Three Ways to Bring Spring Cheer Into Your Apartment

Seasonal Tips for Renters

Believe it or not, it is almost the spring season!  For some renters, it may be a priority to bring seasonal cheer into their apartments with some decorations and DIY projects.

Below are simple and effective ways to add a seasonal, springtime twist into your apartment:

Add plants and flowers.  Nothing says "springtime" quite like some beautiful plants and flowers.  To bring some springtime cheer into the home, add a few potted plants in the living areas of the apartment. Some plants, like spider plants, thrive best indoors with little upkeep needed.  If the apartment has a patio or balcony, that provides another area to place a garden box or some potted plants around the home.  Pet owners should note: not all plants and flowers are healthy for four-legged roommates.  Always research plants and flowers to see if they are healthy for animals prior to bringing indoors.

Practice some spring cleaning.  A great part of the spring season is the annual spring cleaning: a chance to get rid of excess waste.  Try to ready the apartment for spring by doing a massive cleaning of clothes, decor, kitchen appliances, etc.  Make sure to research local non profit organizations to see if donations of clothes, home furnishings, and more can be accepted to reduce waste and practice some "in kind" giving back.

Let the sunshine in[to your apartment]. The winter is a time of cold mornings and early evenings.  Now that spring is almost here, it is time to embrace the sunshine!  Remove any drapes and curtains from the apartment and pack/ store them in the linen closet until next year.  Letting some natural light into the apartment is not only a simple and effective way to transform the space but also a certain way to introduce some spring cheer.

Have a great spring season!

Apartment Resident #LifeHacks was created in 2018 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

The Benefits of Renters Insurance: March 2019

Renters insurance is a good idea for just about anyone who rents. That’s because your landlord’s insurance policy won’t cover your personal liability or put a roof over your head if your place becomes uninhabitable.

If you've never taken inventory of your belongings, even just mentally, and assigned a price tag to what you own, you might be surprised at the tally. Even if you feel like you don't own anything of value, even simple possessions can add up to a dollar figure that might pose a huge burden if you were forced to replace it all at one time.

This alone should give you cause to look deeper into obtaining renters insurance. Fortunately, renters insurance isn't particularly expensive, and compared to writing a check to replace all your possessions it becomes a fairly insignificant monthly cost.

Getting the Insurance You Need

When considering purchasing renters insurance, there are a few steps you should take and some things you should keep in mind along the way.

• Get Online Quotes

Shopping online is a great way to get the insurance you need. Many websites give you the ability to customize your insurance policy, giving you the power to determine for yourself how much insurance you want from the privacy of your own computer.

Apartment Living: Three Tips When Experiencing Ice Storms

Winter Weather Advice for Residents

Even though weather can be unpredictable, winter weather is on its way for many cities in Maryland, Virginia, and beyond.  Apartment residents can enjoy light snowfall because building management will schedule snow removal and cleaning.  But what should residents do during ice storms and other winter precipitation, such as sleet, that can freeze?  Below are three tips for apartment residents to keep in mind during ice storms:

1) Building management and maintenance will treat:  When winter storms are forecast, most apartment management companies and/ or teams are planning in advance for the snow and ice.  That includes pre-treating parking lots, walkways, sidewalks, and more with ice melt products.  Residents should notify their apartment building team if they notice areas that are not treated or areas that need to be treated once winter weather begins.  Treating apartment buildings and communities during winter storms is an ongoing process until the storm itself ends, so residents should remain vigilant and patient.  Residents can also reach out to their management team with any questions or comments.

2) Rethink traveling outside (if possible): During severe winter storms, it is always encouraged to stay indoors.  That being said, some residents may need to leave their apartment and their community for work or other engagements.  Residents should remain vigilant when outside.  Ice is much different than snow and oftentimes cannot be easily detected or seen.  In addition, sleet can freeze upon contact with surfaces, so new ice may freeze and form throughout the storm.  Residents are encouraged to wear winter footwear, dress in warm clothes, and bring along items like flashlights and blankets if driving and traveling during storms.

3) Remember to use resources: Winter weather forecasts may change and update on an hourly basis.  Residents are encouraged to use resources, such as local weather apps and websites, to track winter storms.  This will assist residents in knowing when to leave their apartments and communities.  Most management companies also host online resident portals service requests and contact forms to allow residents an easy way to reach their community team with any questions or comments.  Grady Management offers to following Contact Us form specifically for residents.

Stay safe and warm during any upcoming winter weather!

Apartment Resident #LifeHacks was created in 2018 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#DIY: Make The Most Of Your Apartment Kitchen

Organization Ideas for Small and/ or Narrow Spaces

For those living in an apartment building, kitchen sizes may vary.  Some, in studios and junior one bedrooms, may experience smaller kitchens.  Others may experience narrower, referred to as "galley," kitchens which are common in some apartment buildings.

No matter the size of the kitchen, residents can make simple, temporary, design changes to maximize the space:

1) Implement a peg board: Hanging a peg board or propping a peg broad behind the kitchen sink can open up a number of storage and organization possibilities.  Use a peg board to hang things like spatulas, ladles, and other large scale cutlery that may not fit inside drawers.  Peg boards are also a great place to hang pots, pans, mugs, and cutting boards.

2) Hang the recycling bin: In smaller kitchens, floor space is a desirable commodity.  It is best to not take up excess floor space by placing garbage or recycling bins.  Put up some nails and hang the bins on the wall.  Not only will this help with remembering to recycle, but it will free up some additional space.

3) Add tension rods to cabinets:  Tension rods can help divide up cabinets and provide a place to hang items like cleaning supplies that some prefer to tuck away from sight.  This is especially useful in kitchens with limited cabinet and/ or storage space.

4) Use shelves: Hanging shelves on the kitchen wall can provide additional space for keeping often used items like coasters, mugs, drink-ware, and more.  Shelves are also an ideal place to keep and store cookbooks. 

5) Utilize baskets of various sizes: Baskets are a great resource for any kitchen!  Baskets can be added inside cabinets to store canned and non perishable food items.  Similarly, baskets can be placed inside the fridge and freezer to create food categories.  Baskets can also be hung from the wall to hold fresh produce.

What are other ways to organize a kitchen?  Let us know in the comments?

Apartment Resident #LifeHacks was created in 2018 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

Three Great Ways To Enjoy An Apartment Community Clubhouse

Fun and Games Within A Community

One great aspect about living in an apartment building and/ or apartment community is the access to the numerous resident amenities available in many of these communities. In the summertime, residents at some communities can enjoy a refreshing swim at a community pool or grill a delicious meal at a grilling station.  Those interested in fitness can work out in the community fitness center and save money on additional gym fees. 

Another amenity many apartment residents enjoy is the community clubhouse or club room.  Residents who live at a community with a clubhouse can utilize this amenity in several ways, including:

Community game night: Who doesn't love a good game night?  When gathering a large group to play some classic board games, it is best to have ample space to play.  Most clubhouses contain wide open spaces with features such as plush couches and chairs, gaming tables, and more: a perfect spot for a game night.  Game nights can also provide residents a chance to meet and socialize with their neighbors!

Birthday party and/ or social gathering: Trying to find a perfect venue for a large scale event such as a milestone birthday, anniversary, or reunion?  The community clubhouse may be the perfect place!  Some clubhouses feature caterer's kitchens to facilitate events with food.  Be sure to contact the community team and/ or management company to ensure it is possible to reserve the clubhouse prior to any event.

Reading and studying: Trying to find a creative space to cram before tests or prepare before a big meeting or presentation?  Sometimes it is best to change scenery when studying or working.  The clubhouse may provide the most comfortable, "home away from home," location for late night study and work sessions.  Oftentimes, the community clubhouse will contain WiFi access as well.

The clubhouse is one of several popular resident amenities!  When searching for a new apartment, it is important to keep in mind apartment amenities to ensure the community fits all needs. 

Apartment Resident #LifeHacks was created in 2018 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.