Townhomes Archives - BRG Apartments Blog

Townhomes Archives - BRG Apartments Blog https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/tag/townhomes/ Just another Rent Cafe Blogs Sites site Tue, 17 Jul 2018 19:49:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 227031653 Five Decorating Tips for Small Balconies! https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2018/07/17/five-decorating-tips-for-small-balconies/ https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2018/07/17/five-decorating-tips-for-small-balconies/#respond Tue, 17 Jul 2018 19:45:00 +0000 http://www.brgapartments.com/blog/?p=425 If you have an apartment with a balcony, but find that it’s the one area of your home that you never spend time in, it’s time to reconsider this potentially fantastic outdoor space. Don’t let the long summer nights and cool summer mornings pass you by—check out these five decorating tips to make your small…

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]]> If you have an apartment with a balcony, but find that it’s the one area of your home that you never spend time in, it’s time to reconsider this potentially fantastic outdoor space. Don’t let the long summer nights and cool summer mornings pass you by—check out these five decorating tips to make your small balcony an al fresco oasis! 1. The Sky’s the Limit! When decorating a balcony, the footprint of your space is often less important than its vertical clearance. In other words, think “tall and slender” as you consider decorating ideas. Soaring bamboo rods in a colorful pot, high-top bar tables with stools, and ladder-style shelving are all interesting design elements that draw the eye up. 2. Color, Color Everywhere Adding pops of color is a sure-fire way to brighten up a bland balcony. Buy inexpensive containers on sale at your local home improvement store or at a yard sale, then use thinned latex paint and do a wash for an aged/weathered look. Add weather-proof cushions and indoor/outdoor colored wicker to complete your fun, hassle free balcony retreat. Have the perfect chair, but it’s covered in a dated, boring, plush fabric? Recovering furniture with bright, weatherproof cloth is a fun and fairly easy project—just search online for video tutorials and you’ll be off and running! 3. Restore, Renew, Reuse Look around your apartment for items you already own that you can introduce to the great outdoors. For example, why not top that stool you never use with a metal tray to convert it into a great side table, or update a metal cart with rust-resistant paint? That champagne bucket you have on top of your fridge? Give it new life as a container for plastic ware or gardening tools! Even inexpensive flea market or yard sale items (or clearance finds at your local home store) can be spruced up with a new coat of paint or a brightly colored outdoor blanket. Get creative! 4. How Does Your Garden Grow? Adding plants to your outdoor space can draw you outside and help you relax as you see your mini-garden take shape and grow. Consider ladder or free standing trellis-mounted gardens using small pots hung with shower hooks (don’t forget to poke holes in the bottom of the pots and water your plants frequently!). If you’re able to splurge, invest in a small balcony umbrella to give your plants (and maybe you, too!) a needed break from the sun and heat. 5. Get Your Zen On Today you can find small bubbling fountains for less than $30 or discover fantastic DIY projects online that use garden pots or other fun and funky containers as a base. So if your balcony has an electrical outlet, consider turning your space into an outdoor oasis. No electricity? No problem! Create a tabletop zen garden with a peaceful statue, flowering plant and colorful rock collection you can rearrange in a tray as you practice mindfulness—you can even play peaceful music on your phone for added relaxation. So what are you waiting for? Get outside today and create a balcony oasis that will help you make the most of your outdoor space.

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What You Should Know About Renter’s Insurance https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2018/06/12/what-you-should-know-about-renters-insurance/ https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2018/06/12/what-you-should-know-about-renters-insurance/#respond Tue, 12 Jun 2018 13:33:00 +0000 http://www.brgapartments.com/blog/?p=413 If you’re wondering if renter’s insurance is a good idea for you, you’re not alone. A 2014 Insurance Information Institute survey (www.iii.org) found that while approximately 95% of homeowners polled had purchased homeowner’s insurance, only 37% of renters had purchased renter’s insurance. Why was the number so low? Often, it’s because of a lack of…

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]]> If you’re wondering if renter’s insurance is a good idea for you, you’re not alone. A 2014 Insurance Information Institute survey (www.iii.org) found that while approximately 95% of homeowners polled had purchased homeowner’s insurance, only 37% of renters had purchased renter’s insurance. Why was the number so low? Often, it’s because of a lack of understanding of the value that this low-cost insurance can provide when you need it most. That said, before you take out a renter’s insurance policy, it pays to be prepared! Read on for what you should keep in mind as you consider the best policy for protecting your belongings. It costs less than you think No matter if you’re in your first studio apartment or enjoying a penthouse suite, money is always a factor in purchasing insurance. However, renter’s insurance is remarkably affordable: according to iii.org, the average cost of renter’s insurance in the U.S. was $188 a year in 2015, or just under $16 a month. Those numbers have remained very stable in recent years, though they vary by state. Bottom line, for essentially the cost of four cups of coffee a month, you could buy yourself a lot of peace of mind. It covers more than you’d expect It’s easy to underestimate the replacement cost of your belongings, both high-ticket or everyday items. It may not seem like you’ve spent a lot of money on your furniture and décor, but replacing an entire room’s worth of furniture—let alone an entire apartment—can add up in a hurry. When tragedy strikes, the last thing you want to do is find the money to replace all your clothes, jewelry, furniture, computers, decorative items, and electronics. Even more importantly, most renter’s insurance covers a wide variety of perils—not just fire, but damage from vehicles, falling objects, lightning, smoke, theft, vandalism or malicious mischief—as well as damage caused from water or steam from sources that could include household appliances, plumbing, heating and air conditioning units. You may be required to have it…and to keep it updated Some rental management companies require renters to produce documentation of renter’s insurance, but it can be tempting to let a policy lapse if you haven’t used it in a few years. Don’t give in to that temptation! If disaster strikes, your rental management company is typically not obligated to reimburse you for any of your destroyed belongings. While your landlord’s policy will cover your apartment’s structure and grounds, everything inside your apartment is usually your responsibility. Expert Tip: Beyond simply maintaining your policy, it’s a good idea to review it at least once a year as well, to make sure you have appropriate coverage for any new high-priced items that you’ve purchased. Some items (such as expensive jewelry or electronics) may need to be specifically listed on your policy in order for you to be fully reimbursed for their loss or damage. Take note of these added perks—at home or away! In addition to protecting your valuables inside your apartment, renter’s insurance also can help you in these important ways: •Your renter’s policy covers your personal belongings in your car or whatever you’re carrying with you when you travel—that includes losses due to theft! Before your next road trip, check your policy or ask your insurance agent to verify what specific “covered losses” apply to your policy. •Most policies also provide liability coverage—which can come in handy if someone is injured while in your home or if you injure someone else. This coverage could include payment for court judgments and other legal expenses, up to the policy limit. •If true disaster strikes and you can’t stay in your apartment while it gets repaired, fear not! Your policy may include reimbursement for “additional living expenses” to help cover a hotel room and meals. It’s definitely worth checking your policy to determine if you have this provision in place. Making smart financial choices is the best way to protect yourself today and prepare for a safe and worry-free tomorrow. One of the easiest choices you can make as an apartment resident is the purchase of low-cost, high-value renter’s insurance. If you don’t already have a policy, check one out today (and if you do, make sure yours is up to date!)

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A Decorator’s Take 5: Making the most of small spaces https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2018/03/27/a-decorators-take-5-making-the-most-of-small-spaces-2/ https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2018/03/27/a-decorators-take-5-making-the-most-of-small-spaces-2/#respond Tue, 27 Mar 2018 13:24:00 +0000 http://www.brgapartments.com/blog/?p=367 Living in a townhome or apartment gives you the perfect chance to right-size your décor to fit your current lifestyle! Here are five tips to get you started. Natural light Bring the outside in with natural light, one of the quickest and easiest ways to open up any space. Unless you need black-out curtains to…

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]]> Living in a townhome or apartment gives you the perfect chance to right-size your décor to fit your current lifestyle! Here are five tips to get you started.

Natural light

Bring the outside in with natural light, one of the quickest and easiest ways to open up any space. Unless you need black-out curtains to keep things dark for sleep during the day, choose sheer curtains or woven blinds that let the sun shine in. Place mirrors on walls opposite your windows to reflect and spread sunlight, and maximize every ounce of sunshine by choosing fabrics for linens, pillows and blankets that are light and bright as well.

Make Choices for Today’s Space—not Yesterday’s or Tomorrow’s

If you feel your bedroom is just too small for your end table, don’t despair over that table—replace it with a sleek stool! Can’t fit your ancient TV cabinet in your living room? Mount your TV on the wall or make your bookshelf pull double duty as a true multi-media shelving unit. Don’t squash your space with oversized furniture. As your budget allows, let that furniture go to someone else who might be able to use it (either by selling or donating it), and replace it with fun pieces that fit your unique space.

Sometimes you might be tempted to hold onto a piece you don’t love, in case sometime down the line it will fit your lifestyle better. While you should absolutely keep treasured pieces no matter where your travels take you, don’t let your stuff hold you back from your best style. Simple, inexpensive pieces that fit who you are today can go a long way toward making you feel great about your space!

Storage Wars

If there’s space, there’s probably storage space to be had, whether it’s using cube cabinets that double as tables, taking advantage of under-bed or closet modular storage, or making unexpected choices that work for you—like placing your sofa directly in front of your bookshelf to create “built-in but out-of-sight” storage.

Also, as you consider replacing old or worn-out furniture, bring in new pieces that serve double duty, too—a kitchen table with drawers that can moonlight as a desk, or perhaps a fold out couch that can double as a guest bed. Again, it’s not necessary to rack up huge costs to outfit your space, but keep a sharp eye out for inexpensive right-sized alternatives to large, awkward or clunky pieces that no longer fit you and your life.

Get in the Clear!

Eventually, you will run out of space, no matter how brilliant your storage strategy is. When that happens, take a hard look at every flat surface in your home. Do you really need to have that bowl full of coasters sitting on your table—along with stacks of magazines from the past three years? Can you live without having every beauty product you own sit on your vanity…even the ones that you haven’t used in ages? The more you can clear from your surfaces, the better you’ll feel—and the lighter your home will feel, too.

Go Bold!

Just because your space is small doesn’t mean your ideas should be. Sometimes the key ingredient to a fresh and fun space is a bold accent piece that gets your imagination flowing. And don’t limit your thinking to ready-bought pieces. Funky finds at craft festivals or yard sale castoffs can be turned into really eye-catching pieces of art with just a little work, and become an expression of your creative self as much as a functional part of your home.

As you consider your next decorating task, remember: Great Style isn’t about a particular set of pieces or a collection of artwork, it’s about using furniture, color and fabrics to celebrate who you are. With that as your guideline, go forth and Decorate!

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Is Renting the new American Dream? https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2018/03/12/is-renting-the-new-american-dream/ https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2018/03/12/is-renting-the-new-american-dream/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2018 20:24:00 +0000 http://www.brgapartments.com/blog/?p=346 You’ve heard it from your parents and your parents’ parents: home ownership is the American dream. But is it your dream right now? If not, you’re not alone! According to a 2017 survey by Pew Research Center, 65% of households headed by people aged 35 or younger are renting—a jump from 57% in 2006. Even…

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]]> You’ve heard it from your parents and your parents’ parents: home ownership is the American dream. But is it your dream right now? If not, you’re not alone! According to a 2017 survey by Pew Research Center, 65% of households headed by people aged 35 or younger are renting—a jump from 57% in 2006. Even among a slightly older demographic, people aged 35-44, 41% of households were renting, up from 31% in 2006. Why is renting more appealing than ever? Many of the benefits of home ownership have lessened over the years, and the housing crisis of 2008 – which left many hardworking homeowners without a roof over their heads – has had a lingering impact. Fortunately, renting is not only a good alternative…it can be a much better choice! Here are five reasons why: 1. Lower up-front costs A home purchase usually requires a hefty down payment to avoid tacking a Property Mortgage Insurance (PMI) cost onto your mortgage. Even for a modest home of $130,000, many banks prefer a $26,000 down payment if you want to qualify for the best mortgage rates. In contrast, most rental leases require a deposit of only one month’s rent…a deposit that is then returned to you when you leave your apartment or townhouse, less any cleaning/damage costs. And don’t forget, once you’re in the house, you’ll be paying interest on your loan and taxes, as well as home maintenance costs. Which leads us to… 2. No unforeseen expenses Yes, of course, renting is an expense…but it’s an expense you can predict each month. When you own your own home and something stops working – the plumbing, the heat, major appliances – you pay out of pocket for repairs. In most rental arrangements, such routine repair and maintenance is covered, except for any appliances you own. 3. Flexibility In today’s dynamic economy, life can change pretty fast. While owning a home requires some serious planning when you are considering making a job shift or moving to a new location, rental leases are far more flexible. Most leases are for six months or a year, and many include opt-out provisions if you have to move across town—or even across country—for your job. 4. Location For many young professionals, having housing that’s close to work and dynamic entertainment hubs is a huge advantage. Who wants to commute an hour a day on congested roads? However, in order to buy an affordable home, many prospective homeowners find themselves looking in the suburbs, far away from town centers. As a renter, you have your pick of apartment communities that match your lifestyle and interests—and put you close to either work or areas of the city you most enjoy. 5. Community Though as a society, we value our privacy highly, there can be such a thing as too much isolation. Being a part of a thriving apartment or townhome community can open up opportunities for you to explore new activities with like-minded neighbors, whether it’s mixing at a social event, hanging out by the pool or in the fitness center, or getting together with others for off-site adventures. Apartment living allows you to enjoy your own space when you want…and to go out and easily mix with others whenever the mood strikes. Is renting right for you? It’s easy to find out! Surf apartment communities online, make appointments to visit the ones that appeal to you, and consider everything you most want in a home –proximity to work and city areas that matter to you, size, cost, location…you deserve a home that’s perfect for your needs! And chances are, you’ll find one as a renter. Have more questions about renting one of our apartments or townhomes?

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Walnut Creek Townhomes https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2017/11/01/walnut-creek-townhomes/ https://www.brgapartments.com/blog/2017/11/01/walnut-creek-townhomes/#comments Wed, 01 Nov 2017 20:03:00 +0000 http://www.brgapartments.com/blog/?p=307 We are happy to announce that we have added Walnut Creek Townhomes to our growing portfolio. Walnut Creek Townhomes is located in desirable Blue Ash, Ohio. Offering spacious two and three bedroom townhomes with generous landscaping which provide a park-like setting. Each townhome features a private entry, fully equipped kitchens, a dining area, sliding glass…

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]]> We are happy to announce that we have added Walnut Creek Townhomes to our growing portfolio. Walnut Creek Townhomes is located in desirable Blue Ash, Ohio. Offering spacious two and three bedroom townhomes with generous landscaping which provide a park-like setting. Each townhome features a private entry, fully equipped kitchens, a dining area, sliding glass doors to an enclosed private patio courtyard. Additionally, all townhomes are equipped with washers and dryers or hook-ups. Close to shopping, dining, and is easily accessible to everyday travel including I-75, I-71, and the Ronald Reagan Highway. Walnut Creek Townhomes is staffed by a professional and dedicated on-site management team and is pet friendly. Come and experience firsthand what our community has to offer.

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