AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif AOL Real Estate - Blog http://realestate.aol.com/blog en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Turn Your Rental into a Staycation Paradisehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/08/how-to-turn-your-rental-into-a-staycation-paradise/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/08/how-to-turn-your-rental-into-a-staycation-paradise/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/08/how-to-turn-your-rental-into-a-staycation-paradise/#commentsFiled under: ,,

Not everyone can hop the next flight to Tahiti, no matter how long it takes spring arrive. But even if your home is a rental, there are ways to turn a boring weekend into the staycation of your dreams!

"We are homebodies," says Kay Rubia in Los Angeles, "but it helps sometimes to move things around in our apartment and imagine we are someplace else."

There are all kinds of inexpensive ways to turn your home into an oasis with or without spending a lot money. Here are a few of them:
1. Make a "Floor Bed"

"Every Friday, my boyfriend and I drag all the pillows and blankets into the living room," says interior designer Shona Deal. "We lay the pillows in a circle surrounding the layered blankets and watch movies all day. It's very luxurious."

There is something special almost to the point of gluttony about turning your living room into a giant bed for the day. Make sure you also stay in your jammies.

2. Turn Your Bathroom into a Home Spa

"Even if you don't have a big tub, the key is to make things feel clean and relaxing," says Deal. She suggests filling your tub with hot water from the shower head so the room fills with steam. Add fragrant oils to the tub and lots of candles. If you can bring in music, even better. Then, either one at a time, or together if you are feeling cozy, indulge in a spa like bath for as long as you want.

3. Build a Fort

Another great way to "getaway" without getting away is to build a fort. Yes, that kind. Just like when you were a child, using pillows and blankets, create a space that is whimsical and unique. Add music and lights to give it an extra something.

If the fort idea seems too complicated after a long week at work, pitch a tent in your living room or on your patio if you have one (and the weather permits), turn off cell phones, TV and computers, and pretend you've gone camping - complete with s'mores.

3. Turn Up the Heat

Sometimes you just want to feel hot. So for one night only, turn up the heat. Make your apartment a downright balmy 80 degrees. Put on a T-shirt and a pair of shorts and lounge around with mojitos or chilled wine. If you can't bring spring to the mountain, bring the mountain to springtime.

Then, the next day, make it up to Mother Earth by turning your heat off for a few days in favor of a blanket and an extra sweater.

4. Make a Tropical Feast

One thing that's so exciting about going away is the fact that you not only allow yourself to eat anything ("What? I'm on vacation!") but you also get to sample foods you normally wouldn't. So one night, you and your honey should decide on someplace you want to travel together. Then look up some regional recipes. Prepare a special dinner and indulge yourselves like you are on, if not a vacation, then a staycation!

5. Hang a History Museum - About You

When traveling, you tend to do things you don't always do when you are in your hometown. But when you stay home what's a good way to "see the sites?" "How about make your own museum about the history of you?" suggests Deal. "Decorate the walls with photos you've taken or art you've made. If you have old stories, poems or letters, childhood diaries or drawings, put all those out as well."

Then be the docent leading your partner through a museum of your life.

"The best is getting [your partner] to return the favor to show to you as well," adds Deal.

6. Music and Lighting

"Nothing changes an environment better than light and sound," says Deal.

Go through your apartment and hang Christmas lights. If that is too time-consuming, buy red, yellow, purple and green bulbs, then switch them out for the compact fluorescents in the sockets. Turn on your favorite music and see how your staycation plays out.

No matter what you do, the point of a staycation is to do something different than the old routine. So imagine what you would do if you were on vacation-Would you go to a local market? Go for a swim? Whatever it is, find a way to do it closer to home. And if you can do it at home, even if your home is a rental, all the better.

Joselin Linder's new book, The Stoned Family Robinson, about the ultimate vacation destination is in stores now.


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]]>los angeles rentalsrental tipsstaycationsJoselin Linder2011-04-08T10:01:00 00:00Renters: Go Green This Earth Monthhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/05/renters-go-green-this-earth-month/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/05/renters-go-green-this-earth-month/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/05/renters-go-green-this-earth-month/#commentsFiled under: ,

This Earth Month (April), it might be a good idea to think about a few things you can do to green your rented home. It's true, home owners might have more control in this department - They are the only ones responsible for what appliances they use, the types of water-heaters they buy and everything else from pipes to kitchen sinks.

Meanwhile, renters are, in most cases, at the mercy of their building management. But that doesn't mean you have to throw up your arms and cry pollution. There are things you can do to green your home without breaching your lease agreement.

Here are the top ten ways you can help save Mother Earth this April:
1. Live in a Plastic-Cup and Bag-Free Zone

This one is easy. Instead of accepting plastic bags from the places where you shop, bring your
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own reusable bags. (4 billion plastic bags become litter each year.) Also, invest in your own travel mug and weed disposable cups out of your life.

2. Stop Drips

A leaky faucet can waste as much as twelve gallons of water a day! So, if you hear a drip, get it fixed, or do it yourself.

3. Use Your Green Thumb

According to NASA, indoor plants clean the air, which is why they will be a major component of future space stations. The same is true of your apartment. More plants mean cleaner air. (As a sidebar, they are an easy and inexpensive way to decorate.)

4. Recycle

You might already live in a city where you have to recycle. If not, maybe this April, make it a point to do your own recycling -- even if you just do it once at the end of the month. Who knows? Maybe you'll discover it's so easy, you'll decide to do it every month.

5. Call the "Green Team"

Con Edison offers a service called the "Green Team" where for $50 a team of experts will visit your home and tell you specific ways you can save money and the planet. Instead of buying that new shirt, in honor of green month, hire the "Green Team" or your city's equivalent.

6. Change Your Light Habits

At this point if you haven't swapped out your incandescent light bulbs for compact fluorescents, then you may as well live in a cave. But consider other lights: Tonight turn off every light in your living room and see what is still glowing. Any LED light in sight is wasting energy. If your stereo and TV system is on a light strip, simply switch the light strip off before you go to bed.

7. Indoor Composting

It sounds gross, but with all the latest gadgets on the market, indoor composting is no longer a smelly outdoor affair. For about the same price as hiring the "Green Team," $50 should net you a good composter. For a fancier one, you might have to spend a little more.

8. Turn Off the Lights

If you don't want to deal with buying gadgets or hiring teams, do something easy -- turn off the lights. Agree with other members of your household that during the month of April, lights, televisions and computers go off after 8PM. Or, choose one day a week where those items never even go on!

9. Turn Off the Heat

Similarly, most Aprils are fairly temperate. Make a deal to use fans or blankets rather than heat or air conditioning to make up for the weather. Then simply turn off the thermostat for the entire month.

10. Air Dry Your Clothes and Dishes

Hang a line in your back yard or invest in a drying rack ($35 at Target) and after you wash your clothes, hang them to dry. Similarly, turn off the "Heat Dry" option on your dishwasher, run it before bed and let your dishes air dry by morning.

In honor of Earth Month, change one or two habits and you can change the world!


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]]>Earth Dayeco-friendly homesgreen livingrental tipsrenting an apartmentJoselin Linder2011-04-05T16:43:00 00:00Breaking a Lease in the Best Way Possiblehttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/01/breaking-a-lease-in-the-best-way-possible/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/01/breaking-a-lease-in-the-best-way-possible/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/04/01/breaking-a-lease-in-the-best-way-possible/#commentsFiled under: ,

Tamara Novak has the kind of job that often gives her very little warning before she has to relocate -- and breaking a lease pretty much comes with the territory. "This does not bode well for good tenant-landlord relationships," she says. "I've had to break a lot of leases over the years, but finding month-to-month deals is practically impossible, especially on short notice."

Sometimes breaking your lease is inevitable. The reasons run the gamut from sickness to job-relocation. You can hope that human kindness will keep your landlord from keeping your security deposit-or worse-especially if you are the victim of circumstance.

But renting is a business and your landlord is also a victim. However, if you do find you have to break your lease, here's how to do it and what you can expect if you do:
1. Give as Much Warning as Possible

"If the tenant is a nice person, or offers a good excuse for breaking the lease," says tenant-landlord attorney, Jason Furhman, "the landlord can just choose to let it go."

With that in mind, let your landlord know about any reason you might have to break your lease as early as possible. For example, mention that there have been murmurs about you landing a promotion in a new city as soon as you hear them. Or tell him or her about the scary medical diagnosis that might mean you have to move to be closer to a loved one.

Chances are, your landlord will respect you for your honesty and will appreciate that he or she might have to prepare for you to vacate earlier than your lease indicates.

2. Replace Yourself

"A lease is a contract," adds Furhman. "The tenant is breaching the contract by breaking the lease."

Breaking a lease can have a dire effect on your landlord, but by doing everything you can to help to ease the transition, you might be able to get out of your lease at little-to-no cost to anyone.

"The best thing I can do if I have to move with only one month's notice," says Novak, "is get someone to sublet until the end of the lease."

Using social networking, you might be able to get someone trustworthy to take your place. This way, when you tell your landlord you are moving, you can add that you already have a few candidates in mind to take over your lease and even offer to let him or her make the final decision.

3. Be Understanding

"A landlord can be as nice or as nasty as they want to be," says Furhman. "The landlord can choose to hold the tenant responsible for the remainder of the lease. Which is a lot more than just keeping the security deposit!"

The truth is the reaction of your landlord is going to depend in part on your rental market and whether or not you can be easily replaced-or if you can be replaced for a lot more money.

"I haven't really heard of landlord's doing things like slashing tires or breaking kneecaps," jokes Furhman.

But the more you can do to help your landlord see that you will do your part to transition out smoothly, the better your chances are of garnering a favorable reaction from your landlord.

Furhman offers a sunny outlook: "A zen-like landlord could choose to do nothing about it, accepting it as the natural course of events, and move on serenely to the next thing."


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]]>Joselin Linder2011-04-01T14:26:00 00:00Can Renters Get Insurance Protection Against Natural Disasters?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/30/can-renters-get-insurance-protection-against-natural-disasters/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/30/can-renters-get-insurance-protection-against-natural-disasters/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/30/can-renters-get-insurance-protection-against-natural-disasters/#commentsFiled under: ,,

How do renters protect themselves from natural disasters? Joyce Jones was living in New Orleans in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit. She evacuated before the levees broke, but her rental apartment was all but in shambles when she returned to it three weeks later.

"I didn't have any coverage so I just lost everything," she says. "But I really wasn't thinking something like this could happen!"

If we all spent our time imagining every conceivable worst-case scenario most of us would find ourselves crawling under the covers for the foreseeable future. Luckily worst-case scenarios are not the norm. But that doesn't mean they can't happen. And after watching the devastation in Japan, everyone wants to be prepared.
Homeowners have good reason to protect themselves from the threat of natural disasters: They are protecting a financial investment, and in some cases - if they rent to tenants - a vital source of income. But what about the tenants themselves? Does it make sense for a renter to pay for protection in the unlikely event of a natural disaster? And if so, how would they go about doing it when most standard renters insurance agreements do not cover them?

Additional Coverage

It is true. If you only pay for standard coverage on your renters insurance, chances are you are not covered in the event that an "act of God" wreaks havoc on your home. In other words, if a flood, an earthquake or a tornado arrives at your door, any damage will be covered by a solid Zen outlook and little else. (However, some policies will provide you will money for living expenses.)

The costs for procuring additional coverage against natural disasters vary depending on where you live. If you try to get hurricane insurance in Memphis, for example, chances are you will get it at a pretty good rate. However, in Jacksonville, Florida, you will have to pay substantially more. Landlords in certain parts of the country already require that their tenants pay for additional renters insurance that covers natural disasters.

Why You Should Be Covered

The nice thing about the structure of most renters insurance policies is that you can mix and match when it comes to the type of natural disaster for which you'd like to be covered. If you live in a part of the world that is at a particularly high risk for a specific type of natural disaster it might not be a bad idea to include this in your renter's insurance agreement.

Consider in particular if you use your home for work or to house items for work that have considerable value or serve as an investment for you. If you have a lot of valuable equipment in the form of computers, musical instruments or if you run a mail order service and make, for example, hand bags out of your home that collectively create a livelihood for you-In any of these cases, it is probably in your best interest to protect yourself against natural disaster.

Why You Shouldn't Necessarily Be Covered

On the other hand, it is not worth it to everyone to incur the additional costs to get protection against natural disasters. Think about it economically-no matter how alarmist your local news channel is, very few people, even in Kansas, are likely to get swept away in a tornado.

If you live in a flood plain or on top of a live volcano, then yes, by all means, if someone will insure you, buy insurance. Otherwise, consider the worth of all the items you own and then calculate how much of an annual loss you will incur by paying extra for additional renter's insurance coverage. It is likely that over time, it will not be worth it.

Whether or not to have extra coverage in the event of a natural disaster is an important consideration when you are deciding if you want to spend more money than what it costs for traditional renters insurance.

"I don't regret not having had coverage," says Joyce Jones. "I learned some pretty major life's lessons from [Katrina] that I wouldn't trade for anything. Even my old stuff."

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]]>disaster insuranceearthquakehurricane katrinanatural disastersrental tipsrenters insurancetsunamiJoselin Linder2011-03-30T13:37:00 00:00Can Renters Buy Their Own Appliances?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/25/can-renters-buy-their-own-appliances/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/25/can-renters-buy-their-own-appliances/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/25/can-renters-buy-their-own-appliances/#commentsFiled under: ,

Renters, have you ever lived in a rental with the kind of refrigerator that could only fit a pint of milk and an apple? Ever dreamed of a top-load washing machine that didn't shred your favorite T-shirts? Ever wish you had a dryer that actually dried your towels in the first cycle rather than the fourth?

Sometimes being a renter can mean your appliances are not necessarily ones your building manager would choose for his or her own family home, but rather ones chosen to meet a bottom line. In other words, you might end up with the kind of oven that not only can't fit a whole turkey but also would inevitably undercook it even if it could.

So, what are the rules? Can you as a renter invest in your own appliances? What if you are downgrading from an owned home to a rental and want to bring along the awesome Frigidaire with the extra crisper drawer you took such pride in buying a few years ago?

"I once had a tenant who had their own refrigerator and wanted to bring it along with them when they moved in," says Brooklyn building manager Martin Joseph. "I accommodated her by moving the one that was there and putting it in another apartment."

Some renters can and do bring in their own appliances into their homes. Here's how:
1. Don't Live in Government Housing

"In a rent stabilized or rent controlled situation, the answer is a definite no," says landlord and tenant attorney, Jason Fuhrman. You, the tenant, should be wary about taking the furniture and storing it or disposing of it yourself. Think of it like a college dorm: Just because those spring beds and inch-thick mattresses feel about as good as one that is prison issued, they are the property of the school and cannot be swapped out or upgraded or the whole system will implode -- or at least cost you money.

2. Communicate With Your Management

In almost all cases, all you have to do is communicate that you are going to be bringing in your own appliances. Chances are, your landlord will be able to use the ones in your unit in another unit. More than likely, they will be happy to remove the existing appliances without you having to lift a finger, or call a mover.

"If you want to buy a new appliance, simply tell your landlord you're doing so, and ask him/her to remove the one that belongs to the them," says Fuhrman. "It's a non-issue from a landlord's point of view."

3. Just Because It's Broke, Doesn't Mean You Can Fix It (Legally)

Perhaps your not-very-cold fridge has spoiled one too many gallons of milk. Or maybe you have had it with all four of your burners unable to...burn. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. "Theoretically if the tenant [bought a new appliance] on an emergency basis, then they might work out a `replace and deduct' deal, where the cost is taken off the rent immediately," suggests Furhman.

Although even if you are angry about a broken appliance, your building management is allowed sufficient time to remedy the situation before you can expect that they will pay you back. "One tenant I had was not happy with their refrigerator and the timeliness of the repairs so he purchased one on his own," cautions Martin Joseph. "When we went to court the judge ruled against reimbursing him. He had no right to make the decision to purchase a new [appliance] and deduct it from the rent."

4. Make Sure Things Are Installed Properly

"Liability in case an appliance breaks is always an issue," says Fuhrman, "but with proper installation, it is rarely an issue."

In other words, don't drain your washing machine into your sink to avoid connecting it to the building's plumbing. And for everything else, make sure you are protected by investing in renter's insurance. "The landlord's consent is irrelevant," continues Fuhrman. "If it's your property, and it causes damages, you're the one whose liable."

5. Don't Expect a Change in Rent

The only thing to expect from upgrading your apartment's appliances is a better appliance.

"If the tenant buys their own appliance, they can take it with them when they leave, but that's it," says Fuhrman. "There is no obligation for the landlord to reduce the rent, and no reason for the landlord to do so."

"In my opinion you should always try to accommodate people, or at least try to when you can," says Joseph. For the woman whose personal refrigerator he made room for, it was a good call. He explains, "She is currently renting from me and has been for over seven years now."


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]]>appliancesappliances and kitchen gadgetslandlordlandlord issueslandlord-tenant lawnew appliancesrentalrenters insurancerenters rightsreplacing appliancesJoselin Linder2011-03-25T15:18:00 00:00Renting From a Relative (The Right Way)http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/21/renting-from-a-relative-the-right-way/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/21/renting-from-a-relative-the-right-way/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/21/renting-from-a-relative-the-right-way/#commentsWhen Rachel Lewis moved in with her mother-in-law in Oakland, Calif., you can bet it wasn't her idea. "It was my mother-in-law's [idea]," she says. "I did not like it. But the apartment next to ours had been condemned because of mold," she explains, "and our daughter kept getting sick, so we left."

Living with family can be a mixed blessing. On the one hand, generally speaking, renting from family can seem like a very attractive option when you find yourself in a bind and in need of a place to live. On the other hand, the familiarity that got you to leave home in the first place is going to apply the minute things get sticky -- and since renting tends to involve money, business transactions and stress, expect that they will.

"It can end bad," warns Lewis.

But it doesn't have to. If you are renting from, or thinking about renting from a family member, follow these steps to avoid going from family home to family feud:
1. Be Responsible

For Anna Applebaum renting from her father in Columbus, Ohio, for almost a year has been going great. "Probably because I have never been late for a [rent] payment," she explains. "I actually make it a point to pay early and I haven't trashed the place."

The truth is, it can be easy, if given the right company to behave like the irresponsible self of your childhood. However, any landlord/tenant relationship requires that you in fact behave like you are a grown-up. If you believe yourself to be acting as your best self but feel your landlord has some "maturity" issues, you might want to step up your search for a place of your own.

2. Set Boundaries

Before you move in, make sure you are clear with your family member about your expectations for the boundaries of your home. If, for example, you plan to host a series of summer barbeques in the backyard of your sister's duplex, let her know that you'd like your rental agreement to reflect that the backyard is shared space. This way, if she had intended that you pretty much stick to the basement, those details are hashed out in advance. Similarly, if you are only renting a bedroom, make sure you are both clear about when you are free to use the common spaces - and how often.

Even though before you moved in everyone was 100 percent lovey-dovey, once you are under the roof, attitudes shift quickly. While it might be true that your family member needs the extra income your rent provides, they might not have expected what it will actually mean when you are microwaving popcorn at midnight and waking the house. Set rules in advance and then stick to them.

3. Set a Fair Rent

No matter how casually you might take your relationship with your landlord/relative, when it comes to money, "casual" is a really bad idea. Discuss how much rent you will be paying in advance and make sure both parties understand the way in which this number was reached.

This can be handled in a number of ways: You might use Craigslist to find similar rental offerings and then agree to a 5 or 10 percent "family discount." Or, if you plan to help out by working on improvements for the unit, make sure you know who is paying for materials and how all monetary transactions will be handled. The fewer the opportunities for conflict, the better.

4. Don't Give or Take a Pity Rental

Family is great because they can help you out when the going gets tough. However, sometimes it's all too easy to take advantage of a family member. Therefore, if you find yourself in dire straights try to find any other way out of your dilemma before accepting what will certainly prove a very humbling experience.

If you do end up moving into a relative's place and are hoping not to have to pay, or expecting to pay well under market value, make sure you both agree in advance on how long that arrangement can feasibly last. Then, while you are there, be certain to live graciously and with as much deference to their kind gesture as possible.

5. Know the Rules

In some housing markets, renting to a relative can net a person some helpful tax deductions. Similarly there are legal issues involved when taking on a tenant. As a tenant and family-member-in-good-standing, it would certainly demonstrate your goodwill if you looked into the laws in your area. By letting your relative know what they have to do, you will help them to maximize their experience with you under their roof. And they will truly appreciate you for it.

Renting from family can be a challenge, but that doesn't mean, with a careful step and a lot of respect things can't work out in your favor. You just have to know what to do, and of course what not to do.

"Don't take advantage," says Anna Applebaum. "You are stuck with your family and you don't need the bad rap or grudges."

Joselin Linder is the author of The Good Girl's Guide to Living in Sin and Game-Based Marketing.


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]]>familyfamily feudshow to rent from familyrentrental tipsrentingrenting from familyJoselin Linder2011-03-21T14:58:00 00:00Rent Stabilized Apartments: A Dying Breed?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/17/rent-stabilized-apartments-a-dying-breed/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/17/rent-stabilized-apartments-a-dying-breed/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/17/rent-stabilized-apartments-a-dying-breed/#commentsPerhaps you've visited a friend's apartment and looked around thinking, "I had no idea Insert-Friend's-Name was a bazillionaire!" But there, in a to-die-for two bedroom in the best neighborhood in one of the most expensive cities in America, how could you think anything less? That is, until they utter the words, "It's rent stabilized," with a modest shrug.

How did they get it? You wonder. Did it belong to a kindly aunt who has since fled to a warmer climate? Are they just the kind of lucky that trips over pots of gold at the end of the rainbow? Do rent stabilized apartments even exist anymore? And if they do, where can I get one?

"I have felt lucky," says Joanie Kay, a retired schoolteacher who lives in a rent stabilized apartment in the Gramercy Park area of Manhattan. "I've been here for quite a while. My rent goes up but it's still below market rate."

The truth is, rent stabilized apartments are becoming more and more elusive in a lot of big cities including London, New York and San Francisco.

Back in 1974, when you could buy a Datsun 1200 Sports Coupe for around $1800, vacated apartments that had been rent controlled became rent stabilized. The difference varies somewhat by state, but in New York (because New York City has the longest history with rent stabilization and functions as something of an archetype, this article will mostly explore the standards found there) "rent control" functions as a way to limit annual rent increases based on a set and generally unchanging percent. In New York City, this number has hovered somewhere around 7%. For a tenant this is great news. For a building manager-not so much.

Enter, rent stabilization, a method by which members of a city council, roughly half pro-tenants rights and half pro-management rights, get together to hash out what the annual rent increase will be for that year. While the pro tenant side usually asks for a rent freeze, you can count on the management side to argue for alarming increases. Generally, the two sides meet somewhere in the middle, allowing for a slow and steady increase that tends to keeps rents below the market rate.

However, it is true, rent stabilized apartments are growing increasingly difficult to come by. "Firstly buildings built since 1974 are usually not rent stabilized," explains Mark Lawrence, former Housing Assistant, Assistant Housing Manager and Housing Manager in the New York City Housing Authority. "Secondly, increasingly apartments are being de-regulated."

After a tenant in a rent stabilized apartment moves out, the management has the option of gussying up the place. In other words, by upgrading the appliances and adding value to the apartment in other ways, its status can be reevaluated by the city so that it no longer falls under the umbrella of "rent stabilized." In this way, landlords have found that by investing several hundred dollars or more into a property, they can rapidly set rent at, or even above market value and likely make a lot more money in the long run.

Further, explains Lawrence, "If a building becomes a co-op, apartments that are bought leave the system, And of course many tenants will stay for years in a rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartment if the rent is low."

New programs are popping up whereby landlords and building managers of new properties are offered tax breaks for including middle-income and low-income housing. For a tenant, this requires extra paperwork in order to be approved, both by the landlord and the city in order to move into an apartment.

"Some are part of the 80/20 program," says Lawrence. "The landlord gets tax benefits by renting 20% of the apartments at `affordable' rents. The other 80% are rented at market rates."

In the long run, the financial protection might be worth the extra legwork, no matter how much extra it proves to be.

"Individuals have to apply for these apartments," cautions Lawrence, "and they have lotteries for new buildings and waiting lists."

So what is the downside to a rent stabilized apartment? If you ask Joanie Kay, there aren't many but there is one: "There's no negotiation [about rent increases]," she explains. You are at the mercy of city councils and litigators. "But if you live in a market rate rental you can negotiate with the landlord."

Let's just hope the landlord is reasonable.

For more information on procuring rentals below market rate in New York City, please explore the following resources:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/home/home.shtml
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/apartment/mitchell-lama.shtml






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]]>below-market housingmarket rateNew York City Rentalsrentrent controlrent stabilizedrentalsan francisco rentalsJoselin Linder2011-03-17T09:51:00 00:00Tenant Rights: What Happens When You Violate Landlord Ruleshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/11/tenant-rights-what-happens-when-you-violate-landlord-rules/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/11/tenant-rights-what-happens-when-you-violate-landlord-rules/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/11/tenant-rights-what-happens-when-you-violate-landlord-rules/#commentsFiled under: ,

It can happen to anyone: You miss the fine print in your lease that reminds you that your rental does not allow you to buff your own floors, keep live chickens or sublet to strangers on Craigslist. But what you can't always anticipate is what happens if you commit one or all of those crimes and get caught in the act.

According to Jason Fuhrman, a landlord tenant attorney in New York City, there is a difference between a behavior that is a nuisance and a breach of lease. "Generally, nuisances are incurable, where breaches of the lease are [curable]," he explains. He emphasizes that "a nuisance involves repeated behavior."

In other words, one mistake with a live chicken will not necessary get you evicted. Two or more? That might get you into some trouble.

Here are a few punishments you might incur if you find yourself, for example, living with a ferret in a pet-free residence, and what you can do to avoid them before you do:
1. Keeping Pets in a Pet-Free Residence

"The landlord can have you remove the pet, or have you removed from the apartment [voluntarily or involuntarily]," warns Fuhrman. However, counters Gabe Leibowitz of Aboveground Realty, "It's more likely the owners will give the tenant a chance to get rid of the pet."

Your landlord only has ninety days to act once he or she knows about Little Fluffy. So, if you want to engage in a game of chicken, things might come out in your favor. Otherwise, you better start looking for a foster pet-parent until you can find an apartment better suited to you and your animal-loving ways.

2. Repeated Destruction to Property

The question here is, are you repeating a behavior that leads to the damage? Like, does your amateur photography studio continually flood your bathroom? "A repeated pattern of behavior, that could or does adversely impact the building, apartment or other tenants," warns Fuhrman, "could lead to eviction."

On the other hand, if the damage cannot be easily traced to you it will be far more difficult to take action against you (after all, no one can prove that enlarger and photo chemicals are used as more than book ends) .

But, says Leibowitz, "If it can be proven that you broke it, then you could be held responsible for fixing it."

3. You Get Arrested

"Unless the arrest involves the use of the premises for illegal trade or business, then you cannot be evicted solely based upon an arrest," says Fuhrman, comfortingly. So, if you are terrifying your neighbors by selling drugs to scary looking meth addicts, yes, you can get into major landlord trouble.

However, if you get picked up for too many parking tickets, it's nobody's business but your own (and your city officials'). Leibowitz concurs, "If you got arrested for jaywalking, I don't think your andlord would ever know."

4. You Partied Like it Was 1999

You have known since your junior year of high school that if you party loudly, they will come. And by "they" we mean, of course, the police. Even if you are a home owner, disturbing your neighbors is a big no-no. However, throwing one giant rager isn't likely to get you kicked out, although it might get your windows egged or your car keyed by your sleep-deprived neighbors.

"Theoretically, if you disturb the neighbors it is a breach of lease - but this is curable by not doing it again," says Fuhrman.

If you do it over and over, on the other hand, you will eventually get upgraded from "breach of lease" to "nuisance," and that's when you might need to start looking into getting yourself a new address.

5. You Forget to Recycle

It is not just mother nature that will have your number if you don't properly dispose of your recyclables, but your landlord, especially if you live in a city that fines for it.

It is possible that your landlord could ask you to pay the fines he or she incurs from the city. However, more than likely, they will want to work with you on improving your recycling skills, since this is a problem that can be remedied. It will be very hard to get you evicted, but if you make a habit of forgetting to toss your paper mail in with the paper recyclables - and your name is on it - you will find your landlord suddenly "forgetting" to call you back about your lack of hot water, or taking very very personally the one time you turn in your rent a few days late.

Although as Leibowitz points out, in many rental markets, it can be "hard to evict a tenant," why would you want to put your landlords in a position where they'd want to?

So, if you aren't supposed to get a pet iguana, don't do it. And if you are in a position where you really want to help out a friend with their pet iguana for a few weeks, get permission first in writing. After all, no one likes to be lied to. So start by telling the truth and see where that gets you.

Still trying to decide which is right for you? Here are some AOL Real Estate guides to help you no matter whether you choose to buy or rent:
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Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
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Find foreclosures in your area.
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]]>animalsarrestcrimesdestruction of propertydrug arrestlandlord tenant attornypartiespet-free residencerentingtenant crimesJoselin Linder2011-03-11T12:31:00 00:00Vacation Rentals: The World's Most Luxurious Hot Spotshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/08/vacation-rentals-the-worlds-most-luxurious-hot-spots/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/08/vacation-rentals-the-worlds-most-luxurious-hot-spots/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/08/vacation-rentals-the-worlds-most-luxurious-hot-spots/#commentsVacation rentals aren't what they used to be -- they're better and bigger and more luxurious than ever. Early March is that time of the year when "just one more snowfall" is just-one-more-snowfall too many. The answer to the question, How do I survive the last gasps of winter? Take a vacation.

For most of us, a pretty little cable-free cabin in the Caribbean will absolutely do the trick for a "measly" $200 a night. But as long as we're taking this moment to fantasize about vacationing in the Caribbean, we may as well imagine the most spectacular 10-bedroom cabin on the beach with our own butler serving us cocktails as we relax in our hammock built for two.

If your name is Charlie Sheen, Jen Aniston or Donald Trump, here's where you might rent a vacation getaway, that has all the style, luxury, (not to mention an overnight price tag that matches a year or two's worth of the rent you pay in your winter-riddled home town) any super star - with or without tiger blood - could ask for:


Sir Richard & Eve Branson - Necker Island; Paradise!

1. Necker Island, British Virgin Islands: $54,000/week

Bought by Richard Branson more than 25 years ago, Necker Island has since been turned into a private 74-acre hideaway. With a tennis court, two ponds and your own spa, not to mention 360 degrees of beach, Necker Island can accommodate you and 26 of your closest friends. Oh, and yes, it comes with your own private staff.

2. Kempinski Hotel Ski Chalet, Dubai: $50,200/two nights

This five-star hotel has everything -- including a ski resort in the middle of the desert. A quarter of a million dollars will net you a week-long stay at a Norwegian-inspired ski chalet overlooking the indoor slopes of Ski Dubai. With your every need met, this three-story rental gives you a private entertainment center and central air so you can pretend you are in the Swiss Alps, instead of Dubai.

3. Hugh Hefner Sky Villa, Las Vegas: $40,000/night

Charlie Sheen famously courted his goddess, Bree Olson at this fantasy vacation location. Boasting a private pool overlooking the strip, a rotating bed, multiple full bars and two separate private sunbathing decks, what more could you want during your winter getaway? How about a private spa, your own gym and mirrored ceilings?

4. Nygard Cay Beach Resort, New Providence, Bahamas: $40,000/day

A mere 4.2-acres (see Richard Branson's 74-acre Necker Island), fashion designer, Peter Nygard's private cay in the Bahamas has been called one of the most unusual vacation rentals in the world. This 10-bedroom resort has everything, from 360 degree ocean views to a twenty-four seat theater with three screens - Two are ten-feet and one is twenty-feet and all three can play different movies simultaneously. But if that's not enough there are two pools, five Jacuzzis, a tennis court, a basketball court, two volleyball courts and a yacht. And if that's not enough, there is the staff of twenty who are at your service 24-hours a day who might be able to recommend a tour of the exotic animals on the island or a fishing boat excursion, or...

5. Villa Barbados 300, Barbados: $35,000/week

This ten bedroom luxury villa has a private pool over looking its private beach. There is a ten-seat movie theater, a children's play room and multiple private patios. It comes complete with a butler, maid and chef because you will probably be more than happy to dine at home with a rental like this one!

6. Castle Jamaica, : $52,500/week

This magnificent castle has marble stairways and sprawling grounds overlooking sparkling blue waters. Natural waterfalls tumble over cliffs. This 8-bedroom 8-bathroom castle has a library and a ballroom. With a full staff including chamber maids and gardeners, if you are worried about its out-of-the-way location, you needn't be. An on-site Helicopter pad can fly you in fifteen minutes to Kingston, Jamaica, or a little further if you snap your fingers loudly enough to get it to do your bidding.

Before the spring comes to save us from this endless winter, a little getaway might not be such a bad idea. Although a luxury vacation rental may not be in the cards, a girl can dream, can't she?


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]]>Bahamasbree olsoncharlie sheenDubaiexpensive vacationsHomeForSaleHugh Hefner Sky VillaLas Vegasluxury rentalsluxury vacationsnav-newsnecker islandNygard Caypeter nygardprivate beachprivate castlerich and famousRichard BransonSki Dubaivacation rentalsyachtJoselin Linder2011-03-08T14:34:00 00:00Renters: How to Make Your Landlord Love Youhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/02/renters-how-to-make-your-landlord-love-you/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/02/renters-how-to-make-your-landlord-love-you/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/03/02/renters-how-to-make-your-landlord-love-you/#comments"My landlord in the first place I ever rented was amazing," says Anya Novak, a nonprofit manager in Los Angeles. "So I was really taken aback when I got a landlord who never answered my calls, much less dealt with my problems."

Not all landlords and building managers are the kind that call and ask how everything is going. But that doesn't mean they can't turn into someone who does. A landlord, like anyone else, is going to be more apt to follow through with a person they like and respect. Although the old adage, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil" is a compelling one, the truth is, it doesn't matter how loud you squeak if a person isn't answering their phone to hear it.

Hiring a lawyer is a tricky, not to mention expensive and time-consuming proposition when trying to get your building manager to simply do his or her job. So first, try these tricks and see if a little good old-fashioned manipulation can help.

1. Use intrigue to ensure a returned phone call

When you leave a message, try not to sound like calling you back is going to mean work. Cut
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out words like "emergency" and "important" and replace them with the phrase, "I wanted to get your opinion on something." Keep any subsequent phone calls casual, and if the problem truly isn't an emergency, space them out in at least 24-hour intervals.

"Ask the landlord for the best way to contact them, the best time - and offer them the same information for you," suggests Martin Joseph, a landlord with several properties in Brooklyn, N.Y.

When they finally do call you back, try to stay casual as you explain that the twenty-year-old hose on your range

How to be a good landlord
has finally busted and you are concerned that the gas smell might lead to an explosion. Conclude with a simple, "What do you suggest I do?"

2. How to get away with paying rent late

"If you are unable to pay rent on time," says Joseph, "the best thing to do is give your landlord as much notice as possible."

Don't just postdate a check without mentioning it, and certainly don't just withhold a check altogether. Most landlords have bills to pay too. Not paying your rent on time can interrupt the flow of things on their end.

"Their obligations for their mortgages, utilities, employees, et cetera, are paid for by the rent," adds Joseph.

However, many landlords will be understanding as long as you are able to offer a reasonable date they can expect your rent and then follow through.

3. Make sure repairs are carried out, timely and efficiently

"Landlords are usually very busy especially if a super or dedicated repairmen are not on the payroll," points out Joseph. He suggests you ask in advance the best way to notify your landlord when repairs are needed. Also, try to maintain clarity about the urgency of the repair. Obviously, having to wait six months for any repair is unacceptable, but waiting a week to have one of several hallway lights replaced shouldn't occupy your every thought -- or require multiple phone calls. If you want your landlord to take you seriously, give them a chance to make necessary repairs without hysterics or harassment.

If the problem is more serious, give them the option to allow you to take care of it yourself and bill them for it. Even suggest that you will call the plumber/electrician of their choice, if it will make things easier. They will appreciate you respecting their time but if they commit to taking care of the problem themselves, they will have the added pressure of knowing that you offered.

4. Understanding the enemy

If you look at your landlord as the "them" in an us vs. them battle, chances are it will create more problems than it will solve. Instead, think of the landlord as the "co-parent" of your domicile. They have an investment in the property that they have entrusted to you.

"I cannot count how many times tenants wait to call you when something needs repairing," says Joseph. "I'd rather be able to fix things right away."

For example, if your shower tiles are coming off, water can seep and mildew can grow in places that might become truly problematic down the road. Make this clear to your landlord when you submit the request for repair: You are thinking of their investment, not just the aesthetics of your shower.

Finally, consider putting everything in writing and keep copies. If your landlord doesn't provide you with an email address, include repair requests with your rent check. And when things do get fixed, show your appreciation with a small gift, a note or even just a quick "thanks" on your landlord's answering machine. Sure, it's their job to do it, but it is downright polite to acknowledge it, and who knows? It might get you an even faster, more efficient response down the road.



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]]>how to make your landlord love youlandlord issuesrental tipsrentersJoselin Linder2011-03-02T15:24:00 00:00Apartment Rentals: Better to Live Upstairs or Downstairs?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/28/apartment-rentals-better-to-live-upstairs-or-downstairs/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/28/apartment-rentals-better-to-live-upstairs-or-downstairs/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/28/apartment-rentals-better-to-live-upstairs-or-downstairs/#commentsapartment rentalsObviously the first thing most renters will do when looking for apartment rentals is seek out a suitable neighborhood. Location plainly matters when it comes to nesting. But how much weight should a renter put not only on where they live a city, but where they live in a building?

"I moved into a spectacular walkup," says Lisa Sanderson, a renter in Brooklyn, N.Y. "I was on the top floor and it was awesome...until it rained. Then it got a lot less awesome."

Sanderson learned that there can be perils to living in a penthouse.

"Top floor apartments run into problems because roof upkeep is not always foremost in a building manager's mind," explains Carter Moe, a foreman and building manager in Portland, Me. "And roofs are the most vulnerable part of a building."

But is living all the way at the bottom any better? The truth is, anyplace you live within a building has its own set of risks as well as its own set of benefits. Here are a few things to consider when deciding if you'd rather move all the way up or head all the way down.

Penthouses and Top-Floor Units

Perils:

When you live on the top floor of a building, the only thing between you and Mother Nature are a few pieces of plywood. Roofs take a lot of heat -- not to mention rain, snow, sleet and anything else the seasons have to throw at it. So living directly beneath one can definitely lead to problems, namely leaks. Make sure you let your landlord or building manager know about problems as they arise, so that they can be dealt with in a timely fashion.

If your ceiling has been peppered with skylights, you may also want to consider that no matter how lovely they look, it can be hard to keep the drafts out and the leaks from leaking. Also frustrating is that top-floor units tend to be extra hot all year round.

"Heat rises," says Moe, "so the rest of the building is heating you apartment too -- that's on top of hot sunlight streaming in all year round."

And on top of everything else, top-floor units have the most stairs to climb if the elevator goes out. Of course, that's assuming you have an elevator.

Benefits:

On the other hand, we're talking about the top floor! You get your building's best views and your status points are certain to skyrocket. You are also the second-closest unit (after the first-floor apartment) to outdoor space. Even if you don't have a finished roof, chances are there is some way to sneak out onto it from your unit. So go ahead and enjoy it.

Top-floor units have the great pleasure of elevation from street noises; and with no one living above them, they are often the quietest units in the building.

Now that you mention it, what's a little leaky roof?


Basement Units

Perils:

Basement apartments don't generally sound good, mostly because when most people think of a "basement" they think cold, dank and dark. It's true. Fundamentally, the biggest problem with living in the basement is that it's a basement.

"I think my record is six weeks keeping any plant alive," says Noah Green from her basement apartment in Chicago.

Not only are basement unit's dark, but they are also a flood risk. Rain flows down, gutters flow down and you live, well...down. So you want to make sure before you move in that everything is shored up as well as possible.

Benefits:

On the plus side, in the strangling heat of summer, a basement apartment usually remains comfortably cool all year round. Also, thanks to far less intrusive outside lighting, it is easier to sleep late on the weekends.

"I love my cozy cave," counters Green, a nurse. "I work a lot of nights, so it's perfect."

A basement unit offers you a lot of control over your environment, as well. From lights to sounds -- because you are on the bottom, chances are, at least from your neighbor's perspective, you can get away being as noisy as you want.

Anywhere Else

Just because you think you are safely ensconced in the middle of the building -- neither sky above nor earth below -- doesn't mean you won't run into problems. In fact, being sandwiched between two (or more) units means you might have other people's noises coming at you from 360 degrees. Similarly, you might find yourself in a neighbor's way.

And just because you think you are not at risk for leaks or floods, think again. Pipes can leak from unit to unit. Flaky neighbors can leave bath water running and flood their bathrooms -- inconveniently positioned above your grandmother's armoir.

But living among your neighbors, whether or not you are subject to the whims of shared piping, electrical wires and walls, can be a harmonious experience if you go in prepared -- and as long as you pay attention to the details before you sign the lease.


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]]>apartment locationapartment rentalsbasement apartmentselevatorsfirst-floor apartmentsgarden apartmentpenthouse apartmentsrental unitsrenting tipstop-floor apartmentsJoselin Linder2011-02-28T11:24:00 00:00The Best Rentals: How to Find the Perfect Apartmenthttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/22/the-best-rentals-how-to-find-the-perfect-apartment/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/22/the-best-rentals-how-to-find-the-perfect-apartment/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/22/the-best-rentals-how-to-find-the-perfect-apartment/#commentsbest rentalsWhen Jenny Mickleson of Austin, Tex., went looking for her apartment she had a hard time figuring out which were the best rentals. "It wasn't that I couldn't find a good place, but I just kept thinking the next one might be better," she says. "I had the hardest time saying yes!"

Some people are lucky enough to have Mickleson's problem. In cities such as San Francisco and New York -- where the markets can be a lot less renter-friendly -- a great rental apartment in the right price range can be tough to come by.

But no matter where you live -- or are looking to move -- here are a few great tips to make sure when you sign that lease you are signing for the best rental apartment that your market has to offer.
1. Make a List

Start by writing out everything you want in an apartment. Then, when you go to see each place, check them off the list. It's okay to sacrifice a few of your must-have items, but, like a shopping list at a grocery store, it will help to keep you focused.


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Apartment Home Living Leasing Tip - Location

2. Find a Realtor You Already Know

Social networking -- as with Facebook and Twitter -- is a great tool to find out who you already know that is working in real estate. Just as good is discovering that your friends have friends who are in the business. If you can find a Realtor who feels a responsibility to you that goes beyond business, you are going to get the best rental deals.

3. Speak to the Previous Tenant

"We broke the lease on a great apartment because poisonous wild mushrooms were growing all over the place," says Katy Rubio in San Francisco. "I would have loved to warn the new tenants."

No matter how perfect a place looks, before you sign anywhere, make sure you know how and why the last tenant gave it up. Ideally, try to contact them directly. If you are unable to do that, ask the landlord straight out. If you get any answer other than, "She got a job overseas," or something similar, get your guard up and make sure there are no mushrooms growing in the coat closet.

4. Find Out If Your Rent Will Skyrocket

Fewer markets offer rent controlled apartments these days. If you are looking at a place that is not protected, make sure you ask other tenants in the building or under the same management about annual rent increases. There is nothing worse than moving into the best rental ever, only to have to move out again one year later.

5. Get It From Your Friends

"My friend was moving out from his place to move in with his girlfriend," says Gina Martin in Queens, N.Y. "He loved his old place so much, I decided to move into it."

The best rental apartments come with great word of mouth. Who better to get it from than a trustworthy friend who lived there?

6. Pound the Pavement

Do more than troll the internet to find the best rental. Of course it's easy to apartment hunt the lazy way, but sometimes getting in your car and driving around (or walking) the neighborhoods in which you'd like to live will yield gems you can't find online. Call while you are sitting outside a "for rent" sign and ask to see it on the spot. Or make an appointment.

7. Take Your Time

"I was going to just take this place because it was fine and I was so sick of apartment hunting," says Chris Greenberg in Brooklyn, N.Y. "But I had one more appointment the next day, so I went -- and I'm so glad I waited. It was perfect!"

Whether you are staying in the same town or moving from another, make sure you give yourself time to get to know your new neighborhood and the rental market. Some will argue you will lose out if you are too slow, but being too quick can be a mistake as well. Trust that no matter how tough the market is, you will find what you want if you are prepared to hunt carefully and deliberately.

8. Meet Your Neighbors

Everyone who goes apartment hunting knows to turn on the hot water, check the water pressure in the shower and find out where the outlets are - but not everyone thinks to knock on a neighbor's door. Maybe you don't want to seem rude, but they are going to come with your apartment, like it or not, and they can give you some valuable insight before you make the commitment.

Jenny Mickleson finally chose an apartment after a grueling six week hunt. "You'd have thought it was my other full time job," she laughs. "But I found a great place and four years later, I never want to leave it."

And isn't that exactly how home should be?




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]]>apartment livingbest rentalsfinding best apartmentgetting best apartmentrental tipsrentalsJoselin Linder2011-02-22T13:26:00 00:00The Advantages of Furnished Rentalshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/08/the-advantages-of-a-furnished-rental/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/08/the-advantages-of-a-furnished-rental/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/08/the-advantages-of-a-furnished-rental/#commentsfurnished rentalsLoni Maynard moved to a small Ohio town after college. "I got a job on a local paper," she explains. "I found myself looking mostly at furnished rentals, since generally they were attached to the homes of the landlords in one way or another."

Renting a furnished home might seem like a very old world prospect, however, it is actually a lot more forward thinking than most people realize. There are some great advantages to renting a furnished apartment. Here are a few of them:

1. You Don't Have to Take It With You

"When I moved abroad, obviously it would have been tough to bring my furniture with me," says Sid Broadbank, who moved to Argentina for five years after college. "I was thrilled that it's common practice to rent out furnished apartments in Buenos Aires."

When you move inconveniently far from your last residence, whether you leave the country or just traverse it, the best thing about renting a place that comes with a couch and a bed is not having to move your couch and bed.

2. You Are Doing Your Part to Save the Planet

When the landlord of your furnished rental decided not to throw away the perfectly comfortable mattress and perfectly useable dining room table, that green choice he or she made now passes to, you, their renter. Meanwhile, you don't have to run out and repurchase those items, adding waste to waste. It really does pay it forward.

3. You Can Make It You

One of the most offputting ideas about renting a furnished apartment is the idea that someone thinks that you and your landlord's recently deceased grandmother could, in any universe, have the same taste in La-Z-Boys. How can you sit in that dusty pink armchair and maintain any form of self-respect, no matter how comfortably that bad boy reclines?

But don't let that stop you. Creatively placed sheets and covers can transform any household item from "theirs" to "yours" instantly. So don't let a hand-me-down floral print sofa cramp your style - or stop you from renting.

4. It Saves Time, Energy and Your Stuff

Everyone hates moving. But when you break down the three worst things about it, it generally comes down to stuff -- where it is, how to arrange it and what has been destroyed. When you rent out a furnished space, you run into fewer "stuff-related" catastrophes.

"I have never moved and not had at least two things I love arrive in pieces," says Broadbank, "except when I moved into my furnished apartment. That time, nothing broke -- because hardly anything moved!"

5. Decorating Is for Suckers

Even though you are pretty sure you would never choose the blond wood kitchen table you have suddenly acquired, you are also pretty sure you have no idea what you would have chosen. Suddenly, the prospect of picking out a $15 table cloth that goes with the "interesting" 1970s wall hangings feels a lot easier than starting from scratch.

However, when you do choose a furnished space, it's probably not a bad idea to choose one with an extra hallway closet where you can store those wall hangings; and if you have to, that dusty pink La-Z-Boy.

"At first I was really opposed [to a furnished rental] but my favorite space in my price range turned out to be furnished," says Maynard. "Over time I think it was a good move. I couldn't have afforded any nice furniture at that point anyway so I would have ended up throwing it all out."

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]]>decoratingeco friendlyfurnished apartmentfurnished rentalfurniture coversgreenmovingrent+furnished+advantagesrentfurnishedadvantagesrentingJoselin Linder2011-02-08T13:47:00 00:00Celebrity Rentals: Why Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes Renthttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/07/celebrity-rentals-why-tom-cruise-and-katie-holmes-rent/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/07/celebrity-rentals-why-tom-cruise-and-katie-holmes-rent/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/07/celebrity-rentals-why-tom-cruise-and-katie-holmes-rent/#commentsFiled under:

celebrity rentalsOne year ago, it was reported that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were interested in a $200,000/month rental in the Trump Park Avenue at Park Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan, only the latest in a string of prominent celebrity rentals. Cruise's Mission Impossible 4 was about to begin shooting and would, in part, be filmed in the city.

When you think of the super-rich - people like the Cruises - it is easier to imagine titles changing hands quicker than leases. After all, how could someone with the expansive resources of celebrities, trust fund babies and CEOs actually be interested in renting?

It would seem, in the era of abandoned luxury apartment sales, luxury rentals are on the rise. Here's why:

1. Mobility

In the case of the Jolie-Pitts who spent most of 2009 renting a $60 million sprawling estate on Long Island, renting allows them the leeway to live as citizens of the world. Angie, Brad and their brood of six seem to like the freedom renting gives them. The summer of 2008 found them signing a three year lease on a 35 bedroom French Chateau on the French Riviera. Currently, their $27,000/month Budapest rental is a ten room villa with a private lake.

2. Respite

One year ago, after Elin Woods left a badly beaten down Tiger, she found herself moving into a nearby Florida rental. However, when most people think "rental," they are probably not picturing a five-bedroom mansion with a steam room and two kitchens. But when you are a woman spurned, eating and steaming might be exactly what the doctor ordered.

The former Mrs. Woods also purchased an island mansion in Sweden around the same time. Perhaps her Florida rental was a way to tie up the loose ends of her crumbling marriage before she could return to her native Sweden and begin a new Tiger-free life.

3. Fear of Commitment

A New York Times article suggests that the wealthy could be coming down with a case of good old-fashioned commitment-phobia. As more luxury sales are put on hold, they are being turned at a tremedous rate into luxury rentals. While it's true that prodigious riches allow for a certain amount of stability in life, they can also impart a great level of freedom.

4. Transient Work

In the era of The 4-Hour Work Week -- the Tim Ferris best seller that insits one can work hard while hardly working -- jobs are temporary and require more travel. Obviously, movie stars are made to work in a new city with nearly every project in which they are cast. An entrepreneur like Victoria Beckham has to be in New York, Paris or London to hock her fashion line on any given day of the week. Similarly athletes -- from Beckham's soccer star husband, to any player in the NFL, MLB or NBA -- getting traded to a new city is practically as common as scoring. Mobility is the name of the game, and renting is a great way to avoid having too many loose ends to tie up when it's time to go.

5. Discriminating Taste

Another reason the wealthy might rent is to ensure that when they buy, they are buying right. Especially in cities like New York and San Francisco where sellers are willing to sit on properties until they get their asking price, buyers are increasingly waiting patiently to get the prices they want to pay. Renting in the meantime becomes the most appealing option.

Tomkat and Suri did not end up renting in the Trump Park Avenue. Ultimately they decided it was not worth their while to sign the one-year lease required by management -- only to pack up and leave for the next city on MI4's widespread shooting-agenda. They wanted something more...temporary.

But the nice thing about being rich is that you can always afford to say no.


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]]>celebrity rentalscelebrity+renterscelebrityrenterskatie holmeskatie+holmes+and+tom+cruise+rent+homekatie+holmes+tom+cruise+rentkatieholmesandtomcruiserenthomekatieholmestomcruiserentluxury rentalsmission impossible 4tom cruisetom+cruise+and+katie+holmestom+cruise+mansiontom+cruise+real+estatetomcruiseandkatieholmestomcruisemansiontomcruiserealestateTrump Park AvenueJoselin Linder2011-02-07T10:23:00 00:00Last-Minute Apartment Rental Tipshttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/04/last-minute-apartment-rental-tips/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/04/last-minute-apartment-rental-tips/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/04/last-minute-apartment-rental-tips/#commentsFiled under: ,,

don't panic over last-minute apartment rentalsOne day, Tanya Alison got an urgent phone call from a friend in need of an apartment rental. "She was moving here with a husband, a dog and two cats in less than two weeks," Alison explains from her Brooklyn apartment. "She was flying in for twenty-four hours and intended to use the ones in which she wasn't asleep apartment hunting."

New York City, with its 2.8% vacancy rate, is decidedly one of the nation's most expensive (and difficult to navigate) markets for apartment rentals, according to Forbes Magazine. So Allison's friend had her work cut out for her.

Finding the right apartment rental, even in the coldest of markets, definitely takes time. But finding one at the last minute is hardly impossible, if you know where--and how--to look. Here are some expert tips for landing an apartment rental in record time.


1. Be Prepared: "Set up appointments with a broker in advance if you can," suggests Nina Miller, a broker in Chicago, Ill. But do your own homework, too, checking apartment rental listings on AOL Real Estate, apartments.com, rentals.com or even Craigslist. That way you are certain to have a few options that you have already vetted for price point, location and necessities (like buildings that allow pets.)


2. Create Time: Just because you don't have time to find the perfect apartment rental now doesn't mean you can't make time later. "Subletting can be a great way to inexpensively extend the time you need to figure out the best home for you," says Miller. A lot of subletters need someone to move in right away and will give you a good deal to do so. With the money you save, you can put your personal items in storage while you slowly and deliberately find the perfect apartment rental.

3. Get Some Help: If you know people living in the city to which you are moving, enlist their help in finding you a great apartment rental. Yes, this is a huge request to make of someone, so be specific. For example, ask a friend to help you by going through your list of potential places to weed out shady blocks or hard-to-get-to neighborhoods. If you ask them to go see a couple of rental apartments for you, you owe them dinner. If you ask for more than that, you might want to think about offering to babysit their kids/dogs or housesit over their next vacation.

4. Choose a Shorter Lease: "You can always ask the landlord for a shorter lease if you are truly unsure about the last-minute apartment rental you're choosing," says Miller. "Some are more than happy to go down to six months and in some cases, month to month, especially if the neighborhood is on its way up." That way everyone wins: You get more time to find the best space for you, and the landlord can collect some rent until the popularity of the neighborhood matures and then increase the asking price accordingly.

5. Use the Time Crunch to Your Advantage: Housing managers are anxious to collect rent as quickly and as regularly as possible. "You actually might end up getting an even better deal than you would have if you were hunting weeks before your move-in date," notes Miller. So be clear that you are ready to move in right away--and start paying rent right away--and see if you can finagle a few bucks a month off rent or some other perk you might otherwise be unable to leverage.

6. Couch Surf: Obviously this is a worst-case scenario, but if you're taking finding a rental apartment down to the wire, you need a back-up plan. Have an idea about what you are going to do in the event you do not get everything signed on the dotted line in time for your desired move-in. It will take the edge off of the inevitable frantic nature of your search.

7. Look for People Looking to Rent Spaces Quickly: "It might sound obvious," says Miller, "but people looking to rent quickly should look for people who are looking to rent their space quickly." In an already complicated world of apartment rentals, sometimes its easy to forget that for every last-minute renter, there is a last-minute owner. When you bring the two together, it can be a truly harmonious thing. Many websites posting rentals devote a section to people look for renters right now, so find them and call ahead.

Tanya Allison and her friend combed the streets of Brooklyn looking for homes in the correct price range, taking into account her pets and general living needs.

"At the end of a very long day we found a place that would take my friend, her husband and their menagerie," says Allison. "I am not sure I want to see her for a while," she adds, laughing, "but we did it, so happily she will not be crashing in my guest room."

Still trying to decide which is right for you? Here are some AOL Real Estate guides to help you no matter whether you choose to buy or rent:
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Find out how to calculate mortgage payments.
Find homes for sale in your area.
Find foreclosures in your area.
Get property tax help from our experts.

 

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]]>apartment rentalsApartmentRentalslast-minute rentalsrental apartmentsrental+apartmentrentalapartmentrentalsJoselin Linder2011-02-04T12:00:00 00:00Renting Abroad: Easier Than Here?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/02/renting-abroad-easier-than-here/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/02/renting-abroad-easier-than-here/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/02/02/renting-abroad-easier-than-here/#commentsFiled under: ,,

renting abroadThere are endless reasons for renting abroad. Since the advent of the airplane and the internet, the world has grown considerably smaller. People move overseas for reasons as disparate as falling in love with a foreigner to falling in love with a new culture. Some people get a job abroad, while others just want to take a few months out from their daily life and experience someplace new.

Whatever your reasons for moving, one thing stays the same: Where will you live once you get there?


"If I remember correctly, when we tried to find a place in Spain from the U.S., we didn't have much luck," says John Wynn, who moved from Oregon with his wife for work. "We didn't know the city at all, and didn't know the neighborhoods. So we ended up getting a cheap vacation rental for 10 days so we would have somewhere affordable to live while we found an apartment."

Obviously, the rules of renting will vary from city to city and country to country. However, there are a few tips that can be applied anywhere:

1. Don't Necessarily Trust the Tried and True:

"Craigslist is worthless in Spain," cautions Wynn. "Almost every ad was a scam. I would contact people, and the reply would be something like, `I am in London right now -- just send me 1,000 euros, and I will send you the keys.'"

Find out the real estate websites most trusted in the city to which you are moving.

"There are legit local versions in Barcelona, such as www.loquo.es," he adds, "but they are in Spanish or Catalan."

If you do not speak the local language, see if someone you know can translate for you. If not, read on.

2. Find an English-Speaking Landlord or Agent:

"If you don't speak the local language, it is often worth the money to deal with landlords who speak English," suggests Ohio native and current Prague resident, Lucy Right. "You will want to have your lease [and any other paperwork] in English and many visa requirements involve landlord cooperation and official leases, so you will need that cooperation."

"We worked with a British agent online," adds Wynn "and then we worked with [an English speaking] local. We never met the owners, only property management companies."

3. Find the Expatriate Community:

Most big cities will have some Anglophonic population living in its midst. Even if they aren't American, you will soon learn that Australians, Brits, Irish and South Africans (among others) are nesting in almost every city in the world. Look in guide books to find them, or Google the cities (or nearby cities if you are headed for a small town) for English-language newspapers. Then see who you can contact before you arrive for help.

"One of my first apartments I got from a bulletin board in an expat coffee shop," says Right. "Now bulletins are on the web, so find those listings and you can get a place before you get here."

4. Start With a Vacation Rental:

Like John Wynn and his wife, sometimes arriving in the city and giving yourself a few weeks to find the right apartment in the right neighborhood is a great way to go.

"Once you get in the country, you will have better luck with real estate companies," he says. "Sure, you will have to pay one month rent to the listing agent, but it is worth it to have someone show you properties."

Also, once you have arrived, use a guide book to find English speakers who can give you tips to -- or who might even know of available apartments.

If you are confident in the city's language, you might even be able to do it yourself. "Walk around and call phone numbers you see on buildings," Wynn suggests, "then you can avoid dealing with agents."

5. Be Prepared to Pay...With Cold, Hard Cash:

"Our first apartment, we paid our rent each month in cash," says Wynn.

Bank transfers are equally common. Checks and credit are a lot more challenging to pay with than you'd think. So make sure you are able to easily access your funds without them.

Also, don't be surprised if you have to pay more than first, last and a deposit. Some landlords will surprise you with a deposit that is anywhere from 6-12 months in advance. If you are not prepared for that, keep looking.

"Some of our friends ran into those super deposits but we never did," Wynn offers reassuringly.

Searching out a rental in a foreign country has its challenges but nothing insurmountable and if you are patient, you will quickly learn the rules of renting that are particular to your adopted city.

"We missed out on the first place we saw, because we waited to long to tell the agent we were interested," says Wynn. "She rented to the couple who looked at it right after us. After that, we learned to take a place right away if we liked it."

 

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]]>expatriatesfinding an apartment abroadforeign rentalsliving abroadPraguerenting abroadspain rentalsworking abroadJoselin Linder2011-02-02T16:08:00 00:00Renters: Raise Your Credit Score Nowhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/26/renters-raise-your-credit-score-now/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/26/renters-raise-your-credit-score-now/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/26/renters-raise-your-credit-score-now/#commentsFiled under: ,,

credit scoreIt's probably safe to say that it isn't having a new apartment that's hard, it's getting it. First, there's the legwork, then there's the scraping together a security deposit and first and last months' rent. But for some people, it's that pesky credit score that stands between them and the garden apartment with tons of light and the in-house washer and dryer.

So how can you start fixing your credit score before you find yourself crying as someone else closes on the affordable two-bedroom of your dreams?
1. What is a credit score?

A credit score is a number between 300-850 based on -- primarily -- a person's credit history. The higher the number, the more reliable the renter. The credit score can be assessed by a landlord to reveal the likelihood that a potential renter will follow through on his or her monthly rental agreement.

2. Where does a credit score come from?

A credit score -- also known as a FICO score (from the Fair Issac Corporation) -- is derived by looking at five major categories (listed in order of the most to least heavily weighted): The renter's payment history; what the renter still owes; the length of the credit history of the renter; how much new credit the renter has; and the type of credit the renter has used.

3. How does ones credit score go down?

When a renter does not make his or her credit or rental payments on time or they have racked up so much debt that they become unable to pay a re gular minimum payment, their credit score might be primed to plummet. Further, if a person is a new credit holder or if they are applying for multiple credit sources, they can expect their number to appear less than stellar to a landlord. But more than any of those, filing for bankruptcy can knock a renter's score down up to 250 points and will stay on a credit report for 10 years.

4. What number does a landlord expect your credit score to be?

When a bank loans money, according to this recent Investopedia.com article, lenders consider anything above 770 a top-tier score and anything below 620 subprime. Landlords renting homes are -- in some cases -- willing to overlook a mediocre credit score if the would-be tenant is able to pay a larger down payment or get a co-signer.

5. So what can you do to raise your credit score?

o. Don't Use Credit: It might sound obvious, but the best way to rebuild bad credit is to stop accruing debt. Cut up your credit cards and go back to paying with checks and cash. It might sound old fashioned, but it will help you in the future.

o. Make a Calendar: It's easy in the throws of the day-to-day to forget a monthly bill or two - especially if there are five or six or more bills to pay off each month. So put it on your calendar or have reminders sent to your inbox. Even better, set up an automatic bill pay so you can't forget.

o. Have Fewer Credit Cards: Another no-brainer - why overtax your pocket book with all that plastic? The more open credit cards you have, the lower your credit score will be.

o. Stay in Touch With Your Creditors: Make sure to devote some time each month to going over your monthly statements. Catch mistakes early and report them immediately. The more mistakes you stop in their tracks, the higher your score will be - and it will keep your interest from skyrocketing.

o. Pay More: Don't just pay what you have to, pay more. If you overpay the interest or your minimum balance on your credit cards or student loans each month, you will be improving your overall credit. So look and see what you owe, then add fifty.

Your credit score isn't the only thing in the way of a great rental, but it's an important one. And the good news is, it's never too late to make it the number you know you should have.

Want to know how to deal with other rental issues? Here are some AOL Real Estate guides that can help:

 

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]]>credit scoreFair Isaac CorporationFICO scoresrental tipsJoselin Linder2011-01-26T12:12:00 00:00Should You Buy a Home With a Partner?http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/20/should-you-buy-a-home-with-a-partner/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/20/should-you-buy-a-home-with-a-partner/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/20/should-you-buy-a-home-with-a-partner/#commentsFiled under: ,,,

buy a homeWhen cohabitating, should you buy a home with your partner when you move in together, or keep it noncommittal with a rental? The answer varies from couple to couple.

Cohabitation casualty Rina Welsch, a musician in Columbus, Ohio, spent four years unraveling the tangled mess of having bought a home with her then-boyfriend, Paul, a struggling small business owner.

"It was worse than a divorce because psychologically we had never committed to that," says Welsch. "When the place wouldn't sell we had this terrible break up on our hands and a bad business deal going on at the same time!"

For an unmarried couple buying a home together, Welsch's tale is a cautionary one. However, for every Welsch, there is a Bradley Cooper/Renee Zellwegger story with a $4 million Pacific Palisades home and a happy ending two years later.

So which is it, rent or buy? By answering the following questions together, you can figure out what's best for you:
1. Are you committed to each other?

Sometimes people stay unmarried because they don't feel like planning an expensive party, don't believe in marriage or just haven't gotten around to getting married. That doesn't make them any less committed to each other than if they had tied the knot.

If you and your partner have already agreed that you are in it for the long haul, then buying a home together doesn't have too many pitfalls. In fact, co-owning a home can even lower both of your taxes.

"Each of the unwed partners would receive an individual credit on taxation of the profits," says Gary Dunn, a real estate lawyer in Garden City, N.Y., "however I would caution that any tax ramifications should be discussed with an accountant."

2. Did you find your dream house, but not your dream partner?

Sometimes timing plays a role in the question of buying vs. renting. The truth is, you really like your partner, you just aren't ready to bring the government or God into it. But that perfect fixer-upper in the most up-and-coming neighborhood in your city is not going to fixer-up itself! So what do you do?

"The best protection an unwed couple can have in the event of a breakup is to purchase the property as Tenants in Common," says Dunn. "This way if they want to sell or if they breakup
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each party owns 100 percent of a 50 percent interest in the property." In other words, if you are certain you can't buy the property by yourself (and have looked into having a close family member cosign a loan for you) ,look at this purchase as a business investment.

3. What if you've got the bank and he's got the drill?

You might find yourself in a relationship that seems destined to co-own a home together. You have the capital to buy the place, and he has the skills to lay the best hardwood floors in the county! How can you both stay protected? With a contract, of course.

Whatever you do, put everything in writing. This isn't going to be a case for Judge Judy for $5,000 in unpaid construction fees and a broken heart. Because you and your partner have agreed to forgo the marriage contract, make sure you take the agreement over your home and who owns what percentage of it very seriously.

4. What happens if the worst happens?

So, what if your happy cohabitation falls apart? Even through clenched teeth and angry glares, if you and your former-partner made your purchase as Tenants in Common, a decision can be made for you.

"If [two people] can't agree to sell the property they can always petition the court to Partition the property," says Dunn.

Break ups can happen to anyone. You will survive it if it happens to you. And so will the fate of your co-owned house. And if Angie and Brad, Matthew and Camilla, and Goldie and Kurt can co-own (not to mention co-parent) why can't you?

Rina Welsch and her ex finally sold their home and moved on. She admits that breakups are tough no matter what. But the experience of having to become co-landlords with her ex isn't an one she wants to relive. Although she admits that sometimes falling in love makes it hard to remember old pain.

"I wouldn't do it again," she insists, "unless, you know, I did..."

Joselin Linder is co-author of The Good Girl's Guide to Living in Sin and Game-Based Marketing.

These AOL Real Estate guides can help, whether you're in the market to buy, rent or sell:

 

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]]>bradley cooperbuy a homebuying a homecohabitationrenee zellwegerrent versus buyJoselin Linder2011-01-20T09:22:00 00:00Roommates: The 'Laverne and Shirley' Wayhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/11/roommates-the-laverne-and-shirley-way/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/11/roommates-the-laverne-and-shirley-way/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/11/roommates-the-laverne-and-shirley-way/#commentsFiled under: ,,,

Laverne and ShirleyMaybe Laverne and Shirley had it right. The fictional roommates from the hit 1970s sitcom played by Penny Marshall, right, and Cindy Williams had fights, but they also had plenty of fun.

Last week, CNNMoney.com featured a personal essay by Brooklyn writer, florist and stylist, Amy Merrick. In the article Merrick claimed that living roommate-free was "the biggest financial luxury a girl like me could have." But what would Shirley have been without Laverne? Boring, that's what. And poorer, as well.

The truth is, as more and more headlines point to decreasing incomes and increasing marital ages, is having a roommate truly the worst conceivable inconvenience? And in the end, isn't saving money the name of the game?

Having a roommate doesn't have to be an endless fight about hot water over-usage and not doing the dishes. Here are seven ways to live with a roommate after college, and like it:

1. Get a Job: "I lived with a guy who was agoraphobic," says Tina Anderson, a renter in Boston, MA. "He did IT work on a computer in our living room every day, all day. It was misery."

Don't choose a roommate who is unemployed or "works from home." Instead, make sure both of you are out of the
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house for a minimum of six hours a day. Also, don't choose a homebody. Choose someone social who likes to be out. This will guarantee you occasional alone time in your house.

2. Have Meetings: It might sound a little "youth group", but a scheduled monthly meeting over a spaghetti dinner or cocktails is a great way to check in with each other and make sure both of you are happy in your living arrangement. Be frank with each other, and use kindness to fix problems before they fester and explode.

"I lived with a girl who hated that I got up to shower at exactly the time she wanted to shower," says Viv Carroll in Columbus. "I was in school so I could have waited but I never realized she was mad about it until she told me the day she moved out and gave me a list of everything I had done wrong as a roommate."

3. Don't Be Best Friends: Contrary to the likes of Felix and Oscar; Laverne and Shirley; and Ernie and Bert, you will actually have a better roommate relationship if you are not the best of friends. However, you will need to be friendly.

"I need some independence in my living arrangement," says Tina Anderson. "If we aren't friends we can just say, `Hey,' and go about our business. Not every snack has to be an ice cream social."

4. Agree to Be Invisible: "You have to be comfortable in your home," Anderson advises, "but when you live with someone they have to feel comfortable too, so do what you can to help."

After you eat, do your dishes. If you spill something, clean it up right away. If both of you agree to keep common spaces clean and, for all appearances, roommate-free, you will both feel at home.

5. Schedule: "Live with an architect, a filmmaker, or a travelling businessperson" says Carroll. "They are never home."

If you can, when choosing a roommate, look for someone who has a different schedule than you. If you work at a bar at night, get a roommate who leaves for work in the morning. This way, you get all the perks of having a roommate without having to actually have a roommate - at least, most of the time.

6. No More Than One: You might think that the five bedroom house with the gorgeous red wood in the backyard for $500 a month is worth living with two couples, a socialite and a guy who does yoga, but in the end you will find that your home is also their home - and you will not like it.

"When you are in your early twenties, living in a commune is sort of romantic and fun," says Virginia Abrams in Berkeley, Calif. "But in your thirties, getting yelled at for overusing the shared stores of barley and beans is just humiliating and sad."

7. Separate but Equal: Do as much of your home living in your private space as possible. Put an extra TV in your bedroom and set up a personal office by the window. The less you use your communal spaces, the less put upon you will feel by your roommate, and vice versa.

"When you are apartment hunting with a roommate, or anticipating a roommate," says Anderson, "make sure the bedrooms are large enough to have small living areas. You will be much happier that way."

Although Amy Merrick argues that living alone is the greatest investment she has made, the truth is, people who live alone are ultimately less healthy and lonelier in the long run. So find yourself a good architect-roommate, schedule a monthly meeting and do your dishes. Not only will you save money, but you will be healthier and happier.

Joselin Linder is co-author of Game-Based Marketing and The Good Girl's Guide to Living in Sin.

Want to know how to deal with other rental issues? Here are some AOL Real Estate guides that can help:

 

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]]>adult roommatesdoing dishesernie and bertErnieAndBerthappinesshealthlaverne and shirleyLaverneAndShirleyliving aloneliving togetherOdd CoupleOddCouplepenny marshallPennyMarshallrental tipsRentalTipsroommatessaving moneySavingMoneyJoselin Linder2011-01-11T15:01:00 00:00Renters: Use Neighbors to Save Moneyhttp://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/03/renters-use-neighbors-to-save-money/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/03/renters-use-neighbors-to-save-money/http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2011/01/03/renters-use-neighbors-to-save-money/#commentsrenters use neighbors to save moneyMarla Mathless had been a renter in her downtown Manhattan building for seven years before she formally met her neighbor. "He came over and asked if I'd split my cable costs with him," she says. "He said he couldn't afford it anymore and wanted to just drill a small hole in the wall to run the cable into both apartments. Of course I said yes. Who doesn't want to save money?" (Before attempting something similar, don't forget to check with your local cable operator to see if it's legit.)

As the new year begins, resolutions run amok and usually end up abandoned. But this year, renters, why not take your pledge to save money to heart and make 2011 thrifty -- and while you're at it, make it neighborly. It's easy. Just by knocking on a few doors you can slice your monthly bills in half. Here's how:

1. Have Money-Saving Meetings

Encouraging biannual meetings with your neighbors to look into ways to save money -- as a building and as individual units -- can be a great way to begin changing spending habits. For example, whether or not you live in a building that shares a single meter, you and your neighbors can work together to bring down electric costs. Your first meeting might include a discussion of ways everyone can save money by unplugging unused chargers and appliances, turning off unnecessary lights, and doing laundry and running dishwashers at off-peak hours.

2. Internet and Cable

You and your closes physical neighbors can easily knock $30 to $50 per month off your Internet bill and cable by sharing a single wifi and internet/cable account. If you have ever shared the internet with multiple laptops in a
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neighborhood coffee shop, you know that more users will not noticeably slow most servers, and unless you have a fancy job where you are keeping major government secrets or something similar, there is little risk in sharing Internet with acquaintances. Same goes for cable. (Please check with your local Internet/cable operator before attempting similar cost-saving measures.)

3. Babysitting

If you live in a community of young children, why not offer to babysit in exchange for babysitting? In other words, date night no longer needs to cost $200! By sitting for each other once a week, you and your neighbors can all enjoy nights out, while saving money. In the event that you are both going out on the same night, you will also find it is cheaper to hire a single babysitter for more children and split the costs.

4. Compete With the Joneses

Turn your savings into a game, whereby whomever has the greatest percent increase in savings at the end of year wins their first electric bill of the new year paid by everyone else in the building-or maybe they win a bottle of wine. Motivation by incentive -- no matter the incentive -- is a great way to encourage neighborly competition and lifestyle changes that help everyone's bottom line.

5: Learn Together

Are you interested in increasing your computer skills? Want to learn to waltz? How about exposing yourself to new ideas you wouldn't otherwise understand? Since you live in a building full of interesting people, why not start a lecture series during which a neighbor teaches everyone else something at which they are an expert? Or bring in experts -- preferably friends of neighbors who will offer their time for free or a nominal fee. What better way to take advantage of a diverse and transient community of renters than by coming together once a month and learning something new?

6. Exercise Together

Sometimes living in a multiunit rental is a good thing. Like when you want to get in shape but don't feel like spending the time and money to go to a gym and do so. Arrange for a yoga or Pilates instructor to come by your building two or three times a week to teach a class to you and your neighbors. Not only will you save time by not having to leave the building, but you can probably make a deal to pay less than you would if you had to venture out to a gym.

Saving money can be easy, especially when you add a social component. By even implementing one of these major money-saving techniques, you will find yourself saving hundreds of dollars per year.

"Because my neighbor motivated me to share our cable bill," says Mathless, "it was a no-brainer. And now I am saving thirty-dollars a month, which is fantastic."

Want to know how to deal with other rental issues? Here are some AOL Real Estate guides that can help:

 

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]]>babysittingcable billselectric billsgamesinternet billskeeping up with the Joneseslearningmaking friendsneighborspilatesrentrentalssaving moneysocialyogaJoselin Linder2011-01-03T10:25:00 00:00