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What to look for in rental apartments by owners

What to look for in rental apartments by owners

Rental apartments by owners are listing which you can find online. The main feature of rental listings by owners is there is no involvement of a middleman or agent, wherein the terms and conditions are discussed between the owner and tenant directly. These are listing which feature a number of apartments and houses available to rent out. The particulars of the same can be found out by directly taking to the owner for that matter, but here are a couple of things that you should look out for on your own. The main thing to realize is that there is no difference when it comes to quality of the listing by an owner, as compared to that of a listing posted by an agent. The difference being you will have to pay the agent separately for the services hired, but the agent will surely know what to look out for in an apartment. However there are no guaranties even if an agent gives his seal of approval. Sometimes the listings for flats on rent by owners can prove to be the smarter option and can also save you some big bucks if you can manage to negotiate the price. Any direct relationships which are cultivated over time tend to prove fruitful for both the parties, in this case between the tenant and the owner.
Cheapest cities to rent an apartment

Cheapest cities to rent an apartment

Looking for an apartment to rent is one of the major challenges you face when you are new to the city. Apartment prices will depend on a number of factors like area, the neighborhoods around, construction and more. but not all apartments prices are sky high, in fact here are five cities where you can rent apartments starting at just under $550 on an average monthly basis. Detroit, Michigan: Apart from the cost of making some minor changes and renovations to the apartment you are trying to rent, Detroit homes can certainly be rented for cheap. The monthly median rent ranges on an average between $550 to $560. Apartments are cheap and affordable according to the cost of cost of living standards of the city, even cheap to purchase at just an average of under $43000. Shreveport, Louisiana: Probably one of the cheapest cities in the State of Louisiana, since it offers the lowest real estate tax rates in the country. The cost of purchasing a home is very expensive here, but the average monthly home rent is just under $578 with a cost of living standard which is a little less than that of Detroit. Akron, Ohio: The city which his also know as the rubber capital on account of the rubber tire industry which manufactured most of the country’s stock.
Essential must haves for a three bedroom house or apartment

Essential must haves for a three bedroom house or apartment

You might have found the perfect three-bedroom apartment or house you were looking for, but ask yourself this question; are you ready to move in? have you ensured that you have all the essentials ready? Is your apartment good to go or is there something missing? Finding a decent place to live is just one aspect, making sure that it will be ready to accommodate you and your family is just as important. You don’t want to move in and find out that the furnishing is not to your liking or the bedroom has too much light, maybe the hall is too dark and so on. Of course, you might have taken all these factors into account before you went ahead and signed that lease, but did you manage to check them off from your checklist? Here are a few essential must haves for your three bedrooms. There are a number of things you should buy and stock before you move in, like a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, flashlight and batteries, some duct tape and wall seal in case of a few minor leaks and whatnots. Having a tool set with the basics will come in handy even if you don’t have much use for them regularly.
6 reasons the elderly need special apartments for seniors

6 reasons the elderly need special apartments for seniors

Senior citizens are generally considered to be those who have retired and are over the age of 55. For a number of reasons, a lot of them consider living independently. When they do, there are several options for them to choose from. These facilities range from high-end luxury hotels to independent flats. Special apartments for seniors can help bring a sense of independence. In fact, numerous surveys show that these living facilities are often the preferred choice of retired citizens in the US. Here’s a look at why this is. No Stress There are always a million things going on at home with people of all age groups. With some family members working and studying, the stress of the situation often gets transferred to senior citizens. Some seniors prefer chores like gardening. There is often a dedicated space in senior apartments for them to pursue this hobby. Boredom With most of the rest of the family busy with their lives, senior citizens are often left with a lot of time on their hands. This leads to boredom. This can be rectified in housings for seniors. These facilities are filled with people of a similar age group. This will most definitely have a positive effect on them, in terms of their mental wellbeing.
How to choose the right senior apartment

How to choose the right senior apartment

As we age, our needs change and it becomes necessary to find ways to meet them. Acknowledging that we have to give up a bit of our independence can be difficult. However, the sooner we come to terms with it, the better we’ll be able to adapt. A change in environment is one aspect that’s meant to evolve. And this involves housing, which needs to be more comfortable, affordable, and low-maintenance. Easy access to conveniences is a necessity in golden years, as is assistance with certain tasks. Low-income senior apartments can meet these requirements, as they’re developed for the same. If you’re considering moving into one, here are a few tips to make the right choice. Well-maintained living quarters and surroundings The apartment should be clean and well-maintained. Peeling paint, damp spots, structures that do not appear sturdy, etc are issues that should send you on your way. The garden, parking lot, driveway, and walkway should also be properly looked after. Think about how you’d like to spend time outside and whether the surroundings can offer a peaceful, relaxing ambiance. Strategic location While many senior apartments are located centrally, you should still check for the same. Stores, the post office, transport hubs, parks, and other areas of interest should be easily accessible.
Things to ask the owner before renting a house or apartment

Things to ask the owner before renting a house or apartment

Finding your dream house or apartment is a challenge in itself. But the buck does not stop there, there are several factors to be considered before you rent a house or apartment. Better yet, there are several important questions that you should ask any house owner before you decide to move in. Here are a few simple ones to get you started. The first and foremost is to ascertain the mode of payment for rent. Some owners insist on cash payments, others a very particular and ask for a cheque. Decide this beforehand to avoid any issues later on. Also there might be any late rent payment fess which can be imposed by the owner. Ascertain how much this will cost you sine it has to be factored in with rent. Read the rent agreement carefully and find out exactly what your notice period will be like in case you want to vacate. Owners are very particular about notice period and insist on some tenants staying for the initial few months after moving in, before they can even give them a notice period. Be careful of such conditions since you might just end up in an apartment which is not working out for you, where this condition would pose a problem.
Rent smartly, things to look for while renting with roommates

Rent smartly, things to look for while renting with roommates

You have found that beautiful three-bedroom apartment you were looking for, but realize that it is slightly out of your budget. Now you may have lined up a number of potential roommates with whom you can share your rent and for that matter, everything else. But how can you make sure, your next-door roomie will be someone you can live with after that lease or agreement has been signed? Finding a roommate to split the rent with for a small flat is challenging enough, try finding a couple to occupy those extra two rooms. There are a number of factors which have to be taken into account like the advance deposit to be paid to the owner, your monthly rent after splitting it three ways, utilities and expenses incurred and most importantly, commitment to cosign the lease. There are times when you take up an apartment in your name and don’t cosign, which will be a potential problem in case your roommate decided to ditch you in the middle of the lease. Cosigning will ensure his commitment and give you a sense of security. Although you will interview a number of people before you narrow down your choices, make sure you browse through their social media accounts as well just to find out whether this person is really who he claims to be or is just making a false impression to get his hands on that single room.