July 2019 – Apartments For Us

Renting a House vs. Renting an Apartment

July 30, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by travismiller

When it comes to renting you have many options for a home. There are apartments, townhouses, houses, and other options, but what is the best? Each type of unit has its own advantages. Apartments generally allow you to save on cost, while houses often offer more space for your belongings. Location is also important, as apartments and townhomes are usually closer to the center of major cities while homes can be found elsewhere. When it comes to a house vs. an apartment, what is the best to rent?

Costs and Expenses

Apartments and houses each have different types of expenses. This is on top of the rent you have to pay, which is also even different. Generally, houses are more expensive than apartments for both rent and expenses. Houses typically have more space, so heating is therefore more expensive. Apartments can be all-inclusive, however, which means that all utilities are included within your rent payment. This can end up being better in the long run because the amount you pay per square foot can be better.

Transportation is also a concern. If you rent a house the parking is often a part of the rental, but it is not always included with an apartment. Some places may only have a limited amount of parking spots available.

Space

The biggest factor in deciding between an apartment and a house is the amount of space you need. If you have a larger family, a house is probably the way to go. A house almost always offers more room, but if you are moving out on your own an apartment can be best. This is especially true if you are living on your own for the first time, as the building will have a professional management staff that can handle any problems you may encounter. If you rent a house the landlord is likely the only person you can trust for repairs.

Amenities

One of the top benefits of renting an apartment is the amenities that come with them. Many apartment complexes and buildings have fun amenities such as a fitness center, pool, sauna, and entertainment room. Many times these rooms can be rented or checked out for your own small gatherings. A house often does not have access to these things, but if it is in a good neighborhood it may have parks and sports fields nearby.

There are, of course, several things to consider beyond these, such as the amount of rent you can afford, the location of where you want to rent, and more. Once you take all of these things in consideration you will be ready to make your decision.

Choosing Between a Storage Shed and Storage Unit

July 23, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by travismiller

Every home can use more space. Deciding between building your own storage shed and renting a storage unit can be a tricky choice for many homeowners. Each type of storage solution has its benefits as well as its drawbacks. Here is what you should consider when deciding between a storage shed and a storage unit.

Cost

The good news is that the cost of a storage shed is all up front. It can be a bigger initial investment, as it could cost a couple thousand dollars, but it depends on the length of time you will need storage. The average cost to rent a storage unit is $91.14 a month. You could store your items in a storage unit for 9 months at an average cost of $820.26. This varies by the size of the unit and the facility, but if you only need short-term storage it may be more cost-effective to rent a storage unit.

Security

Storage units have varying levels of security in the form of cameras, gates, locks, and more. Many facilities also have managers that live on site and conduct routine security patrols. With a storage shed on your property all security is up to you. You can add locks and connect it to your home security system.

Access

A major advantage to having a storage shed on your property is that you have access to your belongings at all times. For items like garden tools, sports equipment, and more having everything on site is great. Many storage facilities offer 24-hour access, but they are still off-site and you have to travel to access your belongings. You still have to maintain the shed, however. You have to paint it, make repairs, and such. With a storage unit, the storage company handles all this.

Pests

Part of the storage company’s responsibility is to spray for bugs and keep other pests out of its units. They often have a standing contract from pest-control companies to take care of these things, while your own storage shed leaves this as your responsibility.

After careful consideration of each of the criteria above, there are still other things to consider. Is the convenience of a climate-controlled unit something you need? What life-phase are you in? Everyone has a different opinion on what is “convenient”, so be sure to take the time to think it through. Everyone has different needs when it comes to storage, so it is important to consider all factors.

Apartment Decorating Ideas

July 16, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by travismiller

Walls are meant for decorating. In apartments they are a great way to make your place truly your own. Unfortunately, turning the walls of an apartment into Swiss cheese with a bunch of nail holes is a great way to not receive a security deposit back. Not everything that ends up on your walls needs a nail, however. There are a number of ways you can spruce up your place with a unique look without leaving a ton of marks on the walls.

Use a Pegboard

Pegboards come in a variety of sizes with dozens of holes that can be used to hang almost anything. You can even get a pegboard big enough to cover an entire wall! Whether you leave a pegboard the color you find it in or paint it ahead of time, it is a great way to make a place truly your own. With various hooks and other methods of hanging things a pegboard can also double as a storage space.

Try Velcro

Velcro is a great way of hanging small items with no mess and no holes in the wall. Just get a lengthy strip and put one side of it on the wall and the other side on your artwork. Not only will you be able to easily hang each piece this way, it makes it easy to move things around. Things can even stay more securely on the walls as well.

Strategically Use Bookshelves

Bookshelves can be used for more than just books. If you only have a limited amount of books the rest of the shelf space is a great place to display artwork, knick-knacks, and more. Inexpensive shelving is available from several retailers. Make your place unique by purchasing some and displaying models and more. You can find small items at dollar stores that work well as accent pieces.

Use Decorative Tape

Decorative tape is a great way to add accents to rooms without messing up the walls. It can come with a variety of patterns and is available for less than $5 per roll. You can even get solid colors and make your own patterns to create your own designs that will truly stand out. Best of all, when it comes time to move out, decorative tapes easily peel off the wall. It makes for less stress and no mess.

These are just a few of the ideas that keep your walls free of holes and help you make your space truly your own.

What to Move to Self Storage in Summer

July 9, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by travismiller

Warmer weather is just around the corner and that can mean it is time to reduce clutter around your home. If you have a self storage unit it can also mean it is time to switch up what gets stored there. Summer patio furniture and more can come out and winter items like that snowblower can go in. The flexibility that self-storage units offer can be very helpful with the change of seasons. Seasonal items are great for that, and as summer approaches here are some items you can consider moving to self-storage so they are not in the way.

Holiday Decorations

Are the Christmas tree and lights taking up space that is needed in the garage? Put them in a storage unit! You’re not going to need them until November anyway.

Winter Clothing

If you already have a storage unit you can put away bulky winter coats and blankets. Just make sure to protect them properly with plastic bins and vacuum sealed bags.

Snow Removal Items

This includes snowshovels, snowblowers, and more. For snowblowers, be sure to drain the tank of any fuel and disconnect the battery. That way it will be ready to go next winter with little maintenance.

Vehicle and Patio Covers

Summer is the time to be outdoors, so don’t let the bulky covers for your outdoor furniture get in the way. Put them in storage with the rest of the cold weather gear.

Snowmobiles

Many people like to store their motorcycles in the winter, and if you have a snowmobile it is a great trade-off. You can bring out the bike while you put the snowmobile away for the summer. Just be sure to drain the gas tank and disconnect the battery before storing.

Space Heaters and Snow Tires

These are both specialty items that just get in the way during warmer weather if you have them. Safely store them in a storage unit and they will be ready to go next winter.

As always, if you have any questions about what can and cannot be stored, feel free to contact your storage professional. They are there to help you with any questions or concerns you may have.

Completing a Renter Resume

July 2, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog/by travismiller

You may not think of having a renter resume or even know what one is, but it can be a critical part of renting any new apartment. It is considered to be the starting point of the rental process and it is a useful tool that landlords and property managers use to screen potential tenants. If you find an apartment unit that you really want, but might be hard to get, a well-made rental resume can be the difference in getting the apartment you want. Here is how you can make sure your rental resume elevates you to the top of the rental applicant list.

What Goes in A Rental Resume?

A rental resume is only part of the screening process along with credit and background checks. It is much like a resume for employment, but just includes different information. It is important to include the number of people that will be living in the apartment, a statement on why you want to live in the unit, your background (including education and employment), and your rental history.

The rental history is one of the most important pieces of information that property managers use to evaluate prospective tenants. Property managers and landlords want to know that you will be a reliable tenant with great behavior. In this section you should include all of your rental history with addresses as well as contact information so that managers can confirm you were a good tenant. It is also a good idea to include the reason why you are moving.

What About References?

Much like a job resume, references are important for a rental resume. Again, you want to make sure that you stand out and that you have people that will vouch for your character. This helps property managers determine if you will be a good tenant. If you can get someone to write you a letter of recommendation that is even better. Your references should include your name, relation, phone number, and e-mail address.

Additional Documents

You should have additional documents available upon request. This includes income verification, any other letters of recommendation, and proof of financial reserves. These are all types of documents that would be part of a standard rental applications. Make sure that you state on the resume that you have these documents available upon request. Bring them with you when you have an appointment with the leasing agent, as well.

Much like finding a job, getting a lease on an apartment take preparation and presentation. Be sure you dress to impress, have your resume in order, and ask plenty of questions. When you show that you have your information in order it will help you land the apartment you desire.