1. Inspect your apartment unit thoroughly upon move-in

While some apartment communities allow you to see a model apartment—or your actual unit—many won’t give you access to your new space until move-in day. No matter how pressed you are for time, take an extra 30 minutes to an hour to go through your unit carefully, making note of anything that needs fixing or any condition that is present upon move-in that you did not create (such as a small stain on the carpet, scuffed walls, etc.) Document your review with photographs and send an email to your management company within the first week—and keep that email for your own review, later.

If you’re happy with the condition of your apartment, fantastic! Thank your apartment management for a job well done (they’ll appreciate it!) If, however, there’s anything that needs immediate (or eventual) repair, politely make that request at the point of move-in. Everyone is busy, and schedules are tight for both you and your apartment management group. It’s best to get anything addressed right away, both for your own comfort and to make sure you’re not held responsible for the damage down the line.

Another note: if something breaks/is damaged or you need maintenance several weeks or months into your lease…don’t delay, call management right away! It’s always best to deal with such issues quickly and completely.

2. Unpack right away

When you first move into your apartment, it can be overwhelming to figure out what should go where, but do yourself a favor and unpack immediately upon move-in. Decide what truly fits…and what doesn’t. Whatever doesn’t work for your space, either put it in storage, give it away or discard it. Also, go ahead and hang your photos and artwork, and set about decorating your space. It will make it feel like home much more quickly!

3. Keep things tidy with regular cleaning

As a follow-on to No. 2, start with a regular cleaning schedule when you first move in, and stick to it, month after month. From day-to-day tidying to keep everything in its place, to weekly or monthly deep cleaning routines, you will love your apartment even more if you keep it fresh and clean. The moment you feel overwhelmed with too much “stuff” in your place that keeps it from feeling light and open…it’s time to get rid of clutter. It sounds almost too simple to be true, but a clean apartment can do wonders for managing your stress and helping you feel good about your day. Keep yours looking great!

4. Be the best kind of neighbor

Unless you live in a standalone condo or townhome, you’re sharing walls with other residents. Be the neighbor you wish you would always have. Keep music/TV/gaming noise down during the quieter times of the night (or use headphones if you know it will be loud), don’t throw parties every weekend that go to the wee hours of the morning, and offer a smile and a wave to your neighbors when you see them. These simple steps can go a long way toward shared bliss in your apartment community.

What if the problem is the opposite, that you have a neighbor who is keeping you up late with too much noise and commotion on their side of the wall? The simplest (though not always easiest) solution is to knock on their door and ask them to keep down any noise that they can control (electronics, a barking dog, etc.). You can explain you need your sleep, that you’re working from home, etc. Another option is to contact your management company and ask them to issue a general email to all residents about noise. This keeps you (or your neighbor) from being singled out, but ideally will get the message across. If that fails, you can have your management company contact your neighbor directly, without implicating you. You deserve to enjoy a peaceful home experience!

5. Personalize your space

You may not own your new home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own. If you can change the paint color or put hooks in the wall (double check with your apartment management group first!), then you have lots of options, but even if you can’t, there are hundreds of fantastic decorating choices you can explore, from easy-stick temporary wallpaper to bright throw pillows, curtains and blankets to fun and funky furniture you pick up at second-hand stores or thrift markets. If cool and elegant is more your style, shop antique and estate sales or save up your money for items you really love. It’s your apartment, so make the choices that feel right for you!

Moving into your apartment can unleash a whirlwind of emotions—but with these easy steps, you’ll help make it an enjoyable and uplifting new start. Congratulations on your new apartment home!

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1. What are the lease terms?

You may be surprised to learn that lease terms can vary greatly, so don’t be shy about asking what lease terms are available in addition to 6- or 12-month leases. While you’re at it, be sure you understand what the lease-break terms are as well. Nobody ever plans on needing to leave an apartment before the end of their lease, but it pays to know up front what your obligations will be.

2. How are emergency repairs handled (and repairs in general)?

One of the most reassuring benefits of renting an apartment is knowing that if something breaks—the dishwasher, the refrigerator, the heater or air conditioner—help will quickly be on the way. But what does that mean, exactly, at your prospective new home? Find out what the process is to report an outage or maintenance issue, and what to do in the event of an emergency.

3. What’s the pet policy?

Whether you currently have a pet or not, ask this question before you move in. You may decide down the line to get a furry friend, or you may want to take on a roommate who has a pet. Be sure to ask about breed and size restrictions too!

4. What about parking?

If you have your own car, you’ll want to know where you can park, and whether there is covered parking available. While an open parking space is manageable in mild climates, there are times in the heat of summer that you’ll appreciate having your vehicle in the shade—and if the winters are harsh where you live, covered parking is a must-have. If parking is available at your prospective apartment complex, find out what the charge is to secure a dedicated parking space. And if you’re looking at an apartment with on-street parking only—be sure to cruise the location at different times during the week to determine how challenging parking will be! For most renters, it’s worth the extra charge to have a safe and secure parking spot.

5. What’s your guest policy?

If you know you’ll have frequent guests or guests who stay for longer durations, definitely ask about your apartment complex’s guest terms—both in terms of where guests can park, and if there’s any specific limit on how long they can stay. This is important not only for your buddy who is looking to crash somewhere on summer break, but if you’re thinking you may want to sublet your apartment for short-term renters. In today’s day of AirBNB rentals, your apartment managers will likely have a policy in place, so be sure to learn it in advance.

Renting a new apartment can be an exciting step—and it doesn’t have to be a daunting one. If you ask the right questions (and get the right answers!), you’ll be on your way to securing your new home with the peace of mind of knowing that it’s the right decision for you.

The post Thinking about renting? Here’s what you need to ask appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

Now your decision to rent a new apartment home from BRG Apartments can do even more. During our Home Before the Holidays event, BRG will donate $50 to Fisher House, a charity supporting military and veterans families, with every new apartment rented.

So if you’re ready to join us, we’re ready to welcome you—and to help you share the season of giving with those less fortunate.

Move in before Jan. 11, 2019!

The holidays can be a hectic time of year, so we’ve made participating in the BRG Apartments Home Before the Holidays event easy! Just sign a 12-month lease and take occupancy no later than Jan. 11, 2019, and your rental will help another family in need.

Why is moving now the best time of year?

Winter can be a challenging time to consider a move, but there are several good reasons that make the holidays the perfect time to find your new home:

• Your dream apartment may catch the eye of fewer prospective renters! Because there are fewer people looking for apartment homes this time of year, finding the right apartment may not be as difficult—and when you do, you’ll have better likelihood of securing your rental agreement quickly and easily.
• A beautiful new home is a gift that keeps on giving. Your home should be a comfortable, safe space that supports your dreams. Your new BRG apartment can bring you closer to your work, school, shopping or needed services, helping to ease your commute—or perhaps bring you closer to family and friends. Especially during winter, finding an apartment that’s convenient to the things you value most, and that offers community or fitness amenities to help keep you healthy and engaged with others, is a great gift to yourself.
• You can start the New Year off right. There’s a certain magic to being in a new apartment home to start off a new year, and by participating in BRG Apartments’ Home Before the Holiday event, you can ring in 2019 knowing that you’ve helped another family, as well.

About Fisher House

Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veterans families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world, including Cincinnati and Dayton, OH. Families staying at Fisher Houses share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $407 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

The post Move into your new Home Before the Holidays and brighten others’ lives, too! appeared first on BRG Apartments Blog.

1. Assemble all your paperwork early

Particularly in competitive rental markets, prospective tenants are required to produce a remarkable amount of paperwork to reassure landlords that they can meet their requirements regarding the lease and upkeep of the apartment or townhome. In most cases, you’ll need proof of employment, your three most recent pay stubs, a tax return, and bank statements. If you don’t have one or more of these documents, ask your prospective landlord immediately what your options are. You may need to have someone else co-sign on your rental agreement, or there may be other paperwork you can supply. But get the information you need away so you don’t miss out on your dream apartment!

2. Reduce your belongings BEFORE you move

Moving can be an exciting, exhausting day, but to cut down a little on the exhaustion part of the equation, take a hard look at your belongings. Do you really need to move that fifteen-year-old loveseat to your new digs? Do you actually wear all the clothes currently stuffed into your closet and drawers? By selectively paring down your belongings before you move to a new place, you not only will cut down on the time (and expense!) of your move, but you’ll start life in your new home with some space to breathe.

3. Measure first, buy once!

Speaking of moving day, before you go out and buy fantastic curtains that will be perfect for your new home—measure the windows. In fact, measure all the walls and create your own grid for where your furniture might go. Don’t just eyeball it and hope for the best. Many apartment homes provide you with schematics with accurate measurements of each unit’s dimensions, but before you buy anything new, it pays to double check!

4. Don’t forget the boring stuff

Nothing will make you appreciate living at home more than your first apartment—at least when it comes to everyday essentials like toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, laundry and dishwashing detergent, waste baskets, trash bags, and linens—not to mention a full set of cookware, kitchen knives, and serving utensils. Before you leave home, take a hard look at everything stored in your family’s linen closets, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and pantries and create a list of “essentials” you never really noticed before. You might save yourself a late-night Target run!

5. Read ALL the fine print on your rental agreement (including any move-in instructions!)

This isn’t as fun as picking out curtains or rearranging your bedroom layout, but it’s perhaps the most important thing you can do. Every rental agreement has its own specific requirements, and some apartment homes have move-in instructions you might not be expecting—like how to use the freight elevator (What? There’s a freight elevator?) or whether or not you need to move in during a specific time period of, say, 2-4 hours, depending on the day. If you have any questions, make sure you ask your apartment’s front office or your landlord well before move-in day, to save yourself time and hassle.

Moving into your first (or first-in-a-long-time) apartment should be a fun, uplifting experience—and with these quick tips, you’ll make it a more relaxing experience, too!

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