Pamela was chosen at random from hundreds of entries in the Apartment Finder “Explode into Spring” Facebook sweepstakes and won $500!  AF Charlotte Publisher, Michael Kucera was very pleased and excited to learn that one of his advertisers had won the prize and that he and his team would be the ones to present it to her.  ”We can do it just like Publishers Clearing House,” he exclaimed, “and we can show up at her door with a big check and surprise her!”  So, that’s just what they did – - -

When we went inside she was all by herself and on the phone so we had to tone it down until she got off the phone.  Then once she got off the phone we did a few more rounds of  PAM-E-LA!  I then explained that she was the winner.  Pamela actually seemed a little teary at one point.  Really was special for all of us ”

Congratulations again Pamela!!!  

Pick a décor theme for patio furniture:

Patio furniture can run in many different styles and themes. It is important that you stick with a central theme when decorating this space. By doing this, you can create an outside room that is comfortable and doesn’t look disorganized or haphazard. One of our favorites is Victorian décor, which is traditional wicker made furniture, perfect for the summer months.

Grilling out:

With summer right around the corner, it’s about that time to unleash your inner grill master. An apartment patio is a great place to set up a small grill so you can dine in with your family and friends. By adding a grill to your outside space, you now have a multifunctional outside room in which you can make your favorite foods and still enjoy the sunshine.

Gardening:

Now that your patio has comfortable seating and a grill, it’s time to make your outside space beautiful. The best way to make a patio feel like home is by starting your own garden. Growing different plants adds a personal feel to your patio space and can yield vegetables throughout the year. Having a garden can save you trips to the grocery store and give you the satisfaction of growing your own food to throw on the patio grill.

We hope that these tips will give you some ideas on how to design your patio space. If you have any other suggestions on how to spruce up an apartment patio, please share them with us.

Schottenstein Real Estate Group, a Leader in Columbus Apartments, Contributed Content to this Article

Marcia B and the Orange Team (Patty Crawford, Michelle Roberts and Carl Speerstra) are there to network and enjoy spending time with clients and friends alike.  They had a great get together with the Greystar team to “talk marketing!”  They’ll also take advantage of the many education sessions AIM has to offer.  AIM is known for it’s world-class speakers on all subjects valuable to the MultiHousing industry.  This year’s headliner, Douglas Van Praet, executive vice president and group manager from top creative agency Deutsch LA will take an exclusive look at “Unconscious Marketing.”

And if you’re at the AIM conference this year, be sure to pick up your version of this year’s “toy car” – the VW bus! Compliments of Apartment Finder! – What fun!

If you’re in attendance, be sure to stop by the AF booth #547E and say hello – and check out which luxury items AF is featuring at the booth this year!!  You’ll want to be a part of the AF experience!!  And don’t miss TAA’s 50th “birthday” celebration, it’s not just another gala event—it’s a Galapalooza!

TEXAS STRONG!! Kevin Telfer, Marcia Bollinger, Michael Follis and the AF Texas Gang at TAA

When you start researching for a new

Convenience IS a Factor

• One of the main things that potential apartment renters are intrigued by is the convenience to the property, meaning highways, stores, accessibility. Those all play a major role in determining if the apartment is going to be a perfect fit or not. You want to make sure you have easy access to highways and that traffic isn’t going to be terrible as soon as you step foot outside of the apartment. You also want to make sure that it is easy access in and out of the actual apartment complex. Do you have to walk up four flights of stairs every day? Are there elevators near your unit? Is there parking right outside? These all play a part in choosing the right apartment for your needs.

Location, Location, Location

• If you are single or married with no children, you will obviously want a place that is more suited for restaurants and bars nearby. If you have children, you want to make sure that schools are nearby and it is a safe neighborhood. These are important when choosing the right apartment, as well as making sure that a grocery store is within range as well as a gas station. These seem pretty petty, but it goes a long way in determining whether you want to sign the dotted line on a certain apartment or whether you would rather look elsewhere.

You Can’t Pick Your Neighbors?

• Picking your family is one thing, and choosing your neighbors is another animal. It is always good to inquire who your neighbors will be and what their habits are. Do they have screaming kids throughout the entire day and night, or are they the most pleasant and quiet neighbors that you could ever imagine? Having friendly and respectful neighbors is something that we all dream of when renting an apartment, so finding the perfect neighbor might be a stretch, but it doesn’t hurt to inquire when talking to the apartment realtor.

Know What You Can Afford

• We all want the biggest and best apartment, but we also always look to see what the prices are before we can make the deal. Make sure you know what you can afford before even searching for apartments – don’t make it a waste of time for you or the rental company if you know you can’t afford their property. You want to be able to live your life and enjoy your surrounding community, so don’t try and pick an apartment that is out of your price range. Get the right fit for you and your spouse/family, and go for it. Don’t try and get something out of your price range that you know you won’t be able to afford.

Amenities Play a Big Role

• When you are trying to figure out whether or not you can afford a certain apartment, find out what all is included in your monthly rent. Is there an on-site workout facility that is included? What about a washer/dryer unit or an on-site laundry facility? Do you have to pay to bring certain amenities into the apartment? These questions need answered when you first talk to the rental company so that you can figure out what your monthly costs will be across the board. If some or all of these are included, then it might make you more inclined to sign a lease since they are offering many things to enhance your experience and make it that much better.

Schottenstein Real Estate Group, a leader in apartment rentals contributed content to this article.  

Gallery Display Shelves: These floating shelves are great because they don’t take up a lot of space and they give a modern feel to any living space. We suggest using them the way you see them used in a lot of art galleries around the country. By using these shelves as a decorative space you can really add a personal feel to your apartment.

Use more Mirrors: We really liked this one because spring is on our doorstep and mirrors are a great way of making a room seem bigger and brighter. A few well placed mirrors around your apartment or condo you can take a dull space and turn it into a welcoming bright area.

Cover those walls: Our favorite way of adding a personal vibe to any living space is filling up the walls with pictures of friends and family. By investing in grid patterned frames you can quickly fill up blank walls and be surrounded by your loved ones. You can also use these frames for artwork or whatever else suits your personal style.

Providing tips on apartments always seems to make apartment residents happy. We are open to creative ideas that our readers may have for us. Join the conversation by commenting on this blog post. Until next time, take care and enjoy the spring weather!

SRE Group, a leader in apartment communities, provided content to this article.

Check out Harlem Shake at the recent NAA Board of Director’s meeting . . . the blonde is AF’s own Marcia B!

Have you registered for the NAA Conference in San Diego, June 19-20? . . . Click here to register and save $100 compliments from your friends at the Apartment Finder!!

Linda Hindmarch, Toni Blake & Rickie Baustert

Rickie Baustert, Michael Peterson & Linda Hindmarch

SRE Group searched throughout the country to find the five trendiest apartments in America. The winners were chosen based on the interior, the design, the view and the overall feel. We are very confident that each and every apartment on the list below could end up on your “most desirable living situation” list.

#5 – New York City Skyline Apartment
When you have a view of the most amazing skyline in the world from your bathroom, how can your apartment not make the top five list? The other rooms in this apartment are just as impressive (we know, it’s hard to believe).

#4 – Mansions at Acqualina
Mansions at Acqualina is a 47-story waterfront project, located at 17749 Collins Avenue in Miami, Florida, owned by the developer’s Eddie and Jules Trump. Everywhere you step in the luxury apartment you have a beautiful view of the ocean, which brings natural light to laminate the luxurious interior. Can you imagine waking up in that bed on a daily basis?

#3 – Luxury Penthouse Downtown Austin 

While the price is far less expensive than number four and five, this apartment is in the heart of one of the most up and coming cities in America (Austin) which makes this lone star state pad number three on our list. This amazing penthouse is situated in the heart of the capital in the lone star state.

#2 – Downtown Chicago Apartment
With a view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, this cozy apartment ranks number two on our list. The inside has a cozy feel and would make living in the windy city a win-win situation!

#1 – Sun Set Strip Apartment

This trendy apartment in Los Angeles incorporates an open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows. Once again, the skyline is breathtaking with the combination of a mountain and city view.

Whether you agree or disagree with our list, we’d love to hear from you! Please voice your opinion in the comment section.

SRE Group, an apartment leader in Columbus, Ohio, contributed content for this article.