| blog~simplesearchapts.com August 26 2008 09:16:55 PMThere have been quite a few times that I have gone to show a client some apartments, only to find out that they really weren't sure what they wanted. I would have a list of apartments that fit their criteria, only to have everything changed by the end of the day. I don't mind the challenge of finding the perfect apartment for someone without notice, but it tends to be really difficult when somebody doesn't really know what they want.
| It will save you a lot of time and hassle by making sure you know what you want and need before you actually go out and start looking. One of the main things that needs to be decided on is the area that you want to live in. Once you have that figured out then you really are ahead of the game. If you can't decide on an area then you are probably going to end up with too many options, and choosing an apartment could become a little too overwhelming. A few other things that should be decided for sure are the price range, size of the apartment, the move in date, and the lease term. By knowing all these things you will put yourself in a position to make a decision the same day. By doing so, you can save yourself time and money because many apartments will offer you a "look and lease". Obviously it is exactly what it sounds like, if you look and lease in the same day then they will give you a discount on first months rent, deposit, or something like that. Also, if you wait to lease an apartment then you risk the possibility of having it leased out from underneath you. I know there is a lot to think about when leasing an apartment and I know it can be stressful, but we are here to help. So feel free to call us or email us. I hope everybody is staying cool, August has been pretty hot. blog~simplesearchapts.com August 20 2008 08:37:13 PMI was out showing apartments again and another good question was brought up that I thought I would share with you. My client asked me about what kind of costs she could expect. I know it is always more than people usually expect but I would rather have my client be aware than to have her caught off guard. So I told her about this list:
- Application fee
- Deposit
- Administration fee
- Pet deposit
- Maybe pet rent (that's right)
- Utility transfer fee or setup fee and deposit
- Gas connection fee and maybe a deposit
- Maybe an extra deposit if your credit isn't great
She said she expected most of it, but was glad she asked because she had overlooked a few costs. We looked at about four apartments and she chose the second one that we had looked at. When you are out looking for apartments, always ask questions if you are not sure. You can always call us as well. I hope everyone is doing well. blog~simplesearchapts.com August 18 2008 08:12:02 PMWhile I was out showing apartments to a really nice couple today, they had some questions and one stood out. They asked about the utility bill and what I thought it would run. Of course I told them that it would vary from community to community. What I wanted to try and share with everyone is why it varies so much from one place to the next. A lot of factors have to be considered. Here is a basic list of things to consider:
- Age of the apartment - this will effect how well insulated the apartment is and whether it has double paned windows or other energy efficient features.
- Age of the a/c unit
- What floor do you live on?
- Do you have trees that shade your apartment?
- What temperature do you like your apartment at?
So the question of how much will the utilities cost is not the easiest to answer. I do give my best efforts to estimate what I think it should be, but I always let my clients know about the various things that can cause a drop or a rise in their bill. I always like to remind my clients that spending a little more in rent may be cheaper in the long run because if you rent an apartment at an older community you may end up with a large utility bill that out ways the savings in rent. This is not always true but something to consider. I hope this helps a little, I am off to dinner to celebrate my brothers birthday.
blog~simplesearchapts.com August 14 2008 08:33:39 PMI apologize for the lack of posts recently but I have been really busy. I am going to try to start posting every other day, I can't promise anything though. From what I have been reading it seems that the occupancy ratings have been dropping in Austin and Houston, but the rents don't seem to be falling quite yet. I suspect we will see it happen soon though. Austin and Houston both have their areas that are hot and cold. You can really dissect each city and see areas in which occupancy has risen and prices jumped up. You can also find just the opposite in each city too. This is really an interesting time to watch the rental market and see how it reacts to the economic factors. I have noticed from calling around to the apartments in both cities that you can find some good prices and good deals in you happen to call at the right time. They are getting leased up quickly so if you do get lucky enough to find one of those deals then you better lease it quick! I think some of the deals I have been running across are just a small taste of what is to come over the next 6 months. We are hoping the rents will start to come back down a little and we think they will. I hope everyone is doing well. blog~simplesearchapts.com July 24 2008 08:26:04 PMWell, it seems as though things might be turning in favor of the renter in Austin. I was reading in the paper that all the new construction of apartments should create and excess of apartments and cause the rents to come down. How much will they come down? Nobody really knows yet, but I think it should make a considerable difference over the next six months. We think that we could even start seeing some good move in specials, maybe some more 1 month free specials! Austin is changing at a very rapid pace and it is hard too keep up with all the new construction around town, and I am not just talking about the apartments. Let's all cross our fingers and hope that some of these rent prices come back down a bit. blog~simplesearchapts.com July 11 2008 11:23:23 PMWe just wanted to thank everybody who has leased with us and we are happy to have been an assistance to so many people. Everyone has been really nice and we have had a great time so far this year. I hope everyone is having fun in their new apartments and I hope everyone had a great and safe 4th of July. I know a lot of us enjoyed the holiday, and I know a few who enjoyed it a little too much! Please feel free to call or email us with any questions or concerns.
P.S. - Try to stay cool out there, it's hot! blog~simplesearchapts.com July 7 2008 10:56:48 AM
The rental market in Texas seems to be gaining strength even with all the
negative news that is pouring in about the economy. As a whole,
Texas is doing really well right now. Our major cities seem to have their
own economic advantages. It has been creating a bit of a strain on the
consumers though. The rental prices keep rising as the demand increases
and it becomes harder to find what you want. While there are still some
bargains out there, some are finding that some compromises have to be made.
This may be in area, such as a little further from downtown, or in amenities on
property, such as foregoing wood floors.
Houston apartments are still seeing rate increases because the city is
doing well. Houston seems to be prospering from the oil boom and the
economy will continue to grow as oil prices
increase. San Antonio is growing at a rapid pace because many
companies have seen the cheap price of real estate and a large pool of
employees at fair wages. San Antonio is seeing the rental rates rise as
well. Austin is doing well because of the diverse employment
opportunities, University of Texas, and the social setting of the
city.
Don't be shocked when you go to look for a new apartment and you see that
the prices have gone up and not down. It would also be wise to start
looking for your new apartment at least 60 days before your move in date.
Like I said before, availability has been slim lately.
blog~simplesearchapts.com June 23 2008 01:31:51 PM
UT Austin is one of the largest universities in the country
with thousands of new students every year. There is a high demand for housing.
Fortunately, UT offers many types of housing in the campus area. The need for
students is accessibility to the school, whether it be walking, biking, bus, or
car. For those students who wish to live off campus, shuttle bus or car are the
options for transportation.
The most familiar UT shuttle areas are the Riverside/Oltorf area
and Far West. Riverside is less than 10 miles from campus south of the river.
This area offers many apartment options with over 50 communities. Most of the
properties are older constructions as the area began to develop in the late
1960’s. More properties were added in
the late 1970’s, mid 1980’s, mid 1990’s, with a few more added after 2000. For
those who prefer a brand new construction, options are limited here.
Far West is an area north of campus on the west side of
Austin. The area developed in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. It offers 15 or
so apartment options. The shuttle commute is about 15 minutes. Far West offers
a different atmosphere from Riverside. It is less congested and more relaxed.
The hills of Far West are more scenic. It is a pleasant alternative to those who wish to stay away from hectic
Riverside.
A little to the north is one of Austin’s most popular areas.
It is called the Arboretum. Aside from the many points of interest, it also
offers easy access to major roads. There is an excellent mix of property types,
from high end luxury to affordable economy. There is also two shuttle stops
nearby. The Arboretum is 15 miles to
campus and is an easy commute. With over
30 properties to choose from, there is plenty of choice.
Many students gravitate to the Arboretum because all the
attributes. It is relatively close to campus, affordable, newer, convenient to
major roads, and offers a wealth of entertainment and shopping options.
blog~simplesearchapts.com June 12 2008 02:58:49 PMIt is not even summer yet and we are hitting close to 100
degrees in Austin. As Mathew Broderick says in Biloxi Blues, “ it’s hot….it’s
Africa hot.”
This time of year we truly find out how energy efficient our
rental properties. Get ready for a spike in your electric bill, regardless of
where you live.
This is something that many renters do not think about when
choosing a new apartment. How much will the utilities cost for an older
property versus a newer construction?
Many people want closer to downtown or be in central Austin.
And why not, there is some pretty cool stuff there. Most properties in those
are areas are older, built before 1980. The new constructions there are
exclusive high dollar rental properties, too much for the average Joe. So that
leaves the older constructions for downtown and central wannabes.
When moving into an older property, be prepared for much
higher utility rates. This can be $50 to
$100 more than at a newer property. For those who are on a tight budget, this
can lead them to a breaking point.
An alternative is to live in an area just a few miles to the
north called the Arboretum. Rental rates are more economical there. In addition
to saving on rate, you get the hidden benefit of lowering utility costs. The reason
is simple. The properties there are newer. Building standards improve over
time. Properties become more energy efficient.
So, factor this in when you begin your next apartment
search. It could save you money in the long run.
blog~simplesearchapts.com June 3 2008 02:13:42 PM
Summer is here and the leasing season is heating up. More
people move during the summer months than at any other period, peaking around
mid August. Preparation and research are key to finding the better deals. It is
good to start early. Many properties are pre-leasing for later in the summer. The time is now to start your apartment search.
It is a good idea to be ahead of the curve. Too many people
wait until the last minute and find themselves scrambling for a place. The pool
of available apartments tends to shrink as we get closer to August. This rings
especially true in central Austin. There
is the return of 50,000 plus students and faculty for UT, let alone the smaller
colleges in town.
The “hot” properties are already on a waiting list. By
starting your search early in the season, you can lock in an available unit.
Sometimes, you can even lock in a lower rate. Rates tend to spike in August, as availability
shrinks and demand remains high.
Do not wait. Start today by contacting your locator today.
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