Think SF Real Estate Is Scary? This City Is Even Worse
If you listen closely, you’ll hear something booming in the Silicon Valley—and no, it’s not just the sound of blockchain capital exchanging hands or tech bros downing Soylent. What’s booming far louder than anywhere else in the U.S. is San Jose, California’s real estate market: According to a recent report by Zillow, home values are rising the fastest in San Jose, at a remarkable 26.2% change year over year to a median value of $1,263,900, the highest in the nation.
May 3, 2019
4 Things I Wish I Knew Before My Apartment Was Robbed
Despite being a writer, I’m not a natural over-sharer. The words flow freely enough when I’m talking about design, but I’m much more guarded in my own life. But I realized that most advice is inherently personal and comes from experience, so once I overcame the icky feeling, I knew it was time to write about being robbed. Becoming a statistic isn’t so bad, I figure, if I can help someone else avoid it.
May 3, 2019
The Best Tiny House Hotels to Stay In, Starting at $75/Night
Think the tiny home trend is adorable—but more so in an aspirational kind of way? Instead of committing to downsizing your life into 300 square feet (or less!), you can give the trend a test run at one of these tiny home hotels. These five resorts excel when it comes to cozy and quaint getaways. The best part? They’re pretty affordable, too, with rates starting at $75 a night. The newest tiny home hotel to make its grand (or petite?
May 2, 2019
11 IKEA Products Under $5 Every Renter Needs
Whether you’ve just signed your first lease (yay!) or you’ve been renting for a while, you know that home decor updates can be limited. Not all landlords will allow you to paint a room a brilliant poppy red or knock out a wall for more natural light.
May 1, 2019
You Can Rent Sonny and Cher’s Groovy Los Angeles Home for $250/Night
If you and your partner are looking for a quiet getaway with a chic ’70s twist, take a page out of Sonny and Cher’s songbook, and rent their former home on Vrbo. The airy, modern pad is great for a retreat close to the glamorous Hollywood scene. But Sonny and Cher’s classic L.A.
Apr 20, 2019
Vrbo’s Cheapest Home Rentals Are All Under $50/Night
Now that the weather is finally getting nice (sorry, friends and family in Chicago), you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Hmm, it’s been quite awhile since I’ve gone on vacation.” (And if you’re not, wow, lucky you!) If you’re like the average American, you’ll probably let this thought pass by and go back to your day-to-day (or that growing pile of work that’s been landing on your desk.) But I am here to tell you: Take that time off!
Apr 17, 2019
You Can Rent Claude Monet’s French Country Home For $250/Night
If you’re an artist, or you just want a dose of inspiration and French country je ne sais quoi, you don’t have to become an expat to do it. This quiet rental in Normandy offers a retreat for backpackers and families alike. Oh, and the house was once owned by the Impressionist painter Claude Monet. He’s kind of a big deal. The owners call this picturesque rental The Blue House, because the shutters are a striking shade of robin’s egg blue.
Apr 3, 2019
The 10 Best Places to Live If You Hate Driving
Driving to work can eat up your time, stress you out, and pollute the air. Worse, owning a car gets expensive. But in many cities across the U.S., you don’t have much of a choice—but some places allow you to sit back and let a bus, train, subway, or streetcar take you where you need to go. Some of the best places for those that don’t want to drive? New York, New York; Union City, New Jersey; and San Francisco, California, says Redfin’s 2019 Transit Score report.
Mar 31, 2019
15 of the Best U.S. Cities for Work-Life Balance, According to Statistics
Tired of telling your niece you can’t come to her birthday party out in the ‘burbs because you have to get some work done this weekend? Or maybe it’s more that you have too much time—like you’re underemployed and can’t partake in all the amazing opportunities your city offers? It may be time to move to a city with a better work-life balance. Might I suggest Provo-Orem, Utah?
Mar 30, 2019
You Probably Don’t Want to Touch These 5 Things in Your Rental Apartment
So you’re moving into a new place—how exciting! Sure, the whole packing and unpacking routine gets old quick, but few things can fill you with a sense of renewal more than rolling out a fresh welcome mat. What’s not nearly as fun, of course, is getting an irate phone call from your landlord somewhere down the line. Or, worse yet, being evicted. Most of us file such a dramatic possibility under the “that could never happen to me” column.
Mar 15, 2019
I’m 25 and I Can Afford to Live in the City—But Here’s Why I’m Sticking to the Suburbs
Like millions of Americans who graduated with more than $50,000 in student loan debt, I knew it’d be a serious challenge to start my career living in pricey Washington D.C. and pay off my loans. Recent stats show the District’s median rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment is an eye-popping $2,121. At the time, I was only earning $12/hour as a radio station assistant and an unreliable-but-similar rate nannying in the afternoon.
Mar 6, 2019
The Best Affordable City for Your Zodiac Sign
How does moving to a brand new city sound? For some zodiac sun signs, like Cancers, it might sound terrible, as they’re prone to staying close to their family and are nostalgic for the “old neighborhood.” (Though, it might be a great experience for them to get out of their shells a bit!) “They are the homebodies of the zodiac,” explains Jenna Smith of My Stars! Horoscopes. “Once they get nestled into a place, they don’t want to leave.
Mar 5, 2019
10 Cities Where It’s Actually Cheaper to Rent Than Buy
On the fence about homeownership? There are many factors that should go into your decision to rent or buy property—and not all of them are purely financial. Perhaps you’re not sure if you’re going to stay in your current city long-term. And, hey, it’s pretty nice to be able to call your landlord when something needs fixing. But for many, the ultimate decision comes down to dollars and cents.
Mar 4, 2019
This Apartment Building’s Luxury Amenity? Daisy, The Newfoundland
It’s one thing to check into a hotel, like at the Hotel Nikko San Francisco, where Buster, the hotel’s “Canine Operating Officer” is available 24/7 for an on-demand cuddle. But to get to live in a rental building with an on-site dog who lives in the lobby during the day? That’s a building I want to move into right now. To that end, meet Daisy the 12-year-old ‘House Dog’ at NEXT Apartments in Chicago’s River North neighborhood.
Feb 28, 2019
How a $300 Portable Washing Machine Makes New York City Actually Livable
Living in New York City brings its fair share of rewards and challenges. For me, the biggest continuous struggle—even after almost a decade in NYC—was doing laundry (#blessed, I know). When I lived in Brooklyn, my building had a basement laundry room, but it was creepy down there and I learned the hard way that the super locked the room at 9 p.m.—with my wet clothes trapped overnight in a washing machine.
Feb 27, 2019
Here’s What You Can Get for $2,300 a Month (And Under) in NYC Right Now
To live in New York City is to crack your wallet way open every month to pay for a roof over your head. And while once upon a time $2,300 per month could yield a perfectly reasonable place to call home, these days it takes some sleuthing to find something in this price range.
Feb 6, 2019
What Is Considered a “Small” Apartment?
Some words have different meanings depending on where you are. A “biscuit” in England is a “cookie” in America. “Pop” in the South is something balloons do, while in the Midwest, it’s soda. And worst of all, the standards for what constitutes a “small apartment” vary wildly based on location. In New York City, a “small” apartment may be 300 square feet. In Atlanta 300 square feet is practically unlivable.
Feb 4, 2019
20 Questions You Should Ask Your Landlord Right Now
Even if you read your lease line-by-line (you deserve a juris doctorate!) when you signed, you’d probably like clarification on some policies and have some questions about your rental—whether you’ve resigned twice or just moved in. Have there ever been bed bugs? Ghosts? If my lease ends at the end of the month, what’s the absolute latest time I can move out? What’s my best option for pizza delivery?! Speaking of deliveries, where do my Amazon Prime packages go?
Feb 1, 2019
There Are Only 4 Cities in the U.S. Where A Studio Is Actually Cheaper Than a One-Bedroom
If you’ve been patting yourself on the back for living minimally in a studio apartment in the hopes of squirreling away a couple of hundreds of dollars every month for a down payment sometime in the future, brace yourself: I hate to break it to you, but you might actually be losing money. At least according to a new analysis from HotPads, a Zillow company that focuses on apartment searches, the median price for a one-bedroom apartment in most cities is actually cheaper than a studio.
Jan 31, 2019
This Is What Your Credit Score Should Be to Rent an Apartment
In almost all circumstances, a landlord or property manager will run your credit before renting out a place to you. But, what credit score is ideal for tenants and what’s the lowest three-digit number landlords deem acceptable? The truth is, there’s some mystery shrouding this question. Unlike the home-buying process, where formal charts will help you figure out what rates you’ll qualify for based, in large part, on your credit score, landlords operate at their own discretion.
Jan 24, 2019
9 of the Most Underrated Items at Home Depot, According to Long-Time Renters
Think Home Depot is just for suburbanites working on DIY projects or shopping for a washer/dryer? Ask long-time urbanites-who-rent and they’ll tell you that there are so many gems in this big-box store. In fact, many of the things you’d order from Amazon or pick up at Target for your place can be found at Home Depot—and with a better selection (and sometimes better prices).
Dec 29, 2018
Try Not to Freak Out: What Rent Costs in America’s Priciest Zip Codes
If you had to guess where the most expensive neighborhood in the country is, what would you say? The answer probably won’t surprise you (it has taken the top spot two years in a row!) According to a recent report from RentCafe, the zip code with the highest average rent is 10282—AKA the upper part of Battery Park City in Lower Manhattan—right by the water, and just north of the World Trade Center. The rent there? A whopping $5,657.
Dec 26, 2018
The Real Difference Between Rent and a Mortgage Isn’t What You Think
Were there an Apartment Therapy Magic 8 Ball, I bet it would get sick of answering the question “Is is better if I rent or buy?” The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The decision comes down to a few oft-cited things, like the market where you live and your personal financial situation. But there is one big piece of the puzzle that doesn’t get its due. Tip: This years-old New York Times “Is it Better to Rent or Buy?
Dec 16, 2018
6 Things Everyone Seeking a Small Apartment Should Know
If you’re in the market for a small apartment—whether it’s your choice or not!—rest easy. Small living is trending and, anyway, who needs all that extra space? More room, more collected clutter! That said, there are a few fundamental attributes of a space that, while small in size, can actually feel larger than a floor plan can make it appear. We asked the experts for what to look for when shopping small.
Dec 13, 2018
You Need to Understand This Tricky Rent Practice—Or it Could Cost You
We’ve all seen the ads: Rent a unit in our building and you’ll get access to amazing common areas! Dog spas! Bike storage! Real estate companies and landlords will toss in freebies until the cows come home to ensure you sign a lease. However, nothing lures prospective renters in as much as the appearance of a serious dent in their rent. But “appears” is the key word here.
Nov 25, 2018
The Unexpected Thing My Husband and I Did to Save Money for a Home
You need a little creativity to make ends meet these days. With wages stagnating and housing prices skyrocketing, people are looking for ways to cut expenses and boost their income. And that’s especially true for anyone trying to save for a down payment on a house. This was all top of mind several years ago when Sam (my now-husband, then-boyfriend) and I decided to move in together.
Nov 18, 2018
7 Things Everyone Should Know About Their Landlord
Oh the ‘L’ word: For renters, a landlord can be (hopefully) an awesome resource or, in other situations, a thorn in your side. Either way, when you move into a new place, you’re going to have to deal with your landlord at some point. “When you move into a new rental, you’re also embarking on a new business relationship with the apartment’s owner,” says Gary Malin, president of Citi Habitats in New York City.
Nov 17, 2018
6 Surprising Things Your Renters Insurance Covers
If you’re budget-conscious, you might think purchasing renters insurance is a luxury you can’t afford—especially if your landlord doesn’t require you to hold it. But like most insurance, it can pay dividends when the unexpected occurs and your valuables are lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed–and much more besides.
Nov 6, 2018
The Majority of Renters Don’t Vote—Here’s Why
Feel like, as a renter, the world swings in favor of homeowners? Well, it just might. A new study by Apartment List found that renters are vastly underrepresented in American politics on both the local and national levels. Though some of it is systematic, some also comes from being disengaged. In the 2016 presidential election, while 67 percent of homeowners voted, only 49 percent of renters did.
Nov 2, 2018
3 Things You Can Do Instead of Moving to a Bigger Apartment
Feeling like it’s time to size up your space? By all means, do it. But know that it’s going to likely require a bigger investment month-to-month, and probably drain your change right now as you scramble to pay for moving costs and the other expenses that inevitably creep up when you decide to pick up your roots and settle down in a new spot.
Oct 28, 2018
What Everyone Gets Terribly Wrong About “No-Fee” Apartments
There are generally three categories of agents who list and show apartments: brokers to whom renters pay a fee, no-fee brokers, and apartment owners who take care of the job themselves. You probably know that the best deals are usually found in owner-listed situations. Since there’s no broker to middleman the process and demand tribute, both owner and renter can save money.
Oct 27, 2018
11 Questions to Ask Your New Roommate (Before You Move In)
A couple years back, the New York Times published an article about the 13 questions you should always ask someone before getting married. Which got me thinking about another kind of relationship, one possibly even more fraught than marriage, and one that people enter into with perhaps even more unwarranted optimism: that between roommates. Here are a list of 11 questions you really ought to be asking your potential roommate, before you move in.
Oct 24, 2018
The Money-Saving Secret This Former Real Estate Agent Swears By
So—you’re searching for an apartment on Craigslist. You click on “housing” and enter your search criteria: min bedrooms, max price, X miles from your zip code of choice, only show ads with pictures—GO! Aaaaaand you’ve already made a huge mistake. Not only did I do an annual housing hunt every five years while living in Brooklyn (I’m now in L.A.), I also worked as a real estate agent in Brooklyn for two years. I know the deal.
Oct 20, 2018
I Lived Alone for 4 Years–Then I Had to Get Roommates. Here’s How I’m Making It Work
I have had some bonkers roommate experiences in my short 25 years of life. From waking up to a roommate watching me sleep repeatedly for months in a small dorm space, to another roommate going on a three-day blackout drinking binge, I’ve grown accustomed to compiling my own personal list of “roommate horror stories.” Hence, when I was able to find an affordable micro-studio in Seattle for the last few months of my undergraduate studies, I jumped on the opportunity.
Oct 12, 2018
5 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Moving Into a Newly-Constructed Apartment Complex
Before I moved into my current apartment, I thought I did a good amount of research: I’d cranked out the numbers for my budget, called around to multiple agents and buildings, and went on plenty of apartment tours. Despite all this, I was shocked at what the market held for me—though Omaha, Nebraska, has been named one of the most affordable cities in the country, most of the townhomes and apartments I’d loved so much were still out of my budget.
Oct 9, 2018
7 Red Flags Experts Say to Watch Out For in Home Listings
If you’ve been searching for a new house or apartment, you’ve likely already encountered some exaggerated listings. Whether it’s ad copy that stresses the home’s soaring city views or sneakily staged photos, some listings look better on the MLS than they are IRL. But you can cut through the clutter if you know what to ignore. Read on for seven listing red flags you should know about, according to real estate experts.
Oct 6, 2018
4 Things I Learned After My First Month of Small-Space Living
We’re back with the final installment of A Renter’s Diary! We’ve followed Rebekah Hall in her first month moving from a single family home into a 800-square-foot apartment in Little Rock, Arkansas. She’s had to figure out how to downsize and work around the quirks of the space. Last week, Hall shared how she shopped around her apartment (and her parents’ home) for no-cost kitchen storage solutions.
Sep 28, 2018
What I Wish I Knew Before Breaking My Lease—and Getting Sued
This piece is run with an anonymous byline as a courtesy to the writer, as the post could affect their ability to obtain housing. In my first apartment out of college, my roommate and I rented a well-maintained, spacious apartment with a built-in cabinet, hardwood floors, and an original clawfoot tub. We fell in love with its charm and the rent was pretty affordable. The building was a two-flat that the landlord had lived in for over 30 years.
Sep 27, 2018
New Yorkers Share the Weirdest, Most Frustrating Things About Their Apartments
Living in New York City often means expensive rent and little space, but sometimes apartments here are…an experience, to say the least. It seems like everyone lives in a building that has its quirks—things like strange-but-creative ways of fitting appliances in, weird structural features, odd smells, and more. Even the best apartments—the ones no one would dare give up their leases on—have their own interesting shortcomings.
Sep 24, 2018
4 No-Cost Solutions to My Small Space Kitchen Storage Woes
It was time to be inventive and put to use one of the oldest tricks in the book. Here's what I've come up with so far:
Sep 21, 2018
Why You Shouldn’t Move Into a Bigger Apartment If You Need More Space
If you live in a majorly cramped city, you know that space is definitely at a premium. Dreams of moving into a bigger, more airy space might pop into your head when all the crap you’ve shoved into your only closet falls out for the millionth time. But if more space is what you’re looking for, there is actually a stupidly simple way to solve this problem on the cheap: Rent a storage unit.
Sep 21, 2018
What No One Tells You About Living in a Doorman Building
For doorman-building devotees, there’s nothing like seeing a familiar face on the way in and out of that place you call home. But for others, there’s nothing worse than having to chit chat with this person—or having him know your business. For those lucky enough to have the option, the decision is of personal preference.
Sep 15, 2018
The 3 Simple Questions That Have Saved Me Oodles of Cash
We’re back with a new edition of A Renter’s Diary! Over the next few weeks, we’ll continue to follow Rebekah Hall as she and her boyfriend move from a home into a 800-square-foot apartment in Little Rock, Arkansas. From battling with the task of downsizing, to figuring out the quirks of the space, Hall will share all of the things you might forget or underestimate. Last week, Hall dealt with the shock of how small 800 square feet really is.
Sep 10, 2018
The Weird Thing You Need to Know About Renting an Apartment in L.A.
It’s my third time moving in Los Angeles, and I haven’t even lived here for four years. That means I’ve spent more time on Craigslist, Zillow, Trulia, Rent.com, and Rental Girl than I want to know. I even have rental alerts that ping me once they’ve found a “match” that meets all of my dream home criteria (I haven’t disabled it because apartment hunting is one of my favorite hobbies #noshame).
Sep 5, 2018
How I Lost 300 Square Feet of Living Space But Still Have It All
Welcome to A Renter’s Diary! Over the next few weeks, we’ll follow Rebekah Hall as she and her boyfriend move from a home into a 800-square-foot apartment in Little Rock, Arkansas. From battling with the task of downsizing, to figuring out the quirks of the space, Hall will share all of the things you might forget or underestimate. This week she deals with the shock of how small 800 square feet really is: I have had incredible luck as a renter.
Sep 3, 2018
Do Your Leases Really Need to Overlap?
Here’s a riddle for renters: Say your lease expires on October 31. Do you need to move out on October 31 and keep your stuff in storage until November 1, or can you actually move out November 1, giving yourself a little wiggle room? The short answer: It varies depending on your management company or landlord, says agent Alex Lavrenov, of Warburg Realty in New York, New York.
Aug 23, 2018
6 Celebrities Who Rent, Just Like You
They may not be cobbling together rent money on the 31st of every month, but there are many celebs out there who rent just like us. Of course, it’s usually for reasons other than not being able to afford to buy a home. Celebrities are attracted to renting because of the financial flexibility, as well as their transient lifestyles that takes them from movie sets across the globe.
Aug 19, 2018
Why I Chose to Move 2 Minutes Away From My Ex
When my ex, Sarah, moved into her new home on a beautiful tree-lined street in the middle of one of Toronto’s most charming and historical neighborhoods, I began a months-long search for a place nearby. Even though we didn’t have any children together, it was an absolute priority for the both of us that I move within walking distance.
Aug 15, 2018
How I’m Making a 45 Percent Increase in Rent Work For Me
My husband and I can’t buy a home in L.A. because we’re spending too much money on avocado toast. Just kidding—fancy brunch isn’t the problem. The problem is that houses, even “starter” homes in decent neighborhoods, are too expensive. If we wanted to purchase a home in Highland Park, it would likely cost around $737,700 (the median home value for that neighborhood, according to Zillow). That would mean forking up close to $150,000 as a downpayment.
Aug 15, 2018
The Salary You Need to Live Alone in Every Major U.S. City
If you’re wondering what it takes to be able to afford to live alone in one of the top 20 populated cities in the United States, check out this list.
Aug 14, 2018
Your Friend Just Bought a House! Here’s Why You Feel So Bad
If your friend just bought a house, it’s hard not to feel a pang of jealousy over the fact that she either won the lottery, received a sizable inheritance, or was gifted cash for a down payment. And then there’s that fabulous backsplash and gorgeous front yard she keeps talking about. But no matter how she amassed the pile of cash, your friend’s foray into homeownership can test a friendship, especially if you’re finding it hard to make rent.
Aug 10, 2018
The $13 Must-Have Tool to Always Take on Your Apartment Hunt
Apartment viewings kind of make no sense when you think about it. If you live in New York, like I do, an apartment viewing is about a 10-15 minute period in which you’re supposed to ask a couple questions, look around for any big problems, and then leave to see another apartment. Most of the time, since apartments come and go so fast, you only have one meeting to make your decision—or you risk losing it to someone who moved faster.
Aug 8, 2018
5 Things All The Smartest Renters Remember to Do When Looking at an Apartment
​It’s easy to get caught up in square footage or closet space when looking for an apartment, but there are some other less obvious things that are just important to consider.
Aug 7, 2018
Think Your Landlord Is Trying to Get You to Move Out? Do This
Finding an apartment you absolutely adore and want to stay in is a rare and special thing in the rental market today. But, unfortunately, a renter’s desire to stay put isn’t always enough to make it a reality. “With increasing rents, building conversions (to condominium), building sales, and other reasons, landlords look to get tenants out of properties early,” says Mark Hakim, an attorney with SSRGA in New York City.
Aug 5, 2018
Is This the Most Underrated Apartment Amenity in NYC?
You’ve seen those fancy gizmos in suburban sinks—those garbage disposals that suck down each and every coffee ground or lettuce leaf you don’t need, making it next to unnecessary to make countless runs to your building’s refuse bin. But despite all the modern luxuries of living in New York City, garbage disposals are actually pretty rare.
Aug 4, 2018
So Your Landlord’s Bad. Does This Mean You Can Break Your Lease?
When living conditions are unacceptable, do you have enough of a legal leg to stand on to break your lease? Turns out it’s all about the fine print.
Aug 3, 2018
Commuter Solutions: The Best Suburbs Close to Los Angeles
With all the Brooklynites flocking to Silver Lake, Echo Park, or Los Feliz, you might be feeling the itch to get out of Central Los Angeles once and for all. Whether you’re looking for lower rents (the average rent across all of Los Angeles’s 272 neighborhoods is $2,251 a month, according to Rentcafé), homeownership opportunities (18 percent of homes in L.A. sell for over a million, according to Curbed), or just more space, there are a glut of nearby options.
Aug 2, 2018
Zillow Now Lets You Apply For Apartments and Pay Your Rent
Applying for an apartment is hard. First you have to find one that’s moderately nice and within your price range, and then you have to get all of your documents together really, really fast. This would be easy if you were organized and had time set away to sort through your papers. But this is life and we’re not as organized as we’d like to be; it’s likely that you have a job and thus have limited time to collect your bank statements from the last six months.
Jul 31, 2018
I Moved In With 5 Strangers—Here’s Why I Miss It Every Day
I move a lot. Because of the nature of my job (freelance writer), I was in five countries over three continents this month. I have to pack, unpack, and move rooms every few days. When I’m on an assignment, I usually stay in a hotel. When I’m not, I often stay with my sweet, accommodating partner who has rearranged his entire bedroom to create a writing nook for me. But even he knows what I long for. It’s not a hotel or a nice apartment with designer furniture.
Jul 27, 2018
5 Conversations to Have With Your Roommates Before You Move Out
If you have roommates, you probably know the standard move-in conversations that need to happen to ensure harmonious living. How will rent be collected and paid, whose television is going in the living room, and are peanut butter jars considered communal? But it’s important to make sure those A-plus communal living communication skills don’t fizzle come move-out time.
Jul 25, 2018
How I Scored a Luxury 1-Bedroom NYC Apartment for $810 a Month
Six years after applying with my partner, I won an apartment in the NYC Affordable Housing Lottery—a unicorn most folks actually know little about.
Jul 19, 2018
3 Signs You Should Check In On Your Neighbor
Maybe you hear seemingly constant fighting and crying through the walls. Or someone is hollering upstairs for a concerningly long time. Or the guy across the hall has suddenly gone radio silent and his mailbox is overflowing. Now, the big question: Are you overthinking or does your neighbor really need help?
Jul 17, 2018
This Is How Long It Takes Most Americans to Save For a Down Payment
It doesn’t matter how much you smash that piggy bank—your first home is going to be really expensive and it’s going to take a long time to save up for that down payment on your own. According to a new study from HotPads, most renters will spend nearly six and a half years saving to put a down payment on a home. Since the median home price in the United States is $216,000, the average 20-percent down payment comes out to $43,200.
Jul 14, 2018
8 Things on a Craigslist Listing That Shout “Scam!”
Much like dating, searching for a place to live can be the opposite of fun. In love, you’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs. In realty, you’ve got to scroll through a lot of listings. Both, in their own way, pose the risk of catfishing. But at least if you get duped by an embellished Tinder profile, the worst that usually happens is a bad date (which you can get through with the help of a drink or two!
Jul 13, 2018
3 Packing Mistakes Professionals See Over and Over
You’ve chosen your moving company and booked the movers, but there’s one thing that still needs to be done before the big day: packing up your belongings. Before you get too excited and begin stuffing your boxes with all your stuff, make sure that you’re setting yourself up for a smooth and efficient move.
Jul 11, 2018
5 Totally Reasonable Things to Ask for in Your Lease
When it comes to renting an apartment or home, renters are bound by a number of restrictions that tend to favor the landlord. Think late payment penalties, decor choices, and early-termination fees. However, don’t think you can’t ask for your own provisions in a lease. While the landlord certainly has the right to say no, if you don’t ask, you definitely won’t get what you want.
Jul 8, 2018
12 Things Good Neighbors Always Do
In a perfect world, your neighbors would be as lovable as Joey and Chandler, as kooky as Kramer, or as beloved as Fred and Ethel. But, in reality, you don’t have to be BFFs to establish great relationships with the folks living next door or down the hall.
Jul 5, 2018
You Might Pay $5K More for a Home With This Seasonal Feature
A new study from Zillow shows that most Americans are willing to pay for this amenity.
Jul 4, 2018
10 Creative Ways You Can Save Money While Moving
You just bought a new home or signed the lease for an apartment you’ve been coveting. Spending your discretionary dollars on a great piece of art or furniture sounds a lot more fun than blowing money on boring moving boxes and tape, right? If only it were that easy: Moving can be a pricey endeavor once you layer in all of the costs associated with professional movers, rented trucks, housing deposits, and miscellaneous fees.
Jul 3, 2018
This Is The Wage You Need to Live Alone Anywhere in the U.S.
If you live in a major city and don’t make six-figures, you probably live with one or more roommates. And, of course, you probably wish every day that you could move to the middle of nowhere—where rents are cheap—and live alone. Well, surprise! Those dreams will probably never come true, because apartments throughout the country just aren’t as affordable as you think they are.
Jun 30, 2018
What “Move-In Ready” Actually Means
According to the following four real estate professionals, there are several acceptable interpretations of this phrase.
Jun 27, 2018
What Does “Open Concept” Really Mean?
One of the most sought-after features in real estate today is “open concept.” But, like many popular buzzwords, people seem to mean different things when they use it. So we decided to talk with some real estate professionals to break down what open concept really means, how it originated, and why it’s so appealing.
Jun 24, 2018