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By John Miller 11 Dec, 2016

When looking for an apartment there are several factors to consider. It’s important to find out the total costs involved, how flexible the landlords are and how secure you’ll be in your home. By making sure you ask the right questions you’ll ensure you find an apartment that perfectly meets your needs.

Costs

1. How much will I pay in up-front costs when I sign the lease?
The first thing to look for when apartment hunting is the total cost of moving in. It’s no good looking into a place that’s out of your budget. It’s important to not just consider the monthly payments but look out for additional costs. If you’re bringing a pet with your family, you will need to pay a security deposit ranging from $200-$400. Also the bond amount will vary depending on the property and management.

2. Are utilities included? If so, which ones?
Depending on the landlord and management you may have some utilities included in the rent. This can work out a lot cheaper for tenants depending on their lifestyle. Utilities being included in the rent is also convenient. Instead of having several bills with fluctuating amounts due you only have to worry about one steady payment.

Flexibility

3. What would it take to break the lease?
Life can be quite unpredictable. It’s worthwhile to be prepared. Ask what costs would incur and what situations would break the tenancy. Make sure the terms of tenancy fit into any potential pitfalls you may see in the future.

4. What are the policies about guests?
Some landlords don’t permit guests to stay with you for longer than two weeks. Other landlords and agencies put limits on how many times you can have guests over in a month. For people with friends and family that live out of town this can be quite the inconvenience, find out the policy for the apartment upfront. Heritage Ridge has fully furnished apartments for rent short term. Ask at the office for a tour.

5. Am I allowed to decorate the apartment without penalty?
This of course is a personal preference however for families are people with an interest in decor it can be important. Some owners are pretty flexible and as long as there aren’t holes drilled into the wall are fine with tenants changing it up. Others may not even let you change the curtains!

Security

6. What happens when there's a maintenance problem in the apartment?
You need to know who is responsible for maintenance before signing the lease. Check to see if the agency or landlord offer emergency maintenance. Unless you are a super handy electrician and plumber and also want to have to come running every time something breaks you’ll want to make sure you have emergency maintenance available.

 

7. How Secure Is the Property?
It’s important you know that the property is up to your standards in term of security before signing the lease. You wouldn’t want to feel unsecure in your own home! If you’re not happy with the current security, ask if a lock or security system could be put in before you move in. You’ll sleep a lot better for it!

A good example of an apartment community that encompasses the above concerns is Heritage Ridge Apartments. They offer emergency maintenance, a swimming pool and playground, and pets. Where ever you live or are looking for apartments though, remember when looking for your dream home always ask questions and read the fine print before signing your lease.


By John Miller 11 Dec, 2016

You love everything about your new apartment. It’s affordable, it’s near your favorite coffee shop, and the neighbors are quiet. What more could you ask for? Well, some closets would be nice!

We have put together a set of smart decorating ideas that should give you plenty of space to store your stuff and will also get you exercising your interior designing muscles. Plus, they’ll be right at home with your existing design aesthetic.

Hang It All

If you live in a small apartment, you’re going to have to start thinking vertically. That’s where command hooks really come in handy. Headphones, handbags, hats, and hair ties can all make a cozy home hanging on your wall. Moreover, they require no drilling or nailing to install, which should make your landlord happy.

Corner Clothes Rack

Don’t abuse your blazers by folding them! Hang them on a clothes rack installed diagonally across a corner. All you need to buy is some hardware. This tutorial uses a reclaimed pipe for a neat industrial feel. Instant hanger space!

Clothes rack
Modern Pipe Rack

Need more than just a corner’s worth of hangers? Get twice the space with a practical freestanding clothes rack, also made from pipes you can purchase at your hardware store.

Roll Your Shirts

If your closet is your dresser it's going to get a lot of use. Make the most out of every inch by rolling your T-shirts military-style. You’ll save space and you won’t mess up your drawers digging through layers of clothes. Perfect!

Rolled shirts in drawerVia Bella Savvy
Bed Risers

Under-the-bed storage is where it’s at! It’s a great way to get twice the functionality out of your space. And the easiest way to boost your bed is to use bed risers, which can give you a few more inches to fit a larger storage container. We love these bed lifts which feature a place to plug in and a device charging station to ensure that you get the most out of your outlets.

Bed lifts for under-the-bed-storageVia Bed Bath & Beyond
DIY Platform Bed

If you want to go pro with your under-the-bed storage, then check out this bookcase bed, that uses IKEA Expedit shelves to form the frame, guaranteeing that you’ll have room for everything from shoes to hats to DVDs.

DIY Platform BedVia Vanilla Joy
Bookshelf-Turned-Bench

But that’s not all that bookshelves can do! If you’re pretty attached to your current bed frame, try out this bookshelf bench instead. It uses the exact same concept—an IKEA bookshelf gone rogue—and turns it into a cute and useful bench! With just some foam, fabric, and a staple gun, you can have this baby crafted and sitting in your living room in no time. As a bonus, this one makes a great option if you have lots of files or papers to store.

Bookshelf-Turned-BenchVia Mommy Vignettes
Vertical Linen Basket

No closet for your towels? No problem! This vertical linen basket idea is the perfect marriage of space efficiency and simplicity. Plus, we love the way it adds interest to a bathroom wall.

Vertical Linen Basket Via Pinterest
Build Your Own Pantry

That space between your refrigerator and the wall can do more than just gather dust. Check out this plan for a roll-out pantry that tucks in that overlooked space, giving you an out-of-the-way place to stash your spices.

Roll-out pantryVia Classy Clutter
Open Closet

Having no closet doesn’t have to be a curse. In fact, in today’s age of apartment living, the open closet concept is becoming downright trendy. Check out this post for some ideas of how people have done it. We particularly love the clothing racks made from tree branches!

Open ClosetVia Modernize
With all this space, you’ll never feel afraid to buy some new duds. Time to go shopping!

By John Miller 11 Dec, 2016

When looking for an apartment there are several factors to consider. It’s important to find out the total costs involved, how flexible the landlords are and how secure you’ll be in your home. By making sure you ask the right questions you’ll ensure you find an apartment that perfectly meets your needs.

Costs

1. How much will I pay in up-front costs when I sign the lease?
The first thing to look for when apartment hunting is the total cost of moving in. It’s no good looking into a place that’s out of your budget. It’s important to not just consider the monthly payments but look out for additional costs. If you’re bringing a pet with your family, you will need to pay a security deposit ranging from $200-$400. Also the bond amount will vary depending on the property and management.

2. Are utilities included? If so, which ones?
Depending on the landlord and management you may have some utilities included in the rent. This can work out a lot cheaper for tenants depending on their lifestyle. Utilities being included in the rent is also convenient. Instead of having several bills with fluctuating amounts due you only have to worry about one steady payment.

Flexibility

3. What would it take to break the lease?
Life can be quite unpredictable. It’s worthwhile to be prepared. Ask what costs would incur and what situations would break the tenancy. Make sure the terms of tenancy fit into any potential pitfalls you may see in the future.

4. What are the policies about guests?
Some landlords don’t permit guests to stay with you for longer than two weeks. Other landlords and agencies put limits on how many times you can have guests over in a month. For people with friends and family that live out of town this can be quite the inconvenience, find out the policy for the apartment upfront. Heritage Ridge has fully furnished apartments for rent short term. Ask at the office for a tour.

5. Am I allowed to decorate the apartment without penalty?
This of course is a personal preference however for families are people with an interest in decor it can be important. Some owners are pretty flexible and as long as there aren’t holes drilled into the wall are fine with tenants changing it up. Others may not even let you change the curtains!

Security

6. What happens when there's a maintenance problem in the apartment?
You need to know who is responsible for maintenance before signing the lease. Check to see if the agency or landlord offer emergency maintenance. Unless you are a super handy electrician and plumber and also want to have to come running every time something breaks you’ll want to make sure you have emergency maintenance available.

 

7. How Secure Is the Property?
It’s important you know that the property is up to your standards in term of security before signing the lease. You wouldn’t want to feel unsecure in your own home! If you’re not happy with the current security, ask if a lock or security system could be put in before you move in. You’ll sleep a lot better for it!

A good example of an apartment community that encompasses the above concerns is Heritage Ridge Apartments. They offer emergency maintenance, a swimming pool and playground, and pets. Where ever you live or are looking for apartments though, remember when looking for your dream home always ask questions and read the fine print before signing your lease.


By John Miller 11 Dec, 2016

You love everything about your new apartment. It’s affordable, it’s near your favorite coffee shop, and the neighbors are quiet. What more could you ask for? Well, some closets would be nice!

We have put together a set of smart decorating ideas that should give you plenty of space to store your stuff and will also get you exercising your interior designing muscles. Plus, they’ll be right at home with your existing design aesthetic.

Hang It All

If you live in a small apartment, you’re going to have to start thinking vertically. That’s where command hooks really come in handy. Headphones, handbags, hats, and hair ties can all make a cozy home hanging on your wall. Moreover, they require no drilling or nailing to install, which should make your landlord happy.

Corner Clothes Rack

Don’t abuse your blazers by folding them! Hang them on a clothes rack installed diagonally across a corner. All you need to buy is some hardware. This tutorial uses a reclaimed pipe for a neat industrial feel. Instant hanger space!

Clothes rack
Modern Pipe Rack

Need more than just a corner’s worth of hangers? Get twice the space with a practical freestanding clothes rack, also made from pipes you can purchase at your hardware store.

Roll Your Shirts

If your closet is your dresser it's going to get a lot of use. Make the most out of every inch by rolling your T-shirts military-style. You’ll save space and you won’t mess up your drawers digging through layers of clothes. Perfect!

Rolled shirts in drawerVia Bella Savvy
Bed Risers

Under-the-bed storage is where it’s at! It’s a great way to get twice the functionality out of your space. And the easiest way to boost your bed is to use bed risers, which can give you a few more inches to fit a larger storage container. We love these bed lifts which feature a place to plug in and a device charging station to ensure that you get the most out of your outlets.

Bed lifts for under-the-bed-storageVia Bed Bath & Beyond
DIY Platform Bed

If you want to go pro with your under-the-bed storage, then check out this bookcase bed, that uses IKEA Expedit shelves to form the frame, guaranteeing that you’ll have room for everything from shoes to hats to DVDs.

DIY Platform BedVia Vanilla Joy
Bookshelf-Turned-Bench

But that’s not all that bookshelves can do! If you’re pretty attached to your current bed frame, try out this bookshelf bench instead. It uses the exact same concept—an IKEA bookshelf gone rogue—and turns it into a cute and useful bench! With just some foam, fabric, and a staple gun, you can have this baby crafted and sitting in your living room in no time. As a bonus, this one makes a great option if you have lots of files or papers to store.

Bookshelf-Turned-BenchVia Mommy Vignettes
Vertical Linen Basket

No closet for your towels? No problem! This vertical linen basket idea is the perfect marriage of space efficiency and simplicity. Plus, we love the way it adds interest to a bathroom wall.

Vertical Linen Basket Via Pinterest
Build Your Own Pantry

That space between your refrigerator and the wall can do more than just gather dust. Check out this plan for a roll-out pantry that tucks in that overlooked space, giving you an out-of-the-way place to stash your spices.

Roll-out pantryVia Classy Clutter
Open Closet

Having no closet doesn’t have to be a curse. In fact, in today’s age of apartment living, the open closet concept is becoming downright trendy. Check out this post for some ideas of how people have done it. We particularly love the clothing racks made from tree branches!

Open ClosetVia Modernize
With all this space, you’ll never feel afraid to buy some new duds. Time to go shopping!

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