The American Dream used to mean owning a single-family home. Today’s career-driven culture has led many people to eschew the traditional dream for an apartment so they have the ability to move from city to city as they grow within their career.

There are a ton of benefits that come along with renting an apartment. You don’t have to worry about paying for or finding someone to make emergency repairs, and you’re not tied to the property until it can be sold. That said, many renters find that their landlords leave a bad taste in their mouth because of violations of their rights.

What are tenant rights? Read on to learn all about them!

Housing Discrimination Concerns

Landlord-tenant law is a well-developed body of law in the United States for a reason: landlords have a history of abusing their power. For years, landlords were allowed to deny housing to otherwise qualified tenants on the basis of race, sex, marital status, and other protected classes.

That all changed when the US government passed the Fair Housing Act. The Fair Housing Act stops landlords from discriminating against prospective tenants on the basis of several protected classes. If a tenant qualifies to live in an apartment, then the landlord must rent to them and not take any adverse action to get them to leave.

Habitability Explained

Just like housing discrimination issues, landlords historically did not have a legal obligation to prove habitable living spaces. That has changed significantly as landlord-tenant law has developed and an emphasis has been placed on tenant rights. Most courts now hold that landlords have an implied warranty of habitability in the lease contract.

Landlords must deliver housing to you in habitable condition and they must keep it habitable for the duration of your time there. This means housing that is clean, free from pests, with hot water and heat at a minimum. In some states, air conditioning may also be a requirement.

If the heat goes out or you find yourself with an infestation, then your landlord must take immediate action to return your home to a habitable condition. 

Housing Affordability

In theory, your landlord can charge whatever they want for their property as long as they charge the same amount for each person who applies to live there. Once you are in the apartment, however, they may be limited in the amount they can raise your rent when your lease is up for renewal.

Many cities that have particularly robust housing markets have rent control. This means landlords only allowed to raise your rent by a certain percentage. If you’ve recently received a rent increase, it doesn’t hurt to check to see if your city or state has rent control laws.

Your Lease and the Law

You can contract to do a lot of things when you sign a lease. You can even agree to waive certain rights when you sign a lease agreement. You cannot, however, agree to anything that would violate the law.

For example, if you live in a city with rent control that caps increases at 10 percent, you cannot agree to a 20 percent increase in your rent each year. If you find something like this buried in your lease, your landlord is not legally allowed to enforce that portion of your lease, and its existence might invalidate your whole lease.

If you think your landlord has slipped illegal provisions into your lease, be sure to meet with an attorney to discuss your rights and next steps.

All About Eviction

Can a landlord sue you? Yes, they absolutely can!

When you move into an apartment, you sign a lease which is a binding contract between you and the landlord. If either party fails to live up to lease agreement, then you are considered to be in breach of the lease and subject to litigation.

In most cases, when you are in breach of your lease, your landlord will give you the opportunity to cure the issue or move out. This usually occurs when you fail to pay your rent on time, you keep an animal without permission, or you have too many people living in your apartment.

If you fail to cure the issue, then your landlord is within their rights to sue for eviction. Most landlords are required to file a lawsuit in order to evict a tenant. It is only in very limited cases when the landlord is permitted to evict a tenant on their own.

Check your local laws to make sure that your landlord is following the proper procedures if your landlord is suing you or trying to evict you.

Documentation, Documentation, Documentation

Whenever something happens with our landlord that doesn’t seem right, your first thought isn’t to grab a notebook and document everything that’s going on. In fact, you might let a lot of things slide until you reach your breaking point.

Unfortunately, court cases are won and lost based upon the amount of available evidence. That’s why it’s important to make it a habit to document everything that goes wrong with your apartment long before you reach your breaking point.

Start out by filling out the checklist your landlord gives you when you move in and making a copy of it. This checklist gives you the opportunity to comb through the apartment and document any pre-existing damages or flaws. This gives your landlord a heads up to make necessary repairs and prevents your landlord from charging you for those damages when you move out.

Next, photograph and document anything that breaks while you’re a tenant. If those issues cost you money, then you should also keep a copy of the receipts for those expenses. If your landlord fails to make a repair, keep a copy of any correspondence you send to them.

Remember, you cannot keep too many records, but you can keep too few!

Are You Concerned About Your Tenant Rights?

Tenant rights are an incredibly important part of your rental agreement. They may not always be explicitly laid out in your lease contract, but your landlord is still required to abide by federal, state, and local laws and maintain a habitable living space. Always document everything that your landlord does or fails to do, and if you believe your rights have been violated, contact an attorney to help you navigate what to do next.

Are you interested in learning more about life as a tenant or how to become a landlord yourself? You’ve come to the right place! Check out the rest of our blog to stay informed!

 

Did you know that length that you’ve owned your home matters for tax purposes? This is a crucial part of selling a house that some people are not aware of. It is important to understand the cost involved in selling a home before you go to do so. 

The taxes on selling a house can seem irrational. Keep reading this guide so that you can learn why they are needed and how to avoid some of the more painful ones. We are breaking down what the taxes are and if they can be avoided. 

Taxes and Selling a House

So what are the taxes on selling a house? When you make money, the IRS takes out taxes. This is no different when selling a home.

However, there are some exceptions that will allow you to avoid the taxes on a home sale. This relies heavily on how much the home you are selling sells for and if you are married or single. 

What Are Capital Gains Taxes?

The taxes on selling a house are called capital gains taxes. These types of taxes do not just apply to homes but also to investments, cars, boats, and other types of real estate. The IRS determines how much you owe in capital gains taxes by calculating the difference between what you paid for an asset and how much you end up selling that same asset for.

If you hope to sell your property as is you should take capital gains taxes into consideration. What you do prior to selling your house could change how much you owe in taxes to the IRS upon making that sale. 

How to Avoid Taxes on a House Sale

The good news for home sellers is that the IRS allows a tax break for capital gains on real estate. However, this tax break does not apply to every real estate sale, so you must be careful when you go to sell your home. You can get this tax break if you’ve owned your house for at least two of the past five years as well as used it as your primary residence for two of the past five years.

The tax break you get does depend on if you are single or married. The capital gains real estate tax break is as follows:

• Exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains on real estate if you’re single.

• Exclude up to $500,000 of capital gains on real estate if you’re married and filing taxes jointly.

Paying taxes on your home really depends on the price point of the sale and what you bought it for. 

Know the Taxes on Selling a House

Now that you know the ins and outs of taxes on selling a house, it is time to keep or sell your property. If you haven’t lived in your house long enough, then consider holding off on your move or paying the price. 

Always do your research before buying or selling a home. These are huge purchases and could leave an unexpected dent in your financial future. If you enjoyed this article then be sure to check out our blog for other tax and homeowner tips. 

Did you know curb appeal is essential to selling your home? If you want to impress future buyers, we can help.

In this guide, we’ll go over exterior home design ideas. You’ll have new ideas to refresh the outside of your home.

Want to learn more? Keep reading.

1. Replace Gutters

Does your home have an old gutter system? You might notice rust spots. Consider replacing your older gutters with snap-fit vinyl gutters. You won’t need lots of tools to install them.

A copper gutter system is another option. Copper systems are a little more expensive, but they look elegant.

2. Add Exterior Art

Improve your curb appeal by picking up weather-resistant artwork. Choose pieces that will complement your home’s exterior elements. Metal cutouts, sculptures, birdbaths, and wind chimes are great options.

A water sculpture will sound soothing. Place it near your front porch.

3. Paint Your Home

You could take on a more significant update like painting the siding or trim. A fresh coat of paint will transform your home.

Pick a brand new color or freshen the current shade.

4. Maintain Your Home

Make sure you keep up with exterior house maintenance. This way, you can keep your house in top condition.

Defects like rotting or cracked material can turn off potential buyers. Fix the defects and change your trim or shingles.

5. Freshen up Your Driveway

Is your driveway stained or cracked? Have you noticed new greenery growing from the cracks?

You can fix these issues without redoing your entire driveway. Start by getting rid of the weeds and repairing any cracks.

Do you need more room to park? Consider adding brick or stone to the sides of your driveway. You can widen it with a decorative border as well.

6. Clean up Your Walkways

We can focus too much on the landscaping of our home, and forget about our walkways.

Consider renting a pressure washer so you can clean off any grime or dirt from paths. You’ll notice a big difference after using a pressure washer.

Examine the pathway to make sure that bricks and stepping stones are secure. This way, guests and family walking to your home have a safe passage.

7. Paint Your Front Door

When you’re thinking about curb appeal, you’ll want to start with your front door. The front door is one of the first few things that a new guest or buyer will see.

Paint your front door a new color. A colorful front door can refresh your home. Consider a bold hue like yellow or red or a classic charcoal door. Make sure the color works well with the rest of your house.

8. Update Your Front Door Hardware

Have you considered upgrading your front door? You can buy quality and aesthetic hardware for less than 100 dollars at a hardware store.

Consider buying a keyless entry, which has become a popular and modern option.

9. Freshen up Entryway Accessories

Examine the light fixtures around your entryway. Consider updating to more modern light fixtures instead. You could also look into getting a brand new mailbox for your home.

If you don’t want to buy brand new, you could check out your local thrift store.

10. How Do Your Front Beds Look?

You can freshen up your entire property by mulching and edging your front beds. Your property will appear neater and well cared for with fresh mulch.

Buy mulch in bulk or bags from your local hardware store. Dark brown, black, or pine straw are the best options and appear more natural.

11. Give Foundation Plants and Trees a Trim

You can buy an electric pruner or rent one. Prune your foundation plants that are below windows and railings. Your home will appear neater and well-groomed.

Do you have any trees that are too close to your home? You might want to consider getting rid of that tree or clipping it. If you need help removing a tree, consider contacting Panddtreeservice.com.

12. Install Pathway Lighting

You can brighten up your home by installing lighting around your driveway or pathway. The landscape lighting will add ambiance to your home, but also prevent accidents. Solar driveway lighting is an affordable option.

13. Pressure Wash Your House and Deck

Rent a pressure washer from your home hardware store. Pressure washing is an affordable option to make your home appear new.

Hose down all the exterior surfaces. You will notice a difference right away.

14. Pick up Window Boxes

Add charm to your home by installing window boxes. You can pick boxes made from iron or copper. Some people prefer to pick up painted wood window boxes.

Add different flowers to your flower box that suit the lighting condition.

15. Add Seating to Your Porch

Invite guests over and sit outside on your porch. Consider revamping your porch by buying new comfortable furniture.

Rocking chairs are a popular option. You can relax and sway in the wind while enjoying a beverage with friends.

A small table and a couple of chairs will work as a resting spot. Guests and potential buyers will notice this comfortable setting right away.

Now You Know More Exterior Home Design Ideas

We hope this guide on modern exterior home design ideas was helpful. Consider what projects you would like to tackle.

Improve your curb appeal by freshening your flower beds or painting your front door. Use these exterior home design ideas to update the outside of your home.

Don’t forget to keep browsing our other helpful resources on real estate and more.

American consumers spend around $116 billion annually on new home furnishings. Finding a way to make your surrounding more beautiful and comfortable will take some time and research. If you are tired of your home’s kitchen and dining room being uncomfortable and unappealing, now is the time to fix this problem.

The best way to address these issues is by investing in kitchen & dining furniture. With all of the different kitchen & dining furniture options on the market, choosing the right pieces can be challenging.

Below are some factors to consider before buying new furniture for this part of your home.

Taking a Few Measurements is Important

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when trying to find the right kitchen & dining furniture is failing to get measurements before making selections. If you don’t know how big your kitchen and living room are, finding pieces that fit in these rooms will be nearly impossible. The last thing you want is to make multiple trips back and forth to a furniture store due to the pieces you buy not fitting properly.

Rather than dealing with the headaches, this can cause, you need to measure your kitchen and dining room before shopping. While taking these measurements will be time-consuming, it will be worth the effort considering the information it will provide.

Choosing Comfortable Kitchen & Dining Furniture

Not only will you need to consider how big the pieces you are looking at are, you also need to make sure they are comfortable. Most families spend a lot of time congregating in their kitchen. This is why you need to make sure your family has comfortable chairs to sit in.

The key to getting a great deal on high-quality chairs is working with the right supplier. Investing in eames chairs is essential when trying to get the comfort and affordability you are looking for.

If at all possible, you need to go in and sit in kitchen chairs before buying them. By doing this, you can get a firsthand feel for how comfortable a piece of furniture is before spending your money.

How Many People Normally Dine At Your Home?

If your existing dining room table is old and unappealing, replacing it is crucial. However, you need to know some information before you can narrow down the list of available options. The size of your family will dictate how large your new dining room table needs to be.

Getting a new dining room table that has a leaf is a good idea. When this leaf is installed, you will be able to accommodate more guests at your table. While tables with extension leaves are more expensive, they are worth the money if you regularly entertain lots of dinner guests.

Let the Shopping Process Begin

Now that you know what to look for when shopping for kitchen & dining furniture, it is time to get started. With the help of a reputable supplier, getting the furniture you need will be a breeze.

Are you looking for more information about buying new home furnishings? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blogs.

What’s it cost to have your windows replaced?

During the year 2017, a surprising 3.7 million Americans had their home windows replaced. The average cost for a professional replacement rests right around $3, 422. However, that price can go way down if you do the installation yourself!

By completing a DIY window replacement, you can save thousands of dollars. However, if you’re not up for the job, you’ll wind up wasting both your time and money. Before you start a project you can’t complete, let us help you set realistic expectations.

Read on to learn the in’s and out’s or replacing windows by yourself.

DIY Window Replacement Skills

What type of DIY window replacement does your house need? There’s a ton of different types of replacement windows, and some are easier to install than others.

For instance, if you’re installing a single hung window, the process will be easier than installing egress windows. If you’re a handy type of person and you do a lot of home improvement projects already, you should be just fine. 

However, if you doubt your ability to use power tools, you may need a professional to put in your new windows. Next, determine whether or not you have enough time to do the window replacement yourself. If you plan on installing multiple new windows, and you’ve never done it before, it could take you a few days or more.

Watch Out for Lead Paint

If your home was built before 1978, you could have lead paint. While the lead paint is typically harmless sitting under layers of new paint, you could expose yourself to the lead during the window installation process. If you suspect your house has lead paint, reach out to a professional for advice before moving forward.

Window Installation Tools and Materials

What tools and materials will you need to install your new window? Here’s a short but complete list of everything you’ll need:

• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Caulk gun
• Silicone and latex caulk
• Roll flashing
• Foam insulation
• Safety glasses
• Tape measure
• Shop-vac
• Utility knife
• 2-Foot level
• Cordless drill and driver bits
• Plywood

When you’re buying latex caulk, make sure it’s paintable. 

Remove the Old Window

Before you can put your new energy-efficient window into place, you’ll have to get rid of the old window. Start by removing the old caulk that’s lining the window. To get all of the caulk off, you’ll need to use your utility knife.

Slowly trace along the outside of the old window with your utility knife. Next, go ahead and grab your pry bar. Carefully begin prying out the nails that are supporting the old window.

You can also use a hammer and chisel to help separate the reveal board from the casing. Another alternative is to use a small hacksaw to cut through the nails.

Pull It Out in One Piece

If you have a standard old window, you should be able to pull it out in one piece. However, if you have a double-hung window or a particularly old window, you may have to remove it in pieces. For instance, if you have a double-hung window, you should start by removing the bottom sash. 

Inspect the Rough Opening

The rough opening is the open space you’re left with once you remove the window. It doesn’t matter what type of new window you’re installing, you have to make sure the rough opening is square and level.

Begin measuring all sides of the window, even diagonally from corner to corner. If you have a traditional square sized rough opening, you’d need a total of six measurements.

One measurement for each side of the window, and two measurements for each diagonal distance. When you have all of your measurements, you can order your new window.

While you wait for your new window to arrive, cover up the rough opening with plywood. However, be careful to not damage the sheathing when you put up the plywood.

Install Your Replacement Windows

You’re almost there! Once you have your new windows, you’ll want to measure them to double-check that they’re the right size.

Next, remove anything that’s covering up your rough opening. Get the shop vac, and make sure the window area is nice and clean. Moving on, you’ll need to apply the flashing tape to the window sill.

Once the sill is level, you can apply the silicone caulk around the top, sides, and window sill. Gently place the new window in the opening, pressing it firmly against the caulk. You can use more shims to help secure the window in place while the caulk works its magic.

Drill and Spray

From the inside of your home, start drilling screws into the premade holes along the sides of the window. It’s perfectly okay for the screws to drill through the shims. Next, grab the level and check to make sure that everything is still square and level.

When you’re sure everything’s level, go outside and begin applying the spray foam insulation. Be careful to not overspray, and instead follow the directions on the insulation packaging. Once the insulation is set, you can take measurements to put in the sill adapter.

Finishing Touches

Measure the bottom of the window to the window sill. Next, use your utility knife to cut the sill adapter to make it the perfect width.

Drill two weep holes in the bottom of the sill adapter and lock it into place. The weep holes will help drain rainwater that’s collecting in the window tracks.

Once the sill adapter’s in place you can start installing the exterior trim. Seal the exterior trim around the window frame using finish nails.

You’ll also need to seal the edges of the trim with your paintable latex caulk. Be careful however to not cover up the weep holes. Finally, apply the latex caulk on the interior of the window trim.

Enjoy Your New Windows

While a DIY window replacement can take a little bit of time, you’ll be able to save a ton of money. We hope our step by step guide will inspire you to start replacing any windows you’re not happy with! For more articles like this one, check out the rest of this site.

There is $6 trillion worth of commercial real estate in the US. From retail stores to apartment buildings to hotels and industrial buildings, commercial real estate is everywhere. In many cases, the spaces are rented to the business that inhabits them, and the entire building, complex, or shopping center is run by a commercial property manager. 

Given the sheer value of the commercial real estate market, it’s imperative that commercial tenants are receiving timely and quality property management services. Looking to learn more about how to be a successful commercial property manager? Read on for five tips. 

1. Improve the Property

Having a plan to consistently improve your property will keep your tenants happy and attract new ones. Upgrades will also help increase your profitability, as property improvements could lead to an increase in the rent, resulting in more income. 

Stay on top of what the newest trends in commercial properties are and plan how you can incorporate them into your space. If everyone else is updating and you’re not, tenants will not want to renew their leases. Whether the upgrades are landscaping, lighting, improvements to public spaces, or improvements in security and technology, do your homework to learn how they will benefit you and your tenants. 

2. Maintain the Property

Part of managing the property is ensuring the shared spaces are well-maintained. A maintenance plan should include things like:

• Landscaping
• Cleaning of shared and public spaces
• Commercial pest control 
• Code violations
• Maintaining plumbing, electrical, and other building infrastructure
• Changing lightbulbs and fixing broken lights

A proactive plan will ensure that the property is maintained regularly and also allows space for any emergencies or unexpected repairs that inevitably will pop up. 

3. Keep Your Tenants Satisfied 

Satisfied tenants are tenants who renew their leases and recommend your space to other businesses. Upgrades and proactive maintenance will keep them satisfied. In addition, things like being responsive and timely in your repairs, anticipating their needs and meeting them before they even realize they need something, and being aware of the different businesses in your space and which ones you sign leases with will keep them happy and loyal. 

Even if they do have to move, such as if they outgrow the space or their needs change, satisfied tenants can help you find new tenants using word-of-mouth advertising. 

4. Know Your Leases

Different businesses and services in your space will likely have different needs and as such, their leases will be different. Make sure you know what’s in each lease so you aren’t blindsided by something. Knowing the leases inside and following through on the lease provisions lets tenants know that you take your job seriously and are committed to upholding your agreement with them. 

5. Be a Good Communicator 

Bad communication is one of the most often-cited complaints of tenants, both commercial and residential. If it takes you days to respond to your tenants and even longer to actually address their needs, they are not going to be satisfied and will be reluctant to renew their lease.

Over communicating is always preferable to a lack of communication or no communication at all.

Commercial Property Manager Best Practices

Being a good commercial property manager will help you attract and retain quality tenants. Use these tips to make sure you are creating and maintaining a property that will have tenants clamoring for a space. 

If you found these tips helpful, be sure to explore our site for more valuable business and real estate advice.  

Are you interested in commercial real estate investments, but you have no idea where to start? Learning about this exciting investment opportunity is crucial to a successful investment venture, but without the right approach, it could be a costly failure.

In this article, we will help you understand how to invest in commercial real estate, figure out which property to invest in, and help you develop a clear financial strategy. Before you invest in commercial real estate, this article is a must-read!

How to Invest in Commercial Real Estate Successfully

There is a reason the majority of the wealthiest people worldwide invest in or own commercial real estate properties. Properties like retail stores, apartment complexes, industrial buildings, and other types of office buildings are springing up daily. The right opportunity is out there, eagerly waiting for investors to help them succeed.

When you’re just getting started with commercial property investments, it can be challenging to entirely comprehend the process. These five commercial real estate basics can help you create a plan that works by asking these essential questions.

1. Why Do I Want to Invest in Commercial Real Estate?

While this may seem like a silly place to start, if you take a moment to identify your “Why,” it can help you stay focused on your goal. Set a few, clear goals for yourself and determine your investment budget.

2. What Are My Commercial Property Investment Options?

What type of investment do you want to deal with, and how involved will you be in the process? There are many different options for investing, but it’s crucial to consider the potential benefits and drawbacks of each before committing.

3. How Do I Secure Financing?

Commercial real estate is more expensive than residential, so you will most likely need to secure financial aid before investing in a property. By securing your finances, you will have a clear understanding of how much you can invest in a property. 

Some of the available financing options are real estate investment loans, partnership investing, crowdfunding options, hard money loans, and more.

4. Do I Need to Hire Professional Help?

When you’re first getting started, it can be helpful to tag in professionals to assist you in making the right decisions for your business and helping you through the complex investing process. Some of the experts you could choose to hire are a commercial real estate agent, a mortgage broker, a commercial real estate attorney, or an accountant to help you with the financial details.

5. How Do I Pick the Right Commercial Real Estate Investment?

Now that you have the details in place regarding your available options, financial capabilities, and professional guidance, how do you decide which investment option is the right fit? Any commercial real estate investor will tell you that the decision is based on personal preference, industry outlook, and the owner’s business plan. If these three details all work together, you’ve most likely found the perfect investment opportunity!

Where to Start

Learning how to invest in commercial real estate is no simple task, but the rewards both financially and professionally will be substantial. However, don’t let your excitement make you rush into the wrong investment opportunity. Work through our beginners’ basics and take the time to make the right decision for your situation. 

For more real estate insight and other industry expertise, check out the other articles on our blog. Our supreme market intelligence and negotiating power can help you always make the right commercial real estate investment decisions.

The benefits of apartment living are well-documented: the flexibility is unparalleled, it’s more affordable than owning a home, and there’s a great sense of safety and community.

If you want to enjoy these benefits, you’re probably on the hunt for an apartment. However, apartments aren’t created equal. Some offer a far better living experience than others.

It’s for this reason you need to be careful with your apartment search. Establish what you want in an apartment before moving in.

To make the job easier for you, we’re sharing an apartment checklist that contains some of the most essential features you ought to be on the lookout for.

Read on!

1. Location, Location, Location

You’ve probably seen these words thrown around with respect to housing and real estate.

When you’re looking for an apartment, location is one of the most important factors to consider. You want an apartment that’s, first of all, located in a secure area with good infrastructure. You should also be able to easily access important amenities, like hospitals.

Next, consider how far it is from your job or office. Ideally, you want to live in an apartment building that isn’t too far from your place of work; otherwise, your commute will be horrible.

You also ought to consider your personal preferences. For instance, if you’re into city living, then you might want an apartment that’s super close to the city. But if you’re into suburb living, a unit that’s some distance away from the city will serve you well.

2. Appliances and Installations

In the digital age, most of us want to live in homes that have internet. You certainly want the same, too.

When looking for an apartment, ensure it’s internet-ready. This way, all you will need to do is call an internet service provider and get connected.

Another important thing to look for is television cabling. Most modern apartments have in-built TV cables and sockets; your job is just to connect your device to the socket. However, don’t fret if this installation doesn’t offer a quality signal. You can buy a TV reception booster to enhance the quality of the signal.

A heating and cooling system is a must-have, especially if the apartment is located in an area that experiences the coldest winters and hottest summers.

3. Ample Parking

This is pretty straightforward. You don’t want to scramble for parking slots with your neighbors.

You want an apartment building that offers designated parking spots to its residents.

4. The Great Outdoors

An apartment isn’t anything close to a single-family home, but you need a unit that offers some outdoor space. This is usually a balcony, where you can catch some wind and sun.

It’s also a plus if the apartment complex has enough space outside where you can jog, run, or even ride a bike.

5. Pet Policy

85 million Americans own a pet. There’s a good chance you own one, too!

Unlike owning a home where you can keep pets at will, things get complicated when it comes to apartment living. Some apartments allow residents to keep pets, others don’t.

If you own a pet and don’t wish to be separated, ensure the apartment you’re moving it has a pet-friendly policy.

Apartment Checklist: Find a Unit That Serves You Best

More and more people in the United States are embracing apartment living. If your time to move into an apartment has come, take your time to find a unit that suits your lifestyle. Use this apartment checklist as a guide to finding the best unit.

Keep reading our blog for more tips and hacks.

It’s safe to say that Miami is one of the most sought-after rental markets in the nation. 

The average monthly rent for an apartment in Miami is $1,700. Aside from the expense, such a seller’s market might mean dealing with unreasonable landlords. 

No matter how beautiful the apartment, the policies of a prospective landlord can make it unattractive. So, to help you out, we’ve put together a list of six questions to ask before you sign your next lease. 

1. Does the Landlord Have a Maintenance Policy?

This is something you want to hash out before you commit to anything. 

Things can go wrong in any apartment, and repairs will be needed. It might seem tempting for you to go ahead and fix it yourself, or pay for a repair. 

But resist this temptation, especially in Florida. By state law, a landlord is not required to reimburse you for any repairs you spring for. So ensure that your prospective landlord has a policy to cover repairs. 

2. Are Lease Terms Negotiable?

Understand your lease before you sign it. Terms for leases can hide all kinds of nasty surprises, so make sure you discover these before they become a problem. 

Scan through lease terms, and search for policies on pets (if this applies to you), or things like built-in rent increases. If you can’t negotiate more favorable lease terms for yourself, then it’s time to consider passing on the apartment. 

Living in Miami may be your dream, but that dream can quickly wither if you’re stuck with impossible lease terms. 

3. What Is the Cost of Utilities?

Be sure to query your landlord about the average monthly cost of utilities. 

After all, comparing apartment prices is one thing, but the utility costs can sometimes represent a significant additional expense. Air conditioning costs in hot, humid Miami can skyrocket during the summer months. 

WiFi for apartment complexes is another utility that you should inquire about. 

4. What Happens With the Security Deposit?

It’s always wise to inquire about what will happen to your security deposit. 

At the close of your lease, you have fifteen days to have your security deposit refunded. That is provided there are no damages. If there are, the landlord has thirty days to provide you with notice of these damages; otherwise, your deposit must be returned. 

5. Is Renters Insurance Necessary?

Sometimes, renters insurance is a prerequisite for renting an apartment. 

Of course, not all landlords require this. Still, it’s crucial to find out before agreeing to a lease. Also, you might want to consider acquiring renters insurance anyway.

It’s typically quite cheap and could prove to be of inestimable value if you’re ever the victim of theft, fire, or some other catastrophe. 

6. How About Personalizing?

Before you commit to that apartment in Miami, learn about the rules for customizing it. 

After all, you don’t own the apartment, so you can’t willy-nilly make any improvements or changes you wish. Any modifications are subject to the landlord’s final say, so figure out the ground rules before signing any lease. 

Find the Right Apartment in Miami

Choosing an ideal apartment in Miami doesn’t have to be a tradeoff between the right place and the wrong landlord. Know the correct questions to ask, and don’t let yourself get bullied into a lousy rental agreement. 

Looking for more great advice about Miami real estate? Check out our blog—we’ve got you covered. 

Congratulations on finally taking the plunge to buy a vacation home! Buying a beach house can be a great investment to use as a rental property, retirement home, or just a second home that’s available for family vacations. Whatever your plans for the beach home, you’ll want to make sure you know what you’re getting into.

To learn more about buying a beach house, read on. We’ve got you covered. 

How Close Is It to the Beach? 

The closer your home is to the water, the more expensive it will be. You might find that the price drops dramatically the further away from the beach you go (simply going across the street could drop the price ten of thousands of dollars or more). However, consider how far away it is, especially if you plan to rent. 

While the price might be much less if you are a few blocks from the beach, does that defeat the purpose of having a beach house? Are you willing to drive or walk to the beach with all of your beach gear? Really think about how far you’re willing to go because once you buy, you can’t move the home closer to the beach.

Is It Prone to Floods?

You will definitely want to review flood maps to learn if your potential beach house is in a flood zone. If it is, you will likely need to add flood insurance in addition to your regular homeowner’s insurance, which likely does not cover floods. Even if it’s not in a designated flood zone, you’ll still want to note how the house is situated and how heavy rains might impact it. 

Do your research to find a property insurance solution that fits all of your home’s needs.

How Durable are the Roof and Windows?

Hurricane-proof windows and a roof designed to sustain wind damage are important in a beach home, especially in coastal areas like the east coast, Florida, and Texas. Hurricane shutters are also important for a home close to the water as well. Check if these are included with your home or consider investing in them after closing.

What Are Your Plans For It?

If you want to buy a beach house as an investment property, what you look for might be different if you are just going to use it for personal use and not rent it. Beach homes or condos with more than one bedroom rent easier and for more money and ones closer to the beach also go for more money. Consider potential rental income if you plan for this to be an investment property. 

Ask the current owners for an idea of what they rent it for and how often it was rented in the past year. You’ll also want to inquire about potential HOA rules for short-term rentals. Some HOAs limit how many times you can rent it out in a year, how long you can rent for, and require background checks for potential renters (at your expense in most cases). 

Any HOA dues and other fees should also be considered, as these will eat into any of your rental profits.

Buying a Beach House Can Be Your Dream Come True 

Buying a beach house can be an extremely exciting, but also overwhelming, time. Make sure you don’t rush into anything and really consider the points above as you are looking for homes, deciding on one to buy, and negotiating a sales price. 

If you found these tips useful, be sure to take a look at some of our other posts. We have more helpful information throughout our site.