HotPads Daily :: The Official Blog of HotPads.com

GTAIV Reminds Renters to Guard against Crime

The recently released fourth installment of the wildly popular Grand Theft Auto video game series, in which carjackings, shootings and general thuggery are the order of day, reminded us that crime is one of the top concerns of tenants looking for apartments to rent.

Even if underworld vendettas don't play out nightly on their streets, renters can follow tips like demanding basic safety equipment (think peepholes) and buying an inexpensive portable alarm system to increase their safety.

And of course, tenants absolutely need to make sure that they have renters insurance.  (With enough coverage for their PlayStations, natch.)

New Real Estate Website is Category Killer

We have to take our hats off to the folks over at Superbowlrentahome.com for having the best super-short-term-rentals-within-a-quick-commute-to-a-one-day-sporting-event property listing site.  The site offers places to crash near Cardinals Stadium and the site of Superbowl XLII in Arizona.   Actually, it is a lot of fun to visit the site and see the crazy rates that people are charging.

What we don't know if whether or not they have sophisticated mapping logic to keep Giants and Pats fans in separate areas.  Maybe a nice heat map would do the trick.

Unfortunately we won't be using their services, but not out of any professional jealousy; we just can't afford tickets.

Pimp My Rental: Tenants Spring for Major Renovations

Historically high prices and the tightening of credit rules by mortgage companies are leaving a lot of would-be homeowners out of this "buyer's market."  Many renters have come to the realization that they're not going to be moving into a home of their own any time soon.  As a result, there is a growing boom in tenants making renovations that were once only done by property owners who would reap the benefits of the new improvements.

And we're not just talking about new shower curtains.  A recent USA Today article documented the trend, with anecdotes from renters who have taken up hammers and nails to make their apartments and rental houses feel more like home.  The New York Times even found renters who sprang for renovations costing as much as $100,000.  That's real money, even in New York.

MSN's real estate portal even provides a list of home improvement ideas for renters.  They range from the simple (e.g. slapping a coat of paint on the walls) to the semi-permanent, like changing the drawer-pulls and kitchen cabinet hardware.

But before you break out the sledgehammer and take to the walls of your studio, remember that any change you make can cost you your security deposit.  It's always best to talk to your landlord first and make sure they're fine with your plan; even get their approval in writing if possible.  For additional tips on not paying an extra month's rent because of your damage to your rental unit, check out the Renter's Guide on HotPads.com.

In One Wealthy County, $200K Income = Public Housing

If you're looking for the part of the country with the highest incomes, forget the tony suburbs of New York city or Los Angeles.  Instead you should set your sights on the land of milk and honey in the surrounds of Washington, DC.   The U.S. Census Bureau computes the median household income of nearby Fairfax Country, Virginia as $100,318 in 2006.  Fairfax County is the first county of its size to break the $100,000 median household income threshold.

And if you're looking for egregious examples of a poorly run government program, go to the same destination.  The Washington Post reports that the county's own records show evidence of hundreds of households taking advantage of subsidized housing even though their incomes grossly exceed limits designed to ensure that these homes go to the neediest families.

One household in particular makes more than $216,000 a year and still received subsidized housing benefits; another in the program rakes in a tidy $184,000. The county housing administrators do little to encourage occupants to move when their incomes allow for market-rate housing.

It should be noted that the families in this story all qualified for public housing when their incomes were lower and met the program guidelines.  They've just been allowed to stay long past the point of self-sufficiency.

Hopefully this scrutiny will force the county to reassess its public housing programs so it works for those families most in need of Fairfax County's help.  In any case, families at every income level can find apartments to fit their budgets on HotPads.com.

Types of Rental Housing

There are many different sizes and types of rental housing available to you.  Now, all you have to do is decide which kind you prefer.

There are many positive and negative aspects associated with each and the type that is right for you depends on your preferences and desires.  To make this process of figuring out what type of building you want to rent, here are some of the benefits and downsides associated with the various rental properties:

Single-Family Houses

Single-family houses are free-standing rental properties that are habited by one person or group of renters. Single-family rental units are very much like owning your own house.

    Positive Aspects:
As you do not share this rental space with any other tenants, single-family homes offer the most amount of privacy.

    Negative Aspects:
Many of the amenities that you may expect from a larger rental unit are not available.

Duplex/Townhouse

    Positive Aspects:
You can expect similar conveniences as with a single-family home when renting a duplex or townhouse.  These rental units offer greater privacy and independence.

    Negative Aspects:
However, like single-family homes, these rental properties may not offer as many amenities as larger rental buildings are able to provide.  Furthermore, you must also consider that you do have neighbors that are closer to you than what would be in a single-family home.

Small Apartment Buildings

    Positive Aspects:
Small apartment buildings offer more amenities (generally) than single family homes or townhouses, while simultaneously providing a living situation that you share with a small number of other tenants.

    Negative Aspects:
You will have more neighbors in a closer proximity than you would if you were renting a single-family home or townhouse.  Furthermore, you may not have access to as many amenities as you would have if you were to rent in a larger rental property.

Medium Apartment Buildings

Positive Aspects:
Medium apartment buildings will often provide many of the amenities expected from large apartment buildings, but shared with fewer people.

    Negative Aspects:
You will have many neighbors that you must consider when living in a medium apartment building. 

Large Apartment Buildings

Large apartment buildings are comprised of numerous rental units and house the largest number of tenants under one roof.

    Positive Aspects:
You can generally expect a greater amount of amenities and luxuries from a larger apartment building than you might from smaller rental properties.  Many have on-site management and 24- hour emergency maintenance, in addition to other amenities like swimming pools, clubhouses, and fitness centers.

    Negative Aspects:
You are surrounded by numerous other tenants and must co-exist with others peacefully.  There will generally be more noise and activity in the building, which occurs naturally with the larger population of tenants.

In general, the smaller the rental unit with the smallest number of tenants the greater privacy and a more independent living situation.  However, many of these smaller units are not able to offer the same variety of amenities provided by the bigger apartment complexes.

Renting with Pets

Many pet-owners have found it hard to find rental housing that allows them to bring along their furry/feathered/scaled friends.

The rules regarding pet-ownership varies from apartment complex to apartment complex.  Even in those rental units that do allow pets, many have  specific regulations about the size and breeds of animals that are allowed, as well.  Make sure to get a clear understanding of the rules pertaining to pet ownership before signing a lease.

Tips for Dog Lovers

If you are considering getting a dog, you may want to browse the list of dog breeds that are best-suited for apartment life. You may find that your favorite breed of dog would be very unsuited for rental life and it is important to know how well a puppy would adapt to your living situation BEFORE you make the commitment. 

Renting in the city?  Here is some good advice from CanisMajor.com that lists breeds that do well in the city, as well as those that do not.

Here are some examples of breeds that are well-suited for apartment life in the city:

• English Bulldog (though Kevin admits to having to carry the 47lb Bozzley up to his 3rd floor apartment)
• Pug (like the official office dog of HotPads.com, Pandora "Dora" Lewis, pictured above!)
• Bichon Frise
• Dachshund
• Keeshond

In general, you should consider getting a small to medium-sized dog (under 40lbs) that requires neither a great deal of exercise nor space.  For the full list, see the Dog Owner's Guide!


Tips for Cat Lovers

Cat lovers often have an easier time renting with pets than dog owners because many landlords do not view feline friends as destructive. 

Nonetheless, a lot of time, money, and effort goes into caring for a cat.  For example, the Human Society provides a list of things needed to care for your cat: The Top Ten Essentials.

(Image on the right is a picture of my college cat, Mohawk, who now lives on the farm of one of my former roommates)

Fish, Iguanas, Snakes, oh my!

Renting with animals that remain in an aquarium or cage also presents various challenges and considerations.  You must make sure that the cage or aquarium is large enough for your pet to live happily and healthily and that you meet their nutritional requirements. 

Furthermore, ensuring that your fish are living in suitable water is essential in providing a healthy home for your pets.  To find out more about caring for your fish, read over the Basics of Fish Care.

Helpful Tips for Renting with Pets

The Humane Society offers numerous resources for those interested in renting an apartment with their pets and those who are looking into getting a pet.
Moving with Pets? Take a look at the Human Society's tips on how to move with pets!

Decoding Housing Listing Abbreviations

I've never claimed to be "hip."  In fact, I discussed earlier how I had to run to Google every time I got an email or read a blog post to translate common internet abbreviations.  Unfortunately, my lack of lingo doesn't end there.  I'm frequently confused and baffled by abbreviations used in the classifieds and other online housing listings.

So, to help myself learn and, hopefully, to help all those who are in a similar boat, I've composed this collection of common abbreviations and acronyms used in rental housing listings. 

Acronym	Meaning
24-hr mtn	24-hour emergency maintenance
AC or A/C	Air conditioning
Appls	Appliances
Apt	Apartment
BA	Bathroom
BR	Bedroom
Bsmt	Basement
CAC	Central air conditioning
Cath ceil	Cathedral ceilings
DA	Dining area
Det	Detatched
Dk	Deck
DR	Dining room
Dw (D/w)	Dishwasher
Eff	Efficiency
EiK	Eat-in kitchen
Fin bsmt	Finished basement
FDR	Formal dining room
FHA	Fair Housing Act
FMR	Fair market rent
FP	Floorplan
Frplc, fplc, FP	Fireplace
G/d	Garbage disposal
Gar	Garage
Grmet kit	Gourmet kitchen
H/A	Handicapped accessible
H/W	Hardwood floors
HAP	Housing assistance payment
HCV	Housing choice voucher
Hi ceil	High ceilings
HQS	Housing quality standards
HUD	Department of Housing and Urban Development
HVAC	Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
LA	Living area
LR	Living room
MBR	Master bedroom
MBTH	Master bathroom
Neg	Negotiable
Ofc	Office
OSP	Off-street parking
Pkg	Parking
Pl	Swimming pool
PM	Property manager (management)
Pvt	Private
Pwdr rm	Powder room (1/2 bath)
RE	Real estate
Renov	Renovated
Rf	Roof
Rm	Room
SF	Single-family
SFA	Single-family attached
SFD	Single-family detatched
Sp (S/p)	Swimming pool
Sq. ft	Square feet
SRO	Single room occupancy
Stu	Studio (efficiency)
Th (T/H)	Townhouse
TR	Tenant rent
Vw (vu)	View
W/A	Wheelchair accessible
W/D	Washer/dryer
W/d hkup	Washer/dryer hookup
W/W	Wall-to-wall carpeting
WIC	Walk-in closet
Yd	Yard

What to Bring to an Open House

So you have narrowed down your apartment search and decided to check out some of your options.  Now, all you have to do is go see all of your options and make a decision.  However, don't be caught unprepared when you go to view your potential new home!  

Make sure you remember to bring these 10 things:

1.  The "Apartment Checklist"

Bring along a copy of the apartment checklist so you can record any information you receive and your general thoughts about the apartment you are viewing.  That way, when you are trying to decide between various options, you will have a record of your feelings about each apartment and can make a more informed decision. Download apartment_checklist.pdf

2.  A list of questions

Often times it is the landlord who shows you an available apartment so it is a good idea to take along a list of questions to ask.  Rather than trying to remember various questions, take some time before you go to an open house to create a list of everything you would like to know about the apartment, the property, and the surrounding area.

3.  A pad of paper and a pen

You are going to want to record the landlord's answers to your questions so you will have them available for future use.  You can also record your thoughts and experiences, sketch the floor plan and layout of the apartment, and jot down any additional information you receive.

4.  A Camera

You may want to bring a camera along with you to have a visual reminder of each apartment.  Take pictures of the rooms in the unit, the building and its features (think fitness area, common rooms, hallways), and the surrounding areas.  Make sure to record both things that you like and things that you do not at each apartment building.

5. A friend or family member

"Two eyes are better than one" and, when looking at apartments, this is especially true.  It is helpful to bring along a friend or family member who can see things you might have missed.  While, ultimately, it is your decision where you decide to move, it is good to gain another's perspective when making your decision.

6.  A Blank Check

You will often be asked to fill out a rental application when attending an open house.  If you are interested in the place, you are going to need to have your bank account number.  Unless you have this number memorized, carrying a check with you is an easy way to have this number easily-accessible.

7.  Your current landlord's contact information

Most landlords will want to talk to your current landlord, so make sure you know his or her full name, telephone number, and mailing address.

8. At least two references

Furthermore, many landlords would like to check with your references before approving your rental application.  Make sure to confirm that these people would be willing to serve as your references before giving their contact information over to the landlord.

9. Past pay stubs

Many landlords would like to see proof of employment and income, so be prepared to show your previous pay stubs or anything that shows your earnings.

10. A Business Card

Bringing a business card is not essential, but it does convey proffesionalism and responsibility.  Also, if you do not fill out a rental application at the time that you view an open house, it is an easy way for the property manager to have your contact information.

With these 10 things, you should have everything you need to be prepared when going to an open house.  Then, you can easily compare the apartments you are viewing with your ideal place (Download My_Perfect_Place.pdf)

Where Should You Live?

Whether you are at a cross roads in your life or merely considering a change, deciding where you want to live is often one of the hardest parts of finding a place.

How you decide where you want to live often changes as you enter new phases of your life.  When I was applying to college, I had two main criteria: the school must be further than 4 hours away from my parents, but close enough that my friends were an easy drive away. So, I found a nice school in the Midwest.  Then, upon graduating from said nice school in the Midwest, I made my triumphant return to the HotPads headquarters, back in my old stomping grounds.

I was lucky in that I had been working with HotPads since 2005 and had always known where I was going to be after school. Even without HotPads, I tend to believe that I would have moved back to Washington, DC, as (in my opinion) there is no other city like it in the United States. Plus, my family and friends are still here.

However, there is a recurring theme among my college friends: they are finding themselves back in their hometowns with fewer and fewer friends remaining. They are looking for a change of scenery, a new beginning, and a fresh start. Oh, and a great/exciting/interesting/well-paying job and a fantastic apartment there, of course.

But, before you can find a job or an apartment in that great place you want to be, you have to decide where you would actually like to be. That’s pretty scary: You have the entire world in front of you… you can go anywhere in the world. So, where should you go?

There are various factors to consider when deciding where you want to live.  For instance,

•    Do you want to live in a major metropolitan area or a smaller town?
•   Do you like snow-covered mountains and great skiing or a warm  climate near a beach?
•   Do you want to be surrounded by nightlife or nature?

Now, if you are interested in finding some recommendations based on your interests and preferences, check out the FindYourSpot Quiz. They take you through a variety of questions in numerous categories and then offer some great suggestions of places to live for you to consider.

Furthermore, if you are concerned about the Cost-of-Living in different areas of the country, check out how to compare the cost-of-living between 2 cities. 

"Know What You Want and You Might Just Get It"

I've discussed the importance of knowing what you want in a rental property before you start to look for a new place to live (see the 5 most important things to consider before beginning your apartment search.) 
        You must recognize:

• WHERE you want to live,
• what TYPE OF BUILDING you want to live in,
• what SIZE of UNIT you need,
• which AMENITIES you want to be included,
• and the LEASE TERMS of the rental property. 

Basically, you have to figure out what your ideal place to live in would look like before you can go out and find it!

To make this process easier, we have created a printable worksheet for charting your "Perfect Place" (Download My_Perfect_Place.pdf).

By filling out this worksheet, you will be able to narrow your apartment search to only include places that meet your criteria.  While your "perfect apartment" may not be out there, at least you'll know what you're looking for when considering the rental options that are available.