Pre-Fab Units: Advantages/Disadvantages

Advantages

1. Fast installation, whether by pros or DIY. Have a new shower by end of the day.
2. Typically cheaper than tiled stall.
3. Lighter and can be installed in problem areas, such as on a floor with less-than-adequate joists below.
4. Flexible. If there is any chance that the floor might shift, the shower pan will not crack with movement. Nearly impossible for the pan to leak.
5. Easy for do-it-yourselfers to install.

Disadvantages

1. Fewer design options than tiled shower stalls.
2. Available only in set sizes.
3. One-piece units may not be appropriate for remodeling because size may prevent them from passing though doorways. One-piece units are intended mainly for new houses or additions.

Tiled Shower Units: Advantages/Disadvantages
If you plan on tiling the shower or tub yourself, I recommend a basic book that I often consult, Ortho's All About Tiling Basics. (Compare Prices - Ortho All About Tiling)

Advantages

1. Literally an infinite range of design options, since it is built from scratch.
2. Size can be adjusted to fit any space.
3. Slightly better resale value.
4. Good for remodeling, since it is often difficult to get large building materials through doorways.

Disadvantages

1. More expensive than the pre-fabricated units.
2. Difficult for do-it-yourselfer to build.
3. Probability of shower pan leaking because it can crack with the settling of a house. Note, though, that you have a couple of alternatives. In some instances it is possible to install fiberglass shower pans in conjunction with tiled walls. Or, even better, if you want to keep the look of tile throughout, install a polyurethane shower pan which can be tiled over.
4. Slow installation time due to curing process.

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5 Moving Steps

Don't Let Your Move Stress You Out - Five Simple Steps to Make it Easier(ARA) - According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the weeks between early May and Labor Day weekend mark the busiest time of year to move. It's estimated that more than 21 million Americans will move this summer. Some moves will go smoother than others, and while there's no way to guarantee a problem-free experience, there are things you can do ahead of time to make the process easier."Anticipating tasks that may cause frustration and headaches on moving day is crucial. People want to enjoy settling into their new home, whether it's finding a dog sitter for moving day or connecting their cable services, planning ahead will guarantee less stress for the entire family," says Leslie Levine, a moving expert and author of "Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home?"Levine, who has helped millions of people move, urges movers to avoid five common mistakes before packing things up and hitting the road.1) Don't put off calling utility providers (electric, cable, gas, etc.) to schedule the disconnect date of your services. This can be done weeks before the move when you have more time. And now, connecting services at your new home couldn't be easier.To set up your cable, high-speed Internet and phone, all you have to do is log on to www.cablemover.com and click on "find your cable company." Movers enter their new ZIP code and are directed to their new provider's Web site (where they will receive special moving offers). Customers can schedule their cable services, such as digital cable, high-speed Internet and phone service, or bundle all three in a package for potential cost savings. Movers can also access the free service by calling the toll-free Cable Movers Hotline (877-9TV-MOVE).2) Don't forget to inform your insurance companies about the move. Coverage can vary from state to state and most insurance companies' provide up-to-date information on their Web sites.3) Don't forget to pack a travel bag that can be easily accessed when you arrive at your new home. In preparation for a move, people tend to pack away essentials that are difficult to find following a hectic move-in day. Pack your bag as if you are going away for a weekend, include medications, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a change of clothes and other daily essentials.4) Don't expect to get every picture and painting on the walls during the first week. Instead of cleaning or unpacking the first night in the new home, take a break, relax and watch a favorite program with cable On Demand. If the boxes just can't be left alone, check out a favorite DIY show for home improvement tips while working to make the new place feel like home.5) Don't try to do everything alone. For big home improvement projects, hire a professional. Pick a few projects to do with the family and then hire someone to do the time-consuming projects like painting and hanging wallpaper."Any steps that can be taken to simplify a move are worth considering," adds Levine. "I recommend all movers do some advance planning to take the stress out of their move."

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Procedures for Renting an Apartment

The procedures for renting an apartment in different counties, and within the same area, city, or local area, can differ widely, and thus, know what to expect can help you in your apartment search.
First of all, decide on the type of apartment you want to rent. How big of a place do you need? How much money are you willing to spend? Is public transportation available nearby? Think carefully about the place for you.
Next, many apartments are advertised in the local newspaper, and these listings generally described the size, location, and amenities of the place. Looking over these ads will give you a general idea of the types of apartments available. Ask your friends and teachers if they can recommend any specific place to live. Other students might be looking for roommates, and this might be a good way to minimize your apartment search. Compare what they tell you to what you find in the newspaper.
Then, figure out the exact costs for renting an apartment and determine your budget. In addition to your first month's rent, you might have to pay a security deposit to cover any damage to the apartment. The amount you get back when you move varies widely, but don't expect to receive the entire amount because landlords sometimes deduct money for regular maintenance including carpet cleaning and new paint.
Finally, be sure to carefully read and understand the terms of the rental agreement because once you sign, you will be bound to uphold the terms of the contract. Ignorance is no excuse. Can you keep pets in the apartment? Is smoking allowed? How much notice do you need to give the landlord before you move out? Ask questions if you aren't sure.
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A step-by-step guide to renting

Property Guides on Times Online
Spiralling house prices have fuelled a boom in the rentals market. For many people, especially would-be first-time buyers saving for a deposit, renting is becoming the norm. There is also growing evidence that renting is a long-term choice; potential buyers are put off by high interest rates and stamp duty, and prefer the freedom of moving around when they feel like it. But before you start scouring Loot, read up on the ten things you need to know about renting:
1. Demand is up…
The Association of Residential Letting Agents reports that demand for rented property is at its highest for five years. Its latest quarterly survey found that two-thirds of letting agents in prime central London have more tenants that properties available. Across the South East, 57% of letting agents say that also have a shortage of properties to let, and add that the lack of stock is pushing up rental prices.
Related Internet LinksProperty guides A guide to househunting on the webHousehunting goes high-tech: technology is transforming the way we search for our next home. Our buyers test-drive top property websites
A step-by-step guide to selling your home Gumtree founder, Simon Crookall, puts his £1.5m home for sale online
BACKGROUNDWhy can’t we sell our home? ‘I didn’t want a profit; I just wanted out’ How to sell your home in a hurry BACKGROUNDOverseas property: where, how and what to buy How to get onto the property ladder Guide to buying above a shop BACKGROUNDHow to sell your home Buying a property at auction Home improvement Eco homes Step-by-step guide to buying your first property Related LinksA step-by-step guide to renting 2. …but not up north
In many Northern and Midlands towns and cities, however, there are more flats than tenants. Alastair Stewart, an analyst with Dresdner Kleinwort, says that there is a glut of apartments in Leeds, Manchester, Ipswich, Norwich, Leicester, Nottingham and Birmingham. “The proportion of new-build properties that are apartments has gone up from 21 per cent in 2000 to 49 per cent in the latest quarter”, he adds. The result is a “renters” market, in which renters are bargaining down prices.
3. How much does it cost?
The Residential Rental Price Index (RRPI) at rentright.co.uk monitors the cost of renting a home across the UK. Its latest figures report that average rental prices are falling, month-on-month. In November 2007, the average monthly rental was £825, in December 2007, it was £795 and in January, so far, it is £678 (figures are updated as properties are uploaded to the website). Studio flats are outperforming the market: since November 2007, average monthly rental prices have risen from £473 to a whopping £933.
4. A family affair
The latest research from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors suggests that family homes are the most sought-after rental properties. More than a quarter of surveyors reported an increase in demand; agents attribute it to a rise in families who have sold up and are waiting to see what happens to prices in 2008 before purchasing their next property.
5. Staying power
The prime central London market has the most settled tenants, according to the Association of Residential Letting Agents. Tenants in areas such as Belgravia and Knightsbridge rent houses and apartments for an average of 17.7 months. Across the South East, the average tenant occupation is 15.2 months, compared to 14.2 months elsewhere in the United Kingdom. For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments.

Things to Be Known About Sub prime mortgage and Sub prime Crisis:

One of the words most used by news channels in the last year was the sub prime mortgage. This was one of the reasons for the recession that the world is under. There was a sudden boom in the housing sector in US and it was in this boom that the sub prime crisis occurred. Sub prime lending is the process of lending money to people with a weak credit history. There are various credit rating companies that rate the capacity of the borrower and it was because of the errors in the ratings this sub prime crisis occurred. The positive side of sub prime mortgage was that it allowed people with poor credit rating to own a house. This wasn’t possible previously. The borrowers with poor credit rating were not able to pay the loans and this had a big impact on US housing. The housing industry in US had gone to a low and with it brought down the economy.
Working of Sub prime Mortgages:
The basic thing to be considered in sub prime mortgage is the sub prime specifics. Sub prime mortgages are available in various forms but the only common factor among these various forms is that the lending rates will be higher than those for people with good credit ratings.
A famous form of sub prime loans is the sub prime loans with an adjustable-rte mortgage(ARM).the thing with ARM is that they have low interest rates and low monthly payments. The rate attached with the loan is adjusted every 6 or 12 months and could shoot up to something as high as 50%.
Sub prime loans also come with prepayment penalty. If you are able to pay off your loans before the stipulated period then you may have to pay a penalty for it. Sub prime loans also have a balloon penalty attached to it. This occurs when the remainder of the loan is due after the introductory in one lump sum. The thing that people do to overcome this is to look out for refinancing but this is not always possible. Your loan could become sub prime under the following conditions.Credit card payments that may have been missed in the past three years.It may occur if your bank account is consistently overdrawn, defaulted on credit.
Sub prime Mortgage Crisis:The number of loans that have failed in the sub prime crisis is around 2.2 million and the loss is estimated to be around $164 billion. It is predicted that two out of every five sub prime mortgages would fail in the next two years.The factors for this crisis are many and among them one is the various mortgage brokers. These mortgage brokers lead their clients towards loans that they couldn’t afford. In the past people would approach a bank directly to obtain their loans but now due to the mortgage brokers they approach them easily and get loans above their capacity. The thing with this is that the mortgage brokers don’t suffer when the loans go down and it is the banks that suffer.
Neighbour Works America:One of the face saving organizations in this crisis is an nonprofit organization called Neighbour works. What it does is that it joins with mortgage companies and insurance companies and reaches out to borrowers in need. This ensures that some kind of an action could be taken to prevent he foreclosure of the sub prime loans.
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Why should I consider renting a post office box?

One thing you may want to consider when moving into a new apartment is post office box rental. If you don't have a secure area for your mail, or want to have additional privacy, it can be the perfect solution. It can also be a simple solution, as it is easier than other things, such as renting a car. Here are some of the best reasons to get one:
It is inexpensive. Most post office boxes are not pricey and you can often opt to pay for your box in two separate installments rather than all at one time. You can retain a permanent address. If you move a good deal, this can save you a lot of hassle when it comes to getting your mail in a timely fashion. You have privacy. Only you can decide who gets to be on the box and have a key. It might be more convenient. You can opt to get a box that is close to your work so that you can receive your mail even before you return to the apartment. It is secure. Since the box is loc

Contract issues

It’s a big move so you have to make sure you’re covered on every aspect so never sign a lease without seeing the apartment even if it’s a bargain. Second of all, our advice is not to sign a contract that has an automatic renewal clause, because you may not know what’s going to happen next year. Maybe you change work or move to a new city and a renewed contract would only force you to pay even if you’re not living there.
Last thing and a very important if you enjoy privacy, keep away from a lease that gives the landlord unlimited access without notification. Tenants have their rights and a landlord should be permitted without notice only in case of emergencies.
Inspect the apartmentMost important thing when you inspect an apartment you plan to lease (or buy) is not to let the looks deceive you. Look for the “hidden” attributes and if there’s any damage ask for it to be repaired otherwise you may be blamed for it later.

8. What to look for
You like the price, the area is great, but you need to see where you’re going to live. Here are a few things to take a closer look at:
Pipes – be it gas, water or anything else, check for leaks. Sink faucets, shower heads and water – make sure water (both cold and hot) really comes out of the faucets and the shower head and it’s with a decent pressure. Also the toilet has to flush properly and thoroughly. Electricity and appliances should all be working. Check if all the lights or other electric devices are operational. Also check the air conditioner and the heater to see if they’re good for anything. Walls and windows. Check the windows to see if they open, close and lock properly. Also inspect the walls. The more walls in common (shared with adjoining apartments), the greater the chance of noise from next door. Noise. For a student, outside noise may be extremely disturbing and may interfere with learning. If it’s a highly trafficked area you may have problems concentrating and even sleeping. For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments

Subletting your Apartment

You’ve finally landed the job of your dreams. It allows you to do the work you’ve always dreamed of doing for a great salary and amazing benefits. The perfect opportunity, right? It would be, if it weren’t 200 miles away. You don’t mind moving but have a lease for the next six months. Don’t give up that ideal opportunity until you read over our advice on how to sublet. Subletting means essentially sharing a lease with someone else until it expires. It has its risks but if done properly, it will be possible to move early without breaking a lease. Here are the steps you need to follow to make your sublet experience a success.Get Your Landlord’s PermissionRead your lease to determine your subletting rights. If your landlord profusely forbids it, try to explain your situation in writing and negotiate a solution. You can offer to help your landlord find a new tenant, although you are still responsible for the rent until a new lease is signed. If subletting is permitted, get your landlord’s permission in writing before moving on to the next step. Find a Trust-worthy LeaserAsk around your circle of friends and co-workers first. If you don’t get a response, post a flyer in a coffee shop you frequent, community center or place an ad in the classifieds. Describe your apartment and the dates that it will be available along with your contact information. You can try to advertise for the same rent you are paying but may have to reduce the rate since you are limited in time. Interview interested people just as if you were hiring them to work for you. You will still be responsible for the lease so you need to make sure the person who moves in will pay rent on time and keep the apartment well-maintained. Here are some questions to ask a potential sublessor: Where are you employed and what is your monthly after-tax income? Why are you seeking short-term housing? How many people will be living the apartment? Any children? Any pets? Do you plan on having any social events or guests staying at the apartment? Do you consider yourself a clean person? (The person’s appearance is one clue to the answer although it is not a guarantee that their appearance reflects their housekeeping habits). Give the best potential sublet candidates a tour of the apartment. Answer their questions as honestly as possible and be candid about any problems. You don’t want the sublessor to back out in a month or two since you will be left to fill in the rent. Sign a Written AgreementEven if you were lucky enough to have a friend to take over your lease, you still need to have a written agreement. You can make one yourself but unless you’re a lawyer, this is not advisable. The Internet Legal Research Group has a sublet form for every state. Go to http://www.ilrg.com/forms/sublease/us/ and print out the form for your state. A professionally formatted version of the form is available for a fee. If not mentioned in the agreement, you need to add in a statement regarding the security deposit. Since your landlord is most likely not required to return it to you until the lease is over, you will need to come to an agreement over it. For example, if the sublessor puts a hole in the wall is he/she responsible for the security deposit? If you don’t address it the money will surely come out of your pocket. Depending on the terms in your lease and state laws, you may have tenant’s rights over the sublessor. This means you can evict the person if they do not pay rent or in any other way violate the terms of the written agreement. Explain this to the sublessor so that there is no confusion later. Make sure the sublessor is clear on when he/she can move in and leave them a way to contact you as well as the owner of the apartment. Leave an emergency maintenance number as well as the place where the rent should be delivered.

Habitability

Tenants have a right to habitable housing, which includes safe and decent housing.
The law provides that safe and decent housing includes the following:
Effective waterproofing and weather protection of roof, exterior walls, windows, doors.
Plumbing and gas facilities that conform to state and local law at the time of installation, maintained in good working order.
A water supply that produces hot and cold running water.
Heat that conforms to applicable law at the time of installation maintained in good working order.
Clean common areas, free from accumulations of debris, filth, garbage, rodents and vermin.
An adequate number of garbage and rubbish receptacles.
Floors, stairways and railings maintained in good repair. If a tenant's apartment fails to provide these guarantees, the law provides protections for tenants to take action against the landlord. A tenant may repair the damage and deduct the cost of the repairs from the rent. A tenant may also withhold rent under certain circumstances.
Repair and deduct and rent withholding can be risky, however. A tenant who asserts such rights risks an eviction. A tenant should only attempt these remedies upon the advice and assistance of an attorney. A safer option is to report any problems with your unit to the local Health Department. To avoid an eviction, a tenant should always pay his or her rent on time.
Making habitability issues more difficult is the fact that landlords have become less tolerant of tenants. In years past, landlords would accommodate tenants in order to avoid a vacancy. In Los Angeles County, there are more tenants than available apartments. More than ever before, landlords are willing to evict "trouble" tenants.
Some landlords consider a tenant "trouble" if the tenant simply asks for necessary repairs to her apartment. Even a complaint regarding legitimate repairs may give a landlord an incentive to evict the tenant so another tenant who will accept the problems or pay the higher market rents can move in.
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Renting An Apartment After Foreclosure

This article is for those homeowners who have decided that they can not keep their current home and are seeking to move on, instead of trying to work out a solution that will stop foreclosure.The situation may be due to a new job in another state that requires a move, a precipitous drop in income that is expected to last long-term, or other circumstances. Because of their poor credit from the foreclosure and falling behind in other debts, however, these homeowners may have a difficult time being able to rent an apartment and start their lives over. Most landlords will not want to discover the fact that the homeowners are currently behind on their mortgage payments or had faced a very recent foreclosure. That will indicate to them that the apartment applicants do not take their housing payment obligations very seriously, and may pay the rent late or not at all. The foreclosure victims will have to find a way around the credit check, if they are serious about renting an apartment and proving their financial integrity.One way they can do this is to find a landlord that they know, or talk to someone (friends/family) in the area that in which they want to move, and ask if they know of anyone that would allow apartment rentals without a credit check. The key is for the homeowners to let the potential landlord know that their credit is not great at the present time, and that they are not willing to damage it even further with more inquiries, but that they want to have an opportunity to start recovering their financial situation. A lot of landlords will be reasonable if the situation is explained to them very clearly, and if the former homeowners make a good first impression.If the foreclosure victims do not know any friendly contacts in the area, though, they will have to offer the landlord an incentive to decide not to pull their credit histories and discover the late payments and foreclosure. For this purpose, they can offer an extra amount as a security deposit, or offer to pay an extra 2-3 months rent up-front, in exchange for the landlord not conducting a credit check.The offer of more money is a very powerful incentive for landlords, as they will be able to use the extra resources for current projects and investments. If the former homeowners need a "cover story" to explain their unwillingness to have their credit pulled, they can use the one in the paragraph above, or simply inform the landlord that they are very private and do not want to give out their social security number and financial information to anyone, since they have been a victim of identity theft in the past.This can be useful to explain their poor credit situation as well as the reason they can not give away any personal information that can be used to pull a credit report. Extra cash in the form of a security deposit or extra rent will usually help the landlord see things from the foreclosure victims' perspective. For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments.

How To Comply With a Landlord's Request for a Letter of Employment

Many landlords require a letter of employment from prospective tenants. This is simply a written statement from your employer letting a landlord know that you indeed work for the employer, and it states basic information about your arrangement, such as your salary and title.
If you work for a large company, it probably honors requests for letters of employment all the time. Smaller employers, however, might not be as familiar with this request and therefore could take longer than you would like to handle yours.
Here's what you should do if a landlord asks you for a letter of employment:
Difficulty: EasyTime Required: Usually just part of one dayHere's How:Talk to your employer. Contact someone in the human resources (HR) department where you work and explain that you need a letter of employment in connection with an apartment you wish to rent. If your company is small and doesn't have an HR department, ask your office manager for help.Offer a sample letter to your employer. If your employer's representative tells you he knows what to do and will be happy to take care of your request promptly, great. If not, offer him a sample letter of employment to adapt and use for your purposes. This will save time and help ensure that the landlord gets the proper verification promptly.Touch base on the delivery method. Ask your employer's representative if she will fax or mail the letter directly to your landlord or give it to you to send. If the representative will contact the landlord directly, provide her with the correct address and find out from your landlord if the letter should be mailed or faxed to any particular person's attention.Make sure the landlord is satisfied. After you or your employer's representative fax or mail your letter of employment to the landlord, call your landlord to confirm that the letter is satisfactory. If your landlord needs additional information, offer to follow up with your employer's representative or suggest that the landlord do so, if it's easier.Tips:Don't be surprised if the landlord insists that the letter of employment come directly from your employer. Many landlords require this as a safeguard to prevent tampering or even fabrication by the employee.For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments.

Apartment Questions

Is it safe? Is it clean? Are the essentials located nearby? Those are the types of questions to ask before you pick a new place to rent. Here is a list of things to watch for when you are looking at apartments for rent or homes for rent.Outside the ApartmentDo you feel safe in the neighborhood and the surrounding area? That's the first and most important question by far.If you visit the apartment during the day, think about how you will feel coming home late at night, or early in the morning. If the thought makes you scared, move on. No amenities or cheap rent can compensate for the feeling of insecurity.As part of this, ask your neighbors about safety and check in with the local police about crime statistics.Is the building clean and well kept? Are entryways and hallways well lit? Are unsavory types hanging about? How the building is kept up is a pretty good indicator of the vigilance of the apartment manager.Is the laundry nearby? If you don't have a car, it better be close, preferably in your building. Picture yourself trudging there every week or so and ask yourself how you feel about that.Is the building close to major roads and public transportation? Do trial runs for how long it would take to reach your work, your daycare, or other frequently visited placed.Find out where the following things are: gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, banks, drug stores, and gyms - is the distance friendly or daunting? If you're on public transit, figure out how long it will take to get to these various places that you might visit often.Inside the ApartmentBefore signing a rental lease and moving in, make a quick check of the apartment, not only the appearance and cleanliness, but see that things actually work. Don't take anything for granted -- something that doesn't work now you'll have to deal with right away when you move, not a great way to spend your first few days in your new home.Bathroom: Check the water pressure in the sink and shower, and flush the toilet to make sure it operates properly. Also, make sure the hot water works.Appliances: Check the refrigerator, the heating and air conditioning, the stove and oven, and any other appliances that might be in the apartment.Walls: If the building is near a road, can you hear the traffic? Can you hear the neighbors next door? If near an airport, how is that noise?Windows: Make sure they open and close easily, and make sure there are no holes or cracks in the glassFor apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson. Central NJ Apartments

Apartment Rental Tips and Considerations

With tough economic times and house prices plunging across the country, rental (apartment) living has become the norm for a number of people. Whether it is by choice or circumstance, apartment living has its own challenges and before you make the move here are some things to consider and tips to ensure that the move is as smooth possible. Having rented for the last 10 years I have seen the good and bad side of apartment living and my experience will hopefully save you some angst in the future when looking and selecting the best apartment for your needs.

Finding the right apartment.
Start with a list of what you where you want to rent (location, schools, transport), what your minimum requirements for the apartment are (eg 2 bedroom, furnished), how much you can afford to pay in monthly rent (add 20% for utilities) and how long you want to rent for.
Once you have these key factors, go popular rental sites like Craigslist or Apartments.com to start your search. In smaller cities, look in your local newspaper to see what is available, though the trend is for most rental ads to now only be advertised online. Make sure you save your searches and request daily or weekly emails for your specified search results.
Once you have narrowed down the choices pay a visit to the apartment complex to get a sense of community and upkeep. Also, see if similar apartments nearby are available and how much they are going for. A simple call to the renting agent or landlord will get this figure for you. This gives you a baseline as to whether you are getting a good deal for your place or not.
Give your self time to find the right apartment. It can take time to find the right place at the right price. In tight rental markets it can take up to 3 months to find a place, so make sure you factor this time into your planning.
Apartment Inspection
Now that you have chosen a place, the key thing is to ensure you get what you are paying for. Most people spend all their energy on finding an apartment, but not enough on actually making sure the place they are going to live in for the next year or so, is up to scratch. It is much easier (and cheaper) to get things fixed before you move in, as opposed to afterwards.
It is imperative to walk through your potential new apartment before you sign the lease or move in. Insist to the landlord that you see the actual apartment that you will be renting and not a model. If there are any items that need to be repaired or replaced, make sure the landlord does this before you move in. If there are many things wrong with the apartment, you might just want to pass no matter how good it looks from the outside.
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Top 5 Steps if Your Rental is Foreclosed

Look in any newspaper these days and you’ll see a whole list of foreclosures. Not all of those foreclosures are just affecting homeowners, though.
Some of those houses were rentals, making life suddenly harder for tenants. If your landlord is losing your apartment, condo or house in a foreclosure, you still have some options.
#1 Know Your RightsThe actions new landlords can take vary from state to state. If you know that your situation is up in the air, it’s up to you to determine just what options your state provides you. If you have any sort of special status, such as participating in the federal Section 8 program, you may also have special status when it comes to a foreclosure. Section 8 participants, for instance, cannot be evicted if a property changes hands.
#2 Contact the New OwnerYour original landlord will have very little interest in helping you figure out your situation, but many new owners want to keep rental properties profitable. Some will terminate leases automatically, but you can often remain on as a month-to-month renter, hopefully making arrangements to sign a lease down the road.
#3 Negotiate with the New OwnerMany real estate investors who make a habit of picking up foreclosed rentals believe that empty buildings are easier to sell. If you can convince your new landlord of the benefits of regular income while searching for a buyer–as well as the fact that paying tenants can actually up the resale value of a property because a new owner doesn’t need to go hunting for new renters–you may be able to stay on. You can also request a cash payout to move quickly and without a fuss. Your landlord has no obligation to offer such a payment, but may be willing to do so rather than deal with the hassle of an eviction.
#4 Take it to CourtYou may not be able to keep your rental, but you can sue your former landlord for moving costs and other damages. When he signed the lease, your landlord guaranteed that he could provide you with the use of the property for the full term of the lease. A foreclosure puts your landlord in breach of contract.
#5 Avoid Eviction at all CostsHaving an eviction on your record can make it much harder to find a new rental down the road. If the situation escalates to the point that the new owner is threatening eviction, pack up and leave. It’s not worth the fight.
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Negotiating with Your Landlord After Damage Occurs

It’s the worst thing that can happen when you’re living in an apartment: the landlord — the person you pay for shelter — is responsible for damage to your possessions. Maybe the management is at fault for a burst pipe, or perhaps for a fire. If you don’t have renter’s insurance, it may seem as if you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.
But you do have an option: you can negotiate with your landlord to cover part or all of the damages. Janet Portman, the author of Every Tenant’s Legal Guide, says that landlords have a legal responsibility to compensate tenants for damage that is the apartment management’s fault. It’s just a matter of asking your landlord.
Ruth E. Thaler-Carter dealt with such a situation first hand in an apartment in Baltimore, Maryland: her landlord had arranged to have a microwave installed, but the maintenance man botched the job. The microwave fell, breaking a number of items sitting on the kitchen cabinet. “It was a huge mess as well as a terrible fright — it really made a loud noise as it all went flying! As soon as I caught my breath and calmed down, I took a photo of the mess. Then, I called the front desk and had the doorman come down to see the damage, since this occurred after 5 p.m.”
Ruth made sure that the doorman could corroborate her claim, as well as documenting the damage herself with a written list of damaged items and photographs. She even made an estimate of the amount she would need to replace everything. When she took her claim to the apartment manager, she was able to get $250.
If you find yourself in a similar situation, try to follow Ruth’s example. If you can provide documentation of the problem, you will have a much easier time convincing your landlord to cover the damages. You should also go in with a clear idea of what you want: a specific dollar amount, perhaps, or a discount on your rent.
If your landlord is unwilling to compensate you for damages, you have a few options — moving out, small claims court — although they may be too extreme in all situations. You should also remember that your landlord has no obligation to cover damages that were not his fault. Problems stemming from the actions of other tenants or outside individuals will be very difficult to get reparation for if you do not have renter’s insurance.
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When people are looking to buy real estate the old adage is “Location, location, location.” When you are looking to rent an apartment or other types of real estate that is also a major criteria. In addition to location there are other things to consider when you plan on renting an apartment. The list is in no particular order of importance, or rather the order of importance is your personal choice.
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Since renting an apartment is where you will be residing, location is the first criteria when you are in the market. Location of the apartment has a different meaning than when you are buying real estate. Location in the rental market is usually shorter-term than a possible long-term real estate investment.

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It’s Winter - Do You Know Where Your Gas Bill Is?

In most apartment complexes, the apartments are heated by natural gas. Composed primarily of methane, natural gas is efficient and delivers quick, powerful heat. However, if you’re not keeping track of your gas bill, your natural gas usage can quickly get away from you.
Keep records of what your gas bill was over the past few months. If it spikes without an accompanying change in the weather or in your gas usage, you may have a problem - or even a dangerous natural gas leak. Talk to your apartment manager about the problem.
It’s also very handy to know what’s happening to your neighbors’ gas bills. If you see a significant change in your gas bill, find out what happened to your neighbor’s gas bills. If yours was the only one to jump, you know you have a problem.
Lower Your Gas BillHere are some quick gas bill lowering tips:
Stay in tune with the seasons. When it’s cold out, don’t fight it with your thermostat. Wear a sweater and socks when you’re in the house, and keep the thermostat a few degrees cooler. Program or adjust your thermostat so your gas bill isn’t skyrocketing because you’re heating an empty apartment. Spot heating is big savings. As we mentioned in our electric bill article, it really pays to use a space heater to stay toasty in your favorite locations, instead of heating the entire apartment. Hot water hits your gas bill. If your shower spits scalding water, you’re also getting burnt by your gas bill. Turn the hot water heater setting down until you don’t need to mix in cold water when you take a shower. Insulate. Even apartment renters can insulate with easily-removed weatherstripping. If you’re worried about getting dinged for damage caused by weatherstripping, just stuff drafty window cracks with packing foam or bubble wrap. Hot water, redux. Some 80 to 85% of the energy you spend on washing clothes is spent on heating the water. Try washing your clothes only in cold water, and if that doesn’t work for you, try warm instead of hot. Make sure you’re using the right water level setting - less water means less waste. Watch that oven. If your gas bill is being inflated by oven usage, try moving and sharing the load. Can those fries be browned in your smaller toaster oven? Are you using the oven for toast? How about baking potatoes and cooking a roast at the same time? Gas Bill ReliefTry these tips and see if you get some gas bill relief. Sometimes, though, you may have to talk to apartment maintenance about the insulation or the heating in your unit.
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