Apartments For Rent Blog

Are you ready to start ridding yourself and your apartment of the clutter in your life? Whether it’s been a month since you’ve organized your apartment or more than a year – your apartment could probably use a face-lift, in the form of a little re-arranging. In the following guide, we’ll give you the best tips for how to declutter your rental apartment.

Getting started is usually, the hardest part to any cleaning project. That’s why – if you’re brave – you can start with the messiest room in your apartment, first. If you’re a bit shy about throwing things out – it might be a good idea to start with a smaller space, such as a closet. Whichever option you decide to do first – make sure you’re prepared, before you begin – you need to have the right equipment to be ruthless.

The tools you might need: empty boxes, garbage bags, a dust rag and magic markers. Each box that you have needs a label: “toss”, “keep” or “donate” or whatever you like.

The first step in clearing out the clutter in your apartment is to remove things that don’t belong in a certain space. Place anything you want to keep in the “keep” box, and decide where you’ll put it later.

The fate of the remaining clutter can be determined by asking the following questions: Have I used this in the past year? Do I love this? Do I have more than one of this? Do I have sentimental reasons for keeping this? If you’ve held on to this for sentimental reasons – Does it bring up pleasant emotions or negative emotions like, guilt or sadness? You’ll need to eliminate everything in your apartment that doesn’t make you feel good in some way or whatever you don’t need. You can give things to others who could find use for something OR if no one else can use it – throw it out!

When your “toss” box is full – take it outside to the garbage bin and bring in another “toss” box. You can use the same process for your “donate” box, carefully sealing each box and toting it out to your car, as you work. Your focus should be on getting the stuff you don’t want anymore — out of your apartment. When your “keep” box gets full, carry it around the apartment with you – placing each item in the appropriate place in the proper room or better yet, the most ideal storage space. Take breaks, using a timer to keep up your endurance and motivation, and remember – you have to stay at it, if you want to finish the job. If you have to spread it out over several days, in order to get it done, it’s ok – Rome wasn’t built in a day and your apartment won’t be clutter free in 24 hours, either!

When you are done following this simple guide – you’ll feel an incredible sense of relief, have a beautiful, clutter-free space, and you’ll feel like your life is more in your control and you can get back to living the life you want to live.

Electric bills are a major concern for those who rent, especially those who are trying to save money. If you’re trying to save money on the electric bill in your apartment – we’ve got some tips on how to cut back on your electric – so that you’ll have more money to decorate your apartment or to have more money for your personal expenses.

Reducing Electric Bills: Tips for Tenants

One of the first and possibly, one of the most important tips for cutting back on your energy bill is to replace older, energy-consuming appliances with energy-efficient/eco-friendly appliances. The list of changes can include everything from changing your light bulbs (to a lower wattage or to energy-efficient bulbs) to buying a new TV that has been “Energy-Star Approved”. Lighting comprises approximately 20 percent of our utility bills, so remember to get low-energy bulbs, if you want to really save money on your electricity costs.

Tenants can also make an effort to unplug or turn off any appliances that are not in use – remember to unplug your toaster, coffee maker, curling iron, blow dryer, etc. and remember to shut off the TV, computer or radio when not in use to save as much money, as possible. For instance, if you and your partner are watching TV in the bedroom – any lighting in other rooms can be turned off, to save money on your bill.

In addition, to making these small changes – you can also save money by keeping the windows and doors in your apartment, properly sealed. A cheap way to keep drafts to a minimum and your electric bill down is to tuck or roll a blanket or rug at the bottom of doors that are drafty. Even the smallest changes can make a big difference on your monthly utility bill, plus these options are an excellent way to save energy, too.

Electric Deregulation is another option that help tenants save money on their electricity bills. However, this option is only available in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Texas. You can learn more by visiting the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s website to find out more information regarding electric deregulation in your state.

Apartment tenants can keep the electric bills down by lowering the thermostat. The temperatures don’t have to be higher than 68 when you’re not at home, plus, you can keep the thermostat at a lower temperature if you are home. Keep the temperatures in your apartment down at night and stay warm by adding extra blankets to the bed. Another great tip for saving on your electric bill is to turn down the refrigerator/freezer thermostat.

Air that is humid feels warmer than air that is dry, therefore, by adding moisture to the air – you’ll be able to lower your thermostat, by at least one or two degrees and still feel warm enough. You can do this by placing several bowls of water in front of your heat registers, so you can keep humidity in your apartment in the winter. In addition, this trick will help to lower static electricity that is common during winters.

Using passive solar heat can be an easy way to heat your apartment (in the winter) for cheap. Tenants can open curtains and raise the shades with the doors of their apartment closed to trap heat inside the rooms of their home.

So often, renters are intimidated into leases that are unfavorable just because they didn’t do sufficient research, didn’t bargain for a better deal or have a solid understanding of the local tenant rights. The good news – it doesn’t have to be like this.
When prospective tenants are equipped with what they need to know about negotiating a rental agreement – the rental experience can be much better and save lots on the monthly rent, too.

Follow our guide for how to avoid paying too much for rent.

Market Research – Before you even meet with a landlord or discuss the rental agreement – you’ll need to do considerable research about the local market.

*Get statistics regarding the amount of vacant homes and apartments that are currently in the area. If the numbers are high – this can be used to bargain with your landlord later on in the process.

*Find out how much other neighbors in the community are paying to rent a house or apartment that is similar in size to the option you’ll be looking at.

*Check out the specific details about places where you’re considering – Ask questions like, “Does the apartment/house have any structural problems?”, “Are there infestations, old plumbing (or plumbing problems) or moisture issues?”

*Get to know the superintendent of an apartment complex, you’re considering. This can be a valuable resource of good information about the complex – just don’t forget to give them a tip because otherwise, you could wind up with a superintendent that carries a grudge against you throughout the length of your tenancy.

*Find out if the place is in close proximity to certain necessities – public transportation (train, bus, subway), laundromat, shopping centers, gas stations, etc.

Know your Renter’s Rights – Nothing hurts your chances more for getting a good deal on your next apartment than not knowing your rights as a tenant. Visit website of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a list of tenant rights according to the state where you live. When you are handed the contract, look it over carefully – if anything seems like it may be in violation of your rights – DON’T sign anything until any problems or issues have been taken care of, completely. Here are some other tips to help you navigate through the contract process:

*If you have your own attorney – find out if they will examine the rental agreement for you and give you their opinion on the contract.
*If you know anyone who has a higher level of experience than you do in ‘renting’ – ask about their opinion on the disadvantages and the advantages of the contract.

Negotiate – Now, is when you can put your research and knowledge into action. Here are a few tips for negotiating for a prospective apartment:

*Maintain a good attitude throughout the negotiation process, but remember to keep your guard up throughout negotiations.

*Express interest in the house or apartment and discuss how pleased you are with the lease…except for the specifics you’ve noted in the contract.

*Be reasonable. It’s probably not a good idea to try to get anything higher than a five percent price reduction.

*Understand that you may have to make sacrifices to get what you want, but if you have to give up certain amenities that aren’t necessarily essential in order to get a better price – that is a compromise that might be too good to pass up.

*Consider bargaining for alternative options that will still save money. For instance, if you can’t get the property owner to agree to a drop in rent – he or she may be willing to include the utility bill in the price.

*Use your weapons (or the research that you obtained earlier) to negotiate a cheaper price. If there are defects with the housing, cheaper average rent in the neighborhood or low interest in the place due to high vacancies in the neighborhood – let him or her know that you know what you’re talking about.

*If you’re not getting anywhere, you’ll need to be willing to walk away from negotiations, favoring a different lease with a landlord who is more flexible. This could cause the landlord to be more flexible or you could have to come to grips with the fact that you may have to pursue other options.

City life has a way of making you feel youthful, energetic and alive – especially for those who thrive in a bustling (or quieter) metropolitan area. Many people who enjoy city life, prefer a higher level of stimulation, more interaction with others and unlimited access to a variety of different cultural experiences. In the following information, we’ll discuss the advantages of renting in the city.

All Access Pass– In a phrase, life in the city means easier access. This includes easy access to grocery stores, shopping malls, pharmacies and more. Those who rent in the city also have full access to a variety of different restaurants (virtually anything you could want), and entertainment venues (bars, clubs, theaters, museums, concert halls and more).  City dwellers also live closer to essential resources including, hospitals, schools, public transportation, local libraries, etc. Having easy access to public transportation enables those who live in the city to cut back on driving their car or even give them a chance to sell their cars (a major expense for most) by relying, solely on public transportation . In most cities, it’s easier to get technological access, as well, including, cable, internet, and phone services. Those who work in the city also have easier access to their jobs, as opposed to those living in suburban or country areas.

More Opportunities – City life brings along with it – a lot more opportunities than one would get by renting in the country. There are more people, which means more dating opportunities. If you like to meet new people, you will be right at home in the city where you will have plenty of opportunities come across people from a variety of diverse cultures and backgrounds. There are also a lot more opportunities for jobs, as well as, a wide variety of different types of jobs to choose from, which makes finding employment much easier than trying to find work in the country.

Freedom to be YOU – If you walk to the beat of a different drum or just appreciate your own unique-ness – you may find that city life has a lot to offer you. The city (and those who live in it) are a lot more tolerable and accepting of people from all different walks of life. Living in the city – you can wear what you want, speak how you want and act how you want without having to worry about being ostracized or made fun of, for acting differently. There are so many people living in the city from many different backgrounds, and in most metropolitan areas – residents welcome differences in those around them.

Living in the city offers these (and many other) advantages to those who call it home. Regardless of which city you live in – you’re bound to find a location that will meet your needs, provide you with new and exciting opportunities and allow you the freedom to be who you are. If you trying to decide where your next apartment will be – consider moving to the city to see how city life can benefit you.

If you have recently moved into a new place – you may feel like a blank slate when it comes to decorating and making your apartment your own. We have listed some of the most-coveted tips and ideas for decorating your new apartment.

Don’t be Afraid to be Bold – Literally

Always ask the landlord, what you are allowed to do with the space – the answer might pleasantly surprise you. Many property owners are fine with the apartment-dwellers changing the light fixtures, adding new window treatments, painting the walls or hanging wall decorations – with the condition that you return the space to its original state whenever you decide to move. Just painting one or two rooms or adding colors that you like, throughout the entire apartment can have an incredible impact on the way you feel about your space. You can paint the walls in your bedroom a relaxing color like, a neutral sage or light chocolate brown. Or you can opt for a Mediterranean-style kitchen (hot trend for 2011) painted in your choice of yellow-golds of India, calm oranges, bright reds or Capri blues.

Light up your Life (and your Apartment)

Lighting is one of the cheapest ways to instantly improve the overall appearance and atmosphere of your newly rented space. If you’re not sure what to do first – you can change overhead lighting fixtures that put everything in a bad light (by casting stark or harsh lighting on the room and everything in it). In the place of these unsightly fixtures – you can replace it with a lighting option that expresses the unique style you want your home to have. Whether you want bright lighting that allows for easy viewing or subtle lighting for a comfortable feel – there’s always something that will transform your entire apartment for cheap. For instance, dimmer lights can be an inexpensive addition to any apartment – they’re ideal for enabling ambiance control. Another great idea for apartment lighting is to place canister lamps on the floor to spread the light up on the walls.

Mix it up – Break up the Monotony

If your apartment is a basic rectangle, you can cure it’s “dull disease” by adding larger, but functional items such as, a large plant, a bookcase, a curio cabinet, or large artwork to divide the room into a simple, but eye-catching design. Another way to divide the space in your apartment is by utilizing curves, which can take the “edge off” of a plain, boxy room (for example – you can use round tables, chairs and furnishings).

Some apartments are plain and boring when you first see them, but don’t let them stay that way – make it your own by adding touches like, rugs, artwork, accessories, fabrics, pillows, drapes, or mirrors. Each of these suggestions can complement your apartment in an updated and trendy way. Bare walls can be revived, floors can be livened up and lighting can illuminate your home and your life.