With tuition, books, food and monthly rent and utilities, students have a lot of expenses. And a full course load — or even just one or two classes — means there’s little time to spend working at a job. To make things easier, furniture rental company CORT just announced that they’ll be offering a student discount. For short-term apartment leases or for students moving into their first apartment, renting furniture can be a smart choice.

Buying used furniture is time-consuming and requires a lot of heavy moving and searching, and buying new furniture is a huge expense that many students just can’t afford. With rental furniture, the moving is done for you. Payments are made monthly, and the furniture is in showroom condition. For just a few dollars a day, your student apartment will be comfortable and beautifully furnished.

Student Discount Furniture Packages

CORT’s Student Discount Furniture Packages start at $99. Have a roommate? Add a second bedroom for $55. There are custom plans available, and you can even rent a flat-screen television and DVD player.

Here’s what’s included in each package:

• Living room: coffee table, end table, lamp, sofa with chair or loveseat
• Dining room: table and four chairs
• Bedroom: twin or queen bed with mattress, box spring, frame, headboard, dresser/mirror or chest, nightstand and lamp
• For an additional $45 per month, you can add a desk, bookshelf and chair.

Looking for a new place to call home? ApartmentSearch.com is the best place to find an apartment for rent. Whether you’re searching for Dallas apartments, Seattle apartments or Chicago apartments, our free search makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. Don’t forget: Once you find an apartment with out site, claim your reward (up to $200!).

Has Your Apartment Been Broken Into?

Someone broke into your apartment. Now what?

An apartment break-in is something that we hope never happens to you, but if it ever does, here’s what to do about it…!

Simple Steps to Recovering from a Break-In

1. If you suspect that the burglar might still be in your apartment after a break-in, call 911 immediately. Don’t go room to room looking for the thief, no matter how prepared you think you may be.
2. If it’s clear that the thief is gone, call your local police’s non-emergency number and report the break-in. Don’t clean or tidy until the police arrive. If you have pets, make sure they are safe.
3. If you notice anything in your apartment that might help the police, make sure to tell them about it when they arrive. Helpful break-in information would be possible entry and exit methods, anything the thieves might have left fingerprints on and anything they might have left behind.
4. Stay calm. Panicking will only make your break-in recovery harder and more exhausting. Think of it like any other apartment disaster, like a fire or a flood.
5. Immediately contact your neighbors to find out if they observed anything untoward when the thieves broke in to the apartment. If they did, make sure the officer handling your case knows about it.
6. Report the break-in to your apartment manager and discuss a strategy about better apartment security. Talk to your neighbors about improving apartment security and break-in awareness.
7. If you want to make a claim, call your renters insurance agent about the break-in. They will probably ask you for detailed information about what was taken.
8. “Break-in proof” your apartment so that the thieves can’t come back. Hide your valuables and make it hard for anyone but you to gain access to your apartment.

Of course, we recommend that you do everything you can to rent a safe apartment as well. Be safe and be well!

If you’re looking for a new place to live, we invite you to try our free search tools to find an apartment for rent. We have listings for gorgeous Austin apartments, Minneapolis apartments, Chicago apartments, and more! And if you find a new apartment using our tools, you can earn up to $200 in apartment rewards.

Organizing your apartment bedroom can help you feel more comfortable at home. After all, it’s the place you go to get rest. And if you have roommates, your bedroom probably serves quite a few more functions — it might also be your home office, or even your dining room. Though it’s tempting to stuff things under the bed or in the closet just to get them out of the way, taking time to tidy up is so worth it. Read on for a few ways to help get you started with organizing your apartment bedroom.

Arrange and Rearrange

Figure out the best place for your furniture. This can be tricky if your bedroom needs to house your desk, dresser and bed, but don’t be afraid to rearrange your furniture until it feels right. Experiment with angling pieces of furniture, too. Ask a friend or roommate for help — besides assisting with any heavy-lifting, they might have great ideas for furniture placement.

Find a Place for Everything

Yep, even that random, lonely sock needs a place to go. Take inventory of what you have, and figure out logical storage places. If necessary, think about buying items that’ll make this easier. For example, underbed storage boxes are inexpensive and can be perfect for keeping your bedding, towels and even extra clothing. Also, a hanging shoe organizer (available for less than $20 at most home stores) put up in your closet doesn’t have to only hold shoes — you can put accessories or folded clothes on each little shelf, or use it to hold light boxes of supplies. Best of all, you can take it with you to your next apartment. Once you’ve found a place for everything, it’ll be so much easier to stay organized.

Don’t Neglect Your Closet

Big or small, a closet is a huge help when it comes to organizing and keeping your bedroom tidy. Hang up clothes after you finish the laundry, and place a hamper in the closet to keep all of your soiled clothes in one place.

As always, we invite you to use our free apartment search tools if you’re looking for a new place to live. Don’t forget: If you find a new apartment with us, you can earn up to $200 in apartment rewards!

Downtown Is A Safe Apartment Bet

Though downtown apartments cost more, being just steps away from nightlife, restaurants, museums and work makes that extra cost totally worth it for many renters. Plus, there’s the “cool factor” — a lot of downtown apartment buildings are high rises, which means you may have a bird’s eye view of the city.

Still, if you’ve always been a suburban apartment dweller, moving to the heart of the city might be new territory for you. What’s involved?

Downtown Means Commuting Relief

Usually a downtown apartment brings some rush hour relief. Almost all cities have good public transportation from the city center. Your new downtown apartment might mean liberation from the wheel. Let someone else do the driving! And if your city has a subway or train system, even better – that means rush hour might be a thing of the past for you. Many trains, subways, and even commuter buses come with wifi these days, too, making your commute almost as comfortable as a latte at your favorite coffee shop. Your new apartment might even allow you to go urban and sell your car, saving you hundreds of dollars on maintenance, gas, insurance and payments. How’s that for a downtown apartment benefit?

If your workplace is off the beaten path, don’t give up hope. Many employers will consider vanpools and shuttles for commuters. A city-run carpool or vanpool can also pick up the slack. Look into carshare services too – some cities have one-way shared cars that you can pick up and drop off anywhere within certain zones. And of course, there’s always biking and walking if you like your workday with a little exercise.

On the same topic, downtown apartments might mean some parking hassles if your unit doesn’t come with a parking space. Since everything’s close when you’re downtown, try to accustom yourself to walking for groceries and late-night snacks. You can always drive to a grocery store with a parking lot if you’re feeling low on energy. And if your downtown apartment does come with a parking spot, rejoice – you’ve got rock star parking for downtown events like Halloween, July 4th and New Year’s Eve!

Downtown Means Social and Cultural Excitement

A downtown apartment brings you more than a pretty view. Now that you’re dead center, chances are you can walk to all the popular museums, plays, comedy clubs and nightspots. Is your group getting tired and ear-sore after a night on the town? Just invite them up to your downtown apartment for a quiet moment to admire the sights!

Questions to Ask Before You Rent a Downtown Apartment

• In an average week, where are you usually going? If you work way north, have few commute options and only do downtown activities once or twice a week, your new downtown apartment might be more trouble than it’s worth.
• Do you have a lot of furniture or other bulky items? Downtown apartments are generally low on storage space.
• If you’re a pet owner, make sure Fido or Tiddles can be happy in your new downtown apartment. Some apartment complexes have pet amenities like dog parks and groomers.
• Don’t overextend yourself. Just because you can afford a downtown apartment doesn’t mean it’s fiscally sound. Your apartment rent shouldn’t prevent you from saving.
• If you have any noisy or open-air hobbies like a rock band or motorcycle repair, make sure you can fit them into your new downtown lifestyle.
• Are you a light sleeper? Try to get a high-level apartment to be isolated from street noise.

Find a Downtown Apartment

Use our free apartment search tools to find a downtown apartment. Whether you’re looking for Dallas apartments or Chicago apartments, you can search by popular city to find just what you’re looking for. You can even earn up to $200 in apartment rewards if you find your new apartment with us!

Doing the dishes, vacuuming, dusting, laundry — a lot of work goes into keeping your apartment clean. But one simple task that’s easily overlooked is changing your apartment’s air filter, something that needs to be done every 1 to 3 months depending on the type of filter you have. Not only can it improve the air quality inside your home — it catches dirt, dust and pet dander — it can help your air conditioner run more efficiently.

Since regularly changing the air filter can help keep an air conditioner running smoothly, some apartment complexes may handle doing this for you. For most renters, though, this is something you’ll need to remember to do on your own. Set a reminder on your calender, or pick an easy day to remember like the first day of the month, so you’ll always know when it’s time to change your apartment air filter.

Know the Size of Your Air Filter

Before you go out and buy a new filter, write down the size you need — there are quite a few sizes to choose from, so you’ll more than likely wind up guessing wrong if you try. If you don’t see the size clearly written on the air filter that’s currently in there, call up your apartment manager and ask.

Buying an Air Filter

Air filters range in cost from a few dollars to as much as $30. The cost depends on the quality and lifespan of the filter, so consider doing some research beforehand. A good air filter may make an apartment more comfortable for allergy sufferers.

Replacing the Air Filter

No need to be intimidated by that big ol’ A/C unit. Replacing its air filter is easy — you typically just have to pop it into place or slide it into place. If you’re not sure of where the filter goes or how to put it in, contact your apartment manager to ask.

Find an Apartment

If you’re looking for apartments, let our free apartment search tools help you find just what you’re looking for.

Home sweet home in an apartment? Of course! Renters don’t have to feel like just because someone else owns the place, they can’t make it their own. Your apartment is where you sleep, relax, entertain and maybe even work, so it should be cozy. Here are a few simple ways to help make your apartment feel like home.

Unpack!

It sounds obvious, but make sure you unpack everything when you move into your new apartment. Boxes stacked in each room are a reminder that the apartment is only temporary, and that won’t help you feel at home. Find a place for your belongings so you’ll know where everything is and will have an easier time keeping  your apartment clean.

Hang Artwork

“But I’m just going to have to take it down when I move out,” you might say. And then there’s the matter of having to patch up the holes left by nails… But hanging artwork gives your apartment personality and will no doubt be a huge improvement to those bare, white walls.

Put Up Curtains

Pick out curtains in a color or print that you love. Besides adding privacy, curtains can transform a room by giving it a finished look.

Improve Lighting

Chances are that your apartment came with some not-so-flattering lighting. A fluorescent overhead light in the kitchen, too-bright and outdated track lighting in the living room — these kinds of lights can make an apartment feel sterile. Add some table and floor lamps, or, if your apartment manager allows it, add dimmer switches to existing lights so you can easily adjust them for different situations like watching TV or reading a book.

Paint Walls

You’ll certainly want to check with your landlord about this one before you whip out a can of paint and rollers, but painting your apartment is another way to personalize your space and make it feel like your own. Just remember: Even if you are allowed to paint, you’ll more than likely need to paint it back before you move out. If you aren’t allowed to paint but still want to add color to your walls, consider buying a large canvas to paint or cover with fabric.

Find a Great Apartment

We couldn’t help but add this one. When you find an apartment you love, it’s incredibly easy to make it feel like home. Use our free apartment search tools to find just what you’re looking for.

Flooded Apartments and Cold Weather Go Hand in Hand

When the mercury bottoms out, a lot of apartment tenants find themselves unexpectedly dealing with flooded apartments because of burst pipes. Sadly, though, flooding can happen anytime from causes as diverse as clumsy plumbers, old pipes, hurricanes, leaky roofs, broken sink disposals, faulty washing machines, horseplay, or the ever-unpleasant blocked toilet. Flooded floors lead to rot, structural damage, insect infestations, safety hazards, damaged carpets, destroyed possessions, and possibly dangerous mold growth. What do you do when your apartment is flooded?

Stop the Cause of the Flooding

Your first action should be to stem the flow of the incoming water. If it’s a toilet or faucet, look for a valve at the floor or wall near the offending fixture. Otherwise, you may have to stop the flooding at the main valve that controls water flow to your apartment. If you don’t know where the master water valve is, ask your apartment manager or a neighbor.

Flood the Problem with Help

Get on the horn and call for flood assistance – from apartment maintenance, roommates, and friends. Get electrical devices and valuable items out of flooding danger. Management can be helpful with skilled personnel, flood remediation services, fans, and wet vacs. If you have renters insurance, now would be a good time to contact their claims department to see if they can help with replacing your damaged possessions.

Dry everything out and document the problem with photos and notes. Make sure you have records that show that you told management about the extent of the problem in a timely manner. Use fans to get the moisture and smell out of your flooded apartment. If the weather permits, sun your damp furniture until it dries. If you can, run a dehumidifier in the wet areas with the windows and doors closed.

Reconstruct the Cause of Your Flooded Apartment

It should be pretty obvious what caused the flooding. If you can’t tell, apartment management or maintenance should be able to tell you when they address the problem. In any case, if the flooding wasn’t your fault, your apartment management may choose to help you pick up the pieces. If the problem looks like a rain or drainage problem that might happen again, consider asking for a different apartment in your complex, or find an apartment that won’t plague you with flooding again.

Having your apartment flooded is no picnic, but if you act fast and are prepared for the possibility, you’ll keep the disturbance to a minimum. Stay dry!

Find Apartments

ApartmentSearch.com is the best place to find good apartments with reputable management services. Our free apartment search tools make it easy to find just what you’re looking for, and our Moving Checklist can help you organize your move.

With the Rocky Mountains to the west, Denver, Colorado boasts an idyllic setting — and it’s literally one mile above sea level, which explains where the nickname “The Mile-High City” came from. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Denver offers a seemingly endless list of things to do, like running, camping, kayaking, skiing and snowboarding in nearby cities, and enjoying over 200 parks. Local breweries, live music, nationally recognized museums and several universities also make Denver an appealing place to live. If you’re moving to Denver, apartments are easy to find.

Denver Neighborhoods

From downtown to Aurora, there’s a Denver neighborhood for everybody. There are actually 79 neighborhoods in all, and each offers something different. If you’re looking for an urban setting that will put you close to hip restaurants, pubs and theaters, don’t miss downtown and LoDo (Lower Downtown). Apartments in downtown Denver include high-rise luxury apartments, lofts and condos. Rents downtown are more expensive than what you’ll find in suburban neighborhoods in Aurora, Littleton, Cherry Ridge and Englewood. For families, these suburban neighborhoods might be ideal.

To help decide on a neighborhood, think about where you’ll be working or going to school, and what you like to do for fun. If you have a family, consider the importance of being close to schools or living in family-oriented communities. Know what your budget allows so that you can also narrow down apartments by price.

Living in Denver

Though Denver typically gets snow mid-October through April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reports that the city gets about 250 days of sunshine per year. Residents say the weather is known to change quickly, but it’s fairly nice year round. Being so close to the mountains means there’s an easy opportunity to take day or weekend trips to hike, ski, snowboard and generally enjoy the outdoors.

Those new to Denver will be busy — there’s a lot to see and do. Thanks to having the second-largest performing arts center in America, Denver has a great theater scene. Museums like the Denver Art Museum are also a big draw. And beer fans will love checking out all the breweries and the Great American Beer Festival.

Find Denver Apartments

ApartmentSearch.com is the best place to find Denver apartments. Our free apartment search tools make it easy to find just what you’re looking for, and our Moving Checklist can help you organize your move.

In a studio apartment, the bathroom is typically the only area that’s clearly sectioned off — the kitchen, living room and bedroom are all one room. The low rent and simplicity of this kind of home make it appealing to many renters, but it goes without saying that the floor plan can be challenging to work with. Not to worry, though: If you’re moving into a studio apartment, here are some tips to help you set up the space in such a way that will make it feel organized and comfortable.

Prepare for Your Move

If you haven’t moved yet, take time now to prepare. Make a list of all the things you have, like end tables, accent chairs, bookshelves, a sofa, desk, bed and dining room table. Next, get the floor plan. Ask your apartment manager for a copy of the floor plan. If they don’t have one, draw it as best as you can. Look at the items on your list and start thinking about how they’ll fit. If you’re moving from a house or large apartment and you think you’ll have way too much stuff for the new place, consider downsizing before moving day or putting some items in storage. Doing this can save time and money and reduce stress. Don’t forget to take a look at our Moving Checklist, too.

Creating “Rooms”

One of the coolest things about a studio apartment is that you can create your own “rooms” within the space without building walls or doing any kind of construction. You’re essentially deciding the floor plan, and that’s definitely not possible with a regular apartment… unless your landlord is okay with you knocking down walls (probably not). So how exactly do you create rooms in a studio apartment, then? Easy: Use furniture and curtains as room dividers.

Bookshelves come in especially handy as room dividers. For example, if you want to section off the sleeping area from the living room area, you could put a bookshelf and sofa back-to-back, with a coffee table and TV stand in front of the sofa and your bed in front of the bookshelf. If it’s a tall bookshelf, though, just make sure it’s secure so it doesn’t wind up falling over. Using a bookshelf that doesn’t have any backing will allow light to go through and will feel more open. But if you’d like more privacy, hang a curtain — they don’t have to only be for your windows.

Arrange and adjust your furniture until you have something you’re happy with. Area rugs can also help the sleeping area, kitchen and living room feel like their own space. It may take several tries to get things just right, but you’ll have a comfortable, organized studio apartment in no time.

Finding a Studio Apartment

If you’re intrigued and want to rent a studio apartment for your next home, we have free apartment search tools to help you out.

Many people like to use the new year as a clean slate to set goals and start fresh. Resolutions include everything from eating healthier to learning something, like how to play the guitar. For some, the new year means it’s time to find a new apartment. Whether you’re moving due to a job relocation or just because your current lease is up and you’d love a change of scenery, getting a new apartment can be a great way to kick off a new year.

Know What You Want in a New Apartment

Made the decision to move? Now comes the fun part: actually finding a new apartment. To make sure you wind up signing the lease to a place you’ll love to call home, know what you want. Make a list of things you like and don’t like about your current apartment. Include amenities it’s lacking that you feel you’re missing out on, like a gym, swimming pool or even a washer and dryer. Knowing what you want in your new apartment will help you make the best decision.

Signing the Lease

Thanks to our free apartment search tools, you probably had no trouble compiling a list of potential places. But before signing the lease on the one, make sure to ask the manager how long is the lease is, when rent will be due, how much the deposit is and how much of it is refundable and what utilities are included in the rent. For more important questions to ask, take a look at our post on apartment lease questions. Should a problem arise, you’ll be glad you weren’t shy about asking questions.

Plan Ahead

Though the new year offers a fresh start, that doesn’t mean it’s stress free. Weeks leading up to it, thanks to the holidays, can pack your schedule full of parties, gift exchanges, shopping trips and family get-togethers, leaving you with little free time. If you want to be in your new apartment by the new year, stay organized by making a calendar and setting deadlines for completing tasks like scheduling movers, cleaning out your old apartment and setting up utilities in your new apartment.

Enjoying Your New Apartment

Once you’ve moved into your new apartment, take some time to relax and enjoy it — explore your new neighborhood, introduce yourself to neighbors and think about having an apartment warming party. And for tips on decor, don’t miss our series on decorating your apartment.