Got a new roommate? Train ‘em fast to keep the tears from falling later. Tell ‘em:  1. What you’re bringing/already own No one needs two microwaves. Or two stripper poles. Actually, two stripper poles are better than one, but we stand by the two-microwaves-as-overkill.  2. What they’d bring, ideally Since you’ve got the pole covered, [...]

Oh, Property Management Insider. They’re always blowing the lid off property management stories. Most recently, they contend that an apartment manager’s maintenance team is not only key to lease renewals, they can be very important to marketing. Marketing, you say? Turns out Property Management Insider writer Michael Cunningham had a moving encounter with a housekeeper [...]

For those of you who need to impress your friends by one-upping them, but don’t always feel creative enough to do so on your own.  - Tax Returns Party  - Ski Resort Party (most hilarious if not held anywhere near a ski resort)  - Come as Your Favorite Cocktail Party - 1940s Masquerade Party  - Politically Correct [...]

  It can be a tricky business, dating someone or having friends visit frequently, if your roommate objects to overnight guests. What to do? Think “communication,” and consider the following:  Make a Roommate Agreement  This is a bit like a lease between the people living in your household, a document that you agree upon and [...]

If you don’t know about Maintenance Mania®, you’ve been missing out. Lucky for you, this year’s competitions are right around the corner. Technicians competing in a skill-based sport, based on everyday maintenance jobs? …What more could you want? Well, if you’re a contestant, maybe money: the event offers over $20,000 in cash and prizes to [...]

We’d have thought by now you’d have figured out how to make friends without consulting us…on the other hand, it’s great you’re not being cavalier about getting along with people who work in your apartment building. After all, they take care of you and deserve your respect, and we all know that our day-to-day interactions [...]

You finally have a backyard! Hurrah! But what do to about the fact that it’s smaller than an ant’s bathroom? Luckily, there are several ways you can organize your space so that you can get the most out of your square foot(age). Decide on your key component(s) What is the most important thing you want [...]

Whatever nomenclature you’ve assigned your blowout party (we prefer “hot mess” but you may prefer something classier), you’re going to have to clean up afterwards. Unless you want things growing on your carpet. So let’s get cracking. Materials! -Trash bag -Washcloth -Mop -Hot, soapy water …Got ‘em? Good. 1. Pick up all obvious trash to [...]

So you don’t feel like moving your entire life to a bigger place when you’re already in your third trimester. Or maybe, like so many others these days, you can’t really afford a bigger place. But that baby is coming, one way or another, so you better get ready! Here are our tips on how [...]

Slightly different from last Friday’s post on whether to rent TO family members, this one’s for those of you looking for an ideal place, and wondering if it belongs to Uncle Frank. If you’re considering moving into an apartment run or owned by a relative, consider the following points first. Make sure they can say [...]