Here are a few tips to change up your colors and bring a little of your own voice to your home.

1) Change the wall colors.  This can be something like painting the walls.  But make sure you ask first many landlords will not allow you to paint.  An alternative option though is to find colorful things to hang on the wall.  Maybe you already have art or pictures that can be hung with little damage to the wall.  Or find a patterned sheet or shower curtain and hang it behind your couch or as a headboard for your bed.  This can add great color and design on a small budget.

2) Rugs.  Most apartments are efficient in their carpet choice rather than stylish. Replacing the carpet is not reasonable but putting down rugs in high-traffic or visible areas can also contribute to the character of your home.

3) Lighting.  A dimly-lit room can look dreary no matter how bright the colors are.  Open shades to get natural light and don’t be afraid to change light bulbs to get your apartment comfortably lit.  Additionally a few strategically placed lamps can add color as well as light to help brighten the place up and make it more inviting.

It doesn’t take much to make a sterile white apartment a cozy inviting home and it doesn’t have to be any major project like painting.  Strategically placed items can bring color and function to an otherwise drab place.  Take the time to settle in and you will enjoy your new home even more.

Are there any things you like to do to change up your apartment to make it feel more “homey?”  Let us know in the comments below.

Moving into your first apartment can be scary.

• Determine your cash on hand (S1a):

• Determine your monthly income (S1b): 

• Determine all those ONE-TIME expenses ( S2) – which may include:

• Rental Deposits:  may include pet deposits!
• Insurance: Renters Insurance Rates can be as low as $10-$15 dollars a month.

• Utility hook-ups (water, sewer, heat, electric, cable & internet)
• Moving expenses (truck/trailer rentals, boxes, tape, packing foam, etc)
• Furniture for new place
• Students considerations: Tuition, books, organization fees, etc

• Determine your MONTHLY expenses ( S3):
• It is important to separate the items that you “need” from the items you “want”. Example:  I “want” a cell phone but do you “need” a cell phone?  I “want” a car but do you “need” a car (are there alternative transportation methods available?). Things like cell phones and cars require significant cash flow injections on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.  
• Below are some items that we put in the mandatory expenses:

• Rent:  Know your specific costs.  Should be no more than 20% to 30% of your budgeted MONTHLY INCOME!!
• Food:  Figure out what you will need to sustain a healthy lifestyle.   Don’t forget to feed the pet!!
• Utilities:  Water, sewer, heat, electric, garbage, phone – what are YOU responsible for.
• Transportation:  How do you plan to get around?  Gas money, insurance, bus fares, bicycle maintenance, etc
• Clothing:  Keep in mind the changing weather patterns in your area.  What does your job require?  Estimate monthly laundry expenses
• Insurance:  Home/renters, auto, life and health all need to be considered here.

• Determine all the other lifestyle MONTHLY expenses ( S4):
• Here are some items that could fit more into the “want” vs “need” expense categories:

• Cell Phone: Smart phones (iPhones, blackberrys, Droids, etc) require a data package on top of the monthly service and can run you around $75+, whereas TracFones are affordable pre-paid options (keeping you connected on a budget).
• Television:  Depending on the cable package – a minimum cost of $50+.  
• Internet: Ask if your provider has any bundles (TV/Internet/Phone).  This could save you some money.
• Entertainment:  Dining out, movies, Red Box, concerts, video games, Starbucks, vacations and even sporting events are an important part of living but can really add up quickly if not budgeted for.  

• So now you have figured out how much is coming in and going out.  Hopefully the remaining total is a positive number (and the further away from zero, the better).

• Take amount from S1a (your cash on hand at the beginning)
• Subtract your total from S2 (your MANDATORY ONE-TIME expenses)
• Total is your T1 (total remaining cash on hand).

• Take amount from S1b (monthly income)
• Subtract your total from S3 (your MANDATORY MONTLY expenses)
• Total is your T2 (total remaining cash each month after mandatory expenses).

• Take your total from T2
• Subtract your total of S4 (your monthly lifestyle expenses)
• Total is your T3 (total remaining monthly cash after all expenses have been removed).

Your best bet… the local apartment association.  All over the country are apartment associations that are there to help you succeed in the rental industry.

Here are the 5 main advantages to being a part of the association

1. Information: Apartment Associations work with local, state, and national governments as well as other associations and the National Apartment Association so they have all the information about regulation and the industry.  They will also have the updated information or contact information for Fair Housing and HUD, agencies that will become important to you as you purchase more properties. They may even offer forms and rental agreements that have already been approved by lawyers so you don’t have to pay the extra fees.
2. Advocacy: Apartment Associations work with the local and state governments to ensure the health of the rental industry.  They may even propose or defend legislation that goes before a body to be sure the property owner side is heard and understood.  Many associations have a good relationship with the city that allows them to stave off new code or adjust regulations in your favor.  Being a part of the larger industry gives them a stronger voice and helps you in the long run.
3. Education: Apartment Associations run meetings and classes that help you stay on top of the newest information and technology out there.  They may bring in people from the local area or national speakers to help keep everyone on top of their game.  The National Apartment Association runs designations that help you get a full view of the industry and how to be successful, and many of the local associations help bring those extended classes to you.
4. Networking:  The Apartment Association will put you in contact with local suppliers and vendors who can help you run a better business.  Everything from advertising to landscaping, you will be able to work with people who have been vetted by other property owners.  In addition to vendors you can network with other property owners and managers.  Bouncing your ideas and experiences off of others who have been there and learning from their mistakes can make your business stronger.  The people you meet at association events can become allies and friends.

Whether you are new to the industry or a long time veteran the local apartment association can help strengthen your business.  Through the information, education and networking alone you receive valuable aid, but the advocacy done by the associations both locally and nationally help to keep the industry running smoothly and by extension your property.

Check out the National Apartment Association for more information about what they do and who they are, and find a local association near you that can connect you to resources nearby.

How has your local association helped you?  Comment Below!

Preplanning

1. Get FREE cardboard boxes from your local grocery store, Menards, or the Home Depot. You can return them when you’re done and they will later be recycled.
2. Get FREE old newspapers from your local library or recycling center and help protect breakables while moving.
3. Start boxing all small stuff as soon as possible prior to the move in day (leave cleaning supplies out as they will be the last thing to go).
4. For large items, determine if you have a pickup truck to use or if you’re renting.

Move In Day

1. On move in day, first focus on the large items that will take more than 1 person to move i.e. couch, entertainment center, dining table, mattresses and bed frames, etc.
2. Get all the large items in your new home FIRST and leave them according to what room they will be in.
3. After all the large stuff has been dropped off to your new home, start packing all vehicles you have with boxes and everything else you are bringing.
4. Unload the remaining stuff in your new home, if you have 2 people, leave one person to start unpacking the boxes and another to go back to your previous home and clean (this helps greatly in getting your FULL deposit back).
5. Once finished, go back to your new home, order food, and finish unpacking your belongings.

Moving is a lot of work, whether it is across town or across the country but keeping these few simple tips in mind can help it run much easier.

What moving tips have you developed? Any horror stories that we can learn from? Comment Below

On one hand it seems that non smoking apartments take away a large portion of perspective renters.  Many people still smoke and your non-smoking policy will leave them out in the cold.  On the other hand the non smokers are growing in numbers and generally prefer to stay completely out of any contact with smoke.  A policy all one way or the other may turn away half your possible tenants but it can also be tricky to have it both ways.  If your community has multiple buildings you can designate one or two to be non smoking, but only one building poses other problems.

Check out the current situation in New York in this article from Naked Apartments.

Smoking/non Smoking is a topic of much debate at the moment and there does not seem to be any right or good answer but it is one that will continue to appear.  As an industry we will have to stay flexible and see where our renters take us.

What are your thoughts on Non-Smoking policies?  What have you implemented and how did it go?  Comment Below!

You create and hand out a Tenant Handbook. As each tenant moves in you include it in the welcome packet as part of the lease signing. This way they know going into the agreement that there are regulations they must adhere to, in order to stay in your building.

It may sound daunting to come up with a handbook but it doesn’t have to be. All you need in there are simple rules that you want to enforce to keep the building running smoothly.

A few suggestions to get you started:

1. Parking: Include your parking policies. How many parking spots does each unit get, are they assigned or open parking, do you require a parking permit or decal, where is the visitor parking? You may also want to specify that parking spots are for working vehicles only, or something to keep pieces of junk sitting for long periods of time.
2. Decks/Patios: To keep tenants from using their outdoor space as extra storage and creating an eyesore establish what items can be placed on decks and patios like appropriate furniture, plants, etc.
3. Guests/Visitors: The name on the lease is the tenant that you approved and have an agreement with. To keep them from having extended guests who may not be as desirable establish a policy. Something along the lines of: Visitors are not allowed to spend more than 7 consecutive nights or 15 days out of the month without being added to the lease.
4. Cleanliness: While you cannot force your tenants to clean regularly or vacuum twice a month you can establish that they are required to maintain a habitable living space. This helps to keep infestations/fire hazards/etc from causing damage to the entire building.
5. Inspections: Put in your handbook that you will be inspecting once a year or twice a year depending on you policy. You have to give a tenant 24 hour notice before you enter their unit but you can go in and inspect smoke detectors, furnace filters, and other general maintenance concerns. This also helps you keep tabs on the unit in case you come across a hoarder or other undesirable situations.

These are only 5 suggestions for things that you can put into a Tenant Handbook, or manual. It will help you establish the rules and regulations with your tenant from the beginning so that they know what they are getting into, but also gives you better footing in case they turn out to be something less than desirable. Policy violations can be grounds for eviction if it comes to that, and a handbook that clearly states your policies gives you stronger footing in court.

What types of rules and regulations have you established for your property? Have you ever had those policies violated? What did you do? Comment Below

At one time the American Dream was to own a home but that has shifted drastically. Many people are selling their homes to live the maintenance free lifestyle of renting, while others are postponing the big purchase for mobility and the extra amenities. Buying a home can be a great experience but you have to make sure you are ready for it, ready to spend at least years on one spot, ready for maintenance and other expenses, ready for the time it takes to keep the place up. Before you take the jump into home ownership consider these five things.

1. Do I already have a budget set? Will my current budget living as a renter be enough to sustain me as a home owner? Depending on your rental history you may have been paying electric/water/cable but maybe not. You need to recognize that as a homeowner you will have to pay all the utilities. On top of that there will be maintenance costs. Instead of calling the landlord you will have to call and pay the plumber for the broken faucet. Also consider your time. When it comes to snow removal, lawn care and other routine maintenance issues you will have to do that or pay someone to do it for you, this can cost time and money that you maybe didn’t think about.
2. Know your future community top to bottom. So you found a house that is in prime condition and its price seems too good to be true! Visit the neighborhood at different times of the day and week. You might find a lot of rush hour traffic in front of your driveway, or train tracks a block away. It’s a good idea to actually walk around the neighborhood talk to some of the people currently living there, they know what is really going on.
3. Consider Your Stability. It is generally said that you should be in your home for at least 5 years before you try to sell or move. Can you commit to that or more? How secure is your job? Will you be around a while or will they try to move you? Are you in a place to you want to stay for the near future. 5 years can be a long time if you are not happy with your job or the city/neighborhood. Also consider resale value. When you are ready to move on will you be able to get your money back or will you lose, how much effort of money will have to go into remodeling.
4. Pre-buy inspection. When buying an older home, a simple walk through could have the home looking flawless. Spending on average $300-$600 for an inspection could save you thousands! Problems you won’t notice include fungus inside the walls, windows not properly sealed, electrical or plumbing problems, and future drywall problems just to name a few.
5. Closing costs followed by buyers & sellers remorse. There are fees that come along with buying a house that many people don’t consider or know about, including closing costs, property taxes, mortgage insurance and others depending on your situation. Closing costs are added costs on top of your negotiated price of the house that pay for the closing agency. Once you’ve purchased a home you are responsible for paying property taxes. These may be factored into your loan but be sure you know what is coming. Depending on the loan you get you may have to pay mortgage insurance this is an added price to your monthly bill, make sure you are ready for that if it comes. Other costs and bills may show up that you weren’t thinking about, be sure to go over everything with your loan provider so that you are not caught by surprise.

There are a lot of good reasons to buy a house and it is a good goal to have, but it is a BIG step. It is important that by the time you purchase your first home that you are ready for all the things that will come your way. These are just 5 things to consider in your decision making. It is always a good idea to sit down and write out everything you will need for this type of decision. Put together a pros/cons list, or rework you budget to reflect homeownership and see how it looks. This can be a great experience in your life but if you make it too soon it can become a real nightmare as well.

What sort or questions do you have about owning a house? What other things would you consider before taking that step? Comment Below!

1) De-winterize your home – Take down whatever you put up to help winterize your home. Take down any plastic over windows, remove the air conditioner cover and open up anything else you may have closed off to help preserve your warmth.

2) Spring cleaning – As cliché as it sounds, spring is a great time to clean up after a long winter. Cleaning things like window screens, windows any anything else that is outdoors or semi-outdoors is substantially more comfortable when it isn’t hot and it isn’t freezing. Just opening the windows and letting in the fresh air can bring you and the family back to life. Take the chance to go through clothes and other items that you are ready to get rid of, maybe they need to be thrown away or you can donate them.

3) Clean or replace AC unit filter – Cleaning or replacing your filter on your air conditioning unit can save you a little money on cooling and make it more efficient. Some filters only need an occasional rinse while others aren’t washable so they need to be replaced.

A few simple chores around the place can help prepare you and your home for the nicer weather. Taking the time to tear down winter gear and clean out the clutter helps everyone feel better about moving into summer.

Do you have any annual chores you like to save for the spring? Let us know about them in the comments!

Moving every time you get in a disagreement or have an issue isn’t an option and the best way to resolve the issues is usually through compromise. Here are a few ways of making living with others easier.

-Divide up housework evenly. Weekly or nightly chores may seem juvenile but by reaching an understanding and taking turns no on gets left doing all the work and the place stays livable because you are not waiting each other out over the dishes.

-Have rules for dealing with personal items. Sometimes people don’t mind sharing cloths or food but just because you don’t mind you shouldn’t assume that others share that ideology.

-Make sure bills are divided evenly. If rent and utilities aren’t divided evenly roommates who pay more can be upset.

-Inform roommates of company coming over. If you have visitors coming it is good to let your roommates know so they can expect strangers rather than being surprised by them, as well as be prepared for the extra noise.

-Compromise on bedrooms. If you have a multi-bedroom rental the bedrooms aren’t always the same size. Compromise can ensure that everyone gets what they want so they don’t feel like they got the short end of the stick. If you got the bigger room maybe they get the better parking space to keep things even.

-Be prepared to compromise to promote a livable environment. Behaviors may need to be adjusted or changed in order to keep everyone happier in the shared housing.

These are just a few things that could be considered when dealing with roommates. While all of these things can help relieve or resolve stress in housing arrangements, the most important thing is to simply communicate with your roommates so they know what is going on and so that they can air their concerns easily. Before even moving in set some of these ground rules so that everyone knows what to expect and as other things come up talk about it. If you can offer a compromise to begin with they will be more willing to work towards a solution. Just be careful not to attack your roommates over things. Everyone has different habits and they are not trying to bug you they just don’t know your system.

Have any other tips to deal with roommates and roommate problems? Comment below!

1. Size: Determine what size apartment you need for the occupants. Do you live alone or do you have kids? Consider how much space each will need and what kind of furniture you will be bringing with you. Small kids may be able to share a room but teenagers will probably want their own space. Everyone getting ready for work and school in the morning will need bathroom time, is one enough or would two be better?
2. Price: Keep your rent within your budget! The ‘Rule of Thumb’ is pay no more than 30% of your monthly income on housing. Take a look at your income and figure out what the number is. This way you don’t fall in love with a unit you cannot afford, because you wont even try. Some parts of town may be more expensive than others, and amenities can add to the price or be included as a benefit to living in the complex. As long as everything stays within your 30% budget you will be good to go. Sometimes properties will lower the rent for a longer lease so it doesn’t hurt to ask about longer lease options.
3. Location, location, location: Make sure you consider your life style and routines when looking for apartments. Locations close to work, or the kids’ school will make your life much easier. Maybe you want to be in a certain school district, or downtown among the night life. Also consider neighborhood safety and how that will affect your lifestyle. In addition to that you will want to consider location within the apartment complex/building. First floor versus third floor affects how many neighbors you have and whether they are above you or below you. Also look at street lights and traffic patterns. You may want to avoid the unit with a light shinning in the window, or just inside the door where people will be constantly walking by.
4. Security: You considered the safety of the neighborhood when you looked at location but what about the building itself? Security doors go a long way to keeping out unwanted guests, but some buildings also have security cameras and other options. Make sure you look at the hallway and parking lot lighting and what sort hiding places there are for people to lurk. The National Crime Free Housing Program is one way to know that management takes safety seriously.
5. Amenities: What amenities are must haves for your new house. Things like dishwashers, laundry, parking, central air versus a window unit all affect the living space. If you don’t have a car you may not care about parking but if you commute to work you will want to park close to the building. Closet space may be your main concern, or in unit laundry in stead of having to carry it down the hall or steps. A number of apartments also now offer community amenities like pools, community rooms, exercise rooms, business centers and others. Consider if you would use or want such amenities. You may find a cheaper apartment if you don’t want those additions, but if you plan to use them they are worth the extra rent.

Sit down with everyone who is going to live in the new apartment and create a list of things you must have in each category. Consider size, price, location, security and amenities and then decide which ones are absolutely must haves, and which ones you could let go or work around. Based on your list you can now narrow down your search to those apartments that meet your needs and wants. Bring your list with you so that you don’t forget what is important, or you don’t get distracted by other features and options you really don’t need.

What is most important to you in your apartment? Is it an appliance, the location…? Comment Below!