywhere else.

Store By Ease of Access

The best way to organize your belongings in a stuffed storage closet (or anywhere in your apartment) is by how often you’ll need them. Keep little-used items in places you can’t access as easily, like on the top shelf , in the back of your bathroom cabinet or under the bed.

You don’t want to have to move around piles of boxes to get to items you’ll need regularly! Stuff you’ll need to access daily should be in drawers, shelves, or hanging in spots where you’ll be able to access them as easily as possible.

Vacuum Seal

If you’ve ever watched late-night infomercials, you’ve likely seen those vacuum-sealed bags that claim to turn stuffed and untidy closets into amazingly organized spaces that even have plenty of extra room for storage .

These vacuum-sealed bags really do work to consolidate soft items like linens and out-of-season clothes you won’t need for awhile. They’re certainly worth a try– you may find yourself with more storage than you anticipated!

Source: apartmentguide.com ~ Author: Lindsay Smith

11 Reasons Why I Never Want To Own A House Again

Sat, 04 Apr 2015 07:00:00 GMT

1. As investments go, it’s not always a great deal. While it’s true that some homes do appreciate, so do many other assets. If you bought a house for, say, $200,000 thirty years ago, it would be worth $468,375.09 today. While that gain feels impressive, that appreciation is based solely on inflation – which means that, in theory, the same appreciation would have happened with any asset. While we did “make” money on the sale of our house, I suspect we would have had a similar increase had we invested that money in the market or in our business.

2. The mortgage interest deduction doesn’t make up for the fact that you’re still paying a lot of interest. While I understand that it’s possible to buy a house without a mortgage, the large percentage of homeowners (more than 70%) take out a loan. With average mortgage rates at 4.3% (as of this morning), you’ll actually pay $356,307.44 for a $200,000 home: $156,307.44 in interest alone. Averaged over 30 years, that works out to a little over $5,000 per year (even though in practice you pay the most interest at the beginning). Assuming you’re in a 25% bracket – and you itemize – that works out to a tax savings of just over $1,300 per year. But the word “savings” is somewhat of a misnomer because you’re still out of pocket more than you get back in tax savings: in our example, you would “save” less than $40,000 while paying out more than $150,000 in interest.

3. Homes often tempt people borrow more than they can afford. As Congress tosses around the idea of taking away the home mortgage interest deduction, homeowners are screaming that they won’t be able to afford their homes without it. In fact, when you’re looking to buy, most lenders and realtors will use the deduction as a selling point to boost prices. But is that a great strategy? When buying a new dress or a new car, consumers tend to focus on the cost of the item alone when determining how much to spend. But when it comes to mortgages, that number edges up because of the potential for tax savings (again, see #2). With that temptation, combined with a sluggish economy, it’s no wonder that more than 10 million homeowners are currently underwater on mortgages worth more than actual house values. We were fortunately not one of them but not for lack of the banks trying. When we bought our home, we were actually approved for a mortgage which was hundreds of thousands of dollars more than the home we ultimately bought. We opted for a less expensive home – and thankfully so.

4. Owning a house subject to a mortgage drives up debt to income ratios. Assuming that you borrow to buy your home – again, a pretty reasonable assumption – that debt load can be a drag on your credit and ability to borrow for other things (like a new car). I’ve made no secret about the fact that I owe a significant amount in student loans. That already affects my perceived ability to pay when figuring my credit. A mortgage dramatically increases that ratio. Interestingly, our monthly rental payment is actually more than our monthly mortgage payment – but on paper, our rent is not a debt, it’s an expense. The two may be treated very differently, depending on the circumstances.

5. A mortgage is typically 20 or 30 years while, at any given time, the current administration has only four (or possibly eight). I can’t stress this enough. The home mortgage interest deduction has been around for what seems like forever. Does that mean it that you can count on it to be around in 10, 20 or 30 years? Don’t be so sure. The deduction has become increasingly vulnerable: it has been a talking point in practically every administration from Bush to Obama, despite Reagan’s famous promise to the National Association of Realtors in a 1984 speech that he would “preserve the part of the American dream which the home mortgage interest deduction symbolizes.” Just this year, Eric J. Toder, the co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, advised Congress that “[a]chieving a revenue-neutral tax reform that reduces marginal tax rates significantly would be difficult or impossible to achieve without cutting back the mortgage interest deduction or some other equally popular and widely used provisions.”

6. A mortgage is typically 20 or 30 years. So yeah, I said that already. But I have another point: home ownership can limit your mobility. We were fortunate that we were able to write checks for our rent and our mortgage. While we could afford to make both payments, chances are that we would not have been able to obtain a mortgage for a second house while continuing to carry the first. Often, in order to move, you have to sell – or rent – your first home. I’ve been a landlord before and I’m not inclined to do it again. And selling our house in this economy was no small feat. That’s part of the reason that we stayed so long in one place: it was hard to move. In addition to our own missed opportunities, that may not be good for the country’s economy: economists Andrew Oswald and David Blanchflower found that rates of high homeownership lead to higher rates of unemployment in both the U.S. and Europe because, among other issues, owning a home may keep people from moving to areas with good jobs and creates “negative externalities.”

7. Houses take a lot of your money. There’s a reason that many folks refer to their homes as money pits: you often put a lot of money that you’ll never see again into a home. Not all improvements are deductible. Deductible expenses are generally limited to casualty loss deductions. In most cases, significant repairs to your home merely increase your basis for purposes of calculating a gain at sale. As most taxpayers aren’t likely to experience the kind of gain that would subject them to capital gains, basis isn’t always an issue which means that those expenditures get lost. Thousands of dollars to replace the air conditioning unit? The new garbage disposal? Replacing the flooring in the kitchen? The new washer/dryer? Landscaping additions? You can’t write them off and while you may recover some dollars at sale, rarely do you recover the entire amount. If you add all of those expenditures up over a 30 year period, you might see an explanation for some of that “gain” at sale. Often homeowners get fixated on two numbers: the purchase price of the house and the selling price of the house – but don’t forget to account for all of the money you spent in between.

8. If you do hit the home appreciation jackpot, there can be significant taxes. Not all houses bleed money. Not all appreciation can be attributed to inflation and/or a combination of home improvements – sometimes, it turns out to be a good investment. But there is a price: if the gain on the sale of your home exceeds the $250,000 exclusion (or $500,000 for married taxpayers), the proceeds over that exclusion are subject to capital gains. Additionally, under the new health care law, a Medicare tax of 3.8% will be imposed on investment/unearned income, which includes gain from the sale of your home, for high income taxpayers. High income taxpayers means those individual taxpayers reporting income over $200,000 and married taxpayers filing jointly reporting income over $250,000.

9. I like for things to be predictable and real estate taxes can vary. While mortgage payments can remain fairly flat, assuming you have a fixed mortgage rate, you more or less know what you’re paying each year. You don’t always have the same result with real estate taxes. Your tax bill can change based on property assessments and reassessments (just ask Philadelphia) or a change in tax rates – especially in today’s climate as townships and counties search for revenue. Unlike most commercial leases, residential leases don’t tend to be “triple net” meaning that the expenses are not directly passed through but tend to be figured as part of the total rental payments. Real estate taxes are generally accounted for in the cost of the rental; when they are not, they may be limited by statute or otherwise capped.

10. You can’t deduct a loss on the sale of your home. If I lose money on stocks, I can net those losses against other gains. If I lose money in my business, I can deduct those losses or use them to offset other gains (even in other years). But it doesn’t work that way when it comes to housing. You can never claim a capital loss on the sale of a personal residence – no matter how much it hurts. In this market, many taxpayers are finding this to be the case. That makes putting all of your investment eggs in the housing basket a risky proposition.

11. It’s getting more difficult to claim the itemized deduction. Home mortgage interest is only deductible if you itemize on your Schedule A, meaning that only about 1/3 of taxpayers even have the option of taking the deduction. You itemize if your deductions exceed the standard deduction: for 2013, the applicable standard deduction rates are $12,200 for married taxpayers filing jointly; $8,950 for head of household; $6,100 for individual taxpayers and $6,100 for married taxpayers filing separate. Those numbers are getting harder to get to for many taxpayers, including me. Mathematically, the longer you own your house, the less you owe in interest and the smaller the deduction. Add that to the bump in the threshold for the medical expense deduction (which means that I’m not going to be able to claim those expenses in 2013), restrictions due to the Pease limitations and the bar for miscellaneous deductions, and taxpayers are increasingly finding that the deduction is actually quite elusive.

I’m not saying that owning a home is a bad thing. I liked being a homeowner. I just happen to like renting more. I liked that when our oven died, it was replaced – at no additional cost to me – that same day. And I liked that as I wandered through Home Depot, I happily gazed at cabinet pulls and meandered through the garden center rather than making a beeline for caulk, wood putty or other maintenance items. Maintenance is no longer my problem.

I’m also not advising folks to eschew real estate: it can be a good investment for some taxpayers. In addition to owner occupied properties, rentals can be a good financial move. While I have no desire to be a landlord again, it has been a good bet for many taxpayers. My father-in-law has rented properties for years. He realized, like many other taxpayers, that rental real estate is not only a good income stream but a forced retirement plan. But he, like other savvy real estate owners, also understands the rules and the economics, and makes decisions accordingly.

What I am saying is that we shouldn’t buy into the idea that owning a home is for everyone. And it’s not just me: at the end of August, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the home ownership rate was 65.5%, the lowest rate in the past 50 years (downloads as a pdf); adding borrowers in risk of default, the number is closer to 62%. In contrast, ownership in 2010 was nearly 69%: for purposes of context, a one-percent change in the ownership represents well over a million homeowners. That dip doesn’t spell disaster for our country. It would be a mistake to assume that countries with high incidents of home ownership are synonymous with a strong economy: Russia, Italy, Greece and Spain – countries with struggling economies – have significantly higher home ownership rates than the U.S. Conversely, some countries with traditionally strong economies like Germany, Switzerland and Japan, have lower home ownership rates than in the U.S.

There are so many considerations when deciding whether to buy a home. It’s not the ‘ideal’ scenario for all families. Don’t be fooled by promises of tax savings and tax-free appreciation: that’s not always the case. A home is a huge investment so be sure to research what it might mean for you before taking the leap – and don’t be afraid to say no. I did. And tonight, as I sit on my rented porch, staring out at my rented view while my kids happily play inside a house that they’ve already made their home, I don’t regret my decision one bit.

Source: forbes.com ~ Author: Kelley Phillips Erb

5 Ways to Feel at Home in Your New Kitchen

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Think of it this way: If you’ve just moved, you and your new kitchen are basically on a first date. You’re both shy, a little nervous, eager to impress, and anxious to jump ahead to the point in the relationship where you can hang out in your pajamas all day, dance like a fool while you’re making dinner, and not worry so much about those crumbs on the floor.

Eventually you’ll know exactly how that cabinet door sounds when you swing it open, the familiar hum of this refrigerator, and the double water plink that happens every time you turn the faucet off. But right now, you know none of those things, and your kitchen feels like a stranger. How do you make it better?

Here are five small ways to start feeling comfortable with your kitchen:

1. Set up your stove space essentials.

As we wrote in this post, there are a few things you should always keep within arm’s reach of the stove for easier, quicker cooking. Keep those essentials near here, and you’ll soon feel a new cooking groove with this kitchen creep in.

2. Put out a fruit bowl.

It’s colorful, it’s good for you, and it looks super pretty sitting on the countertop. This small touch is remarkably homey. I mean, who doesn’t immediately feel better when they see a full fruit bowl? You’re also basically giving a beautiful gift to your kitchen, so things are looking up between you two.

3. Display a favorite, well-used pot or tool.

You adore your sapphire enameled Dutch oven. You’d get rid of your car before you got rid of your bright yellow KitchenAid stand mixer. You use your cast iron skillets so often you just keep them on the stove.

Make sure you can see whatever tool, pot, or piece of equipment you own that makes you happy or you use all the time. Put it on the countertop, keep it on an open shelf, or store it on the stovetop. It’ll remind you that while your surroundings may be new, your vintage enameled teapot looks as awesome in this new kitchen as it did in your old kitchen, which bodes well for your future together.

4. Replenish or recreate your favorite kitchen scent.

Scent memories are powerful things, which makes them a great thing to exploit when you want to quickly warm up to a new space. Maybe you love peppermint hand soap , or have a favorite fancy dish soap . Maybe the smell of home-baked chocolate chip cookies makes you want to hug your oven (don’t do it — he’s still too hot to handle). Recreate your favorite kitchen smells, and you’re one step closer to kitchen bliss.

5. Cook your favorite simple meal.

There’s nothing that’ll get you feeling like yourself in your new kitchen quite like cooking. Don’t feel like you need to pull out all the stops, either: a simple meal is all that’s required the first few go-arounds. Take it slow. Roast a chicken or make a pot of lentil soup . Open a bottle of wine and enjoy a meal — by yourself, with family, or a couple of friends. Then do it again tomorrow, and the day after. Pretty soon you and your kitchen will be totally in-sync.

Source: thekitchn.com

Apartment Living; 5 Easy Rental Decorating Ideas (that you can take with you)

Fri, 27 Mar 2015 07:00:00 GMT

Renting? Welcome to the club. But in this club we love to fix up our spaces, even if they’re temporary. These five tiny changes are easy and cheap, but make a huge difference when it comes to day-to-day happiness in your home. Try one (or all) of these today.

1. Showerhead — Ditch your sputtering, slow rental showerhead in favor of your favorite type — try a traditionally-mounted, adjustable model, a low-flow or even a flexible handheld. Take a little trip to your local hardware store and see what strikes your fancy. Most are well under $100 and a cinch to install.

2. Pegboard — What we love most about pegboard is how it’s functional and pretty. Never have your old pots and pans looked so artsy as when they’re displayed on a pretty pop of pegboard. It’s a snap to hang, and, when you move, it comes down just as easily.

Tempaper Gio Temporary Wallpaper from Design Public

3. Temporary Wallpaper — The color and pattern of wallpaper without the commitment? Sign us up. Most peel-n-stick paper promises that your paint job won’t be damaged and when you do decide to remove it, wiping down the wall will be the extent of the cleanup.

4. Chandelier — Replacing that dingy, bug-filled light fixture is a must. If you’re handy, you can probably do it yourself (here’s our step by step tutorials onremoving the current one and installing a new one). If not, this is one thing that is so worth it to spend a little more to hire a handyman. Good lighting = a happy you.

5. Kitchen cabinet knobs — You’re not stuck with the shabby, builder-grade knobs that came on your cabinets. Switching them out can drastically change the look of your kitchen in just an afternoon. Remember to keep the old hardware so you can replace it when it’s time to move out.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com ~

15 Easy Hacks for Achieving Feng Shui

Tue, 13 Feb 2001 08:00:00 GMT

Could proper feng shui in your home or apartment improve everything from your sleep to your bank account? As practitioners of the ancient Chinese art tell it, yes. At its core, feng shui is a practice based on the idea that humans are linked to our environments . So what we choose to bring into our homes and how we decorate can all affect the flow of chi (or energy), which, in turn, can impact our health and our happiness.

Feng shui is a lot more accessible than you might think. All it takes is a few simple steps to “improve your feng,” as master practitioner Jennifer Bonetto of Real Feng Shui SOULutions in Santa Monica, CA , puts it. “A lot of people assume feng shui involves buying a bunch of complicated tchotchkes — bamboo flutes, statues, and other trinkets that are supposed to balance energy,” she explains. “They’ll fill their house with this stuff and say, ‘OK, I’m feng shui-ed!’ But then they don’t get results.”

Whether you’re getting ready to move into that home for sale in Athens, GA , or apartment for rent in Boston, MA , here are some ideas for improving feng shui throughout your space, from the entryway to the bathroom.

1. Maintain a 6-foot clearance. Everything within 6 feet of the front door — inside and outside — needs to be clear and clutter-free to help energy flow. Floor mats are OK, but avoid putting items like shoe racks and other obstructions immediately around the door.

2. Add plants . Potted plants on a balcony, patio, or entryway can help foster vibrant energy in and around the home.

3. Pick your palette thoughtfully. Although red is feng shui’s 2016 color of the year, Bonetto advises against painting walls or doors red (good news if you’re a renter, since you may not be able to paint anyway !). “Depending on the facing direction of the home and what wall you paint red, it can actually be bad luck,” she says. “I would just use accent pieces and accessories like a blanket, pillows, throw rugs, etc.”

4. Add living things . Plants move energy and absorb negative vibes. Pets also are a good thing , because they move energy around in our homes!

5. Consider shape and scale. Contrary to popular belief, feng shui doesn’t exclusively favor furniture with rounded edges. In fact, a variety of shapes are your best bet for achieving a well-balanced room. Bonetto adds that the furniture should be in scale and proportion to the size of the room. “I would avoid oversized furniture in a small place and vice versa: small furniture in a large space,” she says.

6. Shed some light . Light activates energy, while dark corners and areas are thought to signify neglected parts of your life. Make sure you have enough light sources to illuminate the entire space and try a mix of sizes and intensities.

7. Free up counter space. Stow any appliances you don’t use regularly to open up space and inspire more energy and movement. Editing out extraneous items — even that cacophony of magnets on your fridge — is key to achieving a feng shui house.

8. Make it safe. Store knives in a knife block or organized drawer, and if you have the space, arrange pots in cabinets, not dangling on hooks overhead (pro tip: Copper pots and pans attract positive chi). By ridding your space of sharp and heavy objects, it will look and feel lighter, not to mention be safer.

9. Purge a drawer. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter and don’t know where to begin, try starting with a “give to charity” pile . Often, all it takes is this first step to give you the momentum to declutter your entire home.

10. Consider your bed placement. Avoid putting your bed against a wall adjacent to the bathroom or the kitchen; doing so is believed to negatively affect health.

11. Avoid large mirrors . When a mirror reflects the bed or any part of your body, it can cause insomnia. If you’re a renter stuck with wall-to-wall closet-door mirrors, slide the doors open at night, install curtains you can draw before bed, or add contact paper to cover them up.

12. Conceal electronics . If you have a TV in the bedroom, unplug it and throw a towel over it at night. Also, keep laptops and cellphones off the nightstand so they don’t disturb your circadian rhythm ; electronic devices are best stowed in another room while you sleep.

13. Close the lid. Feng shui traditionalists believe that an open drain can sap energy (and money) from a space. The toilet is the largest drain in the bathroom, so keep the lid shut.

14. Go off-center. Shopping for a new home? Avoid buying or renting a place with bathrooms that fall dead center in the floor plan. A centrally located bathroom is unlucky and thought to cause money issues, says Bonetto.

15. Try soothing shades. Black and red are activator colors that can ramp up your nervous system. Choose earthy tones in the bathroom to create a calm, rejuvenating atmosphere.

Source: Trulia.com ~ By: Jill Russell