Rumor has it that you like to kick it "Old School" style. Well, why not let your Apartment reflect it? There are a number of really cool and inexpensive things that you can grab to give your apartment a little "Old School" Flava'. If you've been thinking about doing some cool things with your apartment that take you back and now you may have a little gift cash or gift cards to spend, consider some of the following: Nintendo Power - No, I'm not talking about the silly video game magazine that kids used to ache for in the 80's. Rather, I'm talking about setting yourself up with a system that can play all the old games like Mario Brothers, Tetris, and Zelda. A system like the FC Top Loading Nintendo System that will play all of your old school NES cartridges without any errors. This little machine is really sweet! I recently got one and it works incredibly. I have been trying to break my old records on all my games since.....except...now I'm playing them on a BIG SCREEN! Bottles and Cans....Just Slap Your Hands- Seriously. Hit up thrift stores, junk shops, and E-Bay for cool looking old bottles like the 80's glass Dr. Pepper bottles or other stuff like that. You can find a ton of great stuff that you can line the top of your cabinets or window sill with that will help with that old school flavor. Boom Box- And I am not even joking. No apartment can really be classified as "Old School" if it doesn't have a boom box that is easily carry able over one shoulder as you stroll down the street! Movies!!!- Okay...so....there is no justification for keeping old VHS tapes around, but....start expanding your DVD collection to include the movies that really ring true for the 80's and 90's. You can grab a ton of DVD's like The Goonies, Weekend at Bernies, Dirty Dancing, Top Gun, Rambo, and Die Hard for really cheap at most electronic stores. And come on...you can watch these over and over again...can't you? I know I can and I make my friends too! T-Shirts and Album Covers - Get to a craft store and buy a few matching frames. Then dig through your closet, head to a thrift store, and search online for Old School t-shirts and album covers. You can frame these timeless treasures and throw them up on one of your walls to create a retro-walls that is sort of like a museum of cool. You could also search for old toys like GI Joe's, Ninja Turtles, M.U.S.C.L.E.S., Barbies, and Care Bears to line some shelves with and show your appreciation for the classics. My buddy, Schultz, framed all of his old Garbage Pail Kids. It looks really cool. There are a few ideas to help get you started on ways to set your boat adrift on memory bliss. Do you know of any other great ideas to take apartmentites and their apartments back to their roots?

One of the greatest benefits to living in an apartment is that you are among a community of other people who can look out for you when you need help with something and vice versa. This goes way beyond just borrowing a cup of sugar. Living in such close proximity to others, wouldn't you like it if they were another set of eyes keeping you safe? I know I would. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind when looking out for your neighbors and by the Golden Rule, they will be doing the same for you. Smell Smoke- If you smell smoke or something burning, don't just sit around and ignore it. Investigate. Go outside and see if your neighbors are fanning the remnants of the smoke from their burnt to a crisp oven baked pizza. If you can't nail it down, but it doesn't seem to be going away, give the apartment management emergency line a call or if you see smoke call the fire department. Only you can prevent apartment fires! Report Strangers- Seeing some suspicious characters around the community, sitting in cars, or wondering about? Report them to management. You may be stopping a burglar before he can commit a crime. It's all about crime watch. If you and all your neighbors are keeping an eye out, you can be better alert to what is going on. Leaks- If you notice water coming into your apartment from another one, don't just sop it up with a towel and pretend like it never happened only to have it happen again. Instead, report it to your manager as soon as possible and knock on your neighbors door at a reasonable hour to let them know that something is leaking. They may not even know that their water cooler had a leak or something like that. Pets- Know your neighbors pets, so that if you see that they have gotten loose, you can help round them up until they get home or help to keep them out of trouble. Neighbors also make really great pet sitters too! Always be sure to keep your ears and eyes open. Wouldn't you want your neighbors to do the same for you? Lets make our apartment communities rock with safety!

I'll put it out there...from my many years living in apartments, I have had some TERRIBLE neighbors. I put terrible in all CAPS because there really, really have been some bad ones. There was the guy who never left his apartment and it started to stink through the walls because I don't think he EVER took out his trash. There was also the couple who fought loudly constantly. You could hear them throwing things at eachother and screaming. It got to the point where I could hear the entire argument and I feared for the life of the man, so I called the cops. They also made up loudly too.....They were REALLY, REALLY annoying. Then on top of that I had an above neighbor who loved to jump rope at odd hours of the day. All I could hear while I was watching my favorite shows was...thump, thump, thump. The worst part is...the guy was in terrible shape so it wasn't doing anything. No matter where you go, you may run into issues with your neighbor. The best thing that you can do is do your part in being a good neighbor. Lead by example. Here are some ways to be a great neighbor and not a terrible one: Be Friendly- One of the most important things you can do to be a great neighbor is to be friendly. Whether you have just moved in or you are welcoming a new neighbor, put on a happy face and make some conversation. You may meet some really cool people that way. Sometimes it takes a little friendly effort to break the ice, but once the ice is broken you are on your way to being an awesome neighbor! Shhhh!!!- Be respectful and keep the noise down. Yes, that even includes your footsteps if you are living above the first floor. It's actually pretty easy. You don't have to run around your apartment whispering or anything like that, but keep the TV and music down to a reasonable and respectful level. Watch your footsteps and shut the door softly...don't let it slam and shake the whole building. Nothing is more annoying than a loud neighbor, so let it stop with you. Keep Them In The Know- Having a few guests over? If you know you are going to be doing something abnormal that may impede on your neighbors relaxation and space, drop by and let them know. Invite them to join in the fun and give them a number to call and let you know that your noise is bothering them. Trust me, you'd much rather they call you than the police. Neighborhood Watchdog- Keep an eye out for your neighbors place when they aren't there. You'd want them to do the same for you. Report to the office or the authorities any suspicious character that you see wondering about. The number one rule in being a good neighbor is to be respectful and treat them the way that you would like to be treated. Being a good neighbor is not difficult if you just think a little about your actions and how they affect those around you. So...put on a smile, make some friends, and be the great neighbor that we know you can be!

The parking lot of your apartment can be a challenging place. Whether there are no assigned spots and when you get home from school or work you have to park like a mile away from your place or you have an assigned spot that someone else keeps taking, there is something that can always go wrong. There is an elderly woman in my apartment community (One of my neighbors to be exact!) who drives a huge white Hummer H2. Why she drives this massive car, I have no clue, but she is constantly having issues parking it. One, she can't see out of it because she is more than likely losing her quality of eyesight, and two, the thing is massive trying to fit in in the spaces. It's gotten to the point that I and other witnesses have seen her bump other cars with her door getting out, nearly take off their bumpers and mirrors with the girth of her huge machine, and almost run a person over on one occasion. I have begun parking my car far enough away, just so I know she isn't going to knock off my mirror. It's never appropriate to do anything harmful to the other resident or their vehicle, so in a lot of cases, you just have to live with it and do what I did...find ways to work around it. I cannot stress to you all the importance of having a good amount of respect to your fellow resident. It goes way beyond the fact that they know where you live or "what goes around comes around." Most communities have surveillence and security so if you feel vindicated by doing damage to another resident's vehicle....you will more than likely get caught. By the same video token...if you contact your insurance company about damage assessed to your own vehicle, whether it be from the white haired old Hummer driver or a vandalist, you should check with your apartment management and see if they have any surveillance video of the issue. Keep in mind that they may not have it, but its worth the thought! The important thing to remember is that you are sharing the parking lot with many, many other residents and there is no time for parking wars. And if you are young and spry, let the old lady in the Hummer park close...you can walk a little. You might even benefit from the exercise.

Zombie-Proofing Your New Apartment - Well, it finally happened – some scientist messed with forces he didn’t understand, and now the walking dead are everywhere, on the hunt for fresh braaaaaains! Since you’ve become somewhat accustomed to your cranium by this point, you decide to fight for your right to ponder. So how do you fortify your apartment against the impending zombie horde? Your first course of action should be to access potential points of entry and to block them accordingly. The door is a no-brainer (pun definitely intended), so in addition to the usual locks odds are good you’ll want to barricade it with something solid. Since you don’t plan to enter and exit too often, try pushing the couch up against it, or better yet walk the refrigerator over for a serious reinforcement (just be sure to plug it back in). Once the main entrance is secure, check on the windows. Even if you are on a higher floor, you should at the very least place some wood boards across the glass (zombies are resourceful climbers). No wood in sight? Break the legs off a chair if need be, or pull out some shelves from the linen closet. Hopefully you had time to snag supplies prior to the undead attack, but it’s always advisable to keep a ‘zombie stash’ of canned food on hand just in case. Soup, fruit, peanut butter and other items are ideal, and don’t forget A LOT of bottled water. Even if the main water is still working, you should be prepared to boil it before drinking (who knows how many corpses are sloshing around in source?), and keep showers short and infrequent. Zombies have a keen sense of smell though, so don’t let your B.O. get too ripe. Weapons are great, but if the plague starts quickly odds are good you’ll be regulated to whatever items are already residing in your apartment. The kitchen is a great place to start collecting your arsenal, with knives a perfect go-to for starters. If you happen to have any bottles of wine lying around, forego the buzz in favor of making a few Molotov cocktails (ideal for tossing out windows). Better yet, take that high-proof bottle of scotch your uncle gave you last Christmas, pour a few shots worth into any empty soda bottles you have lying around, and you’ll have a firebomb cache in no time. Sports fans have a serious leg up when it comes to zombie punishment, as baseball bats, golf clubs and even lawn jarts all make great weapons. Apartment improvement gurus will find their hammers make perfect zombie smashers, and that nail gun might just save your brain someday. Remember, once the zombie war starts it will be every person for themselves, but that still shouldn’t prevent you from attempting to save some of your neighbors. Try and corral a few of your favorite community residents into your new apartment fortress, bearing in mind the amount of provisions you have (sorry crazy cat woman in 3-B, you’re out). And turn that frown upside down! Sure, hell may be full, the dead may be walking the Earth, but at least rent is free! -JT

With a new year comes a whole slew of resolutions to improve yourself and those around you next year. It all starts with setting New Years resolutions for your apartment living. I can see it now...all of the gyms are suddenly overcrowded until...January 11th. Cigarette and liquor sales go down nearly 65 % for...oh...about....4 days. Your Credit Card payment nearly doubles for the month of January, but come Valentines day, you end up owing more than you did at the turn of the New Year. Resolutions are meant to last the entire year, so this year I resolve to make it the whole year with my resolutions. I also resolve to help make not only myself better, but also those around me! That being said, I want to help you make some resolutions that will rock for both you and your apartment with my Top 10 Apartmentite Resolutions for this year. 10. Rent On Time- Actually pay rent on the 1st every month! This will help avoid late fees! 9. Fugitive Pet No More- Stop hiding your animals from maintenance and cut corners to finally pay your pet deposit 8. Won't You Be My Neighbor- Meet at least one neighbor...take them a gift even. You may make a good friend...or at least a great pet sitter! 7. Keep Things Clean- This may be difficult, but scrub-a-dub your apartment one day and then keep it clean all year! I tried it last year and made it about 3 months strong. 6. Use Your Kitchen- Resolve to cook and eat in your apartment more often. You will end up saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars by the end of the year. 5. Entertain!- Put the loud, obnoxious, stumbling around party days behind you and host one adult style dinner party this spring. 4. Furniturize- Filter some of your extra income into furniture improvements. Stop using empty boxes as end tables and splurge a little on something nice! 3. The Gym Is FREE- If your apartments have a gym, what is your excuse?!?! Spend three hours a week in the gym. Hit the elliptical on level 4 for 30 minutes and do some light free weight exercise for 30...Do that three days a week and you can guarantee to see a difference! 2. Out with the Old- Dig through your attic and closet to find all of the old clothes, toys, and junk that you don't need anymore, but someone else could get some use for and DONATE it! You'll free up space and help people out! 1. Make Hunting Easy- If you are apartment hunting this year or know anyone who is...use us! It will make your apartment hunt easier and fun! So there you have 10 great resolution for the New Year! I hope you have a very fun and SAFE night tonight and get to relax tomorrow because with the new year comes new responsibility, new adventure, and a whole rush of stuff to take care of!

I must say that I have pulled a lot of pranks in my day, but this one takes the cake. Someone completely wrapped an apartment in Christmas gift wrap. I mean completely! The door, table, TV, towels, curtains and everything all the way down to the items in the fridge were wrapped. It's just plain amazing! Greatest Apartment Christmas Prank Ever! What I really want to know is....how is he going to get them back?

Apartment Decorating the Fun Way - This gentleman's work is a testament to how unique, liberating and fun apartment living can be no matter how large or small the space. After separating from his wife, he turned his small studio apartment into a replica of the Star Trek USS Enterprise. Not only is it a replica, but it is so detailed and incredibly well done, that it seems like it could be used as a set. With a little hard-work, dedication and some careful design, a unique apartment experience is always at your disposal. Just make sure with apartment management or your landlord that it's okay to implement your design. This guy probably had a pretty understanding apartment manager. Have you ever done anything this cool to your apartment? Let us know on our Facebook page. Don't forget to "LIKE" us!

Hot news! We just released our text messaging service that allows you to text message a community while you’re on the go. It’s super easy too. When you’re out and about, you’ll come across our partner communities who have set up banners with their “text codes” on them. All you’ve gotta do is text their code to mobile number (30364). Bam! You get all the info you need about the apartment, complete with pictures, phone numbers, and current specials. So, in the prophetic words of The Who reapplied to current technology, “When you’re going home, and you wanna find a home, go mobile. It’ll keep you moving!” So, when you’re “rollin’ with the homies”, keep you’re eyes out for our text messaging banners. Text it in and get all the great information you’ve come to expect from Apartment Home Living’s e-catalog and website, right there on your phone. It’s such a perfect compliment to the services we already provide and another way we help you find your happy place.

After you've tracked down a few moving companies you'd like to speak with, start preparing for in-home visual estimate. This is a critical moment for you to see the differences in the moving companies you're considering, and help you choose one that will handle your move successfully and professionally. Here are some questions to ask them: 1. How long has your company been in business? Lousy moving companies don't last long. They get poor reviews from customers online, and worse, they get scathing complaints at government Website 'protectyourmove.gov' and at the local Better Business Bureau. While this doesn't mean that every company under 10 years of age is not a good one, it's a plus if that moving company has been around for more than a decade. 2. How long have you been doing this? Experience counts for a lot with a moving estimator, because it's a tough job – they need to tally up someone's lifelong possessions and then give an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to move them. Also, if they've performed other jobs at the moving company, this is a plus – they can tell you what to watch for, and you benefit from their experience. 3. What kinds of estimates do you give? You want someone who takes the time to explain your options for moving services, because, frankly, moving quotes can be confusing. And you want someone who knows their stuff. The accuracy of your quote is paramount – you don't want to be arguing with the driver of the moving van on your moving day about whether your quote is legit. 4. When will I get my stuff? You want something realistic. If you're making a long distance move, you don't want someone who tells you the exact day your stuff will arrive – that kind of prediction would have been challenging for even Nostradamus. You want a range, and you want someone who will be frank about some of the factors that might affect when you will get your stuff. 5. Does your company do any repeat work for businesses in the city? Many people ask for references, but what company is going to give you a bad reference – or worse, a legitimate reference? If the company works closely on repeat business for another business, that's a solid stamp of approval. 6. How will you handle my precious heirloom? Ask the moving company about their procedures for handling valuable items, or hard-to-handle items. This is a test of the moving estimator's knowledge, as well as the moving company's meticulousness – if the estimator seems to struggle for an answer, that's a bad sign. 7. Are there any charges I might incur that aren't in the estimate? Many people who have a bad experience with their moving company claim their movers didn't tell them about charges. Common ones include charges for packing, stair charges, etc. Ask all the moving companies this question, and then compare the responses – you will find it useful to see which ones seemed the most forthcoming.

If you're moving to an apartment, condo or co-op, you might find you have an abundance of stuff, but a pittance of space. This article will help you with two things: great storage ideas for your new place, and design tricks that will make your space look bigger. Storage If you don't know how to hang shelves, learn: they're invaluable spaces to help with storage. These aren't large-scale home improvement projects, so ask someone in your building how to do it – they'll be familiar with the types of walls in your complex and can recommend proper equipment (anchors, etc.). And if you're renting, be sure to ask your landlord for permission before you do any hanging. andbull; Hang shelving high along the wall for books – this keeps them out of the way, and also reduces that cluttered look by keeping them above eye-level. It's also an attractive design element. andbull; Use shelving in your closets. Most people have a lot of dead space in their closets; use shelving, particularly high on the wall. andbull; In the bathroom and kitchens, wire baskets can be hung on the wall for small storage areas. In the bathroom, look for units that can be placed above your toilet – this is often unused space. andbull; Cover end tables with floor length table cloths, then slide baskets for storage under the tables. This is great for families with small children for easy toy pick-up at the end of the day. Design Ideas andbull; Place furniture at an angle to the wall in your rooms, this can create the impression of more space – it can also create some out-of-the-way storage areas behind the furniture. If you can't do this, place your area rugs at an angle to the walls. This pulls your eye across the room and makes the space more visually expansion. andbull; Another trick is mirrors. But be sure to hang them above eye level so they don't reflect the items in your room, which can make the room seem cluttered. If you can't hang the mirrors, try to set them on shelving so they tip upward slightly. andbull; Avoid white as a color for your walls – they create a great deal of contrast with items in the room, which can make your space look smaller. Instead, use a soft, cool color – it reduces the contrast, but still reflects a lot of light, which can make a room appear larger. andbull; On the subject of light… the more the better. Make sure whatever window treatments you choose allow as much light into the room as possible. And hang the window treatments as high on the wall as possible – this makes the window appear higher, and makes the room seem more expansive. andbull; Have the window treatments blend with the color of the room. This reduces contrast. andbull; If you have any sleek surfaces in your new home, clean them up – they reflect more light. Aim for the windows, stove fronts, countertops or any glass-top furniture that can collect dust and grime left over after the moving company has dropped off your last box.

Moving and the leasing process can be a daunting task. There are a lot of things that need to be done before you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your new apartment. With a little strategy and ingenuity, the moving process need not be a strain on your energy, your time, or your finances. We've put together a list of 7 excellent tips to help you with a cheap, easy, and successful move. - Know the Community Office Hours - Have a Moving Sale and get rid of the old junk while making a little extra cash - Find free boxes at grocery stores, markets, and liquor stores and avoid having to spend money on new ones - Schedule your move so that everything is planned out from the packing stage through moving day and into the unpacking stage - Transfer your utilities as soon as possible and do not wait until the last minute - Change your billing address with your bank, credit cards, and other place or person that needs to get mail to you - Send an email out to your friends, family, and co-workers with your change of address noted so that they can send you some great housewarming gifts If you follow these 7 tips for a cheap, easy, and successful move, you'll be in great shape. Get to movin'!

The apartment leasing process can become quite confusing and overwhelming on your search for the perfect new place. There are a number of items and info that you will need to bring with you when you apply to lease an apartment, so you'll want to be prepared. These items go beyond the obvious and having them handy will make you one step closer to leasing that perfect apartment. Before heading to the leasing office, be sure to grab: -A Form of State/Government Issued I.D. - Drivers License, State ID, Military ID, Passport, or Permanent Resident Card -Proof of Income - Most recent 3-5 paysubs including the newest one or with a new job you may be required to bring a letter on company letter head stating your salary - Names, Dates, and Addresses of your rental history over the past 2-3 years -Misc. Info: Social Security Number Make, Model, and Year of Vehicle Pet info Emergency Contact info - Payment for the application fee, deposit, and other fees.

Moving to an apartment can be quite the endeavor, but there are a number of ways to make the moving day a breeze. We wanted to help you out on your upcoming move with these great tips for moving day that will have you all moved in to your new apartment with ease: - Before moving anything in, make sure that you walk through your apartment and inspect it for damages or any other costs that may come out of your security deposit one day. - Mark each moving box with a piece of tape that displays the room that it belongs in or what is inside. Be sure to mark fragile items as Fragile too! - Check your new refrigerator and cabinets before you start stocking them with food. They're much easier to clean when they are empty. - On moving day make sure to be understanding of your neighbors. Don't leave trash all around or block parking spaces. Try to keep noise down and not move late into the night. - Pack yourself a kit of the essentials that you will need upon first moving into your apartment like light bulbs, scissors, a hammer, paper towels, and snacks including bottled water. - Make sure all of your utilities have fully been transferred over so to your new apartment. - Be careful when lifting heavy objects and always use caution on stairways - Have fun and remember that moving into a new apartment is a great adventure with a blank canvas

As the weather warms up, we start creeping out of the apartment to enjoy the warmth of the spring sun. There are a number of things to remember around the apartment as the seasons change to a little bit warmer weather. 1) Remember there is no need to run the heater non stop to make your apartment habitable. As the weather gets more and more pleasant outside, pop open your windows and turn off your central units. The Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy lower electricity bills due to that lack of having to use your heater or AC. 2) Don't let all the junk from the winter pile up. Store away your extra blankets, sweaters, and jackets and then pull them out again when it is time next winter. We all know that in an apartment we are working with limited space, so do what you can to free it up some. 3) GET OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THIS WEATHER! If you are like me, you have spent the past few months holed up avoiding the freezing temperatures. You're aching to get outside and enjoy the weather, so do it. Take your dog for frequent walks. Get out of the apartment for a jog. Sit on your porch and have a margarita with your neighbor. However you need to do it, enjoy the spring time around your apartment!

When searching for an apartment for rent many of us concentrate on amenities, features, and price which are all very important things to focus on, but often one extremely important factor is overlooked. Location! It's a HUGE deal when you are apartment shopping. Don't overlook it. The biggest factor in why location is important is saving yourself on GAS. There is no doubt that gas prices can get outrageous from time to time, so having a place that is somewhat close to your work or school is can end up saving yourself some ducats. The average 15-20 minute commuter can spend a big chunk of their pay in gas per week going to and from work alone. If you live in an apartment within biking or walking distance from school or work, not only do you have the opportunity to be physically fit just from you commute, but you also have the opportunity to save yourself some hard earned cash. Another thing to factor in when considering location is where the nearest grocery store or shopping center is. If you are having to drive 20 miles to pick up a 6 pack, you are not doing yourself any justice. Not just that, but what about all of the other little things? Getting your prescriptions refilled, visiting your bank, getting Mittens to the vet, or filling up your tank. All of these things and whatever else you need to do to get things done daily, should factor into your decision on location. You should also think about the places that you like to hang out. It won't make a lot of sense to hang out at your favorite spot downtown if you live out in the burbs. Pick a spot that is close to your favorite hangout. Then you have the whereabouts of your significant others or your friends and family. You should always take into account their locations in relation to yours. You'd hate to get an apartment that is close to work yet is 50 miles from your girlfriend who you drive to see several times a week. And if you are that far...she'll never come see you either. So make sure and pick a happy medium. It's very important to weigh all of these location factors in when deciding on the best place for you. If you can find a place that is within a mile from all of these places...YOU ARE SET!!! Good luck and if you have any questions...let us know...We have answers.

How messy is the shower in your apartment? Do you have haircare product bottles, soap, puffs, shaving cream, razors and who knows what else lining the base of your tub? You name it...we've seen it. And if you have found yourself in the situation, we are here to help. The shower/bathtub is often over looked as a part of the apartment that needs a little decorators touch or some storage help. These 5 tips will help you, your roommates, and whoever else may find themselves getting clean in your apartment enjoy a sweeter shower. 1) Corner Caddy - A corner caddy is an important part of any shower. They can be found in a variety of prices from cheap to expensive, but are extremely useful. Having several shelves discretely tucked away in the corner helps to store all of the shower junk that lines the base of the tub. 2) Shower Spray - There are a ton of options at the store for shower cleaning products and sprays, so you have no excuse not to have one. So many apartment residents let their showers get mildewy and gross...then complain about it when they have to scrub for hours to get it clean. Plus, doesn't it kind of defeat the purpose of getting clean if you are doing it in a dirty place. Avoid all of this and get a daily spray that you mist your shower with when you get out and let it do all the cleaning work. You may have to sponge off a little soap scum here and there, but it will be far better than if you left it alone. 3) Trash the Trash - While we are on the subject of keeping things clean, be sure and actually throw out your empty shampoo bottles, old razors, and other bits of trash that seem to just linger around the tub for years. If you aren't going to use it...dump it. Clutter is your worst enemy in every room of an apartment...even the bath. 4) Splurge On Nice Things - Spend a little money to make your bathing experience better. Don't just go with the cheap, plastic, see-through shower curtain. Instead get one in the color you really like..and then get another that matches and goes on the outside of the shower...the whole inner/outer curtain thing looks really nice. Look into adding a nice shower head with multiple settings, but only if the community manager approves you to do so. Plush towels will prove over time to be soooo much better than their cheap counter-parts and don't just go for the cheap soap. Get stuff that smells great or leaves your skin/hair feeling great. If you don't feel great in your apartment....no one will! 5) Don't Slip - Many embarrassing accidents happen in the shower every year. A slippery shower floor can cause all kinds of problems. Consider getting a rubber non-slip shower mat that matches your shower curtains to help your feet maintain grip and skip on the slips. Happy Showering!

Many of us all over the USA are dealing with recent freezing and well below freezing temperatures depending on where in the country our wonderful apartment is situated. There are a few precautions to keep in mind around your apartment when outside temperatures dip into and below the freezing range. 1) If you have plants on your porch, cover them. You can use a sheet, an old blanket, some old T-Shirts, or anything that you can get your hands on. Just remember that plants are people too...okay maybe not exactly...but they live, breath, eat, and can freeze to death too. 2) Keep your heater on a reasonable temperature and use extra blankets or warm clothes to help keep you warm. Blasting the heater will run up your electricity bill very quickly. Keep it on a reasonable setting and layer...you'll be warm and your bill will be happy. OH! Wear socks or house shoes too...makes a huge difference. 3) Be sure your curtains are closed when the sun is down. They can help the heat stay inside the apartment. Open them when the sun is out to let the sun shine in and add some natural warmth. It's the old "geo-thermal radiation" thing or something like that. 4) Drip, drip, drip. Please let your faucet drip overnight to keep your pipes from busting. Busted pipes can cause all kinds of problems for you and your neighbors. It is a truly "No bueno" situation. 5) Don't forget that your pets may need a little more warmth too. Most of them have fur, but in many cases...that fur just ain't enough. If you have a yard with a dog or an outside cat, be sure that they are inside and taken care of. Keep caged animals away from the windows or drafty areas to avoid the cold. The shiver too, so if you see your pet shivering...find a way to help them...pet them a little longer or throw a blanket over them. 6) Space heaters are great little items, but if not used right can be a fire hazard around the apartment. Be sure to check with you apartment manager to see if they are allowed and then only use space heaters in the proper places and proper ways. Keep them away from curtains, blankets, or anything else that can go up in flames. You want to stay warm, but the last thing that you and your neighbors want...is an apartment fire. Before you know it, the freezes will be over and we will be outside playing in the sun. Just take the easy precautions and you'll be fine.

Are you still recording your favorite shows on your VCR? If so, I wouldn't be surprised if you are using an abacus to figure your taxes and a coal furnace to hear your apartment. VCR recording is a way of the past. DVR is the wave of the present and the future. It's just plain easier. Many of the cable companies and satellite providers that offer services in most apartments, now offer you a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) to record your favorite shows when you are away from the apartment or asleep. The DVR is not only a video recorder, but it's also your cable box so there is no need for extra components. Some of the companies will even include it for free if you simply ask, but even if they don't, the others are pretty affordable. You may be reading this thinking, "Of course I am using DVR now!!!" and if so...good for you. There are surprisingly a number of folks out there who are still stuck reeling those video cassettes. A DVR also helps reduce clutter in your apartment as the shows are saved on the hard-drive on the unit much like on a computer, so you have no bunch of tapes to deal with and organize. It's just so much easier and can make you apartment life a zillion times better. You'll never miss another show, get the tape all jammed into the VCR, and you'll step forward into the 21st century. So get rid of your VCR and abacus and grab a DVR!

Do you have plans to travel, take vacation, or simply spend a few days or weeks away from the apartment soon? If so, we wanted to send you a list of some of the important things to remember to take care of around your apartment before and while you are away on your adventure. 1) Make sure all of your windows and doors are locked securely 2) Please take trash to the dumpster or appropriate trash pick-up spot before leaving 3) Take care of pet accommodation arrangements 4) Set thermostat to a good temperature so that it isn't running constantly and running up your bill while you are gone 5) Let your neighbors know you will be gone so that they can keep their eye out for you 6) Turn off your computer, TV, fans, and any other electricity consuming item 7) Do NOT leave the iron plugged in, stove on, or coffee maker brewing 8) Let management know if anyone will be coming by your apartment to water your plants or feed/walk your pets 9) Consider forwarding your mail if you will be gone longer than a few weeks 10)Clean up around your place, so you come home to a nice clean apartment Please keep in mind that although you may be out of town rent will be due by the regular due date, so if you need to make arrangements with your apartment manager to mail it in please do so. You should also keep all of this in mind anytime you are going to be away from your apartment for an extended period of time. Please let us know if you have more stuff to add to the list. Leave a comment below...PLEASE!!!!!

What’s best in an apartment…hanging the flat-screen on the wall or putting it on a stand? Either way looks great when you are watching it, but they both have some hidden issues that should be weighed before the decision is made. Mounting a television to your wall will inevitably leave a few holes in your drywall when you take the TV down or want to move your furniture around. If you don't repair the holes, they will stick around and look bad even after you move out. Some communities do consider this normal “wear tear,” but some don’t and you may end up paying a fee or losing some of your deposit to cover the damage. Also, even though you’re saving space putting on your wall, you’ll still need a DVD, stereo, PS3 or other component which have lots of cables that will run down your wall. If you don't cover them up somehow, they'll just dangle and make your living area look kind of ugly. You could try hiding the pesky cables a tall plant or a dresser, but then you wouldn’t saving much floor space, would ya? Sort of defeats the purpose. There are a number of very, very cool stands and entertainment centers available that will work really well in your apartment. Most of them aren't very big, have places to store your components, and are fashionable. Best of all, they don't leave any damage to your apartment. As an apartment-ite, the choice seems obvious...go with a stand. Don’t agree? We’d like to hear from you! Leave a comment and tell us how you would store your television.

Often it can be challenging to find an apartment. Having a few tips on the apartment search can make it much easier. From beginning to end, timing your apartment search is crucial to its success. This is a very competitive market, so finding the perfect affordable apartment may seem like finding a needle in a haystack at times. It's important to keep your eyes and mind open and search around at a number of places. You should be ready to make quick decisions if you find a great "look-n-lease" special. Specials change constantly and so does pricing, so searching at the right time may prove difficult. You won't want to start your search too early, but when you do start it should be within several weeks of your anticipated move-in date if you wish to get the most accurate experience when hunting for prices. Hit the market vigorously for two to three weeks as you search through all the places you'd like to live. Most importantly, before you hit the pavement you should visit a site like ApartmentHomeLiving.com to sift through all of the communities in the area. You'll be able to see floorplans, specials, tours, amenities and more to base your decision on. Then, once you have narrowed your search down, you should call and set up visits to the communities that interest you the most. After a few visits, it should all be clear. Do your research online because once you get to the community they may offer you a special that you will lose out on if you walk out that door. No one wants that to happen. No matter where you end up finding the perfect apartment, it's important for you to be happy...so don't settle...keep searching....you'll find your golden palace! And you'll love it!

Telemarketers...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwww! They constantly tend to interrupt our dinners in our apartments or our relaxation time by calling our home phone lines and sometimes our cell phones, trying to sell us something that we are never going to buy or take a survey that we could care less about. WHY?!?!?!? It can be so frustrating to have your number on a list and get called over and over and over again. Fortunately, there is something that you can do and if you have been bothered by telemarketers in the past calling you apartment or your cell, it's time to start the New Year by doing something about it. Most of us have heard of the "Do Not Call" list where you can add your number to a list that the government requires telemarketing companies to use to scrub numbers off who opt out of these calls. The majority of the time, it works brilliantly. Occasionally, you have the stubborn, ignorant, or even poor business practiced company that keeps calling, but most of the time you'll be covered. To get your apartment's phone number added to the "Do Not Call" list, visit: https://www.donotcall.gov/ You can also file a claim against someone who keeps calling and harassing you too. (It won't work with your stalker ex though, only businesses.) So stop pulling out your hair because of telemarketers and get on the list....the greatest VIP list of all!!!!

With a new year comes a whole slew of resolutions to improve yourself and those around you next year. It all starts with setting New Years resolutions for your apartment living. I can see it now...all of the gyms are suddenly overcrowded until...January 11th. Cigarette and liquor sales go down nearly 65 % for...oh...about....4 days. Your Credit Card payment nearly doubles for the month of January, but come Valentines day, you end up owing more than you did at the turn of the New Year. 10. Rent On Time- Actually pay rent on the 1st every month! This will help avoid late fees! 9. Fugitive Pet No More- Stop hiding pets from maintenance and cut corners to finally pay the pet deposit 8. Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Meet at least one neighbor...take them a gift even. You may make a great pet sitter! 7. Keep Things Clean- Scrub-a-dub your apartment one day and keep it clean all year! 6. Use Your Kitchen- Cook and eat in your apartment more often. You’ll end up saving hundreds by the end of the year. 5. Entertain!- Put the loud, obnoxious party days behind you and host an adult style dinner party this year. 4. Furniturize- Stop using empty boxes as end tables and splurge a little on something nice! 3. The Gym Is FREE- If your apartments have a gym, what is your excuse?!?! Spend three hours a week in the gym and get in shape! 2. Out with the Old- Dig through your all of the old clothes, toys, and other junk and DONATE it! You'll free up space and help people out! 1. Make Hunting Easy- If you’re apartment hunting this year or know anyone who is...use us! It will make your apartment hunt easier and fun!

New Years Eve is a time for celebration, having good times, counting down, and of course...fireworks. But, where OH where is it okay to set off some good ole' bottle rockets? Many cities and counties across the US have different laws regarding fireworks and where they are allowed to be set off, but one thing is constant through out: Fireworks should be kept away from apartment communities at all times. A stray rocket can wreak havoc on a community in a number of reasons. It could hit a passerby, land on a driving car in the parking lot causing an accident, or worse...fly through a window and set a complete building ablaze. Not good. Fireworks can be a lot of fun if used correctly. We hope that you enjoy a few this coming New Years Eve, but we just ask you to take them to a well hydrated open area that is safe and lawful to let the rockets red glare. OR you could always watch the great fireworks shows on your High Def TV in the comfort of your apartment living room! Happy New Years! PS- Want more Apartment Living Tips? Subscribe to the Trey's Apartment Tips YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/apartmentlivingtips. He'll keep you in the know on the best ways to love apartment life.

Ok, so there are some apartment residents out there who got out of the apartment at various points over the past month or two to get all of their holiday shopping done. Then there are the rest of us...who didn't. I know the scene well. It's a scramble that begins as you pull into the parking lot and search for a "hidden treasure" of a parking spot. It takes a bit of exploring and "race car" like driving, but once you dodge the 30,000 people exiting the store and scrambling for their cars and find the perfect spot....you're ready to enter Dante's Inferno. Once you cross through those doors, there is no turning back and heading back to the apartment. You must complete your mission. Baby's will be screaming. Toys will be flying across the air. Parents will be scrambling for the last toy on the shelf. Carts running into each other. People spilling drinks all over the floor creating hazards. and absolutely NOTHING will be in the correct place. (Never look at the price below the item....it could be waaay off!) Husbands and boyfriends are running around in circles with their arms full of random items. They look lost and have no idea what to get their loved ones, as they stare at the signs in the departments trying to make sense of this chaotic mess and NEVER stopping and asking for help. Wives and girlfriends slowly push their carts inspecting each item to the fullest extent and crossing it off their carefully planned list. They debate between two basic versions of the exact same thing for 30 or so minutes before deciding to go with something completely different for Aunt Edna. With seemingly no sense of urgency and completely oblivious to the chaos around them, their carts causing an endless number of traffic jams and more confusion for the already confused men. Once you get all of your items and it's time to leave, I hope you picked up a good magazine to read as you wait in line to check out for 1 to 2 hours because whatever big box superstore you are at didn't staff enough employees to open the 30 other empty lanes. Then, once you get back to the apartment you realize you forgot one important gift...MOM! And you swear you will never wait to the last minute again.... It is an absolute nightmare. So the moral of the story, is when you say that you aren't going to wait until the last minute...follow through on that and you will have way more time to relax at your apartment during the holidays. If you don't do shopping during the holidays or don't celebrate at all...AVOID THE STORES AT ALL COST from December 17th-December 25th. If you absolutely must get some shopping in during the chaos times, here are a few tips that should help you get back to your apartment for some R and R a little quicker: 1) Avoid big box superstores and see if you can get what you need at the corner store or neighborhood CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid or other drug store. 2) Have a plan and be focused. Don't get distracted by unnecessary items and certainly avoid conversation at all cost. It just slows you down. 3) Get off the cell phone. Nothing makes people wonder around aimlessly and clueless about their surroundings than being on the phone at the store. You cause more problems doing this than you could ever realize and it drags out your shopping time by leaps and bounds. That's a start. Now if you haven't finished your shopping, get out of the apartment and do it today. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW!

You and I both know well that neighbors truly put up with alot. Whether it's noise, slamming doors, a barking dog, mud tracks in the breezeway, or a poorly parked vehicle...us and our neighbors put up with it all to get along well. The truth is, you may think that nothing you do ever bothers your neighbor, but I guarantee that they think the same thing about you......and we all know that isn't true. So this holiday season, take some time to tell you neighbor thanks for putting up with the things that you do, that you have no idea bothers them. It could be your alarm going off through the wall or the smell wafting over from the pizza you cook as a midnight snack. Whatever it may be...let them know you appreciate them. While we are on the topic of neighbors, if you are having guests over during the holidays for dinner or to celebrate a bowl game, be sure and be considerate of your next door neighbors when it comes to noise levels. They may not want to hear how excited you get when the University of Houston scores a touchdown against Air Force or whichever game you are watching! Bottom line: be nice to your neighbors this holiday season. Take them some cookies, a pie, or a turkey. You'd want them to be the same for you...and if you don't know your neighbors...TSK, TSK....you better get to know them!

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the apartment not a creature was stirring. Not even a mouse....at least I hope you don't have mice in your apartment! The stockings were hung from the chimney with.....wait a minute....chimney?!??! What chimney? I live in an apartment without a chimney. Where the heck do hang my stockings? Many apartment residents like you and I do not have chimneys to hang our stockings from with care over the holiday, so I have had to come up with a few different ideas over the years to substitute. If you are looking for an alternative place to hang up your stockings, try some of these: Entertainment Center- Tacking them around your entertainment center is a great idea if you have one. Just be careful not to hang the toes in the way of your view of the television. A Window or your front Door- Santa always came in through the chimney, right? So with no chimney, how's he going to get in? Obviously...he's going to come in through a door or a window, so try hanging your stockings around your front door (on the inside of course) or your window as your substitute for the chimney. Bathroom mirror- This is a little unconventional, but a really cool alternative to the chimney idea. Tack up your stockings around your bathroom mirror. They will be a fun reminder that it's the holiday season every morning when you're getting ready. Bar- If you have a bar or kitchen island in your apartment, you may try using that as a place to hang those stockings with care. Just be careful not to drop any food in the stocking...Santa may not enjoy finding that little surprise.... The number one rule in apartment decorations is to get creative, so be sure to use your creative side when deciding where, oh, where to hang those stockings. If your shopping isn't finished, I'd suggest you getting it done soon. It can be a headache as it gets closer to Christmas! Happy Holidays!

Finding moving boxes can be challenging. This quick tip from Trey can help make the move to your next apartment cheaper, easier, and BOXIER....in a good way! (I don't even know what that means, but I love it!)

Many of us have house guests staying with us at our apartments at some point during the holidays. Some of them may stay only a night and some might be crashing on our couches for weeks. It's often forgotten or overlooked that in many leases at most apartment communities, it states that guests who are staying in your apartment longer than a certain number of days need to be reported to the office and may actually become considered as tenants and not just guests. The common misconception is the thought, "They just want to charge me for having the guest stay there." While this could be the case at some apartment communities, with most the main reason for this information is to know that don't call the authorities or question your guest as some stranger walking around the community who doesn't belong. There are also legal responsibilities that a guest may be responsible for if something were to happen to your apartment during that time period they are staying there. Whether they "accidentally" put a hole in the wall, destroy the carpet, or anything else to the apartment...YOU will be responsible for it. So you may just think about reporting that Aunt Edna and her reckless automatic wheelchair may be staying with you for all of December. They may want to put her on the lease too, so that if that wheel chair crashes through your patio door she can be held legally responsible and not YOU or...they could just want to know. In most cases, management is understanding, won't charge any type of fee, and will simply add their names to the list. Either way...you should let them know...it's the right thing to do. After all, you sort of already are a long term house guest....aren't ya?

It's holiday decorating time and we all know that isn't easy around the apartment. There are a few things that all residents must keep in mind before embarking on your holiday decorating adventure or on any decorating adventure for that matter. Here are a few to get you started: For some reason, people love using candles in the Holidays. You may not realize it, but candles (if allowed by your apartments) can be a safety hazard that you must be aware of. Never leave a candle burning when you are leaving the apartment or going to sleep. Also, be very aware of your candle placement. Candles near the Christmas tree or the Menorah near the curtains = Bad! Many residents also like to deck out there patios and porches with decoration. Be sure to keep these areas clutter free and make sure to check with your apartment management to see what stipulations they have on porch/patio decorations first though. Watch out for ornaments as Kids and small animals love the sparkles of an ornament and are magically drawn to remove them from the tree and play with them like a toy. I suggest using twist ties to hang your ornaments if you have small children, cats, or monkeys in your apartment. The big one: Christmas music is festive and fun, but beware, too much of it will ruin your Christmas. You will find yourself bitter about that little drummer boy by the end of December if you aren't careful. Also, in apartments, remember that you have neighbors. If you are blasting Silent Night, they may be none too pleased and all may not be calm and bright. In the end there are no rules to decorating for the holidays other than to use caution, be respectful of the neighbors, and be tasteful! Happy Holidays!

Is it really already Christmas tree time again??!?!? Time certainly flies as I get older. Sounds so cliche', but so true. None the less, the time has come to put up a tree!!! (Which SHOULD be a lot of fun if it's done right.) For those of us who are allergic, have family who are, or have animals that just love playing with the ornaments, it always seems slightly discouraging to find a really great tree to pop up in the corner of your apartment. Even some apartments won't allow real trees because a tree is such a fire hazard. On top of that you can always add the mess of pine needles and what to do with that bad boy after the holidays into the mix and having a real tree in an apartment, just may be too much trouble. But it's Christmas?!?!? Why not go with one of the old trusty "fake-o-trees"? Not only is there set up, take down, and storage easy as pie, but they won't litter your apartment with needles or strike up allergies. A plastic tree is also much less of a fire hazard than a real tree too! With plastic trees that light-up, spin, sing and more, it is much easier to get creative and express yourself with it too! So branch out this year and don't get leafed behind. Put a plastic tree up in your apartment and be free of the mess, be free of the sneezes, and be free of the hazards! Your sinuses, visitors, neighbors and apartment manager will all thank you!

We've all been there before. You have a slice of piping hot pizza and a tall glass of cold fruit punch on your coffee table. As you eagerly take a bite from the piping hot slice, you burn the roof of your mouth, tongue, and lips. The knee jerk reaction has you launch the hot piece of pizza from your hands towards the plate it had been on, but disaster strikes! The pizza misses the plate, crashes into the glass of punch, sending the bright red liquid cascading to your apartment's beautifully clean carpet. Red splashes all over it with an almost immediate stained. Astonished your cat vomits in the corner as it watches you struggle to clean up the mess. No matter how hard you try...that stain is never coming up....and worse....when you move out, you may lose part of your deposit money to cover new carpet. Your story may be a variation, but it's rather unfortunate however you look at it. So what should you do? The answer may be simpler than you think. When seeking out your next apartment, save yourself the headaches of carpet and look for a new apartment with tile, wood, laminate, or stained concrete floors. You'll be amazed at how much easier one of these is to maintain. The pros far outweigh the cons and fortunately, more and more apartment communities are building units without carpet. Here are the Top 10 Reasons to consider a non-carpeted floor: 1. Easy to dust and mop with no need for a vacuum. 2. You can put on old socks and use those to clean the floor and get a good workout while doing it 3. No stains. 4. It doesn't hold onto pet dander and allergens like carpet does 5. You'll look classy to your friends 6. Much easier to clean up "gifts" left by your pets 7. No chance of rug burns....(please don't ask) 8. Can't see dirt as easily and tracking mud is a much less sticky situation 9. Easier to hear unwanted guests and intruders 10. Less chance of fleas! The list could go on and on. Having non-carpeted floors is just better, easier, cooler, and sweeter!....well....it's not sweet...like literally....unless you found one made of CANDY!!!! Willy Wonka apartments, here we come!

It seems like the perfect time for a 1st time home buyer to buy a home, doesn't it? Low interest rates, quick sales, foreclosures, etc. Sure, on the outside it looks like a great way to get a home at a decent price, but what many people forget to factor in are the TAXES you will be paying every month. In your apartment, there are no taxes...remember that! Taxes on your home can range anywhere from $2000-$9000 depending on the size, value, and location of your home. Then, each year, as the home value increases (as most home buyers hope for) these taxes will go up. Many home buyers think, "Okay...taxes will be $3400 a year, so I am good to go." But...they don't take into account that that "$3400" could turn into "$4200" or more in a matter of years. The tax rate is not set for the life of your loan. So while a home may seem like a really good investment, if you can barely afford the mortgage every month as is...you could get yourself in real danger a few years down the road. Renting an apartment is just a better option. No taxes, no lawn, you aren't locked into a 30 year loan, and you don't have to worry about appreciation/depreciation and all that stuff. All you have to do in an apartment is live your life, have fun, and be understanding of your neighbors. The apartment life is the best life....stay renting!

It's about that time again. Time to break out the box full of crusty old Christmas lights. This quick tip helps remind you that you should always practice safe lighting when you are hanging your lights. Check strands for tears in the wiring and if you find some...dispose of the worn ones. Use caution on ladders, step stools, or using a chair to reach a higher level. Use a surge protector to plug your light strands into to avoid overloading a circuit. And most importantly....be understanding and conscious of your neighbors! There are a number of ways to be safe this holiday season, so just make sure and use caution when necessary and be careful! If all else fails....hire someone to take care of it for you! Happy Holiday!!!

Quick, cheap and easy way to have fun in your apartment- It may be a little cold to head over to the state park or the national forest, pitch the tent and tell ghost stories by the fire...but if you love camping....there's ways around that. Why not do it in your living room? Move the furniture out of the way, turn down the lights, set up the tent (NO STAKES) in the living room and pretend you are in the great beyond! Have fun! Trey

We know the common scenario: The junk is piling up and space is running out. We have all been through this routine umpteen times and living in an apartment with all this junk can prove challenging when looking for places to store things. You can only store stuff so much in your closet before the door busts off its hinges. It's time to stop shoving things in boxes in the closet and use some of these creative storage and organizational ideas that will help you keep the junk under control. Wall Shelves- Take small storage pieces like a two shelved shoe organizer and attach them to the wall to create wall shelves that can easily house books, collectibles, and other little conversational items. Mobile Storage Unit- Find a cheap plastic multi-level storage shelf unit and attach some easy to attach casters or wheels to the bottom. Add a few small containers and/or bins to those shelves and suddenly you have a rolling organizational masterpiece ideal for storing shoes, socks and undies, tools, and other small items. Storage Bench- This is my favorite storage idea! Basically, get a hold of an old upper kitchen cabinet or even buy a new one from Home Depot. Add some feet to the bottom and attach seat cushions to the top. Suddenly, you have an awesome sittable piece of furniture with storage space underneath the seat. Stacked Bench Bookshelf- How about this: Stack three colored simple wooden benches on top of one another against a wall. Throw a standing clock on the top and line each bench below with books like a bookshelf. Make sure and add some attached support from the wall and, viola, you have a standing bookshelf. Organized Entryway- When you come into your apartment, think of all the junk you bring in with you. From coats and hats to phones, mail, and keychains, the amount of stuff that you bring in with you and empty from your pockets far out number the junk going out. So, keep it all close to the entry. Line you entryway walls with hooks to hang coats, keys, and hats. Set up a small shoe organizer to keep those muddy foot pieces on the linoleum floor. Install some hanging drawers and a wall shelf to store the mail, tax write off receipts and other small pieces that get lost anywhere else in the apartment. Add a piggy bank or a cool change jar to the mix to chunk all the spare change that dump out of your pockets. Lastly, put a small, tasteful waste basket near the door to rid of the candy wrappers, unneeded receipts, and other bits of trash before it enters your lair. If you are having some organizational issues and your apartment is getting cluttered from random items of junkness entering your abode everyday, try a few of these ideas to get things organized. The organized entryway and the storage bench really upgraded my living and lifestyle. If you can only try a couple. Try those! Hope you had a good weekend. Talk to you tomorrow! -Jeff

Are you ready for turkey day at your apartment? It's tomorrow!! If you are entertaining at your place for Thanksgiving this year, you seriously better get to cracking. Trust me...you don't want to wait until the last minute to get things done because if you do...your life is going to get extremely difficult...the grocery STINKS at the last minute. There are several steps that you can follow to insure that your Thanksgiving dinner will go off without a hitch and with the least stress as possible. Get Your Guests In A Row- Check out your list of guests. Make a few calls and send out the emails. The first step to keeping your sanity is to find out who is coming and who isn't as soon as possible. Once you find out who is coming, divvy up the food bringing responsibility. It would be helpful to make a list of the traditional things needed and mark down who is bringing what, so that you don't get confused and end up with two dishes of dressing and missing a green bean casserole. Here is a quick sample list that may help you out: -Turkey and Gravy (Typically that is the hosts responsibility) -Mashed Potatoes -Green Bean casserole -Dressing/Stuffing -Cranberry Sauce -Pumpkin/Pecan Pie -Rolls -Salad -Drinks Shopping Spree- Hit the stores like YESTERDAY. The stores will be crowded today, but the earlier you get there, the better. Not only will you run into a frantic, overcrowded, melee of destruction as soon as you hit that market parking lot, but you will more than likely not be able to find most of the stuff you need because the stores shelves will have already been picked dry by those who got their shopping done before you. Get to the store...Hurry! Time is running out. The Turkey Prep- If you haven't had it defrosting for several days, iIt's too late to cook a frozen turkey. In a last minute jam...run get one pre-cooked from your nearest grocer. Throw it in a serving dish and no one will ever know the difference. If you ARE going to cook your own turkey that you have defrosted for a few days, decide how you are going to cook it and have all of the necessary tools ready. There are literally hundreds of ways to cook a turkey and each year new recipes and techniques are created. Generally, at 350 degrees, the roasting time of your turkey of average weight should be between 3 and 4 hours. Don't be intimidated, but it's more challenging than you'd think. Cook it too long and you end up with a dry turkey. Cook it too short and it could be unsafe to eat. The important thing to always keep in mind is that if the internal temperature of the turkey is between170 and 180 degrees, you should be safe and good to go. For any turkey questions you can call Butterball's Turkey Talk Line at 1-800-Butterball Clean, Inspect, Then Clean Again- If there is ever a time to make sure that you apartment is extra spotless and in perfect condition, it's now. No one wants to be sitting down to a hefty celebratory Thanksgiving dinner only to notice dust all over the backs of the chairs, or candy wrappers on the carpet. Clean like you are getting paid to do it. Make sure that your silver and glassware is polished and spotless. The kitchen and bathroom need to look institutionally clean. Make several runs with the vacuum to make sure you don't miss any spots. Dust in places you usually overlook. Keep these simple steps in mind as you prepare for your awesome Turkey Day and you should be good to go. Thankfully, I am not entertaining this year. Woo hoo! No work for me!!! I'm sure I'll end up having to wash the dishes Later Turkey's,

One of the more commonly overlooked areas of the apartment when decorating is the hallway. Whether it's your entry hall, the hall to the bathroom, or the hall to the garage, this may be a heavily traversed pathway to somewhere else in your apartment. Do you want travelers in this realm to think you are lacking on your decorative skills and to be bored on their 7-10 step journey from one room to another? Absolutley not! If your front door opens into your living area, you may not have to worry about the entry hall, but if not...it's a big issue. You never want the first thing people see when they walk into your apartment to be a blank wall. That's boring and it sets the example that you may not care how your place looks to your guests. Make an impact with them as they arrive by decorating that wall with something that says a little about who you are. Try pictures of you, family, and friends in cool frames in a unique arrangement or a large wall mirror surrounded by cool art and ivy. I even know someone who collected crosses and made their entry hall a wall of crosses because they didn't think any burglar would rob the place when they saw all the crosses. The guilt would be too much. Use the entry hallway or any hallway for that matter to set the tone for the rest of your apartment. You can even accent them with a different paint color than the rest of your place to add depth, but make sure the color is complimentary to the joining rooms. Plug in a lamp or track lighting to give some lighting effects or even set the tone by using the sense of smell with a glade plug in. It's also important to remember that your hallways are passages and should ALWAYS be clutter free. It's not a place to store boxes or your huge computer bag. It's not a place for the trash bag that you don't quite want to walk all the way to your apartment's dumpster. And it's most certainly not a place for your dirty clothes! Apartment living is the best way of life, so why not make the best of it. Don't forget the little things that help make it rock more...like your hallways!

Thinking about moving into a Denver apartment? If so, or...heck...if you are even just considering going for a visit, watch this video for some great info on the "Mile High City." Great Denver apartments can be found in places all over the Denver metropolitan area. Whether you want something fancy, simple, contemporary, old, or whatever...you are bound to find it in the Mile High City and at a cost you will love. The city ranks in the top among places with a high quality of living and the city is pretty darn clean. Skiing in the winter and great camping or white water rafting in the summer...Denver apartments Rock! For more information on where to live in Denver or for help finding Denver apartments for rent that match your wants and needs, visit http://denver.apartmenthomeliving.com

What can be done about those pesky strays around your apartment? No...I'm not talking about your creepy ex who just keeps lingering around...I'm talking about stray animals. Again..not your ex.... Whether it's a cat gone feral or a rogue dog, strays can cause all kinds of headaches for apartment-ites. Not only do they dig into trash bags and carry fleas and disease that can transfer to your pets, but they also leave their "mark" on doorsteps and patios so that other strays know to stay away. There is only one thing wrong with that picture...THEY DON'T BELONG IN THE FIRST PLACE. So what can be done about them? There are a variety of tactics that can be used when dealing with strays, but there is one thing that you must ALWAYS consider no matter what the stray is doing... YOU DO NOT WANT TO CAUSE HARM TO THE ANIMAL... Trust me, there are ways to keep away the strays that do not hurt or harm them in anyway. Here's what I did: Someone in my old apartment community used to leave a huge mound of cat food out for the stray cats in the area to feast on. This wouldn't have been as big a deal, but she was feeding them right outside of my patio while her building was on the entire other side of the community. Not only did these strays bother my two cats and taunt them from the other side of the glass-pain door, but they also destroyed my patio furniture and would cry at my bedroom window incessantly if their "provider" forgot to leave them some food. Perhaps minor, this was indeed a hassle that affected my happiness in my apartment. I had to do something, but what? I didn't want to be confrontational because, frankly, this old lady scared the heck out of me. So I started off by telling the apartment manager, which should always be the first course of action in trying to solve some type of apartment related issue with neighbors or the community. She told me that she would leave a note on all apartment doors instructing the residents not to feed stray animals and that pets should be kept inside apartments at all times unless accompanied by their owner. While a good tactic, the crazy old cat lady paid no attention and went on feeding the cats outside of my window. Both management and myself contacted animal control to let them know of the situation, but they seemed to ignore it. (No Money in it for them.) It was then that I went to phase 2. Not wanting to cause harm to these 12-20 stray cats, I was forced to think outside of the box. Since crazy cat lady was spending an egregious amount of cash on stray cat food every week, I decided to do something to make her feel that she was wasting her time, money and energy. Every day over the next couple of weeks, I would wait for the lady to put out this massive mound of food. After she left, I would completely moisten it with water, soda, or some other harmless liquid so that it couldn't be appetizing to even the most desperate cat. I swept as much of it as I could into the oblivion of the grass and flower beds, covered it in dirt, or simply threw it away. If she left out a bowl, I threw the bowls away in the dumpster. Eventually, it worked and she stopped setting food out....and after a few weeks...the strays went back to "stray-land"...wherever that may be. The point of the story is that if you wish to get rid of the strays, you have to think about what is causing them to come around. When you take that element out of the picture...they'll go bother someone else. First things first though.....ALWAYS let management know about the problem when you first notice it. More than likely, they will be able to handle it on their own. Happy petting!......and not your ex.

We are heavy into flu season and I can tell you one thing for sure that rings true for every single apartment-ite out there...Nobody wants to get sick. If you do, there may be something deeper wrong there that should be evaluated. Unfortunately, living in an apartment community means you are living in close proximity to others. Whether you run into your neighbors in the gym, share a conversation as you are taking out the trash, or stopping by the neighbors house to borrow some sugar...you run the chance of spreading or catching germs...flu or otherwise. How often have you seen someone cover their mouth when they cough and then grab a door handle directly after. This could be the door to the gym, the office, the mail room, or wherever... Regardless of how you possibly catch the flu or a cold, it's important to do things to be prepared....especially when you live in a close nit community. Many clinics and pharmacies across the USA offer flu shots at discounted prices. While this won't defend you against the common cold, it will help prevent you from coming down with a violent flu and passing it to your neighbors. Stop it before it begins! You should also remember to "bundle up" before you head out into the cold. Scientists may disagree that cold whether directly causes sickness, but it has been proven that as your body gets cold, it works hard to try to warm itself up. While it's working harder at doing this, it lessens the guard against germs and such. So be sure and dress warm. If you do have a cold that runs it's course, make sure you disinfect your apartment. Using a disinfectant spray, wipe down your counters, phone, remote control, door knobs or any other thing that you touch often in your apartment. Wash your sheets and pillow cases and change your toothbrush. Do everything you can do to get your apartment in shape to keep whatever you had from coming back or being spread to your guests. Germs are everywhere, just be prepared and you should help keep yourself from getting sick, so you can spend more time enjoying the fun apartment lifestyle!

I can't tell you how many times it has happened to me in the past....Sitting at home in my comfy apartment on a Friday evening unable to come to a decision with any of my friends on where to go grab a bite to eat or what club to hit for a drink later that night. Then, there are the days where it's so BEAUTIFUL outside and I wanted to get out there and do something to enjoy it, but WHAT? Well, my fellow-apartment-ites, that problem is NO MORE! You may be looking for a new place, or just looking for new things to do around your old place, but we can help. If you are looking for some great things to do around your apartment, no matter what city you live in, we have the answer for you. The Apartment Living Guide lists top restaurants, nightlife hotspots, parks, museums, golf courses, theme parks, and much more in 100 major markets all over the USA! The best part is that each place is reviewed by a fellow Apartment-ite, so you can learn the ins and outs of the great places to go. Whether you are looking for a good Italian food restaurant in Chicago or a sports bar in Dallas, the Apartment Living Guide has what it takes to help you get the most out of apartment living! With 15+ city's live and waiting to be perused, more cities will be added every week. So no matter what city you want information on, make the Apartment Living Guide your first stop!

There are a number of reasons to keep your apartment clean and in tip-top shape. You may want to impress guests or release that a messy apartment reflects a messy person...and noone wants to be known as that. Perhaps it's keeping away the bugs and the smell....ewww! Whatever your reason is for keeping your place clean, remember how important it is to do so. A clean apartment is a happy apartment. One really BIG reason to keep your place scrubbed and dust free is not thought about very often. Most residence aren't thinking this far in advance, but if you ever plan on moving out of the apartment, you will be required to scrub that puppy like it was brand-spankin' new in order to face losing out on your deposit and not being charged for leaving the apartment in bad shape. Upon move-out, you'll be asked to do things like clean the fridge, oven, light fixtures, windows, sills, microwave, and all bathroom utilities. You may be charged for leaving any trash or junk in the apartment upon move out. If anything is broken like your mirrors, jacks, walls, etc....you will also be charged for those items On top of that you have the carpet to consider. KEEP IT VACUUMED. A clean, vacuumed carpet is a carpet with less worries than a stained, tracked on old turf that may have to be replaced...at your cost. I know noone ever likes to think about moving, but if you wait until the last minute to do all the cleaning...you will have a lot of headaches....as well...as you may have some cost to your pocket. My advice would be to keep things clean throughout the entire lease and take the time to take care of the home you are renting from someone else.... Again...a clean apartment is a happy apartment!

It's easy to see why apartment-ites flock to San Francisco. The amazing sights and attractions coupled with the old timey charm of the gold rush days make this "City by the Bay" every apartment-ites dream. Folks in San Francisco often visit Alcatraz Island for a little criminal history lesson. One time home to the derelicts of society and such famous criminals as Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly it is now a museum housing fascinating exhibits documenting the city's history. Residents often find themselves enjoying the atmosphere and opportunity at Pier 39. Besides great food with fantastic ocean views and fantastic shopping at over 100 shops and boutiques, Pier 39 also offers a carousel, underwater park and marina and all the wandering jugglers and acrobats the boardwalk can hold. It isn't hard to spend a whole day seeing the sights on Pier 39. Known for its great wineries, San Francisco is the definitive place to go on taste and winery tours and understand how wine is made by witnessing a real working winery. Food in the bay city is vast and varied leaving no palette unsatisfied. Night life is like another world in San Francisco. Rock-it Room has the perfect vibe going on for rockers. A rock only bar there is always a new band to hear. You'd be hard pressed to miss spotting a fabulous celebrity when you are out on the town. Check out the San Francisco Apartment Living Guide to learn more about apartment living in this great city!

There are a ton of reasons out there that Apartment living is way-many-uber times better than any other way to live. In my latest apartment video, I think I nail down 6 of the very solid reasons. After watching this video, you'll never want to live anywhere else. Check it out! Make your own great videos about or IN your apartment? Let us know. Post them on a YouTube and send me friend invite at http://www.youtube.com/apartmentlivingtips (Please keep it appropriate....)

I have always felt that San Diego was one of the most beautiful cities to live in the United States. Rich with culture, nightlife, great restaurants, beaches, and great people, San Diego enlightens people of all ages and makes for a great place to truly enjoy. Now we are proud to announce that San Diego is our latest installment to the Apartment Living Guide at: http://livingguide.apartmenthomeliving.com. Here you will be able to find great places to spend what free time that you may have outside of your San Diego apartment. You'll find restaurants, nightlife, parks, museums and much, much more to enjoy. If you are one of the many apartment-ites out there who are looking for a place to plant your roots, you can use the living guide to find the city that has all of the coolest stuff that you relate with. Compare pictures and reviews from other apartment-ites on everything that each city has to offer, and the apartment communities that are close by. So quit thinking about finding a better place! DO IT! Welcome San Diego....Miami...you're next!

Today is the day, my fellow Apartment-ites. It's the day when we can exercise our rights as citizens of the United States of America. It's November 4th...the day that every four years we elect or re-elect our nations President. Many of us dread the lines of getting out there and voting, but I was able to do it this morning with very little time taken out of my schedule to be back here, rocking away at getting you the coolest apartment content from the web. I've heard a number of apartment-ites and fellow citizens out there say that they don't want to vote because "their vote doesn't count','they don't like either candidate', or 'it doesn't matter who is elected, it won't effect their lives.' To all of this I say...NONSENSE....get out of your apartment right now and hit the voting booth! Number one, your vote DOES count...it always counts. Can you imagine if everyone who felt that their vote didn't count, suddenly voted? It would have the potential to rock the polls. And who cares if you don't like the candidates. Think of all the soldiers who have lost their lives from the American Revolution through the Gulf War who have fought for you to retain that right given to you by our nation...the right to vote....the RIGHT to get to put in your input once every 1461 days. If you don't like Obama or McCain...write in Rudy G. or Nader! JUST VOTE! No matter how you feel about the economy, the war, taxes, or any other political issue...it DOES effect you. Whether it directly effects you who is in office, may not be easily seen for you, but I guarantee that through the ripple effect or domino effect, the decisions that someone is making in office will make a change in your everyday life. Whether it's the effect it has on the price of gas, which effects your monthly spending or if your taxes are going to change or your right to bear arms...it effects you. So the bottom line....from a fellow Apartment-ite...GET OUT THERE AND VOTE if you haven't done it yet. I don't care who you vote for...just exercise your right! Be heard!

Recently some hoodlums broke into the maintenance room at my apartment community and stole a bunch of apartment keys. My community manager stated that there should be no worry because all of the keys were old keys and no longer would work in any apartments. Should I be worried? Perhaps not in this situation if the keys are indeed "old," but it never hurts in this day and age when things like this are prone to happening to be extra careful. Whether we like to admit it or not, there are bad people out there who will do anything to make an easy buck. That "anything" includes breaking into apartments or cars and taking things of value. Rather than live in fear, the best course of action is to realize that there is always the possibility and be prepared. I've gone over and over the importance of not leaving anything of value in your car, but what about the apartment itself. With the possibility of keys out there which may be in the wrong hands and could easily gain access to my apartment, what can I do to help prevent theft? The answer is easy: Hole up in your apartment and never leave. KIDDING! Seriously though, you should always keep a few things in mind regardless of whether someone has your apartment keys or not. When you are at home, ALWAYS keep your doors locked and the deadbolt bolted. Most, if not all, deadbolts are unable to be unlocked from the outside. You should always keep your windows locked whether you are home or away. An unlocked window is simple for a professional thief to break into and don't let the screen fool you. A simple pocket knife makes the screen non-existant, so NEVER leave your windows open or unlocked when you aren't at home. Consider adding a security system to your apartment. Many communities these days have apartments wired for alarm systems and you merely have to sign up for a service. Basic alarm service is getting cheaper and cheaper. If you want to add a little added security the old fashioned way, consider placing a baseball bat in an accessible place in case you ever "god forbid" need to use it. Have a lot of jewelry? Keep it hidden in drawers when you aren't wearing it. Leaving it out on your counters or on top of the dresser is begging someone to grab them first if they ever broke in. You should make these items difficult to find. I have a friend who leaves out decoy items, just in case. He has a jar of pennies in plain view with a ton of fake quarters and nickels in it. He also has a broken VCR placed on top of his other TV peripherals in hopes that a thief will run off with it, rather than the rest. Theoretically, this isn't such a bad strategy, but who knows if it works or not. Another great strategy is to get a dog. Dog's can be great theft deterrents, but make sure you check with your community manager to see if they are allowed. (Never try to sneak a dog in...you will end up regretting it from your bank account.) Whatever your method is in being safer around your apartment, just take the time to think things out. Don't live in fear, live to be prepared. That's how I live...and with two fearsome house-cats...........that eat and sleep all day..................but I swear they'd scare away a burglar!

Hey Halloweening Apartment-ites! Are you going trick-or-treating? This year Halloween falls on a Friday, which makes the Holiday all the more awesome. Not only do you get to participate in all of the inter-office/inter-school Halloween festivities with the opportunity to dress in the craziest costume you can find, but you also get the joys of staying out late and painting the town red if you wish (please do not really paint the town any color). At Apartment Home Living, we have begun the festivities of this once-a-year holiday in grand fashion...with an old-fashioned potluck lunch and costume contest! You already know that we Live for Fun, so you'd have to figure that we all get in the spirit of things too! That's nearly all of our team at the Austin office dressed for the occasion. You can see there was a wide range of characters from our accounting team as hippies to the man in charge in full Sumo gear. We certainly ran the gamut of Halloween ideas. Need a last minute costume idea? It's never too late. Take one of ours... The winner of our competition at the office was Eric who came as none other than: Yes that's right...it's John McCain in his younger days. Okay, okay...it's Charlie Chaplin. Congrats Eric! What about you? Got any great Halloween plans at your apartment? Hopefully you are getting into the spirit of things at your school or work and will be enjoying a great Halloween at the apartment. If you go out on the town to peruse the ghosts, goblins, and ghastly gnomes be sure to be safe. If you partake in an adult beverage such as a nice glass of witches brew or pirates grog, do NOT drink and drive. Have a ton of fun, but be responsible. Remember that kids are going to be trick-or-treating all night and they even do it in your apartment community, so if you are staying in for the night, have some candy ready........and don't be the person that gives out pennies or raisins....kids do NOT find that amusing...If you are driving, PLEASE watch out for the kids roaming the streets for delicious treats and ALWAYS throw away suspicious looking candy. BE SAFE! Have a very HAPPY HALLOWEEN fellow Apartment-ites! Until next year...

I know, I know....you are wondering the big question that is on everyone's mind. It's the biggest question of the century and stopping it may be one of the keys to saving the world. The question... What are "Vampire Electronics"? Hmmmm. Am I going to tell you what they are? In the immortal words spoken on Saturday Night Live in mockery of an unmentioned Vice Presidential candidate this election, "You betcha!" You know that little red light in the corner of your Television that stays on even when the TV is off? Or how about the clock on your cable receiver? What about the little GREEN light on the speakers that are hooked up to your computer? All of these things are "vampire electronics" and they CONSTANTLY burn through electricity. I bet you didn't know that the little light on the TV burns between $30-150 per year in electricity. Multiply this by the number of items that have the whole "Vampire" thing going and your bill is crazy. Let's say you have 5 items in your apartment that all have a little light that constantly burns. Let's just figure that each one burns about $50 of electricity each year. You could save yourself $250 per year, just by making sure these items are plugged into a surge protector that you can plug in when you aren't using them. Tack this on-top of the amount you would save if you turned off your computer anytime you weren't going to use it for a few days and you would be getting in great shape on your electric bill. The great thing is, though, that if you cut down on your use of "vampire electronics" you will also do a small part in saving the environment. If everyone was conscious of these little items, there is no telling on the positive effect that it would have on the environment and could keep us from getting to the dreaded...6 degree difference! The only "Vampire electronic" item that should exist in your household is your alarm clock..........and even that should be run on renewable batteries!

Did you know that the average apartment-ite drools 74 gallons of drool while they sleep in their apartments throughout their lives?.....Neither did I because I made that up, but good sleep in your apartment is extremely important. Most of us have extremely over crowded work, school, and social calendars that cause rifts in our sleeping habits and a lack of quality zzzzzzz's time. While there are some who implement the "sleep when you are dead" philosophy there are many of us out there who are seemingly dead when we don't get good sleep. So for those of us who don't want to live completely on a combination of Red Bull, Monster, coffee, and diet pills, what can be done to get a more restful sleep? The answer is: NOTHING. No seriously, the best way to get better sleep is to do nothing. Limit what you do before bed time in order to get yourself in the rest mode. If you keep going and going and just hop into bed, your mind and body will be racing when it's time to get some rest....and that...friends is no good. Give yourself an hour or more of just completely relaxing your body and mind before you try to go to sleep. Whether that is flipping on your DVR and watching your favorite Matlock re-runs or playing a few rounds of Wii Tennis or reading a good book....just let yourself relax before you head to the bed room. You should also always get 6-8 hours of sleep and while you definitely don't want to undersleep, you should also try not to over sleep...it's a proven fact too much sleep can make you feel unrested. Why? I have no idea, but it's somehow been proven. 7 hours a night would be perfect! Another little tidbit of sleeping help excellence is to avoid caffeine in the last 6 hours of being awake. Even better than that would be to only drink caffeine in the morning. Drinking caffeine too late can have you tossing and turning, counting sheep to try to go to sleep. Lastly...try not to fall asleep on the couch watching TV before going to bed. The act of waking up to move from the couch to the bed can severely disturb your sleep. It's best to sleep straight through with no interruptions. Sleep is important, apartment-ites. Don't sleep when you are dead....get good sleep every night! Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite. PS- We wanted to thank Jessica for using our site to find her new apartment and for her kind words! You rock, Jess!

In my many years of living in apartments, I have learned one VERY valuable thing to keep in mind: Don't be a stranger with the management! There are a number of reasons for making sure you stand out in management's mind that go way beyond the obvious..."so they don't call the cops when they think I am breaking into my own apartment." It's important to remember that although they DO take your money on the 1st of every month, your apartment management is on your side and are there to help you with anything to make your residency in your community a great one. They want you to stick around for as long as possible and if you like the place...you should want to. Keeping all of this in mind, I would suggest that you drop by the office a couple of times to do more than just drop off the rent. Let them know about that running toilet, the dude in the fitness center that smells, or even that you think they are doing a great job. Be friendly with them and take them a fruit cake if you wish. Whatever it is let them know that you appreciate them keeping a safe roof over your head, cleaning the pool, cleaning the grime off of the machines in the gym, doing all of the yard work, and throwing those fabulous community shindigs. If your lease is close to being up...stop by and see what options they have for your renewal. In many cases, the sooner you renew...the better deal you can get. On top of that, if you have met and become personal with your apartment manager, the negotiations will seem much easier on your end than if you completely had no idea who they were. They won't be able to give you any special privileges, but the discussion may seem a little light and less formal....and that always helps when you are discussing money. The key to eternal apartment happiness is to not be a stranger...make yourself known around your community (for good things) not only to your neighbors, but also to the management. They are there to help........keep things clean and deal with getting garbage off the property.......don't forget that!

Ah the glorious toothbrush... What an instrument of incredible usefulness. But be very, very careful where you leave your toothbrush out. More germs can be spread on a toothbrush than you could ever imagine. These germs can get on your toothbrush from merely leaving that bad boy on the apartment bathroom counter. No bueno! As a fellow apartment-ite, I would implore you all to take up good toothbrush practices in your apartments! What are good toothbrush practices you ask? Here's just a few for you to abide by: Hot Rinse- Always rinse your toothbrush well with HOT water before using. Not only does this help wash off some of the germs, but it also loosens up the bristles so that they aren't as rough on your gums. Change It- Change your toothbrush every couple of months! Make no bones about it. You could even change it each month. BUT when you change it, make sure that it is a NEW toorhbrush. Watch Out For Your Roomy- Never leave a toothbrush out when you might be on your roommate's bad side. Words cannot the atrocities that I have heard about that an angry roommate has done with another roommates toothbrush to get back at them for whatever reason.....I am shuttering just thinking about it! Cover- When traveling, be sure to put a toothbrush cover on it that keeps all the dirt, and germs from your travel bag off of the brush. It also keeps you from setting the toothbrush down on a very gross hotel bathroom counter. Just make sure that it is dry before you stick it in a cover. Practice good toothbrush handling and your toothbrush will be very, very happy!

If your apartment is anything like mine, it's very comfortable and makes it very easy to veg out on the couch and watch your waist line grow. It takes a little discipline to put down the potato chips and get in gear, but you can do it. A healthy lifestyle will not only help you look better, but you will also FEEL better. Both of these betters, will make you a happier apartment-ite. There are ways to promote healthy living other than hitting the gym and it starts with getting in good habits while you eat. Here are a few common good eating ideas to follow: 1.)- Do Not Eat Dinner Any Later Than 7:30 2.)- Do Not Eat Anything within 3 hours of bedtime. Your body needs time to digest and burn off some of that food before you go to sleep and your body stores it as fat. 3.)- Avoid eating too many sugar items, starches, and fats...yes....this includes beer. Beyond that, there are a number of less common ideas on staying healthy in your diet. Keep these things in mind: 1.) Avoid Overeating- Listen to your body and when you are full...STOP EATING. Before getting a second helping, let your body rest for a second and see how full you feel. 2.) Snack Attack- Before snacking, really evaluate your hunger level. Often you are just thirsty or bored and a glass of water or an activity will help you get over the snack attack. 3.) Chew More- It's pretty much a proven fact that if you chew more, you will end up eating less. So count your chews and make sure you chew at least 20 times for every bite. A healthy lifestyle in your apartment really isn't that difficult if you give it a little effort. The results will be well worth it.

StevieG, a fellow Apartment-ite writes: "Just wanted to say a huge "Thank you!" I signed the lease for my new apartment at exactly 11:23am, I'm stoked and really happy with the place. You and your website made it so much easier because I knew what to expect going in today. Again, thank you for your help and your kicking website!" Stevie...thank you so much for your kind words. I always take pride in being able to help those who are looking for a new apartment find the perfect place and I am extremely happy to have helped you out on your quest. Now that you are in your apartment, you are going to want to be looking for things to do around it, aren't you? We want to stick around and help you get the most out of apartment living after you have found the perfect place, so if you are looking for fun things to do in your area, visit our Apartment Living Guide at: http://livingguide.apartmenthomeliving.com. The Guide is full of all types of restaurant and nightlife reviews as well as info on parks, museums, lakes and more for you to enjoy. Any time you need decorating tips, tips on green living, ideas for living as a great neighbor, and many more ways to truly celebrate apartment living...come back and see us. We'll be waiting! And that goes for every Apartment-ite out there. Apartment Home Living is here for YOU to get everything you can in your phat pad! See ya soon and send us pics of your place! -Jeff

In an apartment, living in such close proximity to others, there is no excuse for being a loud, obnoxious, inconsiderate neighbor. Every single morning, without fail, I know exactly when my upstairs neighbor is leaving for the day, or walking their dog or whatever they are doing......VERY EARLY. It is one of the first signs of being a naughty neighbor who is inconsiderate of their neighbors. I want every Apartment-ite out there to please work on being a GOOD neighbor. Always remember that you live in a community with other people, so try to be considerate, aware, and conscious of the little things that may bother those around you. My upstairs neighbor lets their door SLAM shut in the wee hours of the morning, which seems to slightly shake the entire building and make a very loud echoing boom that I am sure can be heard several buildings over. Then, they bound down the three flights of stairs like a herd of elephants with cattle taped to their feet. This is nothing but inconsiderate and LOUD. I've also had friends who had upstairs neighbors dump unknown liquids off of their balcony to get rid of them. They must have been assuming that it would disappear into oblivion, but, rather, it ended up splattering on the railing and floor into my friends balcony. I think we should all start a pact to try our hardest to be a good neighbor. You in? Being aware of your actions and how they effect your environment is the best ingredient to the recipe of being a great neighbor. Keep that in mind the next time you go into "cleaning mode" and blast your stereo so that you can hear it over your vacuum. While we are on the subject of being a great neighbor, keep an eye out for your neighbors when they are gone. If you see something suspicious or a suspicious looking character, don't be afraid to call the office and let them know. It's like the neighborhood watch, but EVEN BETTER! Being a good neighbor in your apartment is easy...start thinking about it today!

The truth is bold and in front of us. It's been repeated throughout the history of our society. When the economy is down, crime goes up. Theft and burglary are two HUGE crimes that raise during times of trouble. Recently, my community fitness center had it's TV's stolen and the mail box broken into. We had 3 car break-ins and someone digging through the trash. We are a gated community....But no one can be in charge or responsible for your safety except yourself. With this in mind, please do not take for granted the safety of yourself or your valuables at any time. Just having a gate at your apartments doesn't guarantee that the bad people are going to be kept out. What if the people committing the break-ins are residents within the apartment or a pizza guy who knew the gate code. No matter how it happens, break-ins happen. They can be in your car, apartment, or even your office. The only thing that you can truly do is be prepared. Here are a few tips on being prepared: Valuables-- Whatever you do, DON'T LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR CAR. Whether its a purse, laptop, backpack, cell phone, or whatever...DON'T LEAVE IT IN THE CAR. If you leave these items in the car they are easy bait on having someone break in to your vehicle. Different Times- Come home and leave your apartment at different times. In case some premeditated burglar is doing research on you, don't give them any info on your routine. Take different routes on your way home. Come home at lunch just to drop in. Whatever it is, just make sure you vary your routine and keep any possible burglar on their toes. Think Defensively- It never hurts to think defensively. Don't talk to suspicious strangers in the parking lot at night and carry pepper spray on your key chain (just in case). Heck, you could even keep a baseball bat by the door too...also just in case. However you do it, just be prepared. An attacker would be less likely to attack if they feel like they are going to get hurt. Paper- Do you get the newspaper? Don't leave it out. Be sure to bring it in as soon as you get it. Thieves see stacks of papers or mail on a doorstep and it is an immediate sign that you aren't home. That makes you an easy target. Locks are there for a reason- When you are home, lock both locks. They are there for a reason, so use the deadbolt...Use all the precautions! Windows- A big area of entry is through the windows, so be sure your windows are locked and closed when you aren't in the room. Also...keep your BLINDS DRAWN and Drapes closed at night or when you aren't around. If they are left wide open, that gives a burgler an easy way to take inventory on your stuff. Keep things closed to keep them out. Lights- Place a CFL bulb in a lamp in one of your main rooms and leave that lamp on when you leave. It may not help your energy bill, but a prospective thief may be deterred from robbing you. Again, I reiterate that you and you alone are responsible for your safety and no one else can be held accountable...unless you are under 18 and your parents can be held responsible, but I digress... Just stay safe and keep your chins up...the economy will pick up and the crime rate will go back down. None the less, it's always good to practice safe tactics!

I ran across the COOLEST looking apartment community and I had to share it with you Apartment-ites. This place looks CRAZY!!! Check it out: Habitat 67 If you ever find yourself in Montreal you should definitely check these out. They are all based on a stacking of cubes type system and from the looks of it, I can't seem to see any stairs. If you go, please investigate and report back to me on where the heck the stairs are! While it may be difficult finding a place like that anywhere else, you CAN however, easily duplicate the coolness of Habitat 67 in the decorations of your very own apartment! Head to Target or another big box superstore...pick up anything cube like that you can decorate with. Whether it is crates for storage, or little cube ottomans, anything can be used to have that "cube-like" theme. Once you get all "cube-tastic" then you can arrange and stack and get them how you want in your apartment. Look for painting and artwork that reflects the cube theme to hang on your walls. Accent with different sized cube shaped objects and storage units. It's the type of theme you could go as far out there as you want to go with. Remember, though...clutter is the key to discontent, so if you get cluttered...then you may have gone too far.

A friend recently expressed concern about moving into his first apartment. Being the good Samaritan that I am, I chose not to laugh at him for his concern and rather to help him out. Being nervous about moving into your first apartment, need not bother anyone. Why? Moving to an apartment is far from concerning. IT'S AWESOME!!! The process should be exciting and you should be eager to make it happen. Whether you are moving from your parents house, a friends couch, a dorm, or wherever...the move to your own apartment is a step in the right direction. If you are nervous about taking that step into your very first apartment, don't be. Turn that frown upside down and put on your dancing shoes because life is about to start rocking for you! No other way of living even compares to how much fun the apartment lifestyle is. Decorate how you want. Watch what you want to on the TV. Have guests over whenever you want. It's YOUR place! If that's not exciting and doesn't get you hyped up on having your own place, I don't know what will.... You should stress not about apartment life because apartment life truly ROCKS! Check out this video on the 6 Reasons Apartment Life Rocks the House! That video may help ease your mind and add to your excitement. Seriously, if you take anything away from reading this it is that you have nothing to be nervous about. Get out there...get your place...meet your neighbors and start living for fun! It's the only way! PS- Like us on Facebook

I wanted to take a moment to wish congratulations to Jason Brown of City View in Austin for being the latest quarterly winner of our Live 4 Fun: Win 1 Month’s Free Rent Contest! Jason won a $750 check by random drawing after registering on our site, entering a “Live For,” and either contacting or emailing to inquire about one of our listed communities. Anyone who did those three things between July and September was automatically entered into the drawing to win. His apartment community, City View, managed by Greystar, will also win $250 simply because he resides there. A finance major at the University of Texas, Jason was the only “Apartment-ite” who stated that they "Live For Graduating In December." Hopefully, $750 towards Free rent will be an excellent graduation gift for our winner. Brown was chosen from nearly 100,000 total people who visited the site and met the requirements in the last 90 days. Talk about good odds! Brown found ApartmentHomeLiving.com during his online search for an apartment. He attempted to go through an apartment locator, but found ApartmentHomeLiving.com much, much easier to use. Brown says, "I love your website. It's very easy to search properties, look at pictures and floorplans, and find answers. Just overall an A+ website. Thanks Jason!!! Look for one more drawing in December. Get your chance to win in the last drawing of 2008 by registering a Live 4 on the Live 4 page and start contacting some communities. The more communities you contact...the more entries you'll have into the drawing! Our next drawing will take place on December 20th, 2008. Anyone who tells us what they "Live For" and contacts a community between now and December 19th will be entered to win! (Just please...please....remember that your "Live For" is a reflection of you!) I draw the names myself, so I'm pretty excited! Absolutely no bribes will be excepted!!!

Wires, wires, wires and more wires. That is what most Apartment-ites see when they are hooking up their complete entertainment center. You just moved into your new place. You have all the pieces near where you want them....but how do you hook it up?!?!? It can be a challenge if you do not know what you are doing exactly. Luckily, I am a supreme technician when it comes to hooking up electronics! I have a few great tips to help put method to the madness to help you in hooking up your entertainment center in your apartment with somewhat ease. These ideas are for people who have a basic cable structure where the cable comes from the wall and not a satellite. If you are setting up a satellite, please contact your customer service department for that satellite company. For the sake of narrowing things down a little, lets say that you have a TV, DVD Player, Cable Box, and Stereo. This is easy-peazy. Remember, don't be scared...it's very difficult to mess something up with this. If you aren't getting the results that you want, try different combinations of wires connected to see what works. For this example we will imaging that your TV has one coaxial input and an A/V input and output. Scratch Separation- First of all you will want to separate all of your different components (TV, DVD Player, Stereo, etc.) Then separate all of your wires into groups of alike wires. Think Thoroughfare- Think of your entertainment center as a continuous flow of the image that comes from the wall, travels through your components, and ends at your Television. With that in mind, you have the basic idea that things need to go through your other components before getting to the TV. Cable Before Audio- The basics of hooking things up should start with setting up your cable. You will need two to three coaxial cables to get your set up going. First attach one of these cables from the wall outlet. Then attach the other end of this to the cable box "input" jack. Next, attach a second coaxial cable to the "output" jack on the cable box and attach the other into the coaxial input on the TV. After this...your cable is all set up! DVD...Or Gaming System- Now comes the time to set up your DVD Player or gaming system. It's easy...just use the A/V (yellow, red, white ends) cables to go from the output on the DVD Player and plug the other end into the TV's Audio/Video Input jacks. Now...that should be set up too! The Stereo- Lastly, you will want to hook up the TV to your stereo. This will be done with Audio cables...these are the White and Red cables that are either on their own or part of an A/V component cable (yellow, red, white). Attach one side of the red and white cables to the "audio output" jacks on the TV. Then connect the other end to the "input" jacks on the stereo. Then connect your speakers to the appropriate jacks on the stereo and Wham-o! All should be complete! Enjoy your new set up!

Renter's insurance is being required by more and more communities as time goes by and, fellow Apartment-ites, it really isn't a bad deal. I had a friend who upon resigning their lease, was told that they would need to sign up for a renter's insurance policy before they could be eligible to resign their lease. This friend asked me why this was, and I explained it is a growing requirement for communities world wide and it is a really good thing to have. Why is it a growing trend? Well...as more and more residents are losing their possessions in fires, floods, and other disasters and not knowing the ins-and outs of insurance, they are attempting to get their things covered by the communities themselves. Well in the end, the community is NOT responsible for your personal property. Their insurance plans will more than likely only cover damage to the building and not your possessions in the case of some type of disaster, regardless of what causes the disaster... So requiring the renter's insurance policy upfront, insures your possessions coverage, so there is no misunderstanding from the get go. In all honesty, it's very cheap and well worth it...in most cases it's less than $20 a month. That's just a few less beers per month and you are covered. So don't let the new requirement of renter's insurance be a deal breaker for you when resigning your lease. Trust me, it's a good thing, and it's WAY cheaper than moving to another community that will probably require the same thing. -Trey

Okay...so you need to get a work out in, but your favorite show is coming on and you don't want to miss it. Oh the age old conundrum...."What do I do?" Have no fear, Apartment Home Living's blog team is here with a few tips on getting your work out in, right in front of your apartment living room TV. Check out how each one of our team weighs into answering that question... Trey: My suggestion is to get a Nintendo Wii. I love playing video games. Why not burn calories while doing it? The Wii has a controller interface that responds to movement. In the baseball game, if you want to swing at a pitch, you actually swing your arm. It's great! The best part is, it burns calories. That may not answer your favorite TV/workout question, but it sure can help you get in shape doing the things you love while in your own apartment. Brian: You'll want to be respectful of your neighbors, but I say go get yourself a used exercise bike or treadmill. Place that bad boy in your living room and pedal the pounds off while you watch your Matlock reruns. Like I said though, if you live on a higher floor, be sure that you aren't bothering the neighbors. Eric: You gotta do it "green" style. And for once I am not really talking about the environment. Get a putter and a number of golf balls. Set up a miniature putting green in your living room. No it won't burn a ton of calories like going to the gym, but the activity in keeping your body active is WAAAYYYYY better than munching on tofu on the couch. (I don't even like Tofu, but I figured you'd expect me to say that.) RECYCLE! Brianne: I used to practice Tai-Bo and do calisthenics while watching my soaps. It sounds lame, but it worked. I did 30 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, jumping jacks, and used a hand tension squeezer thing during Days of our Lives and I kept myself in solid shape. Second and third floor apartment-ites, be careful with what Brian said above about your neighbors in this one too! Jeff: What's exercise? Kidding. My cohorts have given you a bunch of great options to get in shape in your apartment. Just sit back, relax and enjoy your show. The gym will be there when it is over. As soon as those credits roll, grab your shoes and hit the fitness center. Easy as pie....but if you are trying to get in shape...NO PIE! So there you have it...five different thoughts on how to get in shape in your apartment. NOW DO IT!

Wow! This has to be the most disturbing and disgusting apartment that I have ever seen. It's so gross, in fact, that I feel compelled to share it with you in hopes and warning to help you remember to take out the trash and DO NOT LET IT CLUTTER. Check it out: Warning...by clicking the following link, you will be exposed to disturbing images of a really nasty apartment...If you click, don't say I didn't warn you. Dirtiest Apartment EVER!!! How someone could let their apartment get this way, I have NO idea. How someone could live like these, I have no clue. What I DO know is that you'd better never let your apartment get close to this. If you don't have time to scrub the place down, hire a maid to come once a month. They are cheap these days and do a good job. Some communities even have maid services included with rent....I know mine does and I take advantage of it. There is no worse living situation than a messy abode and it doesn't impress anyone. Your apartment is a reflection of you, so make sure and keep things how you want others to think of you. STAY CLEAN AND ORGANIZED!

Fall is here!!!! You know what that means? The time for cheaper energy bills is upon us. Remember that the days are not as hot as they were there last month, so you can keep the A/C at a higher temp to keep it from working overtime. If you start feeling the hear in your apartment, check the outside temperature before being quick to make the A/C go to work. If there is a nice breeze, simply open the windows and turn off the A/C to get yourself some fresh air and let in the cool breeze. It's refreshing and it also consumes less energy! Add a cool glass of your favorite ice-cold beverage and your recipe for coolness is complete. The colder weather is coming, but keep your sweaters in storage for another month or so. Avoid crowding your closet. There's no need for sweaters and thermal underwear just yet. The more "stuff" around you in your apartment, the more it seems cluttered. Plus, more clothes means more washing...which is another waste of not just electricity, but also water. Before I go, I want to giveAnother quick tip on keeping your energy bill down. This one is little, but has a big pay off. Change all of your bulbs to CFL's. They consume 75% electricity than a traditional bulb and burn cooler. Your apartment will feel cooler, be brighter, and your bills will go down!

This video says it all. Stepping in dog mess while on your way to your apartment fitness center or simply on a relaxing walk around the courtyard, can ruin more than just a shoe. It can ruin a good day as you frantically scrape the tainted shoe all over the pavement to get the dog's landmine remnants off, only to have transported to a place where someone else will come along and step on it. EWWWW!!! Do your neighbors a favor and clean up after your pup! Like the video above? It's just one of the many tips that we are going to litter on the world wide web to help you get the most of apartment living and truly celebrate the way we live. Check out the channel at: http://www.youtube.com/user/ApartmentLivingTips Live for fun...and then live for having more fun! -Trey

The title really does say it all...

Having pets in an apartment can sometimes be a challenge. There is no backyard to get them exercise and the square footage of a one bedroom apartment is often quite small for them to let loose inside. Dog owners know that keeping a dog, no matter what size, can bring trouble when that animal is cooped up all day. Either they become so wound up from having all that energy in a small space and run around in circles or tear up the carpet... or they go the opposite route and become lazy and overweight. Believe it or not, cats also can be destructive in apartments. I know we all know they can be lazy, but cooped up cats can get arrogant and tear up furniture or poop on the ground out of spite because they don't get enough excercise. Dogs are easy. Just put them on a leash and take them to the nearest park. And you are not allowed to complain about not having enough time...when you decided to be a pet owner, you accepted the responsibilities that comes with it. With a dog, that means taking it for walks...especially when you live in an apartment. But what about cats? Do they need exercise too? The answer is: absolutely. The best way to get your cat up and moving around to expel some of that feline zaniness is to get a laser pointer and let them chase it around. My cat absolutely loves it and will chase it for hours. She actually has learned to bring it over to me when she wants to play. I kid you not! It's like a dog and a ball. I'm not sure why cats get such a kick out of chasing a spot, but they do. In fact, both of my cats love it. They have both dropped some of the pounds they had gained from copious amounts of canned cat food and treats that I have been spoiling them with, just from being active in the apartment. It's easy, they love it, and they don't poop on my floor anymore. How awesome is that!?!??!

I've seen it a thousand times. Bed centered on one wall. TV centered on a dresser about 2 feet from the foot of the bed. A bedside table or box used as a bedside table with an alarm clock, an empty glass, a book that never gets read, and random trinket to the left of the bed and blinds over the window. This is your traditional apartment bedroom. Simple, yet functional. But not very fashionable. I have had a number of Apartment-ites ask me why would you spend time and money decorating the bedroom when all you do is sleep or turn out the lights in there. You'd be surprised at the psychological effect that waking up to a well decorated bedroom that gives off a good feel can have on you to start your day. My advice is to take a little time and don't be afraid to shell out some clams on dressing your bedroom up a little bit. Here are a few great decorating ideas to help get you started: Mix Browns in With Your Blues- If you love various shades of blues, use those when painting or picking fabric to make the color of your room personal to you. Blue is a color that promotes rest and relaxation, but be sure to mix in some brown and white tones to help keep things feeling warm. If you do all blue...your room will feel like it's freezing. Brrr. Plus, using wood tones help add a classic feel to the modern/contemporary that blue gives a room. It's In The Bed- Often overlooked as a decorative piece, the bed is the most important aspect to the feel that your bedroom decorations can give off. Don't just assume you can place any bed in the center of a room and simply decorate around it. If you have a four post bed with a high frame that can have fabric draped over it, it will stand out much more than a simple pulled out futon (yuck). A huge piece of furniture like the oversized four post bed may seem like a pain to move, but it's presence can make you seem like you are sleeping royalty. Draping fabric over the high frame makes the feel even more elegant and can help you block off the outside world while you sleep. Be sure to keep in mind that your bed is the centerpiece of the entire room and can have your whole decorating scheme based off of it. Mix Up Your Patterns- Don't just make all of your fabrics the same color with the same pattern. That can get old and boring. Instead, mix up your pillow cases with complementary colors and patterns. Then offset these with a solid throw blanket that matches the pillows. Add art to the wall that meets all of the fabrics somewhere in the similar area of the color wheel and most importantly....put yourself and your tastes into the decor. You could even vary your textures as long as the colors are complimentary to add layers. Get Dramatic- Don't limit your decorations to the traditional approach. Take things to the next level. Angle your bed from a corner of the room. Add a huge plant in the other corner. Place bold curtains over the windows and huge accented pillows on the bed and paintings on the wall. Taking the dramatic approach can both add your own personal flavor and will add that little bit of edge that your bedroom may need. Whatever your favorite colors, textures, or patterns are...it's important to have fun with your style and express yourself. Don't treat decoration like a chore...treat it like you are creating art!

Hello Houston area Apartment-ites! We wanted to take a few moments to let you know that you are all in our thoughts and we hope your recovery following Hurricane Ike is quick and successful. As these difficult times have reached you, your family, and friends, keep in mind that there is a nation of supporters behind you, who are keeping your in their thoughts and prayers. Should you need help, never be afraid to ask. Good times are to come soon. You may have evacuated to Austin, San Antonio, or another surrounding city. If so, as you return to your apartment, keep in mind your safety. Do not challenge downed power lines or high waters. If you find leaks or damage to your apartment when you arrive home, let your apartment manager know immediately. The recovery and repair process may take time, but it has to start somewhere and they may not have seen the damage. If your power is still out when you arrive home, be sure to stock an ice chest with ice, water, sandwiches, and other easily prepared snacks. Heck...you can even keep some beer in there. It's also a great time to get to know your neighbors. With no TV or computers as a distraction, hop over to the neighboring apartments and introduce yourself. Make sure everyone is okay and seek support with eachother. If power has been out in your apartment, most of everything in your fridge is now trash. Remember to clean out your fridge and dispose of everything that is spoiled or has gone bad in the garbage. (Then make sure you take it to the dumpster for proper disposal). Be sure and wipe everything down with a cleaner to keep mildew from building up. Make sure your animals are safe too! Again...we are all behind you and hope that you are recovering well. Be careful as you return to your homes and hit the streets and keep your mind positive. Things will get better! If this storm has you thinking of relocating, maybe its time to upgrade to a nicer apartment! Just a thought.... See ya next time!

Is your refrigerator running? Well you better go catch it! No, but seriously folks, it is very important to report any leaks or running water that you find in your apartment to management as soon as possible. Doing this will ensure that the problem is rectified early causing the least extra damage as possible. As always, I have a little story of a fellow Apartment-ite in Austin who let their sink leak go for weeks without reporting it. The damage done was incredible, for such a little leak. At first he heard a dripping sound late at night when we were all hanging out at his crib. He looked under the sink and saw a little drip from the pipe onto the cabinet below. It wasn't terrible at this point and he simply hand tightened the pipes thinking that would do the trick. At this point I told him to tell the manager...which he said he would... Did he? NO HE DIDN'T! He caught the leak again a few days later and this time placed a pot underneath the catch the leaking drops. A quick fix, but not a long term solution. He still didn't call the management. Weeks went by. Perhaps about a month or two after the leak was first noticed, the Apartment-ite left to go out of town for work. About a week later he arrived home to find water all over the kitchen floor and soaked into the carpet adjacent to the kitchen. Not only did the carpet stink, but it was also ruined. His cabinets all had a water stained line at the bottom. When management came to work on it, they saw the pot that he was using to catch the water and realized that he didn't report the leak when it originally happened. He admitted to not telling them and they took the cost of repairing the kitchen and replacing the carpet out of his deposit. OUCH! So the moral of the story is not to let this happen to you. No matter how busy you are, take a few minutes to stop by your apartments office and let them know when you spot a leak that needs to be fixed. You will have covered your butt and the problem should be fixed quickly! Happy Apartment Living! -Trey

I wanted to take a few minutes to remind you of a couple of things to keep in mind regarding your trusty old computer. This video is a hilarious animation of a computer that has been completely taken over by a virus like animation, but none the less must be a result of an Apartment-ite with a ton of time on their hands. Living in apartments opens us up to a ton of free time. My advice is not to waste it. Whether your hobby is music, video making, animation, photography, or collecting stamps…use that free time to do it. The freedom we have as apartment residents is a wonderful thing and if you don’t get the most out of it, you may regret it when that free time is gone. So get off your couch and get to creating! Put your Apartment time to good use…like the animator of this video did. Oh yeah! About your computers…3 Tips: 1) Defrag and scan for virus often- You should schedule a virus scan at least once a week to make sure you are running clean. Defrag your computer over night once every couple of months. 2) Surge Protect- be sure that your computer, monitor, and printer are all plugged into a surge protector and not directly into the wall. A sudden power failure is less likely to damage your computer this way. 3) DON’T CLICK- Do NOT CLICK POP UPS. Also…don’t click on or open emails that you do not know who they are from. Anything that looks suspicious probably is. Just be careful of stuff like that and don’t give out your password information to anyone…no matter how many times they tell you they are from AOL security or whatever. If they truly are, they will ask you other questions to verify your identity like billing zip code, mother’s maiden name, etc. So there you have it! A couple of quick tips to take care of your computer in your apartment. Have a great weekend and see you next week! -Jeff

I’m back again! Tough getting’ rid of me. Hehehe. While I’m around, I figure I would continue helping you break the ice with your cute neighbor. Secret #3: Hang out on your patio or balcony I believe one of the best indicators of someone who is open, fun, and a lover of the “simple things in life,” is how they use their patios. Those who sit out in their comfy lawn furniture, basking in the rays, margarita in hand, enjoying the smell from the dumpster wafting over from the parking lot (hey! It was affordable there!) really know how to enjoy life. And People like people that enjoy life. So sit, my friend…even if you have to light incense to get over the dumpster fumes. Then kick back and wait for those whom you’d like to strike up conversation with to walk by. And when they do, for heaven’s sake, invite them up to have a margarita and relax. And for your sake, I wouldn’t mention the dumpster. Secret #4: Bring the welcome wagon Did you spot your future wife just moving in a couple of buildings down? Do you suspicion you will never accidentally “run” into her? Then get out there! Take her a candle and some cookies (or wine, if you’re really gutsy) and tell her you’re the “resident welcome wagon.” She’ll think you’re sweet and it may eventually get a date. Make sure to keep it simple though. Showing up with a huge assortment of gifts may be a little overbearing. And definitely steer clear of flowers on the first visit! Nothing says “stalker” like being brought roses from someone you’ve never met. Work your way up to the flowers, my friends, work your way up. Well, my fellow Apartment-ites…there you have it. Dr. S’s awesome secrets to getting a date with your future spouse possibility of a neighbor. At the very least they are ways let them know you are interested without putting your livelihood on the line. Next time you have a chance, give one of these a shot and see how it turns out. No matter what though, always remember this one simple rule: Don’t act like an idiot. I will pass the blogging torch back to Jeff and his gang of Apartment experts. Until next time! Dr. S

If you aren’t up to date on the blogs here, I’m Dr. S sitting in for Jeff and his gang. I am back with my second tip on getting a date with your super attractive neighbor. Okay, so the last secret was more for the ladies, so here I will throw you one that is a little more universal. Secret #2: Talk to them around the amenities This seems to be obvious, but is strangely rarely approached. A great way to strike up a conversation in the gym, at the pool, or in the stairwells is to keep it simple. Great topics of conversation? “Hey, do you live here too? What do you think of the place,” “Hey, do you use this gym a lot? What do you think of the equipment,” or “Hey, have you guys ever had a BBQ around here?” or “What’s the social scene here in the summer?” These basic yet strategic questions can generate an entire conversation, and if you’re lucky…maybe even a date. Check if you missed out on any of the Secrets. Secret # 3 and 4 to come tomorrow! -Dr. S

Hey kids. Dr. S here. The Doctor of Matchmaking. Over the course of the next few days I’ll be dropping you some secret tips to help get a date with your own neighbor while maintaining a sense of dignity and not making them report you to management. Be sure and follow up each day because you don’t want to miss these great tips. Secret #1: Ask for help My friend Krista says, “I never knew grocery shopping could be so fun until I lived on the third floor of a beautiful apartment with an even more beautiful 2nd floor resident. My shtick? Helplessness, frailty, and bad lung capacity, of course. I asked him to help carry up a heavy bag full of Tide and some 2 liters. He smiled at me. Well worth it.” Honestly, this one is a great tip for girls looking to meet a guy. Guys’ll fall for it hook, line, and sinker every time. Nothing makes us feel better than thinking we’ve helped out a girl in distress. The best part about Krista’s secret is that most of the time the guy will do the work for you and offer to help without you having to ask. If he doesn’t, he’s probably not worth your time anyway. Make sure to check back for Secret # 2! -Dr. S

The fall is fast approaching and holiday season will be upon us before we know it. I know there are a number of single Apartment-ite’s out there who may be looking for a love bunny to snuggle the cold weather away with, so I have brought in Dr. S, the Guru of Love. Dr. S is trained in the ways of matchmaking, making yourself not look like an idiot, and always ending up with a life full of love. I’ll be giving Dr. S the blog all week to let all of you single Apartment-ites out there know great ways to help make yourself un-single. Take it away, Dr. S! Hello, Apartment-ites! Dr. S here with a series of blogs and lessons to help you find love…right close to home…in your own apartment community even?!?!?! So perhaps you’ve spotted an attractive neighbor in your apartment community? Perhaps you’ve become briefly obsessed with them. What are they doing? Who were they doing it with? Were they single? Could you meet up? Well, guess what….You’ll never find out if you don’t take any action. One day their lease could be up, they may move out, and you may never see them again. Then you’ll have to live with the shame of never talking to them …for at least a few weeks. But how do you approach a neighbor in your apartment community successfully? Being labeled a stalker is way worse than being labeled a coward. How do you break the ice? Don’t worry folks. Throughout my many years of matchmaking, I’ve had many lessons scouring the depths of time and space to come up with a few great tips that may help you save a little dignity and give you a chance to break the ice with the incredibly attractive neighbor. Who knows, maybe after some time, some strategy, and a little luck, the incredibly hot neighbor could be living with you in your apartment! Be sure and check back here over the course of the next several days for a few lessons that might help even Napoleon Dynamite get the girl. I’ll leave you with a quick one before I go: Be confident, but NEVER cocky or stuck up. And when you first approach them, don’t hold your breath because you’ll pass out. -Dr. S

I am honestly baffled by this video, yet I feel compelled to show it to you. These folks are absolutely terrible at fixing up their apartment, but the classy midi music makes it all worth it. It's reminds me of a mid 90's computer game. It also reminds me to remind you that when making upgrades to your apartment, be sure to check with your apartment management for permission to make the changes first. Always be careful if you are working on a ladder or with any tools that could harm yourself. If you are trying to really accomplish some solid decorating, I suggest not getting the whole family in on it like they seem to have done in this video. Like this video, it just would make things muddled and confusing. Instead, plan everything out and have fun with it! I'm going to go do some decorating now! Here is a great decorating idea: Take several things that you have always wanted to do and put them in a hat. Shake them up and draw out two. Find a way to put both of these into your new decorating scheme. And...to top it off...do it all this weekend! Have a great weekend!

For some Apartment-ites moving to a new apartment is quite a chore. It takes many hours and is a long, arduous process from the planning and packing to the moving and unpacking. Okay...it's like that for ALL of us...unless you can hire someone to move and set up everything for you.... Most of us are on a budget and don't have the cash to blow on a moving company to do all the work for us, so what can we do? Allow me to introduce three essential rules to making your move to your new apartment quick and only moderately painful. 1. Friends- They are out there, quietly lingering, waiting yet hoping that the moment doesn't come that you will be calling them and enlisting your friends to help you out. Perhaps they owe you a favor or perhaps you are going to treat them to a night at the pub for their help, but either way...enlisting your friends is critical in easy moving process. Not only will they help you in moving your possessions quicker by providing their extra set of hands, but they will also help keep you sane by giving you someone to talk to and joke around with. However you have to do it...enlist your friends to help you move. 2. Planning>- I cannot stress how important planning your move is. You need to make sure all of your steps are planned out from your stop for food en route to your new apartment to transferring your utilities. Set time deadlines for your packing and unpacking. Reward yourself for hitting these deadlines. Just be sure and PLAN! DO NOT TRY AND WING IT. If you wing it, your move could become disastrous on the psyche and your body. 3. Have Fun- You have to let yourself have fun with your move. A successful move is all in the mindset. Think of it this way: You are embarking on a new adventure and moving on up to the east side to a deluxe apartment in the sky. Moo...ooving on up! If you dread your move, it will only make it take longer. If you complain and think about how much moving sucks, throughout the whole process, you will surely drag it out. But...if you slap on a smile, crank up the tunes, throw some party time in with your move....it is bound to be easy and fun! No matter how you THINK your move to your brand spanking new apartment is going to go, remember to keep those three essential rules in mind and I assure you your move will be an easy, fun, and extremely good one! Know any other good moving tips? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Finding the perfect apartment in any major city can be a bit of a challenge. Now with gas prices on the rise, who wants to drive around all day...spending cash on gas...just to check out a bunch of apartments that in the end you may or may not be interested in? I have the perfect solution for you whether you are looking for a new place from Jacksonville, Florida to Seattle, Washington and anywhere in between! Use the Find an Apartment section at http://www.apartmenthomeliving.com or this catalog and search for the perfect apartment in the perfect price range with all of the amenities and goodies that you are looking for. It's easy! You'll find up to date photos, floorplans, and more! After you narrow your list down to a few that you really, really dig, just contact the community using the easy to use contact info provided here and schedule a visit to check the place out! You'll even find directions and maps to the places you'd like to see. You'll save yourself not only on gas, but also the headaches of driving around aimlessly looking for the perfect place. Make it easy on yourself, do it on the internet...Right here! How awesome is that?!?!? Once you find the perfect few apartments in your area, it will be time to use some of your gas and check them out. Keep in mind the following tips when you head out to get a first hand view. What Amenities/Features Do You Want- When you are touring a place, check out the cool things that are available to you in the community and in the units. Which of these things are important to you and which do you not really care about? What's Around- Keep an eye out for the neighborhood's surroundings. As you drive to a prospective community, take note of the restaurants, banks, gas stations, shopping, and other neighboring places of business. You'll also want to take note of the traffic in the area too because you will be dealing with that. Clean Community?- Take a look around the community grounds themselves as you tour. Are there full dumpsters, trash in the breezeways, dirt in the pool, etc? If you see anything that doesn't seem kept-up with...rule that one out. Cleanliness of a community is a sign of a management company that cares! Even if you aren't actively looking, check out some cool places. Who knows, maybe you'll find one you really like! Best of luck on your apartment search!

Apartment living is the recipe for happiness. That’s what the happy experts at the University of Michigan are saying, at least in a round about way. Apparently, wealth, riches, and huge friggin homes do not make you happy. In fact, in the U.S. homeownership has been trending upward for decades, but as a nation, we are not getting happier. The whole country is stuck in a rut and our happiness scores haven’t budged in 50 years! Plus with the overwhelming number of houses being foreclosed on because of inappropriate lending, folks are itching to move into apartments. So if expansive lawns and big mansions don’t make you happy…what does? Well, according to the Happy Experts (not sure if that means the experts are happy and dang it’s pretty funny isn’t it that one could go to school and major in Happy and then get paid by big Universities to discover what makes people happy. And what is your day like as a Happy Expert? “Sorry Honey..I’ll be working late tonight, I am going to the tavern to see if drinking beer and playing pool with my friends makes me happy…) but I am rambling now…you’re reading this paragraph, because you want to know what the experts said makes you happy. Well, according to the experts “Time to enjoy friends and family” is what makes you happy. “Well, Duh!” you say and that’s just what I said, too. So the obvious conclusion from all this is that Apartment Residents are happier. We don’t have to mow a lawn, rake the leaves, or clean the pool. And time is happiness – or so I’ve read.

This may not apply to all Apartment-ites as most of us are not allowed to have any type of grill at our apartments, but most of us know someone who uses propane grills somewhere. Some communities even let you have one in your garage as long as you move it a certain distance from the building before using it, so please pay attention to this warning. For those of you who are able to grill it up or know anyone who does during the summer, here's a safety announcement you should be aware of... Please let everyone you know in on this important info for labor day or any other holiday/event that calls for breaking out the propane. If you exchange out your propane tanks, this is something you definitely need to be aware of. There are people out there who are illegally cooking the drug Crystal Meth in home and apartment labs all over the country. In order to do this, they are needing to use propane tanks. They're doing this by getting the propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane. They then fill them with Anhydrous Ammonia to use for their process. After they finish with the tanks, they simply return them to the store. Not knowing their previous illegal use, these tanks are then refilled with propane and sent back to the shelves for customers to buy. Anhydrous ammonia is a very corrosive substance and can weaken the structure of the tank. When it is mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills for cooking, it can create a dangerous circumstance. How can you make sure you are getting a good propane tank? Before purchasing or trading in for another propane tank, inspect it for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If it is present there may have been contamination from a corrosive material. Refuse to purchase that one. You can find more information on this at: http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529 Be careful out there, Apartment-ites and PLEASE do not use grills if they are not allowed at your community! Be safe and have fun this coming labor day! Meet your neighbors! (Apartment Home Living is not responsible for any actions or results of using propane and cannot be held liable for anyone else's safety. Please be aware of your own safety.)

Finding the right mover is a stressful job. A lot of research and time needs to be devoted to this work. Choosing the wrong mover can have disastrous results. You could end up losing your belongings, damaging them or paying a lot more than your original estimate. To choose the right mover it is important to carry out proper research. The best option is to check out at least 10 movers and then pick the one that is least likely to cause problems. Research the history of the movers and find out the details involved in making the move. Your mover should provide you with all important data regarding the mode of packing, the time needed for transportation and the estimated cost of the move. Interviewing the movers before hiring their services will give you a good idea of whether their services meet your needs. The necessary points to clarify during the interview are the registration of the company, the rates and estimates offered by them, the subcontractors - if any, the additional fees and transfers, the insurance provided by the company, packing and storage options and also the complaints and claims that you are entitled to. Always check the referrals or recommendations of the company. If possible, then ask for any letters written by previous customers. Usually most moving companies will be more than happy to show you letters from satisfied clients. However, there is always a possibility that the letters may be faked. Try to follow up on the referrals. Check the company website. The websites list the services, service history and the destinations they move to. Follow up on the web information with a thorough background check on the company. One of the best ways of verifying the credentials of a company is to ask around. Some one among your friends, colleagues or relatives must have moved at least once. Talk to them and see if they can recommend a reliable company. Usually companies that have been in business for a long time provide satisfactory service. Once you have short listed the best moving companies, visit their offices. Make sure the company is really who they say they are. Check out the trucks and storage spaces. Avoid companies with shabby offices and storage facilities. A reliable company should give an estimate only after visiting your house. Feel free to ask questions regarding any doubts that you may have. Remember, all your belongings are at stake. Don’t hold back because you think it’s impolite to ask too many questions or you are feeling shy. According to US Federal Law, the moving company should provide you with a copy of "Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move". If the company does not provide you with this booklet, do not hire them. Finally, never ever sign any document without going through it thoroughly. Article by: Vidya Garapati About the Author Vidya Garapati is the Chairman of NGA Group Inc., the Parent Company that owns http://www.Movers.com. Apart from being a webmaster for several websites he also takes interest in writing about Moving and Packing Industries in the United States.Hence, Movers.com Blog i.e. http://Blog.Movers.com.

We are proud to release the first installment of our many, many city Apartment Living Guide. After deliberation on which of the many cities nationwide would be our first to show you, we decided on the great city of Austin. Apartment living in Austin is quite incredible and Austin is one of the greatest examples of a city who's life and energy really reflects that of the apartment lifestyle. Austin Apartment-ite's truly live for fun and to help them live for more fun we are opening up the world to the Apartment Living Guide- Austin. Check it out: Austin.apartmentliving.com It is stocked full of great restaurants, parks, nightlife and more that is added daily to help you have fun and celebrate apartment living! This is part of our ongoing modus operandi to have you get the most out of apartment living....it's truly the only way to live. Look for more and more cities to pop up soon and help you find some awesome things to do! LIVE FOR FUN!!!!! PS- If you know of great places that we have overlooked, feel free to leave a comment and we will get them on there. Soon you will even be able to add your own! It's awesome!

No bedrooms? No problem. Decorating a studio apartment is easy! The key is to always be thinking of ways to maximize your space. Efficiency is where it's at...no pun intended. Try these quick space saving ideas when decorating your studio: Futon- Getting a Futon is a great way to maximize space. During the day...if you aren't a vampire...you can have it folded up as a couch, but at night..when its time to sleep or pass out...easily unfold it into a bed. There are actually some very comfy and affordable futons out there. I slept on one as my bed for two years and slept like a baby. Entertainment Center/Dresser- You might also look into finding a dresser that has enough top space to house your TV, X-Box, and Stereo. This will help save the space you would need on having two separate pieces of furniture. The biggest bonus is that it is really easy to watch your Soaps while you fold and put away your clothes. How sweet is that? Storage- Find creative ways to store things like tupperware under the couch or a shoe rack by the door. Go beyond just shoving the ironing board in the hall closet. There's usually space underneath the dresser or on top of the kitchen cabinets. Get Fun With The Trash Can- You may think I'm joking, but a great way to decorate in a small space is with something that you have to have. Instead of using the traditional waste basket...get a used over-sized football toybox. Usually has a lid and works great. If thats not your thing...always use a little waste basket under the sink. Go Wireless- Make sure and set up your internet with wireless. You don't want to be tied down anywhere in a small space. Set up a wireless router and get a laptop so you can use anywhere in your apartment. A small stool in the kitchen area turns the kitchen counter quickly into a computer desk. Just make sure and not get too close to the sink. Water ruins computers. Best of luck in your new apartment! Have any great decorating ideas for a studio apartment? Send them my way by adding a comment to this post!

My friends car was messed up recently in their apartment parking lot. Apparently, there is an elderly white-haired ladywho drives a huge White Hummer living in my friends apartment building. She is pretty sure it was the old lady. Several eye witnesses have seen the old lady run into cars in the parking lot before, but no one has ever brought this up to the attention of the apartments. First of all...I find the image of an elderly woman who drives a hummer quite humorous. Sure she is safe, but it seems none of the other drivers out there are very safe from her. None the less, my friend's car is pretty mess up on the front. She has tire tracks going up her bumper an onto her hood with a few other white marks. This happened in her apartment parking lot and there are no other white cars that park in that area of the community, so it seems pretty obvious who did it to me. Plus there is the fact that the only type of car that could actually drive up onto another car would be a Hummer. I imagine the old lady thought she was backing over a curb and never even realized she was backing over a car. Oy! So why am I telling you this? For your safety in your apartment parking lot. Because there are no cameras and is no proof of what happened to my friend, no one can be held liable for this incident. The management considered giving a lease violation, but the lady is truly not violating any lease. They suggested that the friend call the police and file charges the next time they witness her hitting someone else's car. This is one way of going about it, but what are the chances? Honestly, there really isn't a great way to handle this situation when involving the old-hummer-driver. Rather, if you are faced with a situation where you know the area where a bad driver parks...DON'T PARK THERE. Park at another spot in the community and walk to your apartment from there. Trust me, it's worth it. Whatever you do, just like any situation with a neighbor in your community, don't take matters into your own hands. Contact your communities management team first and then go from there. And hope there are no Hummer driving elderly in your community either.

Bathrooms can get cluttered and really start to look messy from time to time. It is in fact one of the most trafficked rooms in your apartment, so it can be a true measure of your cleanliness. If a guest sees a cluttered and dirty bathroom they may think the same about you. There are a number of easy ways to keep your apartment bathroom clean and clutter free that go way beyond just simply wiping everything down. De-clutterizing everything starts with one thing: storage. Here are a few easy tips to declutter and clean your apartment bathroom. Back of The Door- There is a ton of storage room in unused spaces. The most commonly unused storage space in an apartment bathroom is the back of the door. It's simple. Add some hooks to hang up your towels. You could even cover it with magnetic paint and use magnetic disks and such. You may even be able to hang some magnetic hanging bins and such for extra storage. Vertical Storage- Much like the back of the door, vertical storage adds a huge benefit to getting room out of things. WIth horizontal storage you eat up more floor space and such. Oversized Baskets- Try using oversized baskets next to the toilet, on the sink, or the back of the toilet. These baskets offer more room to store things, taking less room elsewhere. Keep things In Baskets- PLace small baskets on the countertops to house all of your everyday items like toothpaste, brushes, hair clips, make up, deodorant, etc. Don't just let it all sprawl out all over the counter. Clean Bathmats- Switch out your bathmat every so often and wash the one that is not being used. Many apartment-ites have a tendency to leave the same bathmat on the ground forever and just forget about it. Not good. Keep things clean! General Wiping- And no, I am not talking about when you go the bathroom. I am talking about wiping down your counters, toilet, sink, towel rods...everything. Clean the mirrors....Just try your best to keep things spot free and of the color it is supposed to be. Taking care of the bathroom is simple, just takes a little extra time....AND NEVER LEAVE AN EMPTY ROLL ON THE TOILET PAPER HOLDER. That is the cardinal send of the bathroom...and looks like utter trash. Know any good bathroom cleaning tips, let us know! Leave a comment below.

Being a good roomy is the key to maintaining a happy apartment. From time to time I will be bringing you a quick tip on how you can promote good roommate life by doing little things to be a great roommate. This entry's tip: Flush when the timing is right. Many communities have odd plumbing that will vary in temperature of a running shower when the toilet flushes or kitchen sink comes on. Being a good roommate requires you to be wary of when you roomy is bathing and DO NOT FLUSH or turn on any other piece of plumbing during that time. Even if you are trying to get back at them for something else, this is never acceptable. Whether it turns the shower scalding hot or turns the it freezing cold, its a devastating experience to the person in the shower and will not help out a living situation. So remember to flush when the timing is right and do your part in being a good roomy! See you next time! -The Apartment Guru PS- Just think about how you would want your roommate to treat you!

Looking for a couple of ways to save on energy bills in your apartment this summer? Think about these: Foil on the windows looks trashy. We know this to be true. Many communities may not even allow you to do this, but placing foil over your windows can help reflect the sun and keep your apartment cooler. It won't leave you with much of a view when looking out of your apartment window, but it may help you see a difference in your energy bill. Just be sure to check with your community to make sure this would be allowed before you go covering all of your windows. If the foil trick won't work, another easy way to conserve on energy in your place is to be sure to turn all of your lights out when you won't be in your apartment. Kick up the AC to a level where it won't be running while you are gone, and turn off your fans. When you aren't using your computer, put it into hibernate or sleep mode, and use lamps rather than overhead lights. All of these obvious, yet energy saving techniques combined with show you a huge difference in your energy bill! You should also head to Wal-Mart, Target, or any other superstore to pick up CFL bulbs. Replace all of the traditional bulbs in your lamps with these energy savers for 75% less energy consumption. It makes a staggering difference. This quick apartment energy tip brought to you by Apartment Home Living! PS- Need a new place? Find an apartment here!

With football season fast approaching and football fans across the country scrambling to switch from their current cable company and add the only cable company that has the all game showcasing Sunday Ticket programming, it's once again Direct TV's hot season. But before you decide on making the switch, be sure to keep one big thing in mind because in order to go with their super, advertised packages, they require you to sign a lengthy contract. So what's the big deal? The big deal is that you will need to have a dish placed outside of your apartment to pick up the signal. Why is that a big deal? Many communities do not allow you to have a satellite dish visible on your patio, porch, or on the building in any way. This is for a number of reasons including keeping up with the appearance of the community as well as your own safety for attracting burglars and theft by the sight of the dish on your patio. Be sure and check with you community manager about the rules in your community regarding satellite dishes. The last thing that you want to do is get locked into a contract with a cable provider that you cannot even use in your current apartment. The best advice is to stay with what you have and not worry about switching. Then head to your neighborhood sports bar and catch the games that you fear you will miss. Looking for an apartment in Austin? Check out a list of Apartments in the Austin area at Austin Apartment Search Results

Moving to a new apartment? If so, you may be hiring a moving company to help you out with moving your furniture and belongings to your new pad. Finding the perfect movers can be a challenge, so the best place to start is through a word of mouth reference. Ask around at work or school to see if anyone you know has used a mover that they really liked. It's all about references. There are a number of very reputable companies out there, but you may want to take a little extra care when you know those folks will be moving all of your possessions. The last thing you want is them to ding up your furniture, delay your stuff getting there, or worse...disappear with everything. So ask around. Once you find a mover that you are considering on going with, you'll want to make sure you ask them a few certain questions to be sure that you are all on the same page. Are there any extra charges?- Be sure to find out about any extra charges to be aware of. Will they charge more for having to move things up a flight of stairs? How are the charges figured? Is it by hour, by day? What Time?- Ask what time they estimate the delivery to take place. When you find out the time...make sure you are there 30 minutes earlier than they say, just in case. Many times they will be late, but sometimes they'll get there early and may not wait around. What kind of boxes should I use?- Be sure and be clear on what kind of moving boxes they would prefer you to use. Is there a certain size? How would they like you to mark the fragile ones? And would they like you to mark which room they go in? How and When do I make my payment?- Ask what methods you will be able to use when paying and when the payment is due. Again...this is a good time to be clear of any extra or hidden charges. What about the furniture?- Find out if the movers are going to disassemble the furniture before loading it and if they will reassemble on delivery. Also, you will want to know if they are going to cover your furniture with cloth to protect it or if you will need to provide bubble wrap and blankets. Do they have any references?- In many cases you will not have any friends who have used a mover, so you may not have been able to gain references. In this case, you should ask the company itself if it has references that you can check with. That's it. Those are the main questions to not forget to ask. You'll want to be clear on everything before they start loading up your precious belongings. Good luck with your move and if you are living...you better be living for fun! PS- If you purchase the insurance...be sure and ask about what the claim process is like.....

If I had a nickel for every time I have answered the question, "When I'm in college is it better to live in a dorm or in an apartment?" I would be a very rich man. My answer to this is never simple, but it's more often the same answer. If you have the option of living off campus in your own apartment...that is the sure fire way to go! Why? Four words: Freedom, Fun, happiness, and privacy. These words are the key ingredients to apartment life over dorm life. First of all, living in your own place is so much more free than having to live by the rules and regulations that you will find in a dorm. Many dorms only allow certain guests at certain times of the day. Some dorms will not allow men in the women's dorms or women in the men's dorms. All dorms also have a Residential Adviser or House leader that acts as a liason between you and the university. Do you really want someone watching over you and checking up on you constantly to make sure you are following all the rules, not having guests at inappropriate times, and keeping alcohol out of your rooms. Basically...they are there to limit your fun. You don't have to worry about that in an apartment. If you have your own place, you can have fun whenever and however you want as long as you are respectful of your neighbor and abide by the law. Apartments have pools, fitness centers, parties, and more. All things that are geared around having fun. And when you are having fun, you are generally happier. Some of the best times in my life took place in my apartment during college. It's where you discover new ways of cooking ramen noodles or study the deep rooted emotional seeds of the guests on Jerry Springer. It's all about you and having some fun...being happy.....and having a better life because of that happiness. Did you know that people who have a higher level of happiness in their lives make better grades? It's a proven fact. They also have better love lives, more friends, and a less frequent chance of stroke or heart attack. Privacy is also a big issue here. In an apartment, you have soooo soooo soooo much more privacy than in a dorm. For one, many dorms either share community bathrooms or have one bathroom to a suite of four people. In an apartment, your bathroom is all yours. Not only that, but in the majority of dorm living situations you will be stuck with a roommate. From time to time you may not get along with that person who you are sharing the 12 x 12 bunked room with. To me the choice is obvious. Most apartments will cost you about the same as it would to live in the dorms and in some cases even less. If you want more privacy, fun, happiness, freedom and an overall better living experience...the best option is to go with an apartment. Find a place today using the "Find An Apartment" section of our site at the top of the screen!

I great man once said, "Time keeps on slippin, slippin, slippin...into the future...." and nothing could be absolutely more true. Time is always advancing and if there is one thing any and all Apartmentites could use more of is sweet, precious time. The schedule is often the same: Get up and go to work or school, take care of things that need to be taken care of while we are out, come home to our apartment, eat, relax, and then go to sleep. The next day we do it all over again. So time is indeed slipping into the future. Although it's something that all of us as Apartmentites wish we could have more of, the fast paced, fun life is one of the things we love about apartment living. It's fun. Since there really isn't a way to manufacture time, the balance to getting the most out your fancy free apartment lifestyle is to be efficient with the time you have. Apartmentites, I have the best way to be efficient and get the most out of your time. The List. I would be in a lot of trouble if I didn't make lists for myself. These list easily outline the tasks that I need to get taken care of so I can finish my missions with efficiency, as quickly as possible without losing time trying to remember what I need to do next. The helpful list using goes way beyond just a simple shopping list, although I do never head to the grocery store without a list of the exact things I need. This helps me get in and out of the crowded market quickly and keeps me from spending a whole bunch of cash on unneeded items. I also keep a dry erase board in both my bathroom and on the refrigerator in the kitchen to make lists of things that I need to get done. The first thing I do in the morning is check these lists and then make a to do list for everything I need to get done that day on my phone. Then I have it with me everywhere I go and can take things off as I accomplish them. That part of having a list is a very important part. Crossing things off shows you that you are making progress. Then things don't seem overwhelming. When there is a lot to do. Making lists at work is important to. It keeps you organized and keeps things efficient. Most importantly though. Keeping lists around the apartment helps you keep things in order. They help you to know what things you need, what needs to be done, and helps you map that out so you can save on precious time.

Apartment Home Living helps you find the perfect place to live and have fun doing it! Take Larry F. for example. Larry and his new bride were living in Portland, Oregon, but wanted to "move back home" to Austin, Texas to be closer to family and friends. Larry didn't know where to turn, so he turned to Apartment Home Living... Sort Through 'Em- We helped Larry sort through the clutter of 1,000's of apartments by only showing the best apartment homes in Austin. Personality Matching- We helped Larry find an apartment home that matched his individual tastes by getting to know Larry personally through our website compatibility profile. We matched this up against the information we have on our communities, which is a lot, because we personally contact each community and receive over 100 data points on each. Cuttin' Deals - We then helped Larry get the best daily rate by letting him know that if he mentioned Apartment Home Living and asked the leasing agent to give him the best daily rate, he would get that too... potentially saving hundreds of dollars a month, but that's not all... Keeping Things Clean- We helped Larry become a star in his wife's eyes by making their first home in Austin a clean one. Larry knew that Apartment Home Living only showcased apartment homes that he would be confident will be clean. Cold Hard Cash Reward- On top of it all, we gave Larry $102.00. We're able to do this because our properties give us a bonus anytime we refer someone to them and we give some of this back to you. It Doesn't Stop There- Even after move-in, our relationship with Larry has continued. He stops by our Apartment Living page frequently to check out and comment on my blogs, decorating ideas, recipe's, and overall apartment fun. We're privileged to have had the opportunity to help Larry and now consider him more of a friend. I hope you give us the opportunity to help you find the right apartment home too... If you do use our services, remember to add Apartment Home Living to your guest card, lease application and lease to get the best daily rate, a clean apartment, and $102.00*. Happy Apartment Hunting -Jeff * must be a participating community to be eligible

One of the biggest apartment living sins is leaving full trash bags by your front door or on your front porch at any other time than the approve pick-up time. Leaving trash out overnight is the worst of the worst. Cats, dogs, racoons, rats, birds, squirrels, bugs and other vermin love it when you leave out your trash. It attracts them to your doorstep to wait for you to leave your next bag of trashy goodness that they can root around in for a meal. If you want more bugs to come around, leaving your trash out is the best way to do it. If you want less bugs and less of a chance of mice...TAKE YOUR TRASH TO THE DUMPSTER! Bacteria also grows in the old food and such while the outside heat bakes the trash bag and that can promote health problems. Leaving your trash out on your doorstep, patio, and breezeway makes you look filthy...do you really want that? So please do you part in keeping your community and the world clean clean and only leave your trash out at appropriate times and keep in indoors or at the dumpster at all other times.

Are there any Apartmentites out there who don't have a cell phone at this point? I'm sure there is a very small number of you out there who aren't connected to the cellular grid and although you aren't connected, you may actually be pretty smart. So do cell phones cause health problems? The verdict is definitely still out on this one, however I am thoroughly convinced that the cell phone waves have messed with my head...a little bit. Whether they are actually doing some type of damage to my brain or they are just making me a little bit crazier, I don't know. As an Apartmentite, you should know the truth. The truth is...there really isn't a truth yet. Because cell phone technology and widespread use is still relatively new, we will not know official results until several years down the line. Until then there will be no definitive answer on whether the radiation from cell phones is damaging our brains or cause the dreaded "c" word. There are a number of very strong believers on both sides who have the science and technology to back up their thoughts. Cell phones emit radiation, we know that...but we don't truly know if it's harmful or not. So what are we supposed to do just continue as is until there is an answer? Sure...we could do that. It will really come down to one of two possibilities. Either nothing happens and cell phones are proven to be unharmful or there is a boom in brain tumors some time over the next 10 years. I prefer to hope for the first option, but who knows how it will turn out. You can take comfort in the fact that cell phones meet federal safety standards if you are so inclined to be comforted by such things. Remember though, this is the same organization that stated that cigarette's met safety standards in the early 20th century. How's that going for you federal government health and safety department... But I digress...regardless of different sides on this issue, what should we do until there is a definite answer? Here are a few solutions that you could use to limit the use of cell phone by your head. Ye olde Speakerphone- I don't think there is a phone out there without a speaker phone these days. Personally, I don't like people being able to hear my calls, but if you are in the comfort of your apartment or your car...kick on the speaker and hold the phone a foot or two away from your head. Wired Headset- Use a wired headset! While they still emit a bit of radiation directly into your ear, it should be considerably less than holding the phone up to your head. The amount of radiation your head receives dissipates quite a bit the further you hold the phone away from your head. Blue Tooth- You could also get hooked up with a bluetooth headset. A bluetooth will help ease the amount of radiation that you take in from your cell phone, although you will still receive a different type from the bluletooth. The good thing about a bluetooth headset is that you can be far...far...up to 30 feet away from your phone and it will work. You could pretty much set your phone on the kitchen counter and walk anywhere around your apartment using the bluetooth! Remember that when you aren't using it...take it out of your ear. If you talk alot, be sure to switch ears so that you use both sides evenly. These also work really great in the car too. Landline- Another great idea is using a landline or VOIP. Put the cell phone down and go old school! Or you could continue doing things as is and just see what happens. It's up to you. Just remember...at this point it is really unknown. Just be smart about using it and remember always that Apartment Home Living is not responsible for any problems that do or do not occur. Thanks! and Live For Fun!

I have seen it time and time again. An Apartmentite lets a family member or close friend live in their apartment without being on the lease or signs a lease for someone and won't even be living there. This situation commonly ends very poorly. Either the person completely and irresponsibly bails on paying rent, moves out before the lease is over with, or truly just ruins the responsible and nice person's rental history. It's terrible, but it happens so often it's ridiculous. It has happened to me by someone who was a friend since childhood and best friend in my adult hood. They had just split up with their wife and asked a huge favor of staying at my place for awhile until he got back on his feet. I had an extra room, so I figured it wouldn't be so bad to have him crash at my place for a few weeks. Well, a few weeks turned into a few months, turned into about a year. He never paid me rent the entire time. I never really checked out his room during that time, but when I finally moved out a couple of years later it came to determine that he had spilled all kinds of juice and ruined the carpet, put holes in the wall, and taken the closet door off of the hinges. Guess what? Since he was never on the lease...I ended up being responsible for all of the damage. I had to pay over $1000 in damages for things that I never did. The moral of the story is to never sign the lease for someone else or let someone live with you without them being on the lease too. Always remember that if they are not on the lease...you will take the fall if they mess up. Just be smart and think things through before you jump into a situation that costs you money and friendships.

When your eyes peer over a lease for the first time before signing it, you tense up not wanting to miss any of the fine print. Leases can be similar, but they can also be very, very different. Apartment leases must abide by state or local laws that govern both the resident's and the landlord/management companies rights. These can include regulations on security deposit limits, the eviction process and what happens when a lease is broken. Although lease may vary here and there, there are a few things that should be included in every lease. So when you go into that leasing office to sign the lease for your new apartment, be sure to keep the following things in mind to make sure you take a good look at before you put your signature on that dotted line. Names- I don't care if your best friend, cousin, girlfriend, or mother is living with you. If they are over 18, they need to have their name on the lease. If they live there and mess up the apartment, but the lease is only in your name...it all will fall down on you! And just because you can trust someone, doesn't mean that they job is trusting of them. Your New Home- The exact address and unit number should be indicated on the lease. If not, you need to make sure it is...you don't want to sign for one apartment and turn around and they give you a different one. Rent- Another thing that better be on there is rent. If the rent isn't indicated on the lease...you make them write it in there immediately. There should be no confusion or discrepancies on what you are going to be paying for your new home each month. Dates- Also, your start and end dates of the lease should be indicated as well as what happens after your lease expiration, the cost of going month to month, and what your penalty is for breaking your lease. The dates should also show you when your rent is due each month, when it is considered late and how much the fee is for paying rent late. You should also take note of policies on visitors, parking, subletting, repairs, renters insurance, and on pets. On top of that be sure to check for signatures on all pages and most importantly...read everything! If they try to rush you into signing without reading carefully, (which they shouldn't) you should just tell them politely that you would like to read everything that you are signing. The lease is LONG and COMPLEX, so don't get discouraged. Just think about the light at the end of the tunnel and having your new awesome place and you will pull through! Live For Fun

Here's the situation: Maybe you have just moved into your new apartment. Maybe you are looking for a new place and are about to make a move. Or maybe you just really need to stock your place with all of the miscellaneous necessities that you will need as you enjoy apartment life to the fullest. So what types of things do you need to stock your medicine cabinet or under your sink? What kinds of supplies do you need to really make apartment living rock? We are here to help. Follow this simple checklist of items and you will soon have completed all of the necessary little items that go into being stocked for anything that pops up. -For The Medicine Cabinet or Medical Items- Aspirin Acetaminophen Antibiotic Ointment Hydrogen Peroxide Rubbing Alcohol Thermometer Heating Pad Ice Bag Band-aids Gauze Wrap Sunblock Lotion Antiseptic Mouthwash -For the Shower/Sinks/Bath- Soap Hand Soap Shampoo Conditioner Body Wash Face Wash A Loofa Razors Shaving Cream/Gel Tooth Brush Tooth Paste Floss Toilet Paper Q-Tips Cotton Balls -For The Kitchen- Hand Soap Dish Soap A Scrub Brush Sponges Drain-O Paper Towels Salt and Pepper Shakers Sugar Flatware Cups and Glasses Plates and Bowls Cooking Utensils -Cleaning Supplies- Shower Spray Carpet Spray Broom Mop Scooper Hard Surface Cleaner like 409 Duster Vacuum Wire Brushes Paper Towels Window Cleaner A Bucket -Tools and Hardware- Flashlight Hammer Screwdriver---Flathead and Phillips Head Light Bulbs Extension Cords and Surge Protector Nails and Screws Tape Measure Level Batteries And those are just the basics. Seems like a lot, but you really will find that at some point...you need ALL of this stuff! So make sure you stock your apartment with all of this stuff!

To give you a little breather on the apartment checklists, I thought that I would share a fun Apartmentite video today. What is more fun than scooters...especially with the price of gas these days. If I could give out an award for Apartmentite creativeness, the Scoobangers would definitely get a flashy trophy. These Apartmentites felt the gas crunch and instead of shying away to their apartments and trying not to drive as much as possible, they shelled out some cash for scooters! These bad boys of scooterness can get up to the 90 mile per gallon range without even increasing their aerodynamic coolness. That leaves you with a heck of a lot of extra gas money doesn't it? If you have an apartment in close proximity to your work there is no reason not to get a scooter. The trick is making riding a Scooter somewhat cool. Why not take something that until now seemed kind of dorky and make it sexy? And then on top of that save the Earth while you are doing it. Cool Scooters? Seems an oxymoron, but the Scoobangers educate their fellow Apartmentites how to have a little fun with a scooter while living the city life. It's edutainment at it's best and shows us that Apartment living is all about living for fun....even with a scooter. So whether you have a scooter or not, don't be afraid to get out there and live for fun. That's what apartment living is all about! DISCLAIMER: PLEASE DO NOT TRY THE STUNTS YOU SEE IN THIS VIDEO AT HOME. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE THAT MAY OCCUR TO YOU, YOUR FRIENDS, PROPERTY, YOUR SCOOTER, or ANYTHING ELSE. Just ride the scooter and save gas....

So the kitchen really doesn't need a lot of furniture, but it needs something more along the lines of appliances and tools. Some Apartmentites think all they need is a coffee machine, but that is far from the truth. Your apartment kitchen serves so many more purposes than just being a place to brew your coffee and grab a cereal bar. It's a place to entertain, prepare for your day, relax in the evening, and to become a king or queen of cleaning. To complete the perfect kitchen in your apartment, use this list as your guide to get all the equipment, utensils, and such that you need to have the perfect kitchen: Toaster- The toaster has been around for years and no kitchen is complete without one. It's easy to use and very little snacks can beat a toasted peanut butter and jelly or a toasted ham and cheese. The Poptart and Eggo waffle were even invented to create additional awesome eateries that are easily cooked in the toaster. Coffee Maker- Fine...you should have one. Even if you aren't a coffee drinker, you should pick one of these bad boys up just to take up some space on an empty counter. Plus, you never know when you are going to have a coffee desiring guest. You could even fancy up your apartment kitchen with an espresso machine instead. You'll be the talk of the community and you'll have people popping by like you are a Starbucks. Blender- Back in my workout days this little machine came in handy in a big way as I mixed up a number of protein shakes. Then in my margarita days...well...I don't remember, but I am pretty sure that gadget really helped me out. Seriously though....have a blender...even if you have it stored away for a rainy day you should have one. Microwave- It's so hard to tell these days because some apartments will come with microwaves and some won't. When you are looking for your place, you should be sure to check this little ditty of info out and if it doesn't look like one is coming built in,you should invest in a microwave. They are the cooking wave of the future, I tells ya! Measuring Cups/Spoons- You will need something to measure out the perfect amount of liquids in your cooking so be sure to pick up a measuring cup or two. While you are at it, add a meat thermometer in the case that you ever decide to make a roast! Knife Set and Cutting Board- You'll also want to pick up a decent knife set and cutting board. The knife set should include ones for chopping, slicing, sawing, and poking. Most sets will also come with a sharpener, but if it doesn't you'll want to get one of those too. Bottle Opener, wine tool, and Can Opener- We all know that you will really NEED a bottle opener. Why everyone doesn't make twist offs now, I have no idea, but having a bottle opener on hand for those moments is imperative. An automated can opener goes a long way too. Cloth- You'll need paper towels and a paper towel holder to begin with, but you will also need a few other types of cloth around the kitchen. You'll need dishrags, a hand towel or two, a few oven mits/pot holders, a rug for the floor, and place mats and napkins for the table. Salt and Pepper Shaker- No meal is perfect...at least not when I'm cooking. I am a chronic salt addict, so a salt and pepper shaker is a necessity. You can get some really funny and creative ones out there too. Look around and find the one that gives the flavor that you like...other than just salt and pepper! Dishes- You'll need to get bowls, plates, glasses, flatware (utensils), and some coffee mugs to stock your cabinets with some great dishes. You'll also want to pick up a few serving dishes and cooking utensils like a spatula, wooden spoon, and whisk. Furniture- If your apartment kitchen includes a dining area, you will need to purchase a kitchen table with 4 (yes..4) matching chairs. Don't have just one that doesn't match...either have 4 matching...or...go with none that match. You will also need a trash can to dump all of your junk! Lastly you'll need to stock your pantry and fridge with food. Set some dishsoap and a scrubber in the sink and you should be good to go. My kitchen even has a TV in it for those long hours of cooking! Enjoy your new kitchen!

It's time to hook up the bathroom in your apartment! And I am not talking about making the plumbing work as hopefully that has already been done. Rather, I am talking about getting all the pieces you need to fully furnish and decorate the room where you bathe and brush your teeth....among other things.... But I digress. Here is the list of all the items that you will need to make your apartment bathroom complete: Bath Rug, Toilet Rug- Yes. No bathroom is complete without these two simple items. Be sure that they are matching eachother as well as the other items around the bathroom. Personally, I'd go with soft rugs as they feel better on your bare feet when you step out of the shower. Shower Curtain w/ rings- You'll want to pick a curtain for the shower that matches your bathroom rugs. All three should match to help make a well rounded and matched bathroom. Plunger and Brush- You may laugh at this one, but having a plunger and a bowl brush tucked away behind the toilet is a necessity. You MUST keep your bowl clean. If you do not, the angry toilet monster will grow and come attack you. So...brusha, brusha, brusha! (You know exactly what the plunger is for) Towels Don't forget to have towels that match the rugs and shower curtain too. And keep the towels clean. Don't over stuff the towel rack and please, please, please wash your towels before they start to stink. Soap dish/Soap Dispenser- Be sure to pick up a soap dish or dispenser for the sink. Cleanliness is awesomeness. Other than that, you will need to stock the cabinet under the sink with cleaning supplies and get toilet paper and your bathroom should be good to go!

Yesterday I covered all of the essential items that you will need to complete your new apartment's living room set. No living room is complete however without a complimentary complete bedroom to match. What types of things do you need for the bedroom in your apartment? Bed- Okay, I know this is obvious to absolutely everyone, but your bed is the place where you will spend the majority of your time in your apartment. (Get your mind out of the gutter.) I'm talking about SLEEPING! You'll spend at least a quarter of an entire day resting in your bed, so you will want to make sure and get the perfect one. If there is one item to spend a little money on in your apartment...it's the bed. Word of warning: I thought I would go cheap in my first apartment and just used a futon as a bed. I spend 2 years sleeping on that bad boy and impressing absolutely no one. It was tacky and uncomfortable...Just shell out the extra cash for a real bed. This should include a great mattress, box springs, and the bedframe... Headboard- A head board makes the bedroom classy. You don't want your pillows slipping in between the bed and the wall while you are trying to sleep do you? Plus, it gives the cats a place to walk and haunt you when you are sleeping. Nightstand- I think it's always best to go with two night stands; one for each side. Where else would you put your alarm clock, charge your cell phone, or place your pictures of loved ones to watch over you while you sleep? You should make sure that these pieces of furniture match your bed so that all furniture pieces in the bedroom are complimentary. A Big Mirror- You could really have this in the bathroom or in the bedroom, but I suggest having a full length mirror somewhere so that you can make sure you look good before leaving the apartment. To guys this doesn't matter as much, but if you want to impress the ladies...you should make sure your shoes match your belt. Or if your significant other is getting ready to go out at your apartment, she will want to make sure her outfit matches before she leaves....having a mirror will really help. Alarm Clock- With the onset and overuse of the functionality of cell phones, the market for alarm clocks is dwindelling, but you should always have one. Whether its an advanced docking station for your Ipod or a cheap $5 travel alarm clock, you should always have it displaying the time and blasting you out of bed in the morning. Cell phone alarms are nice, but a real alarm clock is sassy! For Your Bed- Your bed won't come complete with the necessities for a good night's sleep. You will also need to purchase an even number of pillows...either 2, 4, or 6....any more and your bed is covered in pillows. Don't go with an odd number either...I had a friend who had 3 pillows on their bed and it just looked weird. Pillows should come in pairs. You will also need sheets. I'm not particular about sheets, but some people are. Just remember that the higher the thread count, the better quality sheet and the less often you'll have to buy new ones. Lastly you'll need a comforter and a duvet cover. This is what everyone will see first on your bed as it covers it. It is also what will keep you warm in the cold winter. With all of these things...your bed should be complete. Lamps- Whether you set yourself up with a fancy corner lamp or a small lamp on the bedside table, having the non overhead lighting is ideal. Especially if you plan on doing any reading. Add some additional decoration on the art and your bedroom should be good to go! Now you should have a good idea on the bedroom and living room of your apartment. Next time, we will hit on the bathroom....there's more to it than you'd think! Check back!

So you have recently moved into your new apartment and now comes the time to fill it up with all the right pieces. Maybe not. Maybe you have been living there for a long time, but want to make sure you have all the right stuff. Well whatever the case, you may need a little help out on knowing what exactly to get for what room. We will start with the most communal place in the apartment, the living room. There are a number of elements that you will need to put together that go beyond the obvious. Follow this checklist and you should be good to go. Couch- Let's start with the obvious. You'll need a couch. Comfort is as important as style when picking out a bad boy like this. You could make a visit to a furniture store or if you are working on a tight budget, check around and see if you can find a hand-me-down that is in good shape. Coffee Table- Unless you want to litter your apartment with TV stands and store your drinks on the floor, you will need a coffee table. Even though Grandma always said to take your feet off of the coffee table...it makes a great footrest too. Bookshelf- You will need a bookshelf. Whether you are using it to store and display books, DVD's, or picture frames a bookshelf is a simple storage necessity. Desk- If you have a computer or are going to need a work area, I would suggest picking up a desk that can sit in the corner and not take up too much space. Be sure and get a desk lamp with this for added lighting. Lighting is a big deal. Desk Chair- Often overlooked initially, but what any apartment living room with a desk shouldn't be without is the desk chair. If you are in school or work from home, be sure and get a comfortable chair because you will be spending much time in it. Floor Lamps- You'll also want to get a floor lamp to help out with lighting. This will sit in one of the corners of the room, but should be accessible so that you can turn it on or off. TV and TV Stand- I know there are still people out there who do not already have a TV, so you will need to be sure to have one now. It completes the living room and serves as the centerpiece rather you watch it or not! Rug and Throw Pillows- Adding a rug on top of the carpet will really give a homey feel as well as add decoration, color, and flair to the apartment. Adding matching throw pillows to the couch and/or chairs will also help in creating that decorated flavor! So those are the basics beyond the basics for what you will need in your living room. Beyond that comes the accessories like photos, paintings, etc. Get going right now on your living room because tomorrow I am bringing the checklist for the bedroom! Window Treatments- While most apartments will come stocked with blinds, you may want to add additional window coverage by setting yourself up with curtains.

Apartmentites all over the US are always looking for good deals right? Whether it is a coupon to cut down on grocery costs, a free movie rental, or any other area to cut corners. Well what if I was to tell you that soon you may be able to cut corners with cost on your apartment too? And I'm not talking about on energy bills either. I'm talking about rent. How? Easy. The Austin apartment market is becoming overwhelmingly saturated. Occupancy in Austin is also down 1.5 points since last year. There are nearly 1000 less occupied apartments than there were at the beginning of the year. The research firm M/PF YieldStar reports that average rent may actually level out this year and then drop by a few percent in 2009. M/PF also reports that there are nearly 12, 810 units to be built and added to the already overwhelming number of apartments in Austin by the end of '09! This is nearly double what the city actually needs. Higher gas prices are making it more appealing to live in-town leaving a drop in occupancy in the communities on the outskirts of town and in the suburbs. Will this drop rents? Possibly. I think near the end of the year through most of 2009, you will see many communities offering slight discounts and/or concessions to help retain YOU! They will want to keep you from moving and if you don't live there yet, they will want you to so that they can fill up and don't run the risk of a steep drop in occupancy. There will just be so many choices out there in places to live that it will become highly competitive in the Austin market. So if you are an Austin Apartmentite, use our search tool to check a few places out when you are close to the end of your lease. See what there is to offer and then talk things over with your leasing office....Find the best place for you. It's your right to enjoy where you live! And you better be living for fun!

Plastic shopping bags are a curse on our green Earth. If you are making an attempt at "Going Green," but using and throwing away plastic bags, you are committing a cardinal sin of the Green Living way. But there is a double edged sword here. Those horrible for the environment plastic shopping bags make incredible tools around the apartment. There are literally dozens of uses for them that can really make apartment living better and a heck of a lot easier. So what can you do? Is it okay to take the plastic bags? I say, "Yes. Go ahead and take them, but make sure to reuse them around the apartment for the various uses they are great for." But if you get caught by the Planet Police, I never knew you. If you need a little help on reusing these around the apartment, here are a few tips: Storing Old Clothes and things- Don't go out and buy boxes and such to store your winter clothes. Instead, bag them up and tuck them away in your closet. Shopping Again- Never be afraid to take them with you when you go grocery shopping. Then just hand them to the checker to rebag your groceries in. Umbrella...ella...ella- Keep one or two in your trunk or glove box to use as an emergency umbrella or to cover other items that you wish not to get wet in the rain. I have even seen people use them as shoe covers to walk through puddles and mud. Grill Brush- Need something to brush off the community grill before throwing on some brats or burgers? Easy! Just ball up a plastic bag and use it as an abrasive scrubber. Pooper Scooper/Trash Bag- One of the most common uses of these are to reuse them as a trash bag or to scoop up after your pet on community grounds. They can also be used when cleaning out Mittens's litter box. But the catch here is that you are still throwing the bag away in the end. Be sure to get as much use out of a bag before you do this. Tote Bag- You can also use these as very simple tote bags. Load them up with dirty clothes to take to the laundry mat or with your overnight stuff when you are crashing at a friends. Whatever you need to tote around...sacrifice the superficial need for a cool looking bag and save the earth! These are only a couple of examples of ways to reuse the bags, if you know any more...Please let me know in a comment. Happy Bag Collecting! Love Living For Fun!

Getting exercise is the key to being in shape. We all know this is an absolute fact, but the life of an Apartmentite can be a very, very busy with very little time for hitting the gym. Your body enjoys and responds well to being active. Sitting still for too long can actually be bad for you as tension develops. Being active also helps your body deal with stress too! I have stumbled across a number of activities that you can do from the comfort of your very own desk to help keep your bones, muscles, and joints happy. These tasks won't really help you lose weight or get you cardiovascularly fit, but they will help you feel more energetic and give you an overall feeling of healthiness. NOTE: Remember to always breath when you are doing any type of exercise. Holding your breath is bad for you. Here we go: Simple Stretch- Start with a simple stretch by reaching both arms up above your head, leaning back in your chair and stretching your arms. This really helps in loosening up the tension that the upper body suffers from due to sitting all day. Pecs- Giving your upper an additional stretch will really help relieve the upper body tension. Clasp your hands behind your head and try to press your shoulder blades together. Hold for a few seconds and repeat a few times. This will stretch the pectoral area as well as release some of the tension in your upper back. Chair Bend- While sitting in your chair with your feet flat on the floor about a foot apart from eachother...lean forward and attempt to touch your toes. Hold this for a few seconds and then slowly pull back up and repeat. Flexing your abdominal muscles as you do this will help. Tilt Your Headt- Make sure not to forget about your neck. Try tilting your head to the left, right, front, and back a few times holding still and tight for a few seconds in each position. Be sure that you are still breathing. Wrists- You can also stretch your wrists by pulling your hand back using your fingers on each hand and then pulling the fingers down at the wrist the other way. There are virtually a large number of small exercises that you can do to keep your body from being to static. Remember though, you should never substitute these exercises if you goal is to get in shape or lose weight. For those you need to hit the gym.

What do you think my favorite color is? Take a look at the colors we have used to decorate this site. Any clue? It's not green. And it's not red. That's right...BLUE! The greatest thing about blue is that it is a calming color and promotes a feeling of relaxing. Perfect for the busy Apartmentite like you that enjoys their rest time. I have a few awesome tips on decorating your apartment using the color: blue. Blue-Brown- You can find a ton of brown or tan furniture and accessories to fill a room. I have seen an influx in use of light blue and brown offsetting each other. This unlikely combination really gives a fresh warm feel to any apartment. I suggest coating your walls in a very pale blue and off set it with the use of browns in your furniture, accessories, and decor. Stay away from adding yellows or reds into this mix. For additional colors, think cream, off white, or various shades of dark blue to complement your main two colors. This entire ensemble will give a very elegant feel. Infuse It- Want to have a flash of color in your apartment? Easy! Just offset very light colored walls with cobalt or another vibrant shade of blue furniture upholstery. When you walk into your apartment you will feel a comfy blast of color with a contemporary feel. Go Bold On The Walls- Or...you could paint your walls a bold blue, like cobalt blue and have brightly colored furniture with shades of reds, or pinks. If your really want to be out there you could offset the cobalt blue with a bright orange like the colors for the University of Florida. Make Life Imitate Art- Take vibrant blue paintings or other pieces of art and accent the rest of the room using only the colors found in the painting. The piece of art will stand out and so will your room! Glass- Blue Stained glass comes in a variety of shades. Accent your room with these items throughout. Setting them in a window that gets a steady flow of sun can add great visual appeal when the sun shines through the glass and the shades of blue. Spot the Blue- Don't make blue your main color. Instead, use a cream or white as your main color and add speckles of blue throughout. Make the blue give the accenting feel. This also works in reverse, but is much more discrete this way. Water- What's more blue than water? Nothing..that's what. Use a water theme throughout your apartment. If your community will allow you to have a fish tank, even better. Bring a pretty fish tank in with some royal blue fish! Know any more good blue tips? Have some blue stories? I wanna hear about them so leave them in a comment!

Working in a home office at your apartment? Trying to find a way to combine a chair and a table into one space saving piece of furniture? Your solution: The Trey Chair! Check it out. Trey Chair. It's not a flashy site, but this piece of furniture is an awesome way to increase seating and using as little space as possible. In no way am I in cahoots with, nor are we affiliated with the company who makes these chairs, I just think it would work perfect for my fellow Apartmentite's and I want to make sure to share that with you. Not only do these chairs roll with ease, but from the testimonials (which seems to be their main marketing strategy) it seems that they are really comfortable too. What sets this chair apart from a typical desk chair? Check this out... The seat part actually detaches with ease and can be used as an individual chair by itself. Then the stand turns into a height adjustable table, an ottoman, or virtually anything else you can think of to make it function as. How sweet is that?!?! At $239.99 it's right in the middle price range for a good desk chair, but from what I can tell...it's well worth it. You get a number of different pieces of furniture built into one. Perfect for an Apartmentite such as you or me. So check it out!

Nothing cools you off on a hot summer day better than a dip in the community pool. When it's not crowded, taking a visit to the community pool can be like relaxing at a private luxury pool in your backyard. Even at it's most comfortable times, it is always important to remember a few things when spending time at your apartment community's pool. First is common courtesy and to be respectful that there may be other residents enjoying the same amenities as you are. Whether it is keeping your noise down so that you aren't screaming in their space or keeping from splashing them in the face, you must always be considerate of your neighbors. Oh! And if you have the pool to yourself and then people all of a sudden show up to share it, don't be territorial like you own the place...because you don't. Just be aware and be considerate and you should be good to go. The second thing that you really should keep in mind on a visit to the community pool is the rules. They are kept printed on a sign and in display for all to see for a reason. EVERYONE SHOULD ABIDE BY THEM. Not just because rules are rules, but also for safety's sake. Last night in my community, police arrested a resident for trespassing on the pool area after the posted closing times. The rules post those times for a number of reasons. One, because mischief is more likely to happen at night and their is no one around to help if someone gets themselves in danger. Two, because a ruckus of noise at the pool late at night could be very disturbing to nearby neighbors. And three, because the apartments can't be liable for your safety in the case that something happens to you after those posted hours. So pay attention to the hours and do the community and yourself a favor by not going to the pool after those posted hours. No diving! If it tells you not to dive, there is a very good reason. The pool isn't deep enough to handle a dive and you could seriously injure yourself, so don't try it! Simple as that. Also, unless you are chosen or paid by the community to touch the pool equipment, you should keep your hands off. Many communities have 24 hour surveillance cameras and if you break it...you will pay for it. The bottom line is to be courteous of others, follow the rules, and just use common sense. Plain and simple. Now get to the pool and enjoy the sun!

When searching for apartments many of us concentrate on amenities, features and price, but often one extremely important factor is overlooked. Location is a HUGE deal when you are apartment hunting. Don't overlook it. Why is location important? The biggest factor in why location is important is saving yourself on GAS. There is no doubt that gas prices are outrageous now and there is now sign of them getting any better, so having a place that is somewhat close to your work or school is an important factor in saving yourself some ducats. The average 15-20 commuter spends between $50-70 in gas per week going to and from work alone. Multiply this by 52 weeks a year and your are well into the $3000 range. If you live in an apartment within biking or walking distance from school or work, not only do you have the opportunity to be physically fit just from you commute, but you also have the opportunity to save yourself some money. Another thing to factor in when considering location is where the nearest grocery store or shopping center is. If you are having to drive 20 miles to pick up a 6 pack, you are not doing yourself any justice. Not just that, but what about all of the other little things? Getting your prescriptions refilled, visiting your bank, getting Mittens to the vet, or filling up your tank. All of these things and whatever else you need to do to get things done daily, should factor into your decision on location. You should also think about the places that you like to hang out. It won't make a lot of sense to hang out at your favorite spot downtown if you live out in the burbs. Pick a spot that is close to your favorite hangout. Then you have the whereabouts of your significant others or your friends and family. You should always take into account their locations in relation to yours. You'd hate to get an apartment that is close to work yet is 50 miles from your girlfriend who you drive to see several times a week. And if you are that far...she'll never come see you either. So make sure and pick a happy medium. It's very important to weigh all of these location factors in when deciding on the best place for you. If you can find a place that is within a mile from all of these places...YOU ARE SET!!! Good luck and if you have any questions...let us know...We have answers.

Living room feel a little cramped? Mine was feeling really cramped until I made a few small changes to the layout of everything and now it all flows and feels free. Opening things up starts with your couch. It's best to really take a look at the overall shape of your room. If you have your couch in the middle of the room and parallel to a main wall, its going to seem like it takes a ton of space. Try angling your couch so that it faces the more open area of your apartment. It may seem odd at first, but it can really open things up. If you really don't have the layout to have the couch at an angle or even in the center of a room for that matter, be sure to have the couch up against a wall and try angling the entertainment center. If you really want to open things up, dump the entertainment center all together and go with a flat panel television. I have seen one Apartmentite who had his DVD player and Playstation actually hidden under his couch to save space. He then ran all the cables from the TV under a cheap throw rug from Wal-Mart. This took care of both the need for an entertainment center and need to cover up the cables. It was ingenious. The best part was that his end table also doubled as a DVD stand so you never even had to get up to put in a movie. Sweet! I've preached this a number of times in the past, but nothing can make your apartment seemed cramp like a bunch of clutter. Be sure to remove all items that clutter the room. Store things in their proper place and if you are a pillow fiend...make sure to keep them on the couch and not taking up floor space. Also, look into wall mountable items like speakers. You can even mount shelves on the wall rather than using a bookshelf. This should give you a plethora of extra floor space. There are a number of ways to open up the living area in your apartment. Just think outside of the box and be creative. Try a few things out and if they don't work, try something else. Whatever you do...make sure and let it sit for a day or two before you switch it up because sometimes something new takes time to really enjoy. Have fun!

I couldn't believe this when I saw it... this lady has 130+ cats in her small two bedroom apartment!

I wanted to take a moment to wish congratulations to Summer Witting of Bridgehead in Austin for being the latest quarterly winner of our Live 4 Fun: Win 1 Month’s Free Rent Contest! Summer won a $750 check by random drawing after registering on our site, entering a “Live For,” and either contacting or emailing to inquire about one of our listed communities. Anyone who did those three things between March and June was automatically entered into the drawing to win. Her apartment community, Bridgehead, managed by Vaughn Management, will also win $250 simply because Summer resides there. One out of only 2 “Apartmentites” who wrote they “Live for Relaxing After Work,” Witting was chosen from more than 60,000 total people who visited the site and met the requirements in the last 90 days. An employee at the University of Texas, Witting found ApartmentHomeLiving.com during her online search for an apartment. While she did most of her work online through ApartmentHomeLiving.com, Witting also searched for apartments using word of mouth from her co-workers. She ended up using ApartmentHomeLiving.com the most because it was easy. She is thrilled that her next month’s rent will be taken care of by this winning. Look for more drawings throughout 2008, so get your chance to win by registering a Live 4 on the Live 4 page and start contacting some communities. The more communities you contact...the more entries you'll have into the drawing! Our next drawing will take place on September 23rd, 2008. Anyone who tells us what they "Live For" and contacts a community between now and September 19th will be entered to win! (Just please...please....remember that your "Live For" is a reflection of you!) I draw the names myself, so I'm pretty excited! Absolutely no bribes will be excepted!!!

Are you a jogger? I'm not really...in fact it's tough on my knees, but I get bored running on the treadmill or spending time on the elliptical. Luckily, my apartment community has a TV right in front of the machines so it can somewhat keep me captivated during my sweat routine. You should definitely find a way to keep yourself captivated by whatever you need to in order to keep using your apartment fitness center. If you apartment community has a fitness center...USE IT. That's what it is there for. Here are a few reasons why: 1. Convenience- It's close, easy to get to, and convenient. When you are through working out, you don't have to share a locker room or shower. You just walk back to your place and get fixed up in the comfort of your own apartment. 2. CHEAP- In most cases, it's included in your rent. Save yourself the money of going to a neighborhood gym that runs a monthly charge. Use the free one....seems obvious to me. 3. People- It's a great place to meet your neighbors. Don't be shy. Ask for a spot! 4. No Meatheads- Most apartment fitness centers don't have the meatheads that can be so annoying at a big gym. They try so hard to impress as many people as possible that they will skip on the apartment fitness center to go somewhere and be seen. Plus...that means on the way, they can do something really classy like drive without their shirt. 5. No Pollution- It's proven that working out or jogging outside in a city/urban environment is not as good for you as working out inside is. You are subject to a number of pollutants that can actually damage your lungs and cause them to become inflamed. By doing this, you will do less work and your body will feel like you did...resulting in a poorer workout. Plus...outside you have the danger risk of being hit by a car or struck by lighting . So the answer is clear to me. If you have an option of the apartment community's fitness center...beat the outdoor head and the third party gyms and USE IT! And use it well. If you are really hard core, use the money that you saved not getting a gym membership, by picking up a fitness expert to give you some good tips and help get you in shape. Always be safe when you are working out. Know any good tips, let me know in a comment. Peace!

If you find yourself bored in your old apartment like this guy...you should hop on our Find A Place page to help you find a new and exciting home. I really wouldn't try jumping your couch like this guy did...you might hurt yourself.

Does it seem like people are finding your place too easily? It does seem that with the advancements of web based maps using satellites and basically virtual tours of all streets and places, this can seem a little overwhelming. The best way to look at this situation is to look at the glass half full rather than half empty. So your annoying people from your past may be finding your place....no problem....look for a new place using our Find A Place section. Then use one of the neat street mapping and tour utilities like Google Maps and Google Street to really get an over-the-web first hand perspective of your possible new area. Use the tool to your advantage. It's actually pretty useful if you aren't scared of it.... Sort of like sushi....

I have witnessed this a number of times at a number of apartments. Books and other stuff cluttered around the apartment in places where they are taking up too much space or just getting dusty. This is no bueno. Especially in an apartment that more than likely has limited space as it is. We talked about how important being organized is recently, but I wanted to add a few more tips to help you out with storage of books and such. Do it with shelves! Need some shelving space for your sweet apartment? Get affordable free-standing shelving units that you can pack up and move easily from places like Target, Wal-Mart, or Cost-Co. You'll even find some better and really slickly designed ones at DIY furniture stores like Ikea. They’re affordable, really easy to put together, and give you a great spot to store stuff. It's not necessary to go over the top and get a huge unit for your apartment. It would be better to get several smaller units that you can easily move, or if they are cheap enough...donate if you move one day. If you just want a few shelves for books, DVD’s, or other small items, you should look into mountable single shelf units. Then grab some cool looking storage boxes or baskets. Arrange the shelves in a staggered pattern with the boxes on top for that unique contemporary decor. It’s like art…or something like art at least...Don't you want to be something like an artist? You might also look into corner shelving units. They are very efficient space savers. You can use them for a wide variety of storage possibilities and they are not extremely expensive. Get shelving...now...Go! Know any good shelving ideas? Let me know by leaving a comment below! Apartmentites rock!!

If cleanliness is the key, then what is the key to cleanliness? That's an age old question.... I have heard a number of my Apartmentite friends complain about the bugs in their apartments and not seem to understand why these creatures hang around their place. Is it their charm? Their good looks? or are they messy apartment keepers and they don't even realize it? Hey, we are talking bugs here and while most of my Apartmentite friends are cool to hang out with, I don't know if the bugs think they are either charming nor good looking. So with those options, I think we have to go for choice "C," they're messy and don't even know it. If you feel like you are doing everything right, but continue seeing bugs and such...maybe it's time to re-evaluate the situation. Maybe it's time to really get things in your apartment clean and keep them that way. First, make sure that your apartment manager is aware that you need a visit from the exterminator. Then follow these tips for keeping things clean. Dishes- Start with the kitchen sink. Dishes left in the sink for ANY period of time attracts bugs. It doesn't matter if you wash them 5 minutes later or 5 days later...you are going to catch the attention of bugs. Plus, if you have a roommate, nothing may aggravate them more than your dirty dishes being left for later. The easiest solution to this is to pick up a soap dispensing scrub tool from you grocery store and AS SOON as you finish eating, cooking, or dirtying a dish...CLEAN IT! Don't leave your cereal bowl in the sink all day even if you think you rinsed it well. Take the extra one minute to scrub and put on the rack to dry. If you are using your dishwasher, rinse the dishes well in the sink before sticking them on the dishwasher's rack! And always...ALWAYS...be sure to run the disposal to rid of any old food in the sink. Handle The Trash- We've mentioned this a number of times before. When your trash is full...take it to the dumpster. Absolutely do not delay. Don't just tie it up and save it to take in the morning...because it does what????? ATTRACTS BUGS....and not to mention is really, really gross. Just throw on some house shoes and take the 3 minutes it takes to take it to the dumpster. Dust- Dust...is your old skin cells. Plain and simple. Do you want that lining your shelves, TV, and tables. I think not. Be sure to dust everything off every few weeks. KEEP YOUR STUFF SHINY! Be proud! Toilet- Don't ignore the toilet...or the trash can next to it. Be sure to empty the bathroom trashcan quite often and clean the toilet even more often. Just give it a quick wipe down with a wet piece of toilet paper every few days, or better yet, buy some handy wipes to keep ready for the wipe downs. It doesn't matter how you do it, just keep the toilet clean. Same goes for the bathroom sink...toothpaste and soap scum both attract the attention of silverfish and roaches....Keep the bathroom clean. Clutter and Clothes- DON'T LET DIRTY CLOTHES PILE ON YOUR CLOSET FLOOR INTO A LITTLE MOUNTAIN. This is a haven for bugs to live and breed. Instead, get a dirty clothes hamper and when it gets full, take a break from your rock-star lifestyle and wash the clothes. Simple as that. You should also keep the rest of your house clutter free in general. This is a good practice to keep away the vermin. Open Bags of Food- This could be candy, chips, bread....whatever it may be...you want to make sure that you seal any type of food bag up when there is food left in it and you want to save it for later. An open bag is an open invitation for a roach fiesta. I normally store my bags of chips and such in the fridge with a bag clip on them. This seems to do a good job in keeping away the nasties. Counters- Don't just wipe down the counters with a cloth and think they are clean. Use some type of cleaning solution and scrub to really get all of the unseen roach bait out of there. Vacuum- Last and most certainly not least...DON'T FORGET THE FLOORS! Vacuum and sweep often. Microscopic crumbs are constantly being brushed off or dropped onto the ground and these items are just begging for bugs to come feast. Those are a good start in keeping your apartment clean. With just a little bit of care everyday, your place can be seemingly bug free and you can relax in a clean place. Get to work! But Have some fun doing it.

Do you love the beach and wish that you really, really had a beach house, but all you have is your awesome city-fied apartment? The solution is easy...Why not make your apartment FEEL like a beach house? Decorating your apartment with a beach house theme is simple and before you know it you will be relaxing on your couch and you'll swear you could hear the seagulls. Lucky for you, I have a number of ideas Here's how: Colors- Head over to the local paint store and pick up some nice, light blue hues for the walls. In many of the beach houses that I have ever seen, the walls are some type of blue or some type of green offset with white or off-white colored furniture. To truly give the beach house feel, the colors must be pretty close to this color scheme. Flowing Curtains- You'll also want to stay away from covering the windows with dark curtains. Rather, you should use light, flowing material that really lets the light in. It would be perfect if this material had some type of beachy themed print on it as well. This could be seashells, waves, seagulls, or anything that gives off the beach feel. Make sure though, that the print is not a distracting color and blends in with the curtain itself. Accessories- Pottery and Vases-The first step to beach like accessories is to use white pottery, vases, and lamps throughout. Maybe select a large china cabinet or bookcase, paint it white and show off your collection of pottery in this. Driftwood- Decorate with some driftwood art. You can find a ton of this stuff at trade shows, flea markets, and thrift shops. You could even make your own out of real driftwood, just make sure it isn't too rotten. Shells- The number one necessity needed in making your apartment into a beach house this summer, is shells. You MUST decorate with shells. Big shells, little shells, whatever kind of shells...they will make or break your beach house style apartment. For a cool center piece, place a mixture of shells and sand in a glass bowl. Simple, cheap, and looks really beachy! Vintage Map or Globe- No beach house is complete without a vintage map of a coastal area framed on a wall. Heck, you could even throw a globe in the corner. Either one would work. Getting Really Fishy- Mounted fish add that dish flavor to a beach house style apartment. You don't even have to catch them...get them at an antique store. Better yet...mix in one of those singing fishes. "Take Me to The River..." Nets , Chests, and Oars- If you really, really want to get beachy...add a treasure chest to the living room to store your extra blankets in. Drape an old fishing net atop a corner of each room. And place old oars or other antique nautical equipment affixed to the walls for decoration. You could even use an old boat chest as a coffee table! So that should get you started on making a vacation home out of your apartment. Seasonally themes may involve a little work, but they are a lot of fun and go a long way in keeping your apartment fresh, hip, and interesting. Have fun and if you have any additional tips, leave a comment and let us know!

Your closet is filled to the brim. Every time you open your apartment hall closet, something is falling out on you. Your cabinets won't fit anymore stuff in them, but you just don't want to give anything up... Sound familiar? Well...your possessions will only keep growing and your apartment is going to stay the same size. As hard as it may be to say good-bye to some of those old possessions like that old, worn out coat in the hall closet that doesn't even fit anymore, you MUST! This summer...it's time to get things in order. Don't put it off any longer! If you are renewing your lease and staying for awhile, give yourself some room. If you are planning on moving soon, make your move easier by getting rid of the junk that you no longer need. Having a hard time deciding what to throw out or donate to a good cause? There is an easy answer. If it doesn't fit anymore and you don't think it will ever fit again...chunk it. If it is full of holes, stains, or smells...get rid of it. If it hasn't been out of storage in the past year and you haven't even thought about it, why are you hanging on to it? Give yourself some room. Then...once you clear out the junk...it's time to get your apartment organized. Head over to Target, Walmart, or a relative superstore. Pick out some storage bins that will fit under the bed, under your hanging clothes in the closet, on the closet shelves, on top of your cabinets, or wherever you can make room. Store things in these bins. During the summer, store your winter clothes in bins underneath the bed to free up your closet. I hardly think you'll be using that wool sweater or those flannel bed sheets until November, so store 'em. The important thing to remember is that your apartment doesn't need to be clunky and you don't have to hold on to everything forever. Some things are meant to be freed and for the greatest apartment experience you have and will ever have....get your stuff organized. Not only will it keep you sane, but being organized can help keep things clean and keep bugs away. The more clutter...the happier bugs are. And when you find silverfish or roaches in your apartment, it means either you or a neighbor is just plain dirty. Don't let it be you, you wouldn't want your neighbor thinking you are the dirty one would you? Get clean. Get organized. Get Fanapartmentastist!

Look, I know June is more than halfway done. Payday is 10 days away. Most Apartmentites are running out of cash and you are making sure to have enough for rent and bills at the first of the month. I know how it is because I've been there. But don't ditch the summer fun because you need to conserve on money. Make the summer improvements to your apartment, go to the beach, go have some fun, but don't spend any money on meals. Save that money for your rent and bills, etc. Just make sure that come July 1st, you get that rent in. Nobody wants to be apartmentless in July because after the 4th...nobody is going to be happy with you crashing on their couch. It may take discipline, but a mysterious, wise shaman-wizard-samurai-viking-ninja once told me of a recipe that is the secret to saving money on food. His recipe costs all of about 9 bucks and can last nearly two weeks. Follow this recipe and you are on your way to happiness and saving some cash. Purchase yourself a package of 48 tortillas. You can go cheap if you want. Then you need to get three of four cans of re-fried beans, a block of cheese, a jar of salsa, and if you like sour cream...some sour cream. All in all this should not cost you more than 9 or 10 bucks if you are shopping right. Cooking for one? Here's how to prepare it: 1. - Warm 3 or four tortillas at a low temperature in the oven. Don't let them get crisp, just warm. 2. - Cook about 1/3 a can of beans in the microwave or own the stove. Cover the other half and store in the fridge for later use. Spread the cooked beans over warm tortillas. 3. - Shred cheese from the block-o-cheese and spread over the beans to your liking. Cover and store the rest in the fridge. 4. - Lastly, place your salsa and sour cream on top to your liking and roll these bad boys up into tacos. Eat and enjoy. Honestly though...this is a cheap meal that everyone loves, so you could even invite over the neighbors at your apartment for a few tacos and margaritas to get to know them. Just a thought! Just be sure that you turn off the stove. Have a great weekend.

Seriously. There are not many things that you can do that bother both the apartment managers and your neighbors more than leaving full trash bags by your front door or on your front porch. If you have door front trash pick up and you put it out on the correct morning (NOT THE NIGHT BEFORE) than that should be the only exception. There are a number of reasons that leaving your trash out overnight or at inappropriate times is unacceptable. First of all, at most communities there are terms within the lease that specify if you leave your trash out, you may be fined a certain amount. Because these are in the lease...these fines are required and can be taken care of legally if left unpaid. This means that, left unpaid, these balances could lead to eviction. Is it really that difficult to walk that trash bag to the dumpster? I think not. No more excuses about not wanting to miss your favorite show...with TIVO and DVR you can just pause it and run the trash out to where it belongs. Another huge reason to keep your trash in the dumpster or in doors are animals! Cats, dogs, racoons, rats, birds, squirrels, bugs and other vermin love it when you leave out your trash. It attracts them to your doorstep to wait for you to leave your next bag of trashy goodness that they can root around in for a meal. If you want more bugs to come around, leaving your trash out is a good way to do it. If you want less bugs and less of a chance of mice...TAKE YOUR TRASH OUT! Leaving trash out can also promote health issues as bacteria grows in the old food and such while the outside heat bakes the trash bag. You should also remember not to leave your trash out on your patio or balcony. Vermin and creatures can get there too. Not only that, but it trash on the patio makes people look filthy. So please do you part in keeping the community clean and only leave your trash out at appropriate times and keep in indoors or at the dumpster at all other times. Thanks!

Having a dog can be a lot of fun, but it can also be tiring. They are so full of energy all the time and that energy only increases when they are pinned up in the apartment all day. Get some exercise while making your puppy happy! It is very necessary to take your pup out for a walk at least once a day. With the difference in size of breeds and such, each type of dog requires a different amount of walking. Not only will this help get your dog in good shape, but if you get out walking it will help you get some fitness in too. So step it up a little, but be aware that you can overwork your dog so keep a healthy pace for the pooch. So use these few examples as a guide for your dog walking endeavor: Bulldog- Try to keep your pace at around 3 miles per hour Poodle- 3.5 miles per hour at a brisk pace Golden Retriever and Labs- You can jog at roughly 5 mph. These loving dogs usually have a ton of energy to burn. Corgi- Quick walk at 3.5 mph Jack Russell Terriers- These balls of energy have a lot to burn, so you can take them on a big time jog at more than 5 mph. Always pay attention to your animal to make sure they are doing alright during any walk. You should never drag them because this means either they can't walk anymore or something hurts, so don't make them work when they don't want to. When walking your pet around your community, always remember to be respectful of the other residents, keep them on a leash, and pick up after them. For more tips on pet etiquette, check out our Petiquette video.

Ever be in the middle of an important conversation over your cell phone with someone, but half of the conversation is muddled with nonsense noises or dead air? Or you keep dropping the call and losing the connection? I know you have. We all have. But rather than complaining, you need to face it. Your phone will drop calls. It's part of using a mobile phone. I don't care who you pay your bill and who promises fewer dropped calls, it happens. And many times it will happen within the comfort of your own apartment. There are a number of reasons that it can happen more frequently in your apartment versus other places. It could be that your apartment is located a little far away from the nearest tower. It could also be the fact that you live in a heavily trafficked area where many people with the same carrier are using the phone at the same time as you from the same tower. (An easy way to see if it is this is if your phone works fine during non-peak hours, but consistently drops during peak hours.) It may even be the fact that there are a lot of trees and buildings in your area that cut down your signal quality. Would you really want to trade your scenery for a SLIGHTLY better phone signal? Whatever it is...don't fret about moving or stress about your location. It's going to happen everywhere. It may happen a little more frequently in some places rather than others, but it WILL happen. So instead of getting frustrated, spend that energy on how to get around the issue. Try these ideas for bettering your signal: Windows- We all know about this little secret, but your phone will work better near the window or on your patio. Set a couple of relaxing chairs or sit upons in one of these areas that you can sit in when you want to chat for awhile. Heck you could even lay out your entire apartment with this in mind and line your couch up against the wall with a window...(although I think that may be bad Feng Shui). New Phone- Changing carriers won't make a huge difference and can rack up some pricey contract breeching charges. So don't waste time doing that...instead...look into getting a better phone. Ask the experts at the store, which brand phone works best. Some brands work better with certain carriers. Samsung and Sanyo work much better than Nokia or LG on the Sprint network, but Nokia and LG work magnificently for T-Mobile and Verizon. The people who will know the best are the people in the stores....and they aren't trying to "screw you over." The employees of the stores don't make money on the phones themselves or your plan. The higher ups set all the prices. So be aware of that before you go storming into the store. The people there are there to help you get into the best phone at the right price. Hint of advice...never go for the free phone. Usually it's free for a reason. If you aren't eligible for a discount, try looking on craigslist or ebay for a slightly used phone. I have done this for my past three phones and have been happy every time. Accesorize You can pick up one of the little copper antenna extenders that sticks to the back of your battery. I am not convinced that these make a HUGE difference, but I know that they make a big difference. Land Line or IP phone- Pick up a landline or phone over IP on the computer. They are becoming more and more affordable as more and more people are opting to not have one. It's cheaper to set up a land line that it is to move. I can promise you that! Schedule Your Calls- Pick your commute to have all of your big conversations rather than at home. Grab a bluetooth headset so that you can keep both hands on the wheel. Please save us all a head ache and don't text and drive...and DEFINITELY don't use the phone at all if you have the attention span of a child...keep your attention on the road. If you don't want to talk in the car, take evening walks with your phone...enjoy the whether and the scenery around you, while taking care of your calls. Your body will love you for the fresh air. There are a lot of tricks to the trade, so find what works best for you. Just never keep your phone in the bathroom with you when you shower....the steam will give it water damage. Also, never talk on the phone while you work out...the sweat gets into the keyboard and can also give it water damage. And we all know that water damage means your warranties are voided. So don't look into moving just because your phone doesn't work...try those tips. Trust me, in the end it will save you, time, money, and stress. Until next time...

Wow. All I have to say is "wow!" I 've heard of cheap fitness plans at gyms or affordable home workouts, but I can honestly say that I have never even imagined this different way to get your fitness on in my wildest dreams...and I have some wild dreams (get your head out of the gutter). If you don't have an accessible fitness center at your apartment community there are a number of alternative ways to workout. Getting a workout can always be easy and fun. You could develop a home workout system, join a gym or take up some endurance intensive outdoor activities like swimming or biking...but the idea I found in this video takes the cake. Work out in Wal-Mart! It makes sense! Doesn't it? The place is huge, so you can get all of your cardio with ease just by jogging around the place a few times. You'll need to watch out for customers and be aware that you will get a number of weird looks from EVERYONE. But it's worth it because it's FREE! Then, you can test out the fitness equipment, lift the free weights, grab a protein drink (which will be easily accessible), and then clean yourself up in the well-cleaned bathroom back by the lay-away counter. So simple. So cheap. Just don't get caught. Although this video is quite humorous, in no way am I suggesting that you actually work out at a superstore like Wal-Mart and can I be held responsible for any injury, fine, arrest, or other recourse from working out...where you....really shouldn't work out......But it's funny! Let's just hope that your community has a gym. If not, use our "Find A Place" tab at the top of the screen to find yourself a place with a Fitness Center. No matter what though....keep focused, keep that body healthy, and work off those french fries!

During our waking hours, the one area of the apartment that more than likely we spend the majority of our time in is... the living room. This wonderful room of joy goes by a plethora of different nicknames including, but not limited to the den, entertainment room, family room, lounge, sitting room, or TV room. The names go on and on... No matter what you call the main room of your apartment that houses the couch, TV, coffee table, and lamp, it's imperative that it's layout and design be perfect for maximum results and excellent relaxation and entertainment. Check out these few tips on creating the perfect living room layout: Let It Flow- Through out the time you live there, your living room will have much more traffic than any other room in your apartment. I'm not talking about car traffic, I am talking about feet and the people who are attached to them, running amok in your living area. You will entertain more guests there than any other room as well, so it is necessary to plan accordingly and place your furniture in a way that promotes the flow and doesn't block any walkways. Focal Point- I have seen way too many cluttered living rooms where you have no idea what you are supposed to concentrate on. To avoid this, pick one area or item that you would like to be the focal point of the room. This could be the TV, couch, painting, vase, or anything else your heart desires. Then...decorate around this item, still keeping it as the center focus. Symmetry goes a long way and helps the place look really, really nice. Plant Life- Plants are extremely important to making the perfect living room. You'll want to place some tall plants in the corners of your living room to give it some depth and make it look much bigger. You could also use soft lighting in front or around the plant to create shadows and add a dramatic effect. Be RUGged- A throw rug on the back of the couch is a nice bonus, but what can really add some great flair and life to your living room is having a rug in the center of the room. This rug should be placed over the carpet and under the furniture obviously. You will want to pick a rug that is complimentary of your carpet color, yet stands out. It should also match all of your furniture and everything else in your living room. Let It Breath- That's the key. Let your furniture breath. Placing pieces of furniture too close together could cause a cluttered look and feel, so be sure to give each piece of furniture some room to breath. The space will not only make the room less cluttered, but it will also make the space look much larger too! Out With The Old, In With The New- Don't leave old collectibles or other dated items out for too long. The longer they are out and the older they are...the older your room seems. Keep your little treasures up to date. Hey, it gives you a good reason to go shopping and get some cool new stuff for your apartment. So out with the old and in with the new. One more very, very important tip: NO OLD AND BROKEN FURNITURE. Replace all of your worn out furniture as soon as possible. Nothing is less impressive than trashy old furniture. It can even be slightly used, just make sure it isn't broken or worn. So that's it. Decorating your new living room, try to keep in mind those tips and you should be good to go!

Color matters and I have said a number of times that what color you use makes a huge difference in the feel your apartment gives off. Not only should a room in your apartment look good, but it should also make you FEEL good. When picking colors for your walls, make sure to pick paint colors that appeal to your emotions. Check out these ideas for colors that I like best for certain rooms: For the Bedroom-Lavender: A lighter shade of purple like lavender will bring about comfortable feeling of warmth and relaxation. This color will help you psychologically have a deeper and more restful night's sleep. For one of the best versions of Lavender, try Chateau Rose by Behr. Living Room-GreenShades of green have been proven to promote positivity and a happy relaxed feeling, especially in your living room. If you want to bring about more smiles, then this is the way to do it. Go with a green shade like Stem Green by Benjamin Moore to help you relax and recover in your living room. Dining Room-Orange- Want your dinners and dinner parties to rock? Go with a shade of orange like Melon by Behr on the walls in your dining area. Bringing red and yellow together, orange eases people and encourages social interaction. Studies have shown that people have a tendency to open up more in orange or red rooms versus rooms of other colors. Home Office-Blue- Shades of blue promote productivity. What more do you want out of your home office area? In tests, workers who were exposed to shades of blue in the work place were considerably more self disciplined and productive. Nothing says hard work like a great shade of blue! Bathroom-Whatever- When picking a bathroom color, be selective of a color that is complimentary to the rest of the apartment. Lighter shades of yellow look really nice in the bathroom, but no matter what....just see how it makes you feel......relieved I hope.....(-: So that's it. A few simple ideas for paint color in your apartment. Follow some of these rules and your pad will look lavish in no time. You should see mine! Leave a comment!!!

Making your bill a little cheaper isn't the only reason to watch your water usage. Many areas around the world have a limited fresh water supply and your contribution can go a very long way. Going "Green" doesn't just happen by recycling, wearing all natural fibers, not using chemicals, and driving a hybrid. You can also be "Green conscious" by saving on the water you use. To continue what we started yesterday, here are a few more ideas on saving some water around your apartment: 1. Drinking Water - Rather than run the tap to get the water cold, keep a jug or bottle of water in the refrigerator to pull out whenever you want a little cool agua. You could save 1 gallon this way. 2. Dishwashing Part 2- Not only should you try to limit the number of times that you run your dishwasher, but you should also limit the water you are using to wash those plates. If you avoid rinsing dishes before you place them in the dishwasher or fill a pot to soak, you could save 8 to 10 gallons! Also, look into an Energy Star appliance to save on energy when running your dishwasher. 3. Defrost- Quit defrosting your ground beef or other frozen goods with water in the sink. Instead, let it defrost overnight in the fridge! You can save 4 gallons this way! 4. Don't Bathe- Intead of bathing, take a shower. You can save 30 gallons, even with a long shower. Try getting a water limiting shower head as well or turn off the shower when you don't need to rinse. 5. Toilet- Stop using the toilet as a trash can. Throw your garbage away in the actual trash and don't flush it. You'll save 3.6 gallons! Give those a shot! You'll do your part for the environment and also save yourself a chunk of cash on your water bill.

Recently my monthly water bill nearly doubled. I didn't think I was using any more water than before, so I knew it wasn't a change in my usage that was causing it. I'm in a building at my apartment community that has 4 different units sharing one water meter, so every month the management splits the total bill for the building up 4 ways and sends us the bill. Honestly, I've heard of similar sudden water bill rising situations from a number of Apartmentites and it seems this issue is quite common. There could be a number of reasons for the sudden change. It could be a leak in the plumbing somewhere in the building, someone's toilet, or refrigerator could be running. If any of these are going on, they should be brought to the managements attention immediately. There could even be a new neighbor who showers four or five times a day or a vacant unit in your building is now filled with a normal water using Apartmentite. Whatever the reason, because you are more than likely sharing the water usage responsibility with other Apartmentites, it's always good to be conscious of your water usage. Since you can't control the other units' water or number of times they bathe, monitoring your water usage and finding ways to cut corners is the best way to do your part in keeping the usage down. There are a few key things that will help you minimize your wasting of water. 1. Report Leaks and Such- Whether the toilet runs because the handle sticks or you have a leaky faucet, let the management know about it immediately. You should always let them know as soon as a leak or something of the sort happens so that they can get maintenance in there to fix it ASAP and stop the water wasting. 2. Shorter showers- We all love a long hot shower, but the amount of water that is wasted during a 20 minute shower is egregious. If you cut your shower time down by 30 to 50% you will see a considerable difference in your bill. 3. Brushing Those Chops- Do you leave the sink running the entire time you brush your teeth? Stop. There is no need to waste all the water while you scrub your chops. If you need to wet your toothbrush first, do it with a slight drip and then shut off the faucet while you brush. Then turn it back on slightly to rinse and wash off the brush. 4. Sound Muffler- If you are using the sink or the running water in the tub to drown out sound, stop it! That is a huuuuuuge waste of water. That's what the fan is for. You could even run the hair dryer if you have to. 5. Dishes and Clothes- Try hand washing your dishes and only running the dishwasher when you absolutely have to and it is absolutely full. If you have a washer and dryer, only wash full loads of clothes when necessary. Do not arbitrarily wash small loads with lots of water. This is also a huge waste. If you follow these five tips to watch wasteful ways, you will lessen the amount you and possibly everyone else in your building owes every month, and might have some more fat cash in those pockets!

Just like you do, your apartment has needs! Sometimes these needs can go unnoticed and if not dealt with properly eventually could turn into problems. Some of these things you can take care of yourself, but a few are things that need to be handled by the management or maintenance team. Often they will come upon these needs without you having to give them notice, but from time to time you might have to let them know first. This is why it is important to pay attention to your apartment's needs. So what are these needs? The basics- There are two basics to cover. You always want to make sure to pay attention to the basics. Change out your air filter every couple of months or when the community suggests. The other basic is to be sure and keep a good battery in your smoke detector and make sure that it is in good working order. Making sure these two things are covered is a good start to paying attention to your apartment. Leaks- Leaks can be minor or major, but either way...they need to be fixed as soon as possible. Don't try to do any home plumbing or ghetto-rigged fixes for your leaks. Your apartment management should handle any leak as soon as they can, but you must report it first. So keep an eye out for the running toilet, dripping faucet, or whatever plumbing problem you may come across and call your manager at first notice. AC- Beyond the basic of changing out your filter, also listen to the unit outside of your window. When these are in good shape, there is a constant low hum of the fan. It shouldn't be too loud or make erratic noises like squeeks. If it sounds different to you...even just a little bit...tell your manager so that they can get it fixed before that fan blows out on ya. Bugs- Roaches and silverfish are either a sign that you are messy and gross or your neighbors are dirty and gross. The first time you see a pest (and I am not talking about your EX) report it to the leasing office so that they know to exterminate as soon as they can. No varmint is a good varmint, so be sure to report this for your sake and your neighbor's sake. Doors and Windows- Be sure to check the seals around your front or back doors and windows to make sure they still shut securely. Not only is this good for keeping out the bugs, its also a huge part of proper insulation and keeping down your energy bill. If you see space where space shouldn't be, what should you do? NO! Not stuff an old sock in the space...You report it to the office as soon as you can! You should also do this if you notice any other doors with bad hinges or windows are broken. Fans-If your fan is wobbling or making noise. Let your manager know before it gets too loose and falls off. The noise may be settling when you are slumbering, but trust me, you do not want it to ever fall off of the ceiling. Really, the big issue is to just nip a small problem in the bud before it becomes a bigger one. And if it starts off as a big one, you better get it handled ASAP. Remember that your apartment management team is always there for you. So don't be shy the next time your toilet won't stop making funny noises!

There are a number of great ways to save on energy around your apartment that range from inexpensive for those on a limited budget to those who can spend whatever they wish. If you are going to be living there for several years, spending any type of money on energy saving things should be looked at as a good investment. Remember though, if you install anything in your apartment that is a permanent fixture like storm windows or a super cool thermostat, you'll have wanted to check with your apartment manager to make sure this was okay first. They may also require that you leave it when you leave. One really easy way to conserve on energy and some money is to switch all of your light bulbs to compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL). Here's why: Less Energy- They use 75% less energy than standard bulbs. That means that if you could potentially cut your electric bill down to close to 1/4 of what you are currently paying with your standard bulbs. Plus...using less energy is doing your part to be green and help save the world. They Last Longer- Not only do they use 75% less than traditional standard bulbs, but CFLs can last 10 times longer! That means you'll have to change them out a heck of a lot less. Cooler- Not only do they look cooler than the traditional bulb, but they put out about 75 percent less heat as well. So they are literally cooler. Not only does this help keep things from burning, but it will also keep your apartment from being unnecessarily warmer and your AC working overtime. Why make it harder than it needs to? Less CO2- By the time it finally burns out the CFL will have stopped 1/2 a ton of CO2 from entering our atmosphere. How is that for saving the world? Imagine if everyone switched to these bulbs. They're Universal- Cfl's are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and wattages...so you should be able to find the one that is perfect for you... There you have it! Switching all your bulbs to CFLs can make a huge difference, so get on it. You will want to check with your manager and see if they have the option of giving you these bulbs before you purchase them. And always make sure you have the right wattage! Get to saving the world. Get to the store and get those new bulbs! (Please dispose of the old ones properly)

Brianne here with some hot decorating tips. Time and time again I have walked into my friends bare apartments and thought, "PLEASE LET ME HELP YOU!?!?! Get something on those walls!" Seriously, you would think that some of these Apartmentites lived in some type of asylum or jail cell. It doesn't have to be that way! I have some solid tips for decorating your walls to share with you today. Some for those who are on a budget and some for those who have some money to spend and some somewhere in between. Whatever it may be...learn from these tips and spread the word to your fellow Apartmentites. Let's end the bare wall epidemic, one wall at a time. Check out my uber sweet wall decorating tips: Get Classic- Stop by flea markets, antique stores, and garage sales to find classic looking things that you could frame and adorn your walls. These could be old pictures, record covers, patterned napkins...virtually anything that has that classic feel. The Collage Look- And for those who are bad at spelling, I am not saying, "The College Look." Rather get a large number of images and put them in 3 or 4 different styles of complimentary frames. Then arrange them all on the wall like a collage. Remember, symmetry isn't as important as creativity when making a collage wall. The important thing to remember is that the frames match eachother. If you want to go without the frames, that's cool. You can still accomplish a similar effect spacing out images all over the wall. Just make sure and not use a whole bunch of thumbtacks. Instead, you should use sticktac that doesn't rip off the paint. Plywood!- This one is a little out there and involves some work, but can end up looking really cool. First cover all of your walls with sheets of plywood. Then you can hang whatever, or paint whatever you want. By attaching anything to the plywood, you are not damaging your apartment walls. The less you do to the actual apartment walls, the less you have to worry about in losing your deposit. So cover up the walls with your own walls and get creative! Art Gallery- Make your walls into an art gallery! Seek out a number of cool paintings that you really like or buy several canvases and paint your own. Then, frame each one and hang them on a single wall that people can awe and admire. You will suddenly have a mini art gallery in your own apartment. I have three! One Big Piece- Decorating your walls doesn't have to be complicated. One really simple way to get some color and texture on that bare wall is to hang up one, large colorful wall hanging. This can be a large canvas that you simply paint yourself with a bold color accented with several white dots and slashes or even just a colorful stitched blanket hung across the wall. A Chinese rug works really well...plus they are way too expensive to be wiping your feet on anyway. So strap it to the wall! I hope these ideas get you started on decorating your walls. Even if you just get one wall decorated in each room it will make a huge difference. The guest will enter your apartment and truly admire your work. Remember to always check with your apartment manager before attaching anything to the wall or painting, to make sure that it is allowed in your lease! Good luck and if you know of any great tips...leave them as a comment! Talk to you soon! -Brianne

No matter how great your abode may be, paying less for it would be even better. So, it will come as no surprise that in our never ending quest to help you find the right apartment home, we’ve come across innovative, creative and unique ways to cut housing costs. Although, these ideas pose no risk, they are admittedly not for the faint of heart. Tip One: Check the Surroundings One person’s annoyance can be another person’s serenity, especially when saving money is involved. Here’s the inside scoop on how to negotiate location negatives into cash flow positives. ul.square {list-style-type: square} Traffic- Congestion can cause likely residents to choose alternative areas. Maybe you have a home office or your work schedule is off-beat and traffic problems won’t affect you. Construction- Are any major building projects underway or starting soon? This can drive away prospective residents because the process can be unsightly, dirty, start in the early morning or go all night. Noise levels- Being near train tracks, or industrial businesses are often deal breakers for apartment seekers. Lights- Blinking traffic signals, bright street lights, and flashing neon can cast a shadow on the quality of life experience. Many will look for less radiant locations. Property managers know their property disadvantages and may be willing to offer unbelievable deals to those who are willing to live with nuisances. By revaluating your attachment to atmosphere, you could end up with a diamond in the rough. Tip Two: Take Your Lumps Like death and taxes, housing costs are a fact of life. While you may not be able to escape the first two, lump sum cost cutting approaches involve less personal sacrifice and more financial savvy. Property owners are sometimes willing to shave a percentage off yearly rent prices if paid in full in advance. Utilize your savings account to pay your total annual rent in one lump sum. Average savings account interest rates hover around 3% to 5% at best. If you’re getting a bigger price break by paying in one lump sum, you’ll reap the savings over time. Obviously, actual savings will depend on your access to cash and/or credit. If you can stomach writing checks for large amounts of money, lump sum rent payments may be perfect for you.

Selecting a roommate for a new place isn't as easy as it sounds. In many cases, a friend, family member or coworker will be an easy choice. You know them, you trust them (in most cases), and you shouldn't have any problems sharing the financial responsibilities of being roommates. But what if you don't know them? What if you find a roomy through Craigslist.org or one of the other online classifieds that are commonly used to find roommates? Generally, we are far too trusting about these people whom we hardly know. When we are children we are taught not to talk to strangers. Why shouldn't this carry over into adult hood? When you cosign on a lease with a roommate, you are accepting responsibility for their financial and physical actions when it comes to renting your apartment. This isn't smart to do with someone you hardly know. Before you move in with someone you met off the internet, there are a few things that you should keep in mind to try and do to screen them and make sure they are "A- okay." Check it: Credit Report- Ask to see a recent credit report. With this, you will be able to see if they are well in debt which could lead to inability to pay rent. You could also see if they are late on their payments for things, which could be a sign that they may be late on rent...which will reflect on you as well. If everything seems fine on the credit report...that's a great sign. Proof Of Employment- You want to make sure that they are going to be able to pay rent each month, so you may want to ask them to see proof of employment like a paystub. Not only will you be able to see that they are gainfully employed, but you'll also be able to see if they make enough to cover their part of the rent. Generally, you will want to make sure that they make at least 4 to 5 times the price of their part of the rent. References- You could also ask them for the phone numbers of past roommates or people from whom they have rented. You could follow up and make sure that these people had great experiences or poor ones. If they had great experiences and your prospective roomy meets all of the above, then its a green light. If not, proceed with caution. If only dating were that easy? Sheesh.

I have recently found one of the most enjoyable gems of a game that can help you and a friend (or foe) enjoy some outside sunshine on your apartment grounds without being drenched in sweat. Bocce Ball! The traditional Bocce ball game should be played on asphault, clay, or another hard service, but the best way to play is "West Coast" style....which is on wonderful green grass! It's simple: 1. Players- Two teams of 1 to 3 players 2. Equipment- Each team is given four balls. One extra, smaller ball is used as the marker (also known as the jack or pallino.) 3. Rules- One of the teams throws the marker anywhere on the field to begin the game. This is followed by the same team bowling the first of their four scoring balls and trying to get it as close to the marker as possible. Then the next team will have their chance to bowl. The two teams will alternate until all balls have been bowled. All throws or bowls must be underhand motion. 4. Scoring- The team who has the closest ball to the marker is the only team that can score points. The scoring team receives a point for each ball that is closer to the marker than the other teams closest ball. Frames are usually played to 11 and a full game consists of best of 3 or best of 5 frames. There you have it! The coolest thing about this game is that you don't have to spend a whole bunch of money on equipment. If you want to play absolutely the right way, you can buy a real bocce set, but I have found a cheap and easy way to play. Use 8 old tennis balls to make up the Bocce Balls and then 1 old golf ball as the marker. It works brilliantly! So get out on your apartment grounds and start playing some Bocce. Also, check with your manager there and see if you could set up an all day tournament/bbq event. They may even sponsor it! You'd be a Bocce League Commissioner. How sweet is that??!??!?!

Lights can add so much to your apartment. Sure, you could stick with the simple overhead light that comes installed in your place when you move in, but how boring is that?!?! Now we must keep in mind that most apartment communities will not allow you actually install new fixtures, so thinking outside of the box is the key in good lighting. One note on this however, is to ALWAYS check with you management first. They may actually let you purchase a fixture and then have their maintenance team install it for you. Remember that if you do this though, they more than likely will require that you leave whatever item that you install when you decide to move out. Rather than installing new fixtures everywhere, why don't you try a few of these ideas: Colored Bulbs- You can accent a number of different things just by changing the hue of the light striking them. The easiest way to do this is to change to a colored bulb. It will not only accent objects that the colored light reflects off of, but will also very much set the mood. Want a cool, relaxing vibe in a room? Try a light blue or aqua party bulb. Want to add that dark, mysterious, and naughty mood? Try a red bulb. Yellow and orange will give off the feeling of warmth as well. Floor Standing Lamps- If you need more lighting because a room is too dark, nothing compares to floor lamps. They are cheap, easy to move, and some of them look really really cool. You could even try the colored party bulbs in these! My favorite are the multi-bulbed ones that you can shine the beam in several directions at once. Place a plant in front or around and you can create great shadows. Light From Low- Another really fun lighting idea is to flood a wall with light from below. Usually you would need to go with a type of light that floods upwards. This could be a sconce, a flood, or an upside down desk lamp...virtually anything that flows light across your wall. Be careful when doing this that you aren't using a light that gets hot or could start fire. Be very, very careful. Not On The Wall- So you really like that wall sconce or track lighting, but can't install? Don't forget that your furniture is yours to do with what you please. Perhaps you have a tall book case that would be the perfect spot for some track lighting, or could run some neon lights around the bottom of your coffee table. Wherever it may be, remember that you can attach and modify anything about your furniture. Again, though, be careful of anything flammable. Natural Light- Use the sunshine to your best advantage. Whether you have colorful vases in the window sill or hang multicolored stained glass in the window itself, you can use the sun light to add color to your room. There are an endless number of things that you can do to enhance the lighting in your apartment. These ideas are only the start. Just try to think outside of the box and you should come up with the perfect idea for you. Experiment a little as well and you will soon see how easy it is. If you stumble upon something really cool, please let me know in a comment. -Trey

If you are looking for your first apartment and signing a lease for the first time, it can be a challenge to know what exactly you need to be doing during the process, what you should bring with you and how you should act when you are on the hunt. First of all, here is what you'll need to bring: 1) Valid Government Issued Id- Drivers License, Passport, Resident Card, or Military or state ID 2) Proof Of Income and Past Three Bank Statements 3) Personal Info including, but not limited to: SS #, address, rental references, vehicle info, DOB, emergency contact info. 4) Names, Dates, Contacts and Address of all of the places you have lived in the past. There are communities out there (especially luxury ones) that will require that you have proof of rental insurance coverage when signing the lease. They won't actual be able to accept you as a resident without it. Honestly, whether your prospective community requires it or not...YOU NEED RENTERS INSURANCE...and it's cheap! Check out our previous article Be Covered for more information on renters insurance and why it is so important! Also, when you are leasing, it's important to just relax and be yourself. I have had Apartmentite's ask me if I thought they should dress up like a job interview. That's a good question. While you don't want to look like a slob, it's not necessary to dress to impress. Although, it's always good to impress in anything you do, in this situation it is best to impress, but don't stress! If it makes you feel relaxed and good to dress up. Do it. If not...relax how you relax best. And, again, remember to be yourself. Your prospective apartment manager wants to know the true person who is moving into their apartment. There should be no pressure when you are apartment hunting or in the leasing process. You are looking for a place to live. You should always try to keep in mind that the community is needing and wanting you as a tenent. (If you have a good rental history). So don't be intimidated by the process. If you find that you are getting nervous, deal with it like you deal with stage fright. Imagine them in their underwear! You'll be fine and you'll get the place of your dreams. Happy Renting!!!

As usual, I am back with a few more tips on rocking out your apartment. I was recently talking with Brianne, our resident style and decorating expert, and she reminded me of the importance of decorating one's apartment to their happiness. If your place looks good, you feel good. It's as simple as that. We've posted a few articles on lavishizing your place, but I wanted to post a few more apartment friendly decorating ideas on making your digs a little less bare and a lot more lavish. Check it. Here are the facts: Paint, Paint, Paint- At Apartment Home Living we can't stress this enough. PAINT! (If you can). Be sure to check with your management to be sure that it is okay for you to paint and then make a visit to your nearest painting supply store. No Painting?- If you absolutely cannot paint, there are some alternatives to add some color to your place without the paint. Get a huge canvas, a few pieces of plywood, butcher paper, or other fabric. Paint them and then either attach them to or lean them against your walls. If you paint them strong vibrant colors, you will add a ton of color and won't have to repaint your walls before you move out! You could also decorate using old colorful clothes or fabrics that you drape about the apartment. You would truly be accenting with color Lighting- Another really easy way to add a little color is by using colorful lighting. Creative lighting can bring cool shadows, bring out the vibrancy in the colors of things that are illuminated, as well as add its own color. Try using colorful bulbs and track lighting or on a multi-bulb floor lamp. Lighting is one of the coolest...well...funnest way to get creative in your apartment and there are tons and tons of ways to get creative with lighting. Check back tomorrow for tips on decorating with lighting! IMPORTANT- Remember not to damage your apartment in any way and be careful with any tools that you may use around your apartment. If you put holes in or damage the apartment you may be liable to cover the cost of that damage when you move out. So just use caution when working on your place, but always...always have fun. Until next time....

Hey all my fit and wanting to be fit Apartmentites! This is Demarcus and I am here to fill you in on a few fitness tips around your apartment. I will be adding my fitness and health "two cents" in every so often, so without further ado...let's rock. The summer heat is crankin' up as we get deeper and deeper into the warm months. Of course we all still want to be able to hit the beach in our swimsuits with pride, so we still need to be hitting the gym. I am a strong advocate on getting a little fresh air and doing cardio outside, in whatever way that may be. However I know that is hard for my folks in states like Texas that are really feeling the heat when they step out of their apartment. So what can you do for cardio around the apartment if it's too hot to run or bike outside? Well the number one rule in doing any cardio anywhere is to be sure and stay hydrated! Drink lots of water and, NO, soda, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages do not count. Water, gatorade, even kool-aid, but none of that other stuff. Then to avoid extreme heat, try these cardio ideas: The Obvious- If your community has a fitness center you can easily do your cardio on one of the machines. Yes, they can be boring, but if you get some really up beat music on your I-Pod and zone out thinking about how good you are going to look for your significant other or want to be significant other, the time will pass in no time. Work Out Tapes- If you live on the first floor of your apartment building, I would recommend getting some workout dvd's like Tae Bo or one of the other awesome programs out there. Then you can rock out in your living room and the only people who will look at you funny when you are flailing around are your cats. If you go this route, you have to stick to the tapes and do them everyday. Additional note: If you live upstairs....please be careful doing any type of workout in your apartment as your stomping around may bother your downstairs neighbors. Jump Rope- Jump Roping is my favorite bit of cardio. If you do it long enough, you will burn an incredible number of calories. The key to avoiding the heat is to find an area inside where it is okay for you to jump rope. Again, if you are on the bottom floor in your apartment and have high ceilings and non-carpet floors, you could do it there. You may also try in the fitness center or in a shady area by the pool. Pool- Speaking of the POOL. Swimming is another incredible form of cardio if done right. Hop in and do a hundred laps of freestyle swimming everyday and you will see a difference. You may switch up to the breast stroke a little to really tone your shoulders and upper body. Add water proof leg weights to build those legs! Remember to always be mindful of your neighbors who may also be enjoying the pool. Hit The Courts- One of my fellow A-Teamers here at Apartment Home Living, Trey, loves hitting the court and playing some round ball. He told me that to avoid the heat, but still get his cardio in, he joins some pick up games during the open hours at the YMCA. This is a great idea and doesn't get repetatively boring like a treadmill. I've played ball with Trey and have to say that if he can hang anyone can hang, so hit the court! You might also try your church or local gym for other indoor courts. OH! And don't forget about the other indoor court sports like raquetball and squash Spin Class- Join a spin class or an aerobics class at the Y or nearby gym. This is an incredible way to get fit, stay fit, and meet new people in the area. Plus, it's fairly inexpensive and some gyms include it with their membership. Heck...check with your community manager, maybe there is someone within the community that offer classes at the community gym. No matter how you do it, just make sure and get fit. It's good for you and it increases happiness, productivity, and overall life quality. Always keep hydrated and when working out around the community...be mindful of your neighbors. Until next time! -D PS- Know any good fitness tips? Leave them as a comment.

Again, I'm back to sharing these videos. Sick of seeing my pasty face yet? If not, you can see all of our videos with great tips on living in apartments, the leasing process, and having fun on the right column of the Apartment Living page. This one, "What to Bring With You When You Lease" was a whole lot of fun to shoot and can tell you some valuable info. If you are signing a lease for the first time, I know that it can be a challenge and this video can help let you know what types of things to bring with you when you are on the apartment hunt or going into sign a lease. Something that I didn't include in the video is rental insurance info. There are communities out there (especially luxury ones) that will require that you have proof of rental insurance coverage when signing the lease. They won't actual be able to accept you as a resident without it. Honestly, whether your prospective community requires it or not...YOU NEED RENTERS INSURANCE...and it's cheap! Check out our previous article Be Covered for more information on renters insurance and why it is so important! Also, when you are leasing, it's important to just relax and be yourself. I have had Apartmentite's ask me if I thought they should dress up like a job interview. That's a good question. While you don't want to look like a slob, it's not necessary to dress to impress. Although, it's always good to impress. I say in this situation it is best to impress, but don't stress! There should be no pressure when you are apartment hunting or in the leasing process. You are looking for a place to live. Always try to keep in mind that the community is needing and wanting you to move in. (If you have a good rental history.) It's sort of like dealing with stage fright...just imagine them in their underwear and you'll be fine. Happy Renting!!!

It's time to soak up some sun! Living in an apartment community you have the benefit of not having to go very far to do so. How awesome is that? Brianne, the resident style and fun expert, here with a few tips on fun things to do around the community and get a little bit of a tan while doing so. One of the easiest and more obvious ways of enjoying the summer sun is to lounge out by your community pool. It's time to try out that new swimsuit that you got on sale all the way back in November, but have not had the chance to wear. Mix up a batch of your famous margaritas, bring out the I-Pod, your new James Patterson book and whisk away to your special sunny place next to the pool. When at the pool, keep in mind: Sunscreen- I will say it millions of times...TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN! Be sure to cover all of the areas of skin that will be exposed to sun with sunscreen. Towel On The Lounger- Keep a towel underneath you on the lounger. You never know who was there before. Ew! Plus, it keeps you from getting burned by the rubber straps on that bad boy Remember There Are People Around- Unfortunately, this isn't your private grotto, so be aware that other people are sharing the pool area with you. Especially if you are trying to avoid tan lines from your swimsuit straps... Bug Spray- Skeeters love hanging out by the pool. You'll want to make sure that you have sprayed to keep them from bothering you too much. Want to try something other than the pool? Get a Group together in the courtyard or open areas of the community and have fun like you did as a kid! Here's how: Freeze Tag- Play an old fashioned game of freeze tag except make things a little more complicated. Instead of freezing your entire body when you are tagged, you should have that individual body part freeze until someone else unfreezes you. So if you get your arm tagged, you can still run, but you can't use that arm Marco Polo-Hop in the pool for a game of marco polo! You'd be surprised how quickly you'll get everyone involved. Hide and Seek-Play a simple game of hide and seek, but spice things up by adding a water gun into the mix. Whoever is it has to get the others with water to not be it. No matter what you are doing on the community, always remember that you need to be respectful and mindful of your neighbors. Don't trespass on other peoples patios and try not to splash people at the pool. Other than that...get outside and have some fun! If you know any other fun ways to spend some time in the sun, let me know by leaving a comment.

Gas prices just keep on rising. I think we are all aware of that horrendous fact. It is truly a big stinker. Not everyone can afford to just trade their old car in for a hybrid. Although if the government could work some sort of free trade, that would be AWESOME. Not only awesome for us...but doubly awesome for the environment. So what can we, as Apartmentite's do about it to save on gas money to use on cooler things around the apartment? I have a few ideas! Carpool- Make a road trip out of everyday! Whether you are driving to school or work, check with your roomy or significant other and see how close their everyday destinations are to yours. Talk to you co-workers and see if anyone lives nearby. Getting to work 15 minutes early is definitely worth splitting the cost of gas with someone else and riding in the same car. There is no shame in sharing. Didn't your mama teach you that? Mass Transits- If you are in a major city, take the bus! And in cities that have rail systems, you have even more options! With the internet, you can check all the routes and times for each one to determine the right course of action. This is really one of the cheaper ways to go and you might make a few new friends or witness some really funny characters! Bike It- This may not be the best option on a blisteringly hot, sweaty day, but on days where you wont sweat in your work clothes too much, riding your bike is always an awesome option. When I used to live about 2 miles from work, I did it all the time. I avoided traffic, got some exercise, and never had to pay for gas! It was awesome...except on the bad whether days.... Don't Backtrack!- Need to run errands, get groceries, pick up your dry cleaning, stop by and see mom, and return movies to Blockbuster? Don't make separate trips. Get on google maps if you have to, but map it out! Maximize your travels and your gas mileage all at once. Not only will you save money, but you'll also save time. And time is money. Mas Home Time- There is a massively increasing number of folks that are getting degrees online and have jobs that allow them to work from a home office. Maybe you could look into these and save yourself a ton of gas mileage. Check for Cheap Gas- Many of the local news channels and websites will report the cheaper gas stations in the city, so check into those for info on the cheapest gas! You can also go to msn.com to check for cheap gas! Go Credit- I am never an advocate of going credit, but in this situation. There are a number of gas companies out there who offer you a discount on gas if you use their card...so...do it. Lighten Your Load- Got too much junk in the trunk? Take it out and store it somewhere else. The more weight that you are carrying in your car, the more gas you will burn. Also, remove any bike rack or other external piece to your car that you aren't using. These things can cause drag and lower mileage. Maintain Your Vehicle- Get your oil changes, tune ups, fuel filter changes on schedule. Also, make sure that your tires are always full of air and you change your air filter quite often. You can save a ton of money on gas this way. Change Your Driving Habits- Quit thinking you have to accelerate off the line! This burns sooooo much gas. Accelerate and decelerate at a consistent pace. Also, keep your RPM's under the "3" as much as you can. The higher you get...the more gas you burn. Listen to your car, if it sounds like it's working harder...its burning gas like a madman! So there you have a few ways to save a little money on gas. Hope it helps. If you can, improve your apartment with the money you save. AND START RECYCLING if you don't already! -Eric G. Leave me a comment or visit my MySpace!

I have been into a number of apartments that did not have a coffee table. Sure, this gives an Apartmentite a little more room to move around in the living room and can help one avoid the occasional stumped toe, but it is a HUGE decorating faux pa. Everybody needs a coffee table. Whether you are using it to rest your tootsies when you kick back on the couch and watch your favorite movie or simply using it as a surface to place your cold, frosty beverage... a coffee table is a living room necessity. I have heard excuses like "Coffee tables take up too much space," or "they are so boring," which to these I say..."Make it INTERACTIVE!" Yes, an interactive coffee table like the one above can really bring a fun atmosphere to center your living room around. Here are a couple of great ideas that I have collected through the years to make your coffee table a mecca of good times: Nintendo Controller- See above video. I have never seen this before and I have to say that it is the best coffee table idea I have ever seen. Looks complicated, but if you can pull it off...you will have incredible times. Poker Table- Saw down the legs of a large poker table or mount a cheap poker table top from Target on just a regular old coffee table and suddenly you have a functional poker table in the middle of your living room. The felt will be soft for your feet and most of them have cup holders built in! White Board- Mount a small whiteboard on top of an old coffee table. Have a steady supply of whiteboard markers and an eraser on hand and you will have everything you need to play some rocking rounds of tic-tac toe! Pac-Man- This one is expensive, but AWESOME! If you can find one of the old table top Pac-Man arcades...saw the legs off to a much lower height and center it in front of your couch. There are a limitless number of ways to make your coffee table interactive, so if you come up with an awesome way, let me know in a comment. Happy Coffee Table making and always be sure to MIND YOUR NEIGHBORS!

I wanted to take a few minutes to remind you how easily you can be up for the chance to win a free months rent from Apartment Home Living in our "Free Rent Contest!" Who doesn't want a free month of rent??!?!?! All you need to do to be entered into the drawing to win is to have registered a "Live 4" when you first signed up with us and email or call a community for information on an apartment! The more communities that you contact, the more chances you have to win. IT'S EASY!!! Here's your step by step: 1) Sign Up and register a LiveFor 2) Click on the "Find A Place" tab at the top of the screen 3) Search for apartments in an area 4) Look at a property overview page 5) EMAIL THEM How easy as that? And it can be done in a matter of minutes. For a chance to win a months Free Rent, I don't know how anyone can pass that opportunity up. We have already had two winners and there will be three more throughout the rest of the year, so enter now!!! If I were eligible and I won...I would combine the money I saved on a free month of rent and combine it with the stimulus check that I received from the government and load up my apartment with a HUGE flat screen! But that's just me. Maybe you could take that trip to Vegas you have been trying to take. Who knows? JUST ENTER!!!

At Apartment Home Living, we're busy always trying to find new ways of getting you the goods on apartment living. We've gone a little Hollywood around here and have started production on a huge line of videos that can help you get the most out of your apartment lifestyle. Moving to a new apartment can be a challenge, so my production team and I put together this video to help you move with ease. Enjoy! And if you have videos that are related to apartments in anyway, even of just a tour of your crib, send them my way at apartmenthomeliving@apartmenthomeliving.com and I will share them with Apartmentites here.

Everyone seems to be saying since the housing market is down, it's a good time to buy. They couldn't be more wrong. Maybe, just maybe, it's an okay time to buy a home if you have perfect credit, a huge lump of cash (I'm talking 10k+) to put down, and are willing to jump through all kinds of hurdles to get a loan...but that's just ridiculous. Renting is just plain better. It's better because it makes you richer. Here's how: Don't invest in a house...invest in stocks and stay renting. Businesses are much better investments than homes or cars. The average return of investment on a business (stocks) is 7 %, while shockingly the average return of investment on a house is ZERO! And don't even get me started on cars...they depreciate more than you could imagine. It's a common misconception that you are throwing money down the drain if you are renting. Renting can be an extreme advantage to you if you play your cards right. Imagine you have a mortgage payment on a house of $1200/ month. Tack on another $300 for taxes. Now compare that $1500/month to an average cost of renting an apartment which is around $850. You have a difference of $650 dollars. Now...you can pay $1500/month on something that has on average...no annual return in value. Sure, you may be able to sell the home one day and break even, but what's the point. On the other hand...rent an apartment for $850 and invest the remaining $650 in stocks in a business and you will see annual returns and on average will make money on the deal. Seems obvious to me. Renting and investing in stocks is just a better financial decision than owning a home. Plus, when you take out a loan to buy a house...you become locked in to that loan for the entire term. Whether it is 15, 20, or 30 years, you OWE someone money and must pay that every month. When you rent you don't OWE anything. You pay your rent monthly and are free to do whatever you choose after the term of your lease. In summation, if I can pass down any advice to my fellow Apartmentites it would be this: Don't listen to all the fidder fodder about buying a home. Stay renting. It's cheaper, easier, more free, and a whole lot of fun. Then invest in stocks and make yourself a little spending money.

To move or not to move. That is the question. To me, it isn’t too difficult a question. The answer is easy. DON’T MOVE. RENEW! There are a vast number of reasons that it just plain works out better for you to renew your lease with your current apartment rather than move to another one. Even if your rent is going up, renewing is the best option. Not only can it save you time, money, and energy, but it goes way beyond just that. First of all, renewing will save you a hit to the bank account. The last time I moved, I had no idea how expensive moving could be. And after going through that, I can tell you that I will be staying in my current apartment for a long…long time. Let’s take a look at some of the expenses that go into moving: More than likely you are going to rent a moving truck like a Uhaul. On average, renting a truck to use like a Ryder or U-Haul for one full day just moving across town can cost around $100 before taxes and fees. All in all you will probably drop about $110 for the truck rental. Then comes the gas. Trucks burn through gas like no other vehicle and the more you move--the harder the truck works--the more gas you’ll burn. On a cross town move, you could safely mark down another $110 for gas. Remember, gas isn’t getting any cheaper. Now, if you’re going across country, you may go with a larger company that loads it for you as well. I know when I moved my one bedroom apartment from Dallas to Chicago, that set me back around $3,100 and also took me 7 days to get my stuff. Luckily at that time, gas was included. Of course, then it was only around $1.50 a gallon. So I imagine it will cost you quite a bit more. If you need moving boxes, you might have to buy them. A good box is roughly $3 and if you get 20 of them, you can tack another $60 on to your total. Then if you have friends helping you move, you’ll more than likely have to bribe them some how. Dinner? Beer? A big hug? Don’t forget to factor the cost of these things into your moving expenses as well. So far you are looking at roughly $350 in expenses and it doesn’t stop there. This amount will at least double when you factor in your food stop en-route during your move and all of the “little” items that you’ll need at your new place, but threw away because you didn’t want to pack them. Whether it’s toilet paper, food for the fridge, a broom, dish rags, an ashtray, or windex…these things must be factored into your total too. Now you’d be looking at roughly $700 and we haven’t begun to talk about new deposits, fees, and such. Renewing is starting to sound like a much better option isn’t it? Let’s imagine that you got away lucky and are only going to have to pay $100 for your new deposit (which is extremely lucky by the way.) Then you can’t forget about Fido or Mittens. You’ll have to shell out a few more benjamins on a pet deposit at your new place as well. You’re $700, just jumped to $1200. Then it’s time to pay your first months rent on top of that. Tack on the national average rent of $870 for a grand total of $2070! You could get two new flat screens for your old apartment for that much dough! Money isn’t the only reason renewing is way better than moving. No way-no how. Renewing and staying in your old place will also save you on time. You’d spend weeks seeking out a new place, taking tours, and going through the leasing process. Then you’d spend more time packing, planning, actually moving, unpacking, and decorating. Would you rather spend weeks doing all that or just 15 minutes renewing your lease? Remember time is money. Save on time, you’ll save on money. Renewing will also save you the headaches of transferring, canceling, or starting up your cable, internet, phone, electricity, or gas. If you move you’ll have to take care of all these things plus you’ll have to forward all your mail, change your address at the post office, your bank, and with anyone and everyone who sends you mail. All of that can be a real hassle. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like hassles. I like things easy and having fun. Then, what about your neighbors and your neighborhood. By renewing, you don’t have to meet a group of new neighbors and run the chance of living near someone you don’t like. You also won’t have to worry about moving to a new place where you find community issues that you’re now aware of like noise, barking dogs, nearby road construction, etcetera. So you’re current apartment may have a few faults here in there…who doesn’t? Often known evils are much better than the surprising and unknown ones. If you renew, you’ll also avoid having to get used to a new area of town where you have trouble even locating the car wash, bank, or nearest gas station. If you are thinking about moving because you want something new, just renew, rearrange, and relax instead. It’s much easier. Or if you are looking for a bigger place or feel it’s time to downsize? Check with your manager and move to a place within your own community…they can work with your schedule so you move when you need. Most places will transfer your deposit and you won’t have to waste money renting a truck. Before you even begin to think about moving, think about saving yourself a couple of grand, saving yourself some time, and saving yourself some headaches. Just renew. Simple as that.

Lately I can't tell you how often I have heard the term, "It's a buyers market" when people are talking about the real estate conditions of our country right now. There are many people out there who are hearing this and thinking that it might be the right time to stop renting and look into owning a home. People are saying its the time to buy and a young renter can be tempted by sliding prices, but no one is telling you about the risk. There is the risk of credit dangers and/or owning a home that you owe more on than its actually worth. One of the biggest keys in the fact that this might actually not be the best time to buy is due to the "credit crunch." Because of this, lenders have tightened the reigns on the requirements for a home loan. Where before, putting only 5% down might have been sufficient, now new home buyers are likely to need to put 10% down and still have the banks and loan entities eyeballing every single part of their credit history for mistakes or faults. So these days it may be hard to get a loan and with closing costs and a huge down payment, you may not have the cash to offer up front. If you can afford to though, should you go ahead and buy? The answer is again, probably not. Sure, the prices of homes have fallen an average of 3.3% over the past year, but all signs point to these prices continuing to decline. Would you buy stock in something that would be worth less next year than what you bought it for? I think not. The most important thing to remember here is that you don't want to be "upside down" in your first home. So to me the answer is simple: CONTINUE RENTING AT YOUR AWESOME APARTMENT COMMUNITY! I'll give you 5 more reasons why renting just makes more sense: 1) Rent is cheaper on your bank account every month 2) Your electric bill is much smaller than it will be in a home 3) You have maintenance included in rent 4) You have access to a number of facilities including fitness center, pools, etc 5) It's much more fun and when you are ready to move, you aren't locked in to a 30 year mortgage! I may be renting for life and I love it!

Don't try this in your apartment...PLEASE! My upstairs neighbors are an awesome band. They rock out shows, have a ton of fans, and have a lot of fun. But there's one BIG problem: They live in a three bedroom apartment! This is a full four member rock band living and rehearsingin a three bedroom apartment on the top floor above me. I myself have never turned them in, but I cannot imagine the number of noise complaints that they have gotten from other neighbors. Last night was pretty much the last straw with me, however. It was after midnight and I was trying to get some much needed sleep, but they seemed to just keep jamming and jamming and jamming the night away. My long, restful night of