Tuesday

Marketing Strategies for an Apartment Building

Some blog readers stumble across this site who are from the apartment management industry.  I thought a past article I wrote for another website might be helpful if you are a property owner.  I know how it can be frustrating trying to get visitors to your buildings.  Hope the following link generates a few ideas for you.

Marketing Strategies for an Apartment Building

Looking for an affordable rental market?

Thought this article might be interesting for those seeking an apartment and workers in the property management industry.  Understand that the cost of rent is in your control.  Seek apartment housing that you can afford.  In other words, live within your means.

Looking for an affordable rental market? Study says you're out of luck - MSN Real Estate

Wednesday

Barking Dogs and Nuisance Cats: Pet Owners Beware!

Sometimes when apartment shoppers are seeking a new place to stay, the last thing they think about are the neighbors.  But if you are an allergy sufferer, particular about a quiet atmosphere and can't stand pet odors, you may want to take special care to check out who is living around you.

Years ago I had the opportunity to manage a stinking situation involving a renter's two pet cats.  Two neighbors were irate because after repeated warnings and promises to clean up behind her cats, the stubborn and/or lazy cat lover just didn't want to comply.  Finally, after a confrontation and a company's request to do a trial cleaning of the apartment unit with a new device, we all agreed that was what would be best for now or otherwise the cat lover was going to face eviction.

If you are a pet owner, please be advised that your neighbors will not be very understanding when your pet is a repeated offender of policies. Some pet lovers forget what the problems might be when keeping pets in rented units.  So let's go over some. 

If a pet runs out of the unit, that's a problem. 
Stinks up your place as well as the hallway, that's a problem. 
Makes a lot of noise, that's a problem.
Scares neighbors, that is definitely a problem!  Don't be surprised if suddenly the dog, cat or other animal suddenly disappears.

Most property management companies charge a pet deposit.  Basically, this is like a security deposit.  It is used to cover damages that your pet may cause while he or she resides with you.  Depending on the animal, determines how much the pet deposit might be.  The bigger the animal the larger the pet deposit.

When people seek a new place to stay, they do not want to inherit any new problems especially from those who love their pets.  So pet owners must understand that not everyone loves animals like they do.  There are still many establishments that consider animals unclean no matter how many baths, medicines, and visits to the vet.  Pet issues usually are mild in most complexes because renters typically follow the rules. 

Wouldn't it be a perfect world if all people would just follow the rules?

Nicholl McGuire

Monday

Be Sure You Want Your Girlfriend or Boyfriend on Your Lease

There will be those times when couples feel like moving in together is the best thing for the relationship.  However, sooner or later, they realize it was worst thing they could have done.  Now they are stuck living together, bound by a contract.  One is trying to get the other to move out, but this person isn't budging.  "You won't be moving your new girlfriend in after I leave!" the girlfriend shouts.  "I don't want anyone else living here, I just want you gone!" the boyfriend says.  These hurtful exchanges may end up with a police officer taking someone away in handcuffs or worse death.

When you know the relationship is rocky, don't put someone on the contract as a leaseholder.  Rather, put this person down as an occupant especially when you are the one with the job and he or she can't keep a job or don't work.  Couples ruin their credit when they prematurely move in with one another, not to mention, how they leave the condition of the apartment when they often fight--ugh!

I have seen my share of holes walls and doors due to angry fists, disgusting carpet stains because someone through something, even blood in places I rather not say.  There is an ugliness left behind in these suites after couples have spent much time arguing and fighting.  If you are sensitive to energies, you may feel some when you tour vacant suites.  One time, I was told about a ghost in one vacant apartment by one of my maintenance staff.  At first, I didn't believe him, so I checked it out.  What he thought was a ghost, was a dark spirit, an ugly black one that I saw in another dimension.  Now I don't know if the previous residents brought it with them when they moved in, but they sure left something behind for the next residents.  I was so nervous that I practically fell trying to get out of the suite.  I did get spiritual about this situation, I prayed and had hoped that the spirit would leave before the suite was shown to the next apartment shoppers.

When you are looking for an apartment, be sure you are going to get one with someone you plan on committing to long-term.  This means a person who you have planned a wedding date with and have at least met their family and friends.  By doing this, you may save yourself some future stress with apartment management, police, and your neighbors.

Nicholl McGuire

Tuesday

Respecting the House Rules

When moving into an apartment, you will find that the management is not always carefree when it comes to disturbances in a complex. Oftentimes the violator is not the person who lives in the apartment, but usually mangement finds that it is the guests who are putting the resident's stay at risk. Sometimes people need a refresher on how to act when staying with someone. The following is an article that does just that,

Seven Tips on How to Act When Staying at Someone

Keep in mind, most leasing contracts do have something written about visitors. Overnight guests are usually allowed to stay for a limited time, but after the timeframe in the contract, they are considered residents. If management notices that your guest is living in the suite, he or she will ask you to come into the leasing office and put that person on your contract. If you should refuse, you may have your rights to the unit revoked. Meaning, you will be given a warning to adhere to the current policy or forfeit your right to occupy. If you still don't comply, the property management company can evict you. This will affect your credit and rental history.

Also, if the person, who has been living with you, is over the age of 18, you will need to undergo a background check like you did when you first applied for the apartment. If it is found that this person has a criminal history, then it will be up to the property manager to decide whether he or she can live on the property.

Allowing people to live in your apartment without permission can open a pandora's box of problems! If you don't plan on having them on your leasing contract, don't allow them to live with you.

Things You Might Find Useful on this Blog

apartment shopping apartment decorating moving apartment organizing lease contract about this blog apartment problems maintenance property management apartment hunting how to rent an apartment landlords pest control roommates apartment searching eviction notice leasing consultants security deposit tenant screening Internet apartment shopping apartment move in apartment move out apartment noise blog owner first apartment how to organize apartment mold rent increases renting section 8 30 day notice apartment checklist apartment inspection apartment leasing apartment management apartment rental guides apartment rules apartment tour appearance bad landlords bankruptcy buying rentals curb side appeal disgruntled residents electricity fair housing furnace heat moving to New York City neighbors new apartment renters real estate relocation tips rental application renters senior adults senior housing shopping for the apartment shower toilet windows English phrases for apartment problem English phrases to rent apartment FEMA HUD Tokyo air conditioning amenities american disabilities act annoying visitors annual inspection apartment abroad apartment budget apartment furnishings apartment investing apartment marketing apartment mobile apps apartment pool apartment renovation apartment rent assistance apartment reviews apartment tips apartment townhome tours apartment waiting lists apartment workout apartments for rent approval process bad credit bad property management signs bad rental properties bed bugs bug proofing cable can't afford rent canada carbon monoxide cargo container cargo container apartments carpet stains children city apartment rentals clogged kitchen sink clogged shower drain community managers community party rooms couples court credit reports death discrimination domestic violence duct cleaning fall move in date gangstalking garbage disposal gas heater ghost stories gifts good residents guest cards guests haunted hoarding homelessness hot water heaters how to avoid rental scams how to find an apartment how to sell your stuff humor leaky roof living alone lofts move in date move in inspection move in specials move out date move out inspection move out parent's house moving to Houston moving to New Mexico moving with children natural disasters new neighbors no hot water in shower no job no rent cap odors on paying rent packing partial rent pets pipes problems paying rent public transportation qualifying quiet hours refrigerator rent to own rental fees rental housing help rental insurance renting a home renting apartments overseas resident retention second hand smoke serviced apartments snow plowing and salting snow shoveling still living with parents studio apartments suite upgrades tardy rent tenant laws tenant rights websites terrace level apartments thermostat trends types of dwellings unemployment unpacking utilities walk through wall paper water water damage water pressure what not to rent work order request