Posts Tagged ‘Apartment’
Apartment renters are usually renters for one of two reasons. Either the renter cannot yet afford the costs associated with a new home or he/she does not want the responsibility of home ownership. Either way, there are things that one must consider. While it is cheaper to stay in an apartment, many feel that money is just being thrown away rather than invested in a property with an eye towards ownership. Others will say that it is best not to move into a home that requires you to live beyond your financial means. They both have their anchor in reality While owning a home is the ultimate duty of some, it is imperative that the full budgetary impact be considered prior to signing any papers. Of course, there is the amount you will pay for the home monthly but there are property taxes, home repair, increased utilities, maintenance and up keep costs that need to be factored into any decision. Living in a home that is beyond your personal financial means proves to be a very frustrating experience, when bills are always coming due that you cant pay. Fees paid for apartment rentals dont provide equity but is great for a temporary place to stay without the hassles and expenses of home ownership. There are rare occasions where an apartment is a good long term fit. Though less stressful and less expensive to maintain, an apartment has its issues as well. If you have lived in an apartment for more than 2 years , you will identify with this
Have you ever come hometo your apartment and find a notice on the door informing you that your current lease is nearing its end and by the way, your current apartment rent rate is going up by $100? Or maybe you have just been among the unfortunateones that finds himself or herself paying for services that you used to normally get for free, like trash pick up, and water service. Most apartments complexes see a lease about to run out and think now it is time to renegotiate the contract. They know that you are settled in and dont want to move. Raising the rent price and causing once free services to be directly paid by apartment renters is the norm once a lease runs out. Truth be told, services such as trash pick up were never free. They were simply included in the initial cost of renting the apartment. Requiring tenants to pay the fees now is nothing more than a justification for raising rental rates even further than the direct raise represented by the initial rental rate hike. It is part of the game that properties pay. Dont misunderstand me, I understand that apartment complexes are businesses and want to make a profit just like any other business. However, lets not fall for the required rate hike story every single time. The potential rate hike threat is also a tool used by apartment complexes to cause potential renters to sign longer leases to prevent a possible rent hike in the future. Add these rises in cost to the to the other rising costs of living such as gas prices and taxes and you have a perfect storm for relieving you of your money.
My apartment complex has raised my rent three times in a row says LeAnne Cook. Im looking for another apartment complex to move to or I may buy my first home.
When surveyed , eight out of ten renters say that they have had their rental rate raised by more than $25 per month in the last year. Six out of ten were hit by more than a $50 per month increase and five out of ten renters received a notice of an increase equal to or greater than $100 per month. To some, this may not seem like a lot of money but for others this can be a budget breaker.
Fortunately, there are options for coping with rising rental prices.
Renters are turning to the internet for a means to supplement their living cost budgets. The toolbar at Apartment Rent Toolbar dot com interfaces with TypoBounty.com and allows renters to earn extra cash online to pay for their rent and utilities. Its simplicity is what makes this service so attractive. Because it is a free tool there is no reason for renters to add an additional drain on the household budget. Thats why people are talking about this all over the web.
The apartment renters that use the apartment rent toolbar are able to earn money for rent by pointing out errors that exist online. Now misspelled words, punctuation errors, even broken links on websites are worth two dollars or more each. There are trillions of website errors online and web surfers only have to point them out to the website owners to earn cash.
This opportunity to earn money places options in the hands of apartment renters for paying rent, utilities and other living expenses without requiring them too much of their time.
At Paramount Properties, we’re dedicated to providing the best possible Ottawa apartment rental experiences to our tenants. With great locations, top quality service, and exceptional value, it’s easy to see why our apartments for rent in Ottawa are the best in the city. But don’t take our word for it – just have a look at this letter of one of our Downtown Ottawa apartment tenants:
Dear Paramount Properties;
I’m sending you this email just to say “thank you” for helping me finally find the student apartment I was looking for. I’m a student at the University of Ottawa, and ever since I first came to Ottawa I’ve been looking for a great student apartment that would not only get me close to my classes, but get me close to everything else in Downtown Ottawa, too. After living in a couple other apartment buildings this past year, let me just say that I’ve finally found the exact student apartment I was looking for – and then some!
First of all, I couldn’t believe my luck when I found one of your great apartments in Downtown Ottawa – it’s called Centretown Place, and the location is better than I could ever imagine! The apartment is just a few blocks away from everything I love about Ottawa – the Byward Market, the Rideau Centre, all of the stores on Bank Street … pretty much everything I need in the downtown core! It’s even located right on the Transitway, so I can get to my classes in just a couple of minutes, or take the bus across town quickly and easily to meet up with friends in Westboro, at Algonquin College, or wherever!
While the location is excellent, I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable a Downtown Ottawa apartment could actually be. And not only is the rent affordable, but it also includes a whole bunch of additional services and features like the pool, sauna, air conditioning in my room … I really feel like I’m getting the most value for my rent every month at my new apartment. Oh yeah – I really like the smart card laundry machines! It’s so nice not have to keep a collection of quarters on me at all times!
I’ve recommended Paramount Properties to a bunch of my friends, as I know they’re all looking for a great student apartment in Downtown Ottawa. Like I said, I’ve lived in a couple other apartment buildings in the city, but I can definitely say that renting a downtown apartment from your company really is the best choice for students like me.
Thanks again for everything!
“Looking for an apartment can be a time-consuming and tiring ordeal. If you use the old fashioned methods of searching for an apartment, such as looking through the newspaper classified ads or relying on word of mouth, you may feel as if you are caught up following endless leads that result in nothing but dead ends. Therefore, to make your search easier, you should take advantage of the help provided by an apartment locator.
The High Tech Apartment Locator
One kind of apartment locator that you might use involves the use of technology. With the Internet growing more and more every day, increasing numbers of landlords are turning toward this technology to get them in touch with potential tenants. As such, numerous apartment locator websites have been launched.
When you visit an apartment locator website, you will be asked to fill out a blank online form. This form won’t ask for personal information such as your social security number and many won’t even ask you for your name. Rather, the form will ask you to provide information regarding the type of apartment you are looking for.
Depending on the apartment locator website, you might immediately get results that display all of the available listings that meet your criteria. Others might ask for your email address so the information can be sent to you while others will ask for your phone number so a representative can contact you.
Obviously, those looking for a phone number or an email address are trying to find a way to get in touch with you and to add you to a client list. If you don’t want this to happen, you should avoid these apartment locator websites. Just be aware that this may severely reduce the number of apartment options available to you.
The Personable Apartment Locator
If you are not much of a technology buff or if you simply prefer to work with a human being rather than a blank online form, you can look into getting the help of a human apartment locator. Generally, you can go to a broker or a real estate agent to get help finding an apartment.
Since a realtor deals with property every day, he or she will have a good idea of the current apartment listings. In addition, a real estate agent should be able to provide you with helpful information about the neighborhood and should be able to answer any questions that you may have. This valuable insight can make it easier for you to find the apartment you are looking for.
Whether you go with a high tech apartment locator or a human apartment locator, don’t give out any of your personal financial information. This is particularly true when looking for an apartment online because it isn’t difficult for a scam artist to put up a fake website in order to acquire personal information from innocent people looking for an apartment. Remember, the purpose of using an apartment locator is simply to put you in touch with landlords offering apartments that fit your needs. Leave all other aspects of the deal between you and the landlord, unless the landlord uses a leasing agent to find and finalize deals.
Although finding an apartment is not necessarily as serious as trying to buy a house, you still want to find a place where you will be happy. Take the time to look around and to use an apartment locator and you will be sure to be thrilled with the final results. “
With so many people wanting to live in the city, it is difficult to find an apartment, especially in big cities like New York City. Apartment prices are rising. Even if one finds an apartment it is better to not move in a hurry. It is useful to consider a few key things before selecting an apartment.
Things You Should Know:
These are the things you should know before selecting an apartment.
· Know How Much You can AffordThis is where your apartment search begins. You must know your monthly rental budget. Once you determine how much you can afford in monthly rent, then you can narrow your apartment search significantly. How much are you willing to spend for an apartment you will be comfortable with? This decision is depended on the income and your household expenditures. In cities where the cost of living is higher, a larger portion of your monthly income will go to rent. If this is a problem, you may need to look at other living options like living a little further out in the city suburbs where apartment rent is usually less expensive. You could also consider sharing the apartment with someone else.
· Know the Neighborhood
After you have determined how much money you can spend on an apartment, you need to decide what areas of the city you are willing to live in. Always be sure about things like
- Is the locality affordable?
- How far are the basic public amenities?
- Is the neighborhood safe?
- What is the history of the neighborhood?
- Who lives in the neighborhood?- What are the nearby schools like?
- How close is the public transportation to get to work and other places?
· Know Your Rights & Responsibilities
Once you have successfully found a suitable apartment, make sure you know your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Your rights are best protected if you have a written lease. Be aware of oral leases because you may be subject to restrictions that you are not aware of. In face, never agree to a word-of-mouth lease agreement. Always insist on signing a written lease, even if you are renting from a friend. You should be familiar with basic tenant rights, remedies, obligations and laws protecting the tenants. You can be entitled to interest on rent security deposit and entitled to withhold rent if repairs are not made in your apartment in a timely manner.
The above information will surely help you to select a suitable apartment even if it takes some time to find one.
Dear reader, before you all accuse me of blatant propaganda for my own company, please let me use the 80:20 rule and declare that only 20% is propaganda and the other 80% is based on the truth. Read on and if something strikes you as nonsense, you can choose to stop reading or share your feedback with me.
The source of this article was borne out of frustration at one particular incident which happened a few months back. I received a call from a potential client seeking a serviced London apartment for short stay rental. When he discovered that Quality London Apartments was a third party agent and not the owner of the apartments, his comment was: “Oh no, not another agent!”
He then explained that he has just had a bad experience with one of my competitor. After listening to his story I totally sympathised with his plight. I helped him to book the right London apartment and eventually received many words of thanks for my help. But it niggled me that some agents are giving all agents a really bad reputation, so I have decided to fight back and remind travellers around the world why using agents are the best choice.
1.Good agents are like your friends in the city of your destination. Imagine having someone who will help you to research and book a serviced apartment. Then they will also help you with free support and advice of this city. If you choose an agent who actually live and work in this city, then it will be like having your own personal concierge.
2.Agents worth their salt will help you to find the right apartments to fit your budget. Obviously, you need to be realistic as well, as London is a notoriously expensive destination. Imagine if you had a family of 4 on a budget of £250 per night for a two bedroom apartment and you wanted to be in central London. Where do you begin? How much time do you wish to spend searching online, making expensive overseas phone calls/emails before you find something suitable? That is a lot of time and expense. An agent will have called at least 3 and give you the options within 15-30 minutes. How? That takes me to the next point.
3.Good agents are specialist who has visited the apartment to understand what their customers are going to stay in, have a relationship with the apartment owners, and know how flexible or inflexible the apartments will be with prices. They will squeeze as much as reasonable to fit your budget.
4.Agents are your advocates. Good agents are on your side, they want to help you and ensure that you have a smooth and happy stay. They are your representative in London, who fights for you; act as trouble shooters when something goes wrong with the apartments on arrival. What could go wrong? Read on.
5.Who you turn to when something goes wrong during your stay in an apartment? Here is a true life scenario to illustrate the point. One of my new clients booked a luxury apartment through Quality London Apartments for his break. When he arrived on New Years Day, the apartment owner tried to fob him off (whether mistakenly or on purpose) with another different apartment with a totally different décor…not to my client’s taste. If my client had booked directly with the apartment, he would have had to fight his case on his own. But he phoned me on New Years Day, I then complained (diplomatically of course) to the apartment owner and presto! All sorted for him. That is a difference that many people in this age of automated bookings do not realise, is the human help. Convenience and efficiency is great, but when things go wrong, as it invariably does, it is the people you trust who will make that call on your behalf.
Sadly, not all serviced apartments agents follow this code, nor do they respect their customers. Conversely, there are also many great agents who are passionate about service, actually enjoy taking care of their clients and are honest to you. It is hard to know which agents are excellent and which are shoddy, until you work with them.
Here comes the 20% propaganda that I did pre-warn you about earlier. My company’s mission is honesty, good old fashioned service and service with integrity. I am passionate about serviced apartments as the best way to travel and I really love helping clients. Period.
How can you know if this is true? I cannot prove it just by words, only by action. I dare you to choose Quality London Apartments next time and let us prove it to you.
Getting good sleep may be one of the most important factors on happiness, health, and hanging on to those youthful good looks that you have.
Living in an apartment gives you an opportunity to get better sleep than any other living situation. It’s warmer than a cardboard box. It’s your own place, so Mom doesn’t come screaming about breakfast when you are trying to sleep. Most importantly, you don’t have to lose sleep about the money that you are spending on repairs and maintenance to a home you own…all you have to do is call the office.
It’s little known, but I am actually an expert on sleep. There are a few things out there that can help you sleep more soundly at night in your apartment.
Turn down the fan and sleep on your side- Sometimes trouble sleeping can be applied to the actual way you are sleeping. Many times, if you sleep on your back, your mouth has a tendency to hang open when you are asleep. This in-turn causes wake ups with a dry sore throat and sadly…loud snoring that can wake you or your significant other as you breath from your mouth. Try intentionally laying on your side or stomach as you fall asleep. You could even scotch tape your mouth shut if you wanted. Ha! Really though, try switching it up and see if it makes a difference or turn down your fan when you are down for the count. A fan on blast will certainly circulate the air, but it can also stir up dry air and late night cedar fever…..and more SNORING…..
Rest Your Mind- Ever been laying in bed and can’t stop thinking about something that has you tossing and turning for hours? Of course you have. You should practice what is called “thought stopping.” As the thought creeps into your head, tell yourself to “STOP.” If it creeps back, do it again. The word Stop! forces an immediate shifting of our attention, which will lead us away from preoccupying thoughts. Worrying about having to be asleep will only cause anxiety and keep you awake. Try and relax your mind…sleep will soon follow.
Sleep Items- From aromatherapy aides like a Lavender Pillow Mist to relaxing sounds or music cd’s to a warming blanket, there are a number of items available that can help you get a few more zzzz’s. The important thing is to try a few and see what works.
My friend’s Granny used to always have a hot toddy before sleep. His Grandpa had a shot of whiskey. Neither one of them ever had sleeping problems. I would hate to know the long lasting effect it had on their livers though, so if you use that therapy, make sure it’s a last resort.
Get some rest!
For more info on having fun in your apartment check out: ApartmentHomeLiving.Com
Looking for love? Or worse…looking for love in all the wrong places? I think we all know by now that it’s all about living for fun, and just about everyone agrees that much of the fun in life comes from finding the right person to share it with.
From regular, day-to-day pursuits like grocery shopping, working out, or preparing a meal, to life’s more exciting adventures like traveling, going out, or getting close (and maybe a little adventurous), setting the right mood is imperative to finding love. Then when the time is right, the right ambiance in your apartment can make all the difference.
Let’s say you’ve gone out on a great date, the conversation’s fantastic, and it’s time to make a move. You’re looking to make the action in your apartment a little Carmen Electra and a lot less Electric Company. So what can you do to get that Electra?
I’d like to call myself a bit of an expert on the subject. Some may even go so far as to call me a professional. Okay, I think pretty much everyone might say that it’s a self-proclaimed title, but let’s let bygones be bygones and get down to the nitty gritty.
Since I’m such a sharing guy and want my vast knowledge to help every apartment-ite it can, I’m going let you in on some great steps that’ll help you get your place ship-shape for love. Some of you out there need a lot of help (you know who you are) so make sure to pay attention. Take notes if you want to, but let’s get your apartment ready for love!
Step # 1 For the Love of cheese, Clean Up – No one, and I mean NO ONE other than Grover gets hot and bothered amid a mess. Pick up around the place, clean up the dirty dishes, get that vacuum in gear, and don’t be afraid to actually clean your own toilet for once. Trust me, fellas, ladies don’t want to see [BREAK] the mold around your sink and the ring around the tub either. Soap scum will make you look like a lazy bum. Hire a maid if you have to. Just make sure your place is as dust, dirt, and clutter free as Mama would’ve wanted.
Step # 2 A little night music – When you head for the iPod, think soothing and sexy, not getting’ down and dirty. This one might depend on your personal definition of “soothing,” but Marvin Gaye is always a great choice. A nice acoustic sound like John Mayer or Jack Johnson will always set a great mood too. Plus, other than only turning up the heat, music therapy has proven to provide real health benefits as well as reduce stress. You’ll want to stay away from anything that could potentially bust an ear drum or makes you want to drive fast in the car. Anything you have to scream over to have a conversation won’t get anywhere. And no, the new Snoop album won’t work either. Offensive lyrics do nothing, but kill the mood.
Step # 3 Aromatherapy - There’s a reason the perfume and cologne industries rake in billions. Pleasing scents have been proven to soothe stress and can also foster romance. You can use candles, sprays, or even burn a little incense. But don’t overdo it. You can go from suave to cheesy pretty fast with too much smell good. Keep it subtle. Remember: scent is the number one sense associated with memory. Smell great and you’re bound to leave a lasting impression. Smell bad and you’re bound to leave their nostrils flaring and send them running.
Step # 4 Comfort is the key - If you’re going to spoil yourself with one expensive piece of furniture, make it a couch with plenty of room for getting to know one another. A couple of smooth recliners may look great and be heaven watching games or movies, but won’t help at all in putting a move on your date. In absolutely no situation should you ever find patio furniture or fold-up chairs anywhere else, but on the patio. Moral of this story: Go with that nice comfy couch. That after-dinner drink can turn into much more with the help of a comfy couch that just invites adventure.
The final step…Make it Your Own - Your apartment is your home and it speaks for you before you ever say a word. Remember that when someone walks in, they’ll make judgments about your style, your tastes, and, yes, your sex appeal based on how it looks. Pay attention to the details and you’re on your way to getting more than just a good night’s sleep.
Visit ApartmentHomeLiving.com for more information on apartments and living for fun!
I am excited to try out one of those new culinary pseudo-classes that let you show up and prepare your own meals that are supposed to last you for about a month.
The only reason I have hesitated is I’m a bit of a picky eater. I don’t care for vegetables, and I also don’t care for seafood (an unpopular decision in this era of sushi, so I tell people I’m allergic).
Another words, I don’t want to show up expecting chicken and find out that half the menu is seafood. So, in essence, I am chicken to show up. Stop with the booing…that’s funny.
Well, apartment shopping is the exact same thing for me. I’m a bit chicken. I need to find an affordable place, but I want to make sure I end up in an apartment that I really like. I want it to match my tastes, my life. Basically, I want it to be perfect.
Not much in life is perfect, so how can I get close?
Tip 1: Think through the specifics
Think through your location: location to family, friends, work and nightlife. Who do I need to live by? Who do I see weekly? Can I stand to commute 40 minutes if it means I save $75 a month? Do I need to live downtown or will the suburbs suffice? Do I go out three times a week, or twice a month?
Think through your budget: financial planners say only 30% of your income should be spent on your housing costs. Not a big problem if you make $6,000 a month. A little bit more of a problem when you make $1,600 a month. What’s your realistic, total budget? And even though I may want a one-bedroom with a den, can I only afford an efficiency?
Think through your pet situation: I have a dog. He’s a miniature poodle. Would I be willing to part with Ziggy? Never. Can I afford to shell out $500 for a pet deposit. Never. Could I afford $250 if I saved up beforehand? Possibly. Think through if you plan on getting that bulldog you’ve always wanted. First, does the community you want to live in even accept pets? If so, how much will the deposit cost? You may need to save up, or bow out.
Tip 2: Research your options
Now it’s time to compare. I like this catalog for a quick reference, but I also like to go online to look at virtual tours and compare amenities. At apartmenthomeliving.com, I can fill out a personality profile that matches me to the apartments that are right. It even goes a step further to find out what else I like. Do I want a pool? Do I work out? You betcha. There’s a match out there and I want to see all the choices.
Tip 3: Visit your top choices and enlist the help of friends
Seeing is believing. I know that the product itself is terribly important to me. I have to visit to know it feels good to me when I drive in. I want lush landscaping. I want good lighting in the living room, and a pool with a nightlife around it. I want a clean apartment. I can only find out these details by visiting.
While I’m visiting, do I like my leasing professional? Does she seem knowledgeable? Friendly? Does she answer my questions about maintenance to where I feel comfortable? Do I trust this person? Because this is who I’m going to get on the phone when something goes wrong in my apartment.
And two pairs of eyes are better than one! Do my friends agree this is a cool place to live? Will they visit me here to hang out? Do they agree with what I think?
Make your decision
Finally, decide what’s the best match for you. I knew when I picked Ziggy it was love. I know when I pick my next apartment it will at least be lust! And that can last at least a year. Happy hunting!
Visit Apartment Home Living for more tips on getting the most out of your apartment living experience.
As apartment dwellers, we “Live for Fun.” Looking for some ideas to inject a little more fun into your lifestyle? Now you’re talking. Here’s a list of what makes apartment living fun, from A to Z…
Apartment living = freedom.
Balconies. Sublime.
Community events to socialize and spot the neighborhood hotties.
Dinner parties with neighbors and friends. No place like an apartment to find your inner Rachel Ray … or Emeril … or just nuke a Hot Pocket and kick back on the couch.
Extreme apartment makeover? Chose your own style, décor and feng shui that puppy.
Fact — you can (and should!) protect your stuff with renter’s insurance.
Gotta get some exercise? Hit they gym. It’s right downstairs.
Have a drink. Invite some friends. Hang out.
If it’s broke … not your problem! Maintenance will fix it.
Just a hop, skip and jump away from shopping centers, restaurants and of course “Targét”.
Kitchen with a fully-stocked snack cabinet? Heaven.
Laundry services? Convenient in your place or, if you share a laundry room, hide those skidmarks!
Many apartment communities are pet friendly. Bring a pooper scooper and you’re golden.
Nightly summer BBQ with fun-loving gang from upstairs and down the hall. Dogs are on!
One night stands in the privacy of your apartment? Aweeeesome.
Pool, fitness center, complimentary breakfast and tennis courts. Plenty of apartments offer these great
services. Find one!
Quality movie nights, TV show fan club groups and board games (no shame in “Taboo”). Be a kid.
Rock star parking directly in front of your building.
Sex. Fact: Apartment dwellers get it on more. Did we mention sex?
Trash pick up at your door or just down the hall ….take the smell outside!
Use your space as a fitness factory. Grab those free weights and sweat to the oldies in privacy.
Visitors welcome 24/7-or not. It’s your place, your rules.
Wireless internet signals picked up from your neighbors. They’re clueless.
Xebec is an actual word that starts with X. We could have gone with x-ray or xylophone but everyone does that.
You can walk around naked and no one will ever know. Remember, blinds closed please.
Zzzzz…in your own bedroom, complete with an attached bathroom and walk-in closet. YES!
Want to become part of this elite group of fun-loving apartment dwellers? What makes you happy is very much about you. That’s why Apartment Home Living offers an online matching service to fit your specific needs.
Live for fun. Visit ApartmentHomeLiving.com and click on our “live for fun” tab to see other ways people are living for fun in their new apartments. Then join ‘em!