The post Questions to Ask Yourself Before Starting Your Apartment Search appeared first on Elevate Living Blog.
]]>An apartment search is sort of like that. There are going to be a ton of apartments on the market where you live, and if you haven’t established a rubric by which to sort through them and select the ones that are the best fit for you, chances are the experience is going to become overwhelming in a hurry.
A great way to discover what matters most in your apartment search is by conducting a survey on yourself. To get started on your apartment hunt, here is a survey to ask yourself.
How Much Can I Afford to Spend on Rent?
The first thing that you should do when starting an apartment search is set a budget. Without a budget, it’s extremely hard to compare apartments against each other.
Where Do You Want to Live?
Location is a very important factor in choosing your next apartment for a variety of reasons. Try to find locations that provide the following for you:
- A reasonable commute to work or school.
- An area that offers access to the things you enjoy (parks, trails, shops, restaurants, etc)
- Access to essential locations such grocery stores, fuel stations, post offices, etc.
Roommate or No Roommate?
Living with a roommate presents apartment renters with a much cheaper renting option than living alone. Before you start your search you’ll need to ask yourself whether or not you want/need to find a roommate.
How Many Bedrooms Does Your Apartment Need?
This question is related to the above roommate inquiry. It’s hard to start comparing apartments if you haven’t first discovered how many rooms you’re looking for. Typically when searching online for available apartments, you’re going to filter the results based on the number of bedrooms and the price of the apartment.
Pets?
Do you have a pet currently? If not, do you see yourself wanting one down the road? Not all apartment properties are as pet-friendly as others. In fact, some apartment properties will outright not allow pets in their buildings. You want to filter out these types of apartments if you have, or one day want a pet.
Do You Require Parking?
If you own a car, you’re going to want to have a place to park it. If you live in a colder climate, you might need indoor parking. Or maybe you have a second vehicle or motorcycle that also requires a parking spot.
Before launching your apartment search, nail down what your parking requirements are so you can quickly cross off listings that don’t offer the parking you need.
Will You Be Using Public Transit?
If you require the use of public transit to get around, you’re going to want to make sure that you choose an apartment that features convenient proximity to transit stops. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that the transit stop is serviced with routes to school, work, or any other commonly visited place.
Which Amenities Do You Need?
Different properties are going to offer a wide range of amenities. Before you begin evaluating apartments, you’ll want to know which amenities your apartment needs to have. Heated parking, swimming pool, gym, it doesn’t matter what they are, just that you know.
Which Amenities Do You Want?
The amenities that you need will be qualifiers in finding your next apartment. But having a list of the amenities that you want will be incredibly helpful for you when you end up selecting between a couple of units at the end of your search. You may not need a spa or a sauna, but if you’re comparing two properties that have everything else that you need, the spa might be the deciding factor.
Let Elevate Living Assist in Your Apartment Search
By taking this survey you’ll have a great idea of the type of apartment you’re looking for, which will make your search easier. If you really want to make your search easy, partner with an apartment management company like Elevate Living.
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]]>The post Common Decorating Mistakes to Avoid in Your Apartment appeared first on Elevate Living Blog.
]]>One of the most exciting parts of moving into your own apartment is that you get to decide how to decorate your space. But that positive experience can turn sour all too easily, and an apartment can wind up looking like a poorly decorated nightmare if you’re not careful.
Bad decorating examples can include everything from clashing color schemes to unintentionally making your space seem cluttered. Space is precious in apartments, and that makes your decorating decisions all the more important. Figuring out how to decorate your apartment doesn’t have to cause a headache, as long as you’re aware of a few common apartment decorating faux pas.
Bringing the Dorm to the Apartment
If you’re renting an apartment straight out of college, or you’ve managed to hang on to some of your dorm furniture over the years, it can be tempting to slide that lofted bed and cheaply-made lamp straight into your new place. But before you recreate your freshman year dorm room, take a step back and think about how you want to present your new space, both to yourself and any visitors. Are your guests going to feel like they’ve stepped back in time to a land of fraternity parties and late-night study sessions?
If you’d rather not feel like you’re back in school, the solution is simple: leave the dorm-style furniture behind, and upgrade to furnishings suitable for an apartment. This could mean trading a ratty futon for a loveseat, substituting an armchair in place of a folding bucket seat, or setting your television on an actual stand instead of a stack of egg crates.
Destructive Decorations
It’s always nice to get your security deposit back when leaving your old apartment. Money can be tight, and some renters rely on that deposit to help them move into their next home. It’s essential to make sure you’re not decorating your new place in a way that will cause you to lose your deposit later on. That means reading your lease carefully to find out what your landlord will consider enough damage to withhold your deposit.
A few nails in the drywall may pass inspection, but drilling into the wall to install custom shelves or wallpapering an entire room might not go over so well. There are a lot of temporary decorating options and hacks created for apartments, from using removable hooks to changing out your curtains. Whatever you’re planning, ensure that you can undo it when it comes time to move out.
Overcrowding
It’s easy to get carried away by gorgeous displays in furniture stores. Each piece is selected to look perfect beside the next one, and you might quickly find things getting out of hand. Suddenly, you’re walking out of the store with the whole set! But what looks good on a showroom floor might not look as nice when the pieces are crammed inside your apartment.
Sure, those lamps should look great on the end table next to the coordinating sofa set alongside the armchairs squeezed in next to the bar cart, but sometimes, less really is more. It’s important to be conscious of your available square footage and recognize how much furniture you can fit into your apartment without overcrowding your space. Otherwise, you could end up with less of a cozy nest and more of a straight-up mess.
Too Much (or too Little) Color
Hot pink is a lovely color. It may even be your favorite color. But that doesn’t mean your entire apartment must be hot pink. Too much of a bright color easily overwhelms a room. On the other hand, not enough color can make your apartment seem drab. Neutrals are a great way to make your apartment decorating scheme consistent, but things can get boring if everything is a different shade of beige or gray.
Instead of winding up at one extreme or another, consider sprinkling coordinating colors throughout your apartment. A brightly colored pillow on a neutral couch or a chair in a complementary color can tie an entire room together without overwhelming your space with too much of that color.
Find Your Next Apartment with Elevate Living
Decorating the space in which you live should be fun, or at least not stressful, just like finding a new apartment should be. Deciding how to decorate your apartment gives you the chance to express yourself visually. Starting the decorating process without a plan is a surefire way to end up with an apartment that isn’t cohesive in the slightest. If you go out and buy whatever appeals to you at the moment, your apartment may look less like a cohesive unit and more like a hodgepodge collection of patterns, colors, and styles.
A formal blueprint might be a little much, but a general idea of a theme you want to follow can’t hurt. You don’t have to be an interior designer to pick out a few colors that go together. If you approach decorating with even the vaguest of plans, you’ll likely emerge with a more put-together apartment. And with Elevate Living, you’re bound to have a beautiful apartment inside and out.
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]]>The post 10 Summer Activities to Enjoy in Sioux Falls appeared first on Elevate Living Blog.
]]>Throughout the summer there is no shortage of shows, concerts, festivals, and adventures to be enjoyed. Here’s a preview of some of our favorites!
1. PorkPalooza
Nothing says summer quite like eating a heaping plate of BBQ. Food lovers will love this event that will feature tons of mouth-watering BBQ food as well as beer tents and live music. And there’s a number of musical acts scheduled to perform.
When: June 4th & 5th
2. Siouxland Renaissance Festival
Experience the fun and spectacle of the European Renaissance by checking out the Siouxland Renaissance Festival at the Lyons fairground. Learn how people lived centuries ago as this year’s festival is set in 1575. Enjoy plays, a joust, a massive turkey leg, and plenty of music from the era.
When: June 5th & 6th
3. Moonlight Movies at Fawick Park
Outdoor movies are making a comeback in a big way, and this summer you can enjoy the recent trend with your family at Fawick Park. Admission is free, so all you need to do is bring a chair to sit in or a blanket to lay on, and some of your favorite movie snacks.
When: June-August
4. Downtown SculptureWalk
Sure, you can enjoy the downtown SculptureWalk year round, but when better than in the summer heat? The SculptureWalk is the largest annual exhibit of public art sculptures in the country!
When: Year Round
5. Hot Harley Nights
If you love motorcycles, Hot Harley Nights is just your speed. The event is headquartered at J&L Harley-Davidson where activities are scheduled all weekend including vendors and music.
Hundreds of motorcycles gather at J&L for a parade to the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds where the fun continues.
When: July 9 -11
6. Wild Water West Waterpark
When the temps increase this summer, you’ll want to cool down by enjoying a waterpark. If you’re in search of family fun, Wild Water West has it all. Bumper boats, crazy slides, a lazy river, wave pool, and the Tornado Alley, which is a 55-foot water slide with a bowl that funnels riders in a circle make this place a kid’s paradise. Take swimming breaks and visit the batting cages, go-karts, or mini-golf.
When: Until the End of Summer
7. Take a Scenic Walk in the Japanese Gardens
If you’re looking for a serene and calming day outside, head down to Terrace Park and take in the Japanese Gardens. Go for a walk and enjoy the scenery, or grab a good book and find a quiet space to lay down and enjoy your day.
When: Year Round
8. Levitt at the Falls
Levitt at the Falls is part of a national network of outdoor Levitt music venues and concert sites dedicated to strengthening the social fabric of communities. Presenting a broad array of music genres and cultural programming, Levitt venues bring together families, friends and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds.
When: June – September
9. Sioux Empire Fair
The annual tradition continues this summer as the Sioux Empire Fair provides 10 days of non-stop fun. From rodeos to grandstand entertainment, there is something for everyone. Ride the Ferris Wheel or win a stuffed animal at the carnival games.
When: August 5 -14
10. Hot Summer Nites
Join them on the “hottest nite of the year” for the annual Hot Summer Nites event. This annual treasure features a parade, street vendors, food trucks, a car show, and free live music.
When: July 13
Find Your Next Sioux Falls Apartment with Elevate Living
Hopefully, your summer is filled with plenty of fun, and you get to enjoy a few of the awesome summer activities on this list. If you find yourself wanting more space in your current apartment, or wanting a new apartment this summer, Elevate Living is here to help!
We have a number of awesome apartments available to rent in Sioux Falls, and would love to make your apartment search as easy as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our current availability.
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]]>The post Apartment Cleaning Hacks for Pet Owners appeared first on Elevate Living Blog.
]]>Picture this: you’ve been living in your apartment for a month, and tonight is the night you show off your new place to your friends. A mouthwatering meal waits on your kitchen table. Your puppy curls up on his dog bed in the corner. Everything’s ready. Right on time, a knock sounds on your door. As you race to let your friends in, a wisp of dog hair floats past your face. You snatch it out of the air just you open the door. Your friends gasp at what lies beyond. Turning, you realize you forgot to vacuum. Tumbleweeds of dog hair roll across your kitchen floor. Bits of it blow into the warm food on the table. You’ve let it get too far. Your night of showing off has become a nightmare.
It’s hard to keep an apartment clean, even without a pet. A pet adds grime that is easy to overlook, until you’re faced with visitors. Here are some hacks to help you stay ahead of your pet’s messes.
Tackle Pet Hair on Carpets with a Handheld Vacuum and Rubber Rake
Even a studio apartment has enough space to house a handheld vacuum. A small vacuum can still be powerful enough to clean your carpets, and a handheld one will do wonders for pulling pet hair off of your furniture. If your pet is particularly prone to shedding, a rubber carpet rake can help to loosen stubborn pet hair that you can then vacuum up.
Keep a Lint Roller Handy
You’ll never think you need something as unexciting as a lint roller until you’re heading out the door and notice that your pants are covered in pet hair. Lint rollers are inexpensive, last for a long time, and will save your outfit (and even some furry furniture) in a pinch. Keep one in your house and a smaller one in your car, for times that you make it all the way into work before realizing you’ve brought half your pet along with you.
Stop Dirt Before It Enters Your Apartment
If your dog or cat gets dirty after a little outdoor playtime, such as at your apartment’s pet-friendly amenities, it’s important to get rid of the muck clinging to their coats before it gets ground into your carpet. Try keeping a dedicated towel by your front door to wipe off excess mud and invest in some doggy wet wipes for those bigger messes.
Leap Into Action With an Emergency Stain Kit
No matter the precautions you take, accidents happen. Your dog could scoot past you before you’ve gotten the chance to wipe off muddy paws, or your cat might knock a can of soda onto your white rug. Worst case scenario, you get back from work to find out your pet couldn’t wait for you to let them outside. The quicker you act to treat a stain, the likelier it is you’ll be able to fully remove the stain. Create an emergency stain kit with a scrubbing brush, regular stain remover, pet stain remover, and paper towels to ensure you’re ready for the unexpected.
Handle Messy Eaters With a Placemat Under Food Bowls
Some pets eat like they’ve been brought up with table manners. Others leave slobbery, slimy destruction behind after a meal. The mess can be remedied (or, at the very least, contained) by sliding a plastic placemat under food and water bowls. Instead of mopping your floor after every feeding, you’ll be able to rinse a small square of plastic in the sink.
Match Your Furniture to Your Animal
It might seem silly to base a color scheme off your furry friend, but doing just that could save you time and leave guests with a better impression of your apartment. If you’re in the market for a new furniture set, consider colors that match your pet’s fur. The remnants of a Golden Retriever’s frolic will blend into a beige couch in a way that makes the hairs almost invisible. You’ll know they’re there, but any casual visitor to your place will be hard pressed to spot them. On the other hand, blond pet hair on a black or navy couch really stands out.
Hide the Kitty Litter
No one likes to see (or smell) a messy litter box. Luckily, there are a ton of ways to get creative with your cat’s porcelain throne. The DIYer can craft a simple wooden box that hides the litter. The less-crafty can purchase a hidden litter box that will contain the smell and maintain the overall apartment aesthetic.
Find Your Next Apartment With Elevate Living
Finding a pet-friendly apartment can be difficult. If you’re looking for a place to live with your furry friend, Elevate Living can help. Our apartment search feature lets you search for apartments where your pet will feel right at home. Give us a call today!
The post Apartment Cleaning Hacks for Pet Owners appeared first on Elevate Living Blog.
]]>The post 6 Clues that You’re Ready for a New Apartment appeared first on Elevate Living Blog.
]]>But, sometimes the annoyance of the moving process is necessary. Especially if your current apartment is preventing you from living your life in any way.
How do apartment renters know that they’re ready to move? Here are 6 clues that should serve as signs you’re ready for your next apartment.
CLUE #1: PRICE
If you’re living in an apartment that is more expensive than your budget allows, you’re ready to move. With most leases lasting up to 12 months, a lot can change in life during that period of time. You could have a new job, lose a roommate unexpectedly, experience a period of unemployment, or incur additional expenses such as health bills that you couldn’t have anticipated when you signed your lease.
If your apartment is too expensive and you’re feeling the strain, it’s time to find a new apartment. Here are some tips on determining how much you can afford to spend on rent.
CLUE #2: LOCATION IS INCONVENIENT
Location is a vital component of how you enjoy your apartment experience. It can be challenging to get a complete read on the area in which you’re renting an apartment in the few visits you make during the apartment hunting process. If over time the location has become a drag for you, that’s a sign you’re ready for a new apartment.
Location can become inconvenient in a number of ways. It can reveal itself in a long commute to work or school, a lack of things to do in your area, access to public transit, or maybe you’ve simply outgrown the area.
CLUE #3: ROOMMATE DRAMA
In a utopian world, we all have the perfect roommate and there is never any moment of conflict or drama. But, utopia can be quite elusive. Another sign that you’re ready to move to a new apartment is having constant conflict with a roommate. Sometimes, it’s easier to find yourself a new apartment than it is to find a new roommate.
CLUE # 4: YOU NEED MORE SPACE
One of the most common signs that a resident is ready for a new apartment is being low on space. Over time we have a way of accumulating items. Accumulate enough of them and you’ll soon be out of space and be living in a cluttered apartment.
You also might need more space based on changes in your life. Maybe you switched jobs and now have the option to work remotely. You’ll want some space to have a home office if that’s the case. If you recently got married or had a kid, more space will be required for the new additions to your family. Or maybe you found an amazing deal of a treadmill, but have nowhere in your current apartment to place it.
Regardless of the reason, moving to an apartment with more space can greatly increase how much you enjoy your renting experience.
CLUE #5: LONGING FOR BETTER AMENITIES
You might love your cost of rent, the location of your apartment, and the floorplan of your unit, but still find yourself longing for better amenities. Amenities that are relevant and beneficial to you can at once save you money and make your apartment-living experience better.
For example, if you’re spending money on monthly gym membership fees because your current apartment either has no gym or has a gym that is too small for your workout goals and needs, then finding an apartment with a gym could allow you to end your membership and save money.
CLUE #6: PET-RELATED MOVE
Raising a pet dog or cat is a very rewarding and loving experience for a person. But if you live in an apartment that either doesn’t allow pets or if your current apartment doesn’t offer your pet the resources they require to live a happy and healthy life, it might be time for a move.
Signs that your pet and you might need to find a new apartment could include anything from not having a dog park or walking path nearby to not having enough window space for your cat to enjoy looking outdoors.
If you and your pet are ready for a new pad, here are some tips for pairing your pet with your next apartment.
FIND YOUR NEXT APARTMENT WITH ELEVATE LIVING
If any of these 6 clues are causing issues in your current apartment, it’s time to find a new apartment. In addition to the annoyance and dread of moving, is the work required to find the perfect apartment. Lucky for you, we can help with that.
At Elevate Living, we can do all of the time-consuming tasks involved in searching for apartment listings for you. We manage a wide range of properties in a number of cities. With so many floor plans and amenities to choose from, your search for the perfect apartment is just a call away. Contact us today to get started on your search.
The post 6 Clues that You’re Ready for a New Apartment appeared first on Elevate Living Blog.
]]>The post 4 Apartment Hunting Tips to Keep in Mind During Your Search appeared first on Elevate Living Blog.
]]>Make Lists to Narrow Your Goals
For some people, writing things down makes a world of difference. If you’re forgetful or you have a lot on your mind, putting pen to paper lets you keep track of everything. In terms of finding your next apartment, creating lists can help you narrow down goals and give you a better idea of exactly what you’re looking for in a new place to live.
Before writing anything down, ask yourself some important questions about what you’re looking for in your future apartment. What are some absolutely essential amenities, and what could you do without? What does your ideal apartment look like? How much can you afford to spend on rent?
After you take note of your preferences, your list of preferred features and other details should help you paint a picture of exactly what kind of apartment you want to find, where it should be located, and what amenities it should ideally offer. With that information in hand, you can narrow your search parameters before you’ve even looked at a single place.
Find a Location (Not Just an Apartment) You Love
Your neighborhood can play as big or as little of a role in your daily life as you like, but to some extent, it’s all about location. Once you know what city you’re going to be living in, do some research on potential neighborhoods. Towns big and small have a variety of neighborhoods to offer, from bustling, hip areas to more relaxed sidestreets. Each area will have its own unique feel. If you’re able to travel to your new town, or you find yourself already there, you may want to take some time to explore a few neighborhoods you’re thinking about renting in to figure out if you can really see yourself living in that part of town.
There are a few other factors to be aware of when it comes to location. One is your preference for noise levels. Would you prefer somewhere close to a thriving downtown? Or would you rather come home to a quieter, more suburban area? And how are the noise levels subject to change throughout the day? What seems like a quiet area during your noon tour could easily turn rowdy on a Friday night. Additionally, how long will your commute to work be? What kinds of dining, shopping, and entertainment options are available?
Bring a Friend Along to Check it out
Sometimes, a second pair of eyes is what you need to help you find the perfect place. Once you’ve narrowed your search down to some likely apartments, it’s time to tour a few. Bring a good friend along to help you in your apartment hunt.
There are a whole host of things to pay attention to on an apartment tour, and your friend can help you keep track of all these important factors. He or she may also bring up things that you might miss, like great features or important questions for the landlord.
Your friend can also come in handy in your final apartment decision. If you’re less of a list-maker and more of an auditory learner, a friend will be indispensable in helping you talk through your various options. Tell your friend about your favorite apartments, how they satisfied your requirements, and, if possible, rank them. If you’re having trouble deciding, have your friend help you weigh the pros and cons of each place. The decision is ultimately up to you, but you may find their input invaluable in the apartment searching process.
Make Apartment Searching Easier with a Property Management Company
Once you’ve narrowed down your idea of what you’re hoping to find in an apartment, where do you even begin to look? You’re likely to go down a rabbit hole if you just start Googling available apartments. Instead of wading through hundreds of unverified search results, consider making use of a property management company like Elevate Living.
Elevate Living can make your search for the perfect apartment a lot easier. Potential renters can search all properties that Elevate Living manages in one convenient spot. This is where your previous lists and goals for your next apartment come in handy. With Elevate Living’s apartment search tool, you can set the exact criteria that you’re looking for in your next apartment, including everything from square footage to amenities. From there, you can view more details about each apartment, ask questions, and even put in an application.
The post 4 Apartment Hunting Tips to Keep in Mind During Your Search appeared first on Elevate Living Blog.
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