The unpacking and moving of heavy furniture certainly is not the most exciting part of the move to your new apartment! Its personalizing, and making your space custom to your wants and needs.
Decorating your new apartment should be fun and rewarding. Many times we get caught up in price tags and small budgets leaving your decorating experience feeling more like an algebra quiz than a pleasurable rite of passage. Decorating with these helpful tips however, does not have to break the bank. There are many ways to create a great space to your liking.
1. Start with a small project or new item! Like a shower curtain. The bathroom is an important room in your home. Simply hanging a new shower curtain with a gorgeous pattern can really change the look of the room. It ads color, or pattern, or a crisp new feeling.
2. Old to New - The cheap way! Try recovering an old piece of furniture, stools or ottomans are very easy pieces! You can head to your local fabric store and select a great new bold pattern. All you usually need is the fabric and a staple gun to attach the new fabric to your old piece!
3. Check your local paper or online listings. The classified ads and listings on Craigslist and Nola.com are great ways to find awesome pieces. One man's trash is another's treasure! Same with the flea market or antique shops. You can search thousands of listings to find cool items that fit your personal style.
4. Plan and Design: Print out floor plans with room measurements to draw in your ideas! Your property office should have some on hand for you to use as well. This is a great way to visualize the layout and shop smart. You can draw in your new ideas whenever you come up with new great ideas.
5. Neutral color walls (white, tan, or gray) aren't such a bad thing! Especially for your budget. You can add amazing bold colorful pieces that you can change at any time. You don't have to worry about "marrying" a particular color for years.
Happy Decorating, and the most important tip to remember is to HAVE FUN!
Find your next apartment or town home in the Greater New Orleans Area Today. Search http://www.1stlake.com
Apartments in River Ridge, LA - New Orleans, LA - Mandeville, LA - Covington, LA - Picayune, MS - Ridgeland, MS - Kenner, LA - Metairie, LA - Baton Rouge, LA - Slidell, LA
Call to receive $100 off your deposit on any of our Apartments for Rent. 1.877.440.LAKE (5253)
1st Lake Properties P. O. Box 73709 Metairie, LA 70033
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._Lyel
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Quick and Easy Apartment Decorating Ideas
If what you see when you walk into your living room is a beat up coffee table, bare walls, and Mom's sea foam green with mustard yellow paisleys couch, you seriously need a change. You need something that fits you! But what if you don't have the funds to buy that gorgeous $2,000 nutmeg suede sofa in last month's Pottery Barn catalog? Are you stuck? Absolutely not.
Here's how to make do with what you have, add some newness-and make it look great for under $100.
1. It's not a new sofa... but it's new to you
Slip covers are the best way to go. For cheap slip covers, hit up your outlet malls or get online. The cheapest site I've found for slip covers is overstock.com. They even have nutmeg suede slipcovers! It's not Pottery Barn, but hey, it's not sea foam green either. I've seen them on this site for: $29.99.
2. Spice up the "new sofa"
Add throw pillows. For cheap yet nice throw pillows, my favorite place is Ross (TJ Maxx and Marshalls also work). Hopefully you have one of these stores in your city! Another alternative is to get throw pillow slip covers too. I've seen new throw pillows at Ross for as cheap as: $7.99
3. From the windows to the wall
Pictures say a thousand words, and estate sales are the best places to find these pictures. Painted pictures especially make you seem like you given a lot of thought to decorating your apartment-oh, and that you're also well-rounded and cultured (as long as they aren't paintings of an old lady on a bear skin rug). You can spend around $20 for 2.
4. From pictures to picture-perfect
Got a lot of pictures lying around? Add them to your home!
Start with your used coffee table. Place tasteful pictures of friends, family, or childhood across the table top. Pictures aren't your thing? You can also take paper coasters from restaurants and arrange them on the table top. Then add table top glass in the same shape as your coffee table to place over your photos or coasters.
Hit up Craigslist for the glass. You may find the glass table tops chipped, but it ads character and probably won't even be noticed, since everyone will be looking at the pictures or coasters. I've seen a nice one for $15. If you're going to use coasters instead of photos, collect coasters of imported beer. These coasters tend to be subtle yet appealing, and frankly, they are just cooler.
Slipcover- $29.99 +tax= $32.44
2 New throw pillows- $7.99+tax= $17.30
2 Paintings- $20
Glass for table-$15
Grand Total: $84.74 - priceless.
You've just revamped the major focal points of your living room. Be proud of where you live and make it you.
Jeff's just a regular guy with a funny goatee that really enjoys people and life. On top of that he is a bit of an expert on apartments, living in them, and getting the most out of the apartment living lifestyle.
As a Managing Partner of Apartment Home Living, Jeff wants to help you find the right apartment by getting to know you. Not only where you want to live & what you want to pay, but what you like. This way, we can help you find an apartment that fits your personality, not just your budget.
At AHL Apartmentites have a platform to share their own stories, get great info & tips on apartment living, read Jeff's entertaining blogs/stories, find Answers to a wide array of apartment related questions, and have a ton of fun sharing their love of apartment living with others. Don't forget to go and set up your own MyPlace page to really get the full Apartmentite experience!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trey_Huguley
Here's how to make do with what you have, add some newness-and make it look great for under $100.
1. It's not a new sofa... but it's new to you
Slip covers are the best way to go. For cheap slip covers, hit up your outlet malls or get online. The cheapest site I've found for slip covers is overstock.com. They even have nutmeg suede slipcovers! It's not Pottery Barn, but hey, it's not sea foam green either. I've seen them on this site for: $29.99.
2. Spice up the "new sofa"
Add throw pillows. For cheap yet nice throw pillows, my favorite place is Ross (TJ Maxx and Marshalls also work). Hopefully you have one of these stores in your city! Another alternative is to get throw pillow slip covers too. I've seen new throw pillows at Ross for as cheap as: $7.99
3. From the windows to the wall
Pictures say a thousand words, and estate sales are the best places to find these pictures. Painted pictures especially make you seem like you given a lot of thought to decorating your apartment-oh, and that you're also well-rounded and cultured (as long as they aren't paintings of an old lady on a bear skin rug). You can spend around $20 for 2.
4. From pictures to picture-perfect
Got a lot of pictures lying around? Add them to your home!
Start with your used coffee table. Place tasteful pictures of friends, family, or childhood across the table top. Pictures aren't your thing? You can also take paper coasters from restaurants and arrange them on the table top. Then add table top glass in the same shape as your coffee table to place over your photos or coasters.
Hit up Craigslist for the glass. You may find the glass table tops chipped, but it ads character and probably won't even be noticed, since everyone will be looking at the pictures or coasters. I've seen a nice one for $15. If you're going to use coasters instead of photos, collect coasters of imported beer. These coasters tend to be subtle yet appealing, and frankly, they are just cooler.
Slipcover- $29.99 +tax= $32.44
2 New throw pillows- $7.99+tax= $17.30
2 Paintings- $20
Glass for table-$15
Grand Total: $84.74 - priceless.
You've just revamped the major focal points of your living room. Be proud of where you live and make it you.
Jeff's just a regular guy with a funny goatee that really enjoys people and life. On top of that he is a bit of an expert on apartments, living in them, and getting the most out of the apartment living lifestyle.
As a Managing Partner of Apartment Home Living, Jeff wants to help you find the right apartment by getting to know you. Not only where you want to live & what you want to pay, but what you like. This way, we can help you find an apartment that fits your personality, not just your budget.
At AHL Apartmentites have a platform to share their own stories, get great info & tips on apartment living, read Jeff's entertaining blogs/stories, find Answers to a wide array of apartment related questions, and have a ton of fun sharing their love of apartment living with others. Don't forget to go and set up your own MyPlace page to really get the full Apartmentite experience!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trey_Huguley
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Finding an Apartment
If you are planning on moving and don’t have anywhere to live yet you may realize that it isn’t very fun. But if you do enough research you can find the apartment of your dreams may not be as expensive as you think.
If you put time and effort into finding a new place you will be successful. We have included helpful tip to make you more efficient and have a better eye for your new home:
• You can be wasting time if you are just searching with search engine for apartment in your area. You need to find sites that cater to many locations and within them you can find many good rentals.
• Once you determine where you want to live look scour the area for local listings. Look at the rate and find out what place are going for. This will give you an idea on what to budget for. You want to stay as close as possible to your budget. Don’t just find the first one you like and lock yourself into a payment you can’t make. There are many apartments out there and you should look at 6-10 before you get into a lease.
• Internet Apartment services - should be a great way to start looking. You will be able to search through many apartments in no time at all. The most important thing to remember when looking online is be aggressive. When you find a place you are interested in talk to the owner. Don’t just look at the listed price, that is just the starting spot before negations. You can get a lot of information quickly through the use of internet listings
• If you are going to be moving furniture into your new place make sure you weigh the cost of moving it into the new place versus buying new.
• When you do get a list of apartments that you are interested in make sure you go see them. This is the only way you’ll know which one is right for you. Things to ask yourself, is the place within your budget, is it in the area you wanted to live in, is the house owner reasonable. They will be the one that could make or break an apartment.
• Make sure you take as much time as you can when looking for a place. Unless you have a deadline you can save some money by holding out for one within your means.
Brendon Benson
http://www.pghmovers.com/apartments.html
http://www.pghmovers.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brendon_Benson
If you put time and effort into finding a new place you will be successful. We have included helpful tip to make you more efficient and have a better eye for your new home:
• You can be wasting time if you are just searching with search engine for apartment in your area. You need to find sites that cater to many locations and within them you can find many good rentals.
• Once you determine where you want to live look scour the area for local listings. Look at the rate and find out what place are going for. This will give you an idea on what to budget for. You want to stay as close as possible to your budget. Don’t just find the first one you like and lock yourself into a payment you can’t make. There are many apartments out there and you should look at 6-10 before you get into a lease.
• Internet Apartment services - should be a great way to start looking. You will be able to search through many apartments in no time at all. The most important thing to remember when looking online is be aggressive. When you find a place you are interested in talk to the owner. Don’t just look at the listed price, that is just the starting spot before negations. You can get a lot of information quickly through the use of internet listings
• If you are going to be moving furniture into your new place make sure you weigh the cost of moving it into the new place versus buying new.
• When you do get a list of apartments that you are interested in make sure you go see them. This is the only way you’ll know which one is right for you. Things to ask yourself, is the place within your budget, is it in the area you wanted to live in, is the house owner reasonable. They will be the one that could make or break an apartment.
• Make sure you take as much time as you can when looking for a place. Unless you have a deadline you can save some money by holding out for one within your means.
Brendon Benson
http://www.pghmovers.com/apartments.html
http://www.pghmovers.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brendon_Benson
What To Expect When Renting Your First Apartment
Every young person looks forward to the day they can finally move out on their own and get their very first apartment. While this is a fun task and something to look forward to, there are many things to carefully consider before taking this big step.
The first step is to find out what kinds of apartments are available in your price range. You have several options here. First you can look in the local papers, rental guidebooks and yellow pages for available apartments and apartment complexes.
You can also look on the internet. Many places have web sites where you can take a virtual tour of the facilities as well as see floor plans and pricing. This is a great way to compare different apartments without having to drive all over town.
You can also ask people you know if they know of any apartments that have vacancies. This is also a good way to find out what landlords are good to rent from and what apartment buildings are the nicer ones to live in. Finally, you can look on bulletin boards and to-let signs on the road. If you have real estate agents that specialize in rentals you might try them as well.
When you finally do find an apartment you are interested in, be prepared to fill out a rental application form. This information on this form will be used to determine if you are a good risk to rent to. They will most likely do a credit check and will verify employment and salary range. You may need to provide your social security number or the copy of your Visa or LPR card. You may have to pay a fee just to fill out the form and it may take a couple of weeks to find out if you are approved. First time renters might need a co-signer who will be responsible should you not pay your rent on time.
Once you are approved, expect to sign a lease. This document will state all the terms that apply to the rental as well as the time frame and fixed monthly rent. You should keep a copy of this in your files. The lease can be for any amount of time, but a year is pretty standard. The lease stipulates what recourse the landlord has if you fail to pay your rent and also that your rent can not be raised until the lease ends.
The landlord will want your first months rent in advance along with a security deposit which usually is equal to one months rent. Sometimes, they ask for the first and last months rent in advance in addition to a security deposit so you might want to ask about this up front to be sure you have enough money. Some apartments do allow pets and if you have one you can expect to pay an additional security deposit which will be specifically used to fix any damage caused by the pet. Some places also charge a small monthly premium if you have a pet.
If you leave at the end of the lease with your apartment in tip top shape, your security deposit will be refunded. The landlord may keep some part of the deposit if the property has incurred any kind of damage. You may have to forfeit your security deposit entirely if you break the lease agreement.
Unexpected things happen in life and you might enter into a lease with good intentions but circumstances might cause you to have to break it. Most landlords realize this and will try to work with you to get the apartment rented so you incur as little expense as possible. Be forewarned, however that if you do break the lease and the landlord cannot find a tenant you are responsible to pay the rent up until the end of the lease.
Lee Dobbins writes for Apartment Rental Guide [http://www.storage-rental-guide.com/apartment-rental] where you can find out more about finding an apartment and negotiating a lease.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins
The first step is to find out what kinds of apartments are available in your price range. You have several options here. First you can look in the local papers, rental guidebooks and yellow pages for available apartments and apartment complexes.
You can also look on the internet. Many places have web sites where you can take a virtual tour of the facilities as well as see floor plans and pricing. This is a great way to compare different apartments without having to drive all over town.
You can also ask people you know if they know of any apartments that have vacancies. This is also a good way to find out what landlords are good to rent from and what apartment buildings are the nicer ones to live in. Finally, you can look on bulletin boards and to-let signs on the road. If you have real estate agents that specialize in rentals you might try them as well.
When you finally do find an apartment you are interested in, be prepared to fill out a rental application form. This information on this form will be used to determine if you are a good risk to rent to. They will most likely do a credit check and will verify employment and salary range. You may need to provide your social security number or the copy of your Visa or LPR card. You may have to pay a fee just to fill out the form and it may take a couple of weeks to find out if you are approved. First time renters might need a co-signer who will be responsible should you not pay your rent on time.
Once you are approved, expect to sign a lease. This document will state all the terms that apply to the rental as well as the time frame and fixed monthly rent. You should keep a copy of this in your files. The lease can be for any amount of time, but a year is pretty standard. The lease stipulates what recourse the landlord has if you fail to pay your rent and also that your rent can not be raised until the lease ends.
The landlord will want your first months rent in advance along with a security deposit which usually is equal to one months rent. Sometimes, they ask for the first and last months rent in advance in addition to a security deposit so you might want to ask about this up front to be sure you have enough money. Some apartments do allow pets and if you have one you can expect to pay an additional security deposit which will be specifically used to fix any damage caused by the pet. Some places also charge a small monthly premium if you have a pet.
If you leave at the end of the lease with your apartment in tip top shape, your security deposit will be refunded. The landlord may keep some part of the deposit if the property has incurred any kind of damage. You may have to forfeit your security deposit entirely if you break the lease agreement.
Unexpected things happen in life and you might enter into a lease with good intentions but circumstances might cause you to have to break it. Most landlords realize this and will try to work with you to get the apartment rented so you incur as little expense as possible. Be forewarned, however that if you do break the lease and the landlord cannot find a tenant you are responsible to pay the rent up until the end of the lease.
Lee Dobbins writes for Apartment Rental Guide [http://www.storage-rental-guide.com/apartment-rental] where you can find out more about finding an apartment and negotiating a lease.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins
Sunday, November 1, 2009
7 Tips - How to Find an Apartment
There are numerous considerations when we searching an apartment to buy or rent; therefore, a deep understanding of our needs will help us to find the right apartment.
Purchasing an apartment for investment purposes is different than buying an apartment you intend to live in. The process of buying an apartment you wish to live in, which is what I will focus on in this article, involves personal questions, dealing more with needs.
1. The reasons
The answer to this, will guide you in the right direction, thereby preventing you from chasing after the wrong apartments and thus avoiding bitter disappointment.
1. The need to move to a different area
2. The need for more space
3. The need for an elevator / parking / others
4. Uncomfortable surroundings, noise, annoying neighbors, and other disturbances
5. Upgrade in standard of living
2. Budget
Make a detailed list of resources that you have at your disposal:
· Loans
· Payment of an existing mortgage / Taking an additional mortgage
· Future expected income – gifts, an inheritance, bonuses, a raise in salary
· Take into consideration an additional 10% in costs to cover various bank commissions, lawyer fees, real estate agent commissions, taxes (such as purchasing tax), plus other unexpected expenses
3. Territory
Focus on the regions worth considering in your opinion. Make a list of at least three options and rank them in order of preference. List the criteria for choosing each option.
4. Space
Increasing one's living space is one of the most widespread reasons for moving.
Define the minimum size you are looking for in an apartment – how many bedrooms you need. The home office should be defined separately – this can always be located in different spaces. In older houses built in the Bauhaus Tel Aviv style for example, there is usually space that is not reflected in the number of rooms, or the rooms themselves are particularly large and thus can be rearranged. As an alternative, set the minimum net area you need, rather than the number of rooms.
One of the important considerations in the architectural designs of an apartment is clarifying in just which spaces you live today.
5. Checking the market
a. Checking the market – does the current supply in the market meet the needs that you have defined for yourself. Is your budget appropriate for the market?
b. The information published in newspapers and home listings does not list all the information you need. You have listed a number of articles that answer the main concerns that you have noted and get off your comfortable couch: go see apartments! Update yourself and learn the market prices, and the inventory of available apartments. Visit between five and ten apartments (if indeed the supply in the market allows this).
c. Key Tip: It is essential to list exactly which apartments you saw, also the ones you chose NOT to see, each detail, marking date and prices, or attach the information that you downloaded from the Internet and add your comments. It is important to mark down which real estate agent showed you which apartment (the easiest way – attach the business card of the agent to the apartment page).
6. Real estate agents
It is recommended to go to Real estate agents whom you have heard about, who have been recommended to you, and who work in areas that you are focusing on. If you cannot find an agent through these means, turn to newspaper home listings and work only with those agents with whom you feel comfortable, who is credible, and who understand your needs. Let them know your profile as a guideline.
7. Budget
What happens when the budget does not match the market conditions?
Do you have the ability to increase the budget? Additional loans? A larger mortgage? Selling another asset? If 'No' - Does moving into area "B" or "C" on your list of preferred neighborhoods allow you to find an apartment that matches your demands? Check the advantages and disadvantages in moving between the different neighborhood options that you listed, or - which is not at the top of your list of criteria, can you compromise on.
Good Luck!
Dorit Shanan
TOVADO Properties
http://www.tovado.com
dorit@tovado.com
972+3+5277712
Dorit is a Licensed Realtor who experience in residential real estate in Tel Aviv Israel. The office specializes in central and north Tel Aviv Israel.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dorit_Shanan
Purchasing an apartment for investment purposes is different than buying an apartment you intend to live in. The process of buying an apartment you wish to live in, which is what I will focus on in this article, involves personal questions, dealing more with needs.
1. The reasons
The answer to this, will guide you in the right direction, thereby preventing you from chasing after the wrong apartments and thus avoiding bitter disappointment.
1. The need to move to a different area
2. The need for more space
3. The need for an elevator / parking / others
4. Uncomfortable surroundings, noise, annoying neighbors, and other disturbances
5. Upgrade in standard of living
2. Budget
Make a detailed list of resources that you have at your disposal:
· Loans
· Payment of an existing mortgage / Taking an additional mortgage
· Future expected income – gifts, an inheritance, bonuses, a raise in salary
· Take into consideration an additional 10% in costs to cover various bank commissions, lawyer fees, real estate agent commissions, taxes (such as purchasing tax), plus other unexpected expenses
3. Territory
Focus on the regions worth considering in your opinion. Make a list of at least three options and rank them in order of preference. List the criteria for choosing each option.
4. Space
Increasing one's living space is one of the most widespread reasons for moving.
Define the minimum size you are looking for in an apartment – how many bedrooms you need. The home office should be defined separately – this can always be located in different spaces. In older houses built in the Bauhaus Tel Aviv style for example, there is usually space that is not reflected in the number of rooms, or the rooms themselves are particularly large and thus can be rearranged. As an alternative, set the minimum net area you need, rather than the number of rooms.
One of the important considerations in the architectural designs of an apartment is clarifying in just which spaces you live today.
5. Checking the market
a. Checking the market – does the current supply in the market meet the needs that you have defined for yourself. Is your budget appropriate for the market?
b. The information published in newspapers and home listings does not list all the information you need. You have listed a number of articles that answer the main concerns that you have noted and get off your comfortable couch: go see apartments! Update yourself and learn the market prices, and the inventory of available apartments. Visit between five and ten apartments (if indeed the supply in the market allows this).
c. Key Tip: It is essential to list exactly which apartments you saw, also the ones you chose NOT to see, each detail, marking date and prices, or attach the information that you downloaded from the Internet and add your comments. It is important to mark down which real estate agent showed you which apartment (the easiest way – attach the business card of the agent to the apartment page).
6. Real estate agents
It is recommended to go to Real estate agents whom you have heard about, who have been recommended to you, and who work in areas that you are focusing on. If you cannot find an agent through these means, turn to newspaper home listings and work only with those agents with whom you feel comfortable, who is credible, and who understand your needs. Let them know your profile as a guideline.
7. Budget
What happens when the budget does not match the market conditions?
Do you have the ability to increase the budget? Additional loans? A larger mortgage? Selling another asset? If 'No' - Does moving into area "B" or "C" on your list of preferred neighborhoods allow you to find an apartment that matches your demands? Check the advantages and disadvantages in moving between the different neighborhood options that you listed, or - which is not at the top of your list of criteria, can you compromise on.
Good Luck!
Dorit Shanan
TOVADO Properties
http://www.tovado.com
dorit@tovado.com
972+3+5277712
Dorit is a Licensed Realtor who experience in residential real estate in Tel Aviv Israel. The office specializes in central and north Tel Aviv Israel.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dorit_Shanan
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