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ApartmentSearch_Tax-DayApril 15 is a wake-up call for many of us. It is a time when we re-evaluate our finances, determining where we are spending our money and how we can save more of it. Unfortunately, for those who live in a home, the “saving money” part of the equation seems elusive. Every time they feel like they are making progress on bills and savings accounts, some new expense comes along to hamper their goals. An appliance stops working. A water pipe breaks and floods the carpet or wood flooring. The sod has to be replaced after a rough winter and pressure from the HOA.

There is an endless list of unplanned-for expenses that pile up. And these are not even the regular, monthly expenses. In addition to high utility costs, homeowners are paying mortgages, property taxes, lawn and landscaping fees, and a host of other home repair and upkeep expenses. The burden of mortgages – which are still disproportionately high after the housing bubble burst – and the other expenses is what has led many homeowners to switch to apartment living.

Pantone Color of the Year 2015Every year, the world-renowned Pantone Color Institute forecasts the “Color of the Year” for the next year. Pantone is a major authority on colors and has created a standard language for the color communication from designers to producers to retailers. Since 1990, Pantone has predicted what colors will be trendy in the upcoming year. In 2014, the color was the bold yet enchanting Radiant Orchid. For 2015, Pantone leans toward a naturally impactful color: Marsala. So what is Marsala and how can you add elegant touches of it to your life?

This rich color incorporates earthy tones into a more traditional red wine hue. Small touches of Marsala are perfect for warming up a room and making a sophisticated statement. The hearty but stylish tone has a universal appeal and transfers well to design, fashion, beauty, and home décor and furnishings. Here are a few of our favorite ways to incorporate the 2015 Color of the Year into your apartment décor:

Tailgating Football FansThe NFL football season is back and sports fans around the country are celebrating the return to action of their favorite teams and players. When you move into an apartment, you also join a team. A team composed of neighbors as well as the employees that manage your apartment community. As a member of this team, you receive many benefits and lifestyle perks that make every day a victory.

Price

In recent months, exaggerated reports plague the news that living in a house is more affordable than apartment living. These examples are only true in five percent of U.S. markets where the population is living in densely-populated urban cores. Examples of this include San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C. In the other 95 percent of housing markets, the apartment lifestyle remains the most affordable option, which takes more into account than mortgage versus rent. The unforeseen maintenance costs and increased utility expenses cost home owners thousands of dollars per year over what renters pay.

Movers unloading a moving vanMoving is stressful in any scenario. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, there seems to be an insurmountable mountain of preparation. Tasks include finding a new home, finding new schools for your children, packing, moving all your belongings, turning off utilities at your old place at the right time, and turning on the utilities at your new apartment.

However, when you are moving for job relocation, the process is even more complicated. Now, on top of everything else, you have to adjust to a new work environment and fellow employees as well as learn your way around a new city. Fortunately, this is what ApartmentSearch specializes in: helping businesses and people in transition have a smooth and easy move to their new location.

Puppy with Broken Plant PotIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a puppy left alone in an apartment must be in want of a chew toy. And without one, anything nearby is fair game: chair legs, HDMI cable, new shoes, XBOX 360… you name it, your puppy will see it as a plaything. That’s why preparing an apartment for a puppy is a necessity both for you and for your new pal. Use these tips to keep your puppy safe and your possessions unscathed.

Keep Cables and Cords Out of Reach

Take a look around your apartment from a puppy’s point of view. You may be surprised by the number of cords and cables dangling from sockets and electronics onto the floor. To prep for your pup, situate the cords so they are well out of reach of inquisitive paws and jaws.

Invest in Good Chew Toys…

To keep your dog entertained while you’re away from your apartment (or simply in the other room), buy some toys to keep him occupied. Whether it squishes, squeaks, bounces, or speaks, keeping your puppy entertained is important. This is especially key if your puppy is still teething, which occurs within the first 3-8 weeks of a dog’s life.

Miami city by nightWhen you live in an apartment, you can choose to live anywhere you want. While more millennials and other generations are choosing to live downtown in urban cities, many Americans are choosing to live the coastal life. As a result, they are enjoying the best of what summer has to offer: sun, sand, cool water, and relaxation.

Here are some of the top coastal cities where you can enjoy the beach life right outside your apartment:

West Coast:

  • San Diego, California. First of all, the weather here is perfect year-round: the city boasts an average daily temperature of 70 degrees F. Nearby Mission Beach and Coronado Beach not only offer gorgeous white sand beaches but they also include Belmont Park, which features amusement park rides for kids and adults. Plus, locals can find an apartment near the world-renowned San Diego Zoo.
  • Seattle, Washington. Those who choose an apartment in this gorgeous city get to visit all of the Puget Sound beaches whenever they want, particularly Alki Beach, with its 2.5-mile pedestrian walkway and soft sand. Seattleites can also stay cool on the water – and spot whales! –when they ride the ferry to Bainbridge Island or Orca Island.
  • San Francisco, California. Locals get to enjoy sweeping views of the Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge whenever they want. They often enjoy gorgeous views of the water from one of the city’s numerous famous restaurants. This is a foodie city, to be sure, and apartment dwellers find some of the best natural ingredients for their summer dishes at the Ferry Island Farmer’s Market as well as Pike Place Market.

ApartmentSearch_Guy-MovingMoving to a new college apartment? Time to buy sheets upon sheets of bubble wrap, box up the dishes, get a dog sitter, and contact a moving company…right?

Slow down! Ideally, that list sounds great on paper, but for a college student, moving apartments can get expensive pretty quickly. Here are some tips for moving apartments that will keep your college bank account intact!

ApartmentSearch_GrillingWith the official start of summer on June 21, apartment residents all over the country are looking for ways to stay cool. Fortunately for them, apartment communities offer so many different options for having fun and staying cool in the summer heat – much more than are typically available to homeowners.

Here are the top ways you can cool off this summer:

1. Most apartment communities have swimming pools. You can literally spend all day relaxing by the pool while your kids burn off some of that pent-up energy from being indoors. Children love pools! Plus, many communities offer special events such as “dive-in movies” and summer parties at the pool. This is a great way to cool off AND have a great time.

2. Another advantage that apartment residents have over homeowners is staying cool without breaking the bank. Apartment utility costs are lower than homes, even during the hottest months of the year. You can enjoy spending time in your air-conditioned apartment without worrying about the cost getting too high.

ApartmentSearch_Cat-in-BoxSo you have an adorable cat at home, and are worried about how it’ll react to a big apartment move. We understand; cats follow a daily routine, and if that’s disrupted they can become very stressed. To minimize the amount of loud meowing you’ll hear during the moving process, we’ve compiled a to-do list for your feline friends:

1. Stay Away from Commotion

On moving day, it’s best to keep your cat away from any chaos by keeping it separated from the movers when they’re going in and out of your home. To do this, you can designate a room that is a “cat-only” room, or you can take him to a kennel while this part of the move is taking place. The first option is less traumatic, but if that isn’t possible, the last thing you want is your cat escaping.