Home Improvements Tips for students

It doesn’t matter how small your rental abode is, you can always make it feel like your home. Most Indian students prefer to share rental accommodation with someone and fail to personalize the living space leading to emotions like not belonging in the place and homesickness. Here are a few simple things that can be done to make your rented house, a home away from home!

Curtains up!

Curtains add character to any room and if the room depends a lot on natural light, it could very well provide a complete makeover to the space! You can’t change the color of the walls but you sure can put up a shade or two to give the room a glow in the shade you love.

Let there be light…

Light fixtures talk a lot about your taste. Any house owner would not object you adding decor to the space as long as it does not need additional hammering of nails or running external wiring over the walls! LED lights do not shoot up the power bill numbers while giving a soothing feel when the sun goes down.

Stow smart

Smart, multi-purpose storage solutions not only help reduce the clutter but will also make it that much easier when you move to the next place.

Corner tables, shelves that extend, smart boards are some of the many things that you can use to be canny in space management.

Throw in some greens!

Plants not only add to the sense of freshness to your room but also gives you a sense of responsibility and can be a good alternative to pets. Make sure you water them and do not let the dirt spill over the expensive carpet!

There are lot of apartment for rent in Jersey City with all facilities for students.

Do’s Of Having Roommate Guests – Roommate’s Peace

Roommate etiquette don’t cost much, but having roommates’ guest do. Every time, a roommate guest arrive, there are some inevitable costs. Here are the do’s of having roommate guests. What’s good about sharing our space with a roommate is we get tamed! Let me tell you what the magic behind roommate bonding is – “compromise”.

Note: Taking in roommate guests is fun too. What if they’re good, while your roommate is a renowned prick?

#Roommates’ Boyfriend

Personally, I don’t mind my roommate bringing in her boyfriend. As long as, nobody is going to steal mine, boyfriend isn’t a trouble.

Unlike me, there are many who mind their roommate’s boyfriend. So, speaking up their expectations regarding the stay-over of boyfriend would prevent clashes.

#How long would be the stay of your roommates’ guest?

What if your roommate’s guest is going to be rude, having an elaborate shower in the morning? Besides, you’ll be getting on your nerves, as you’re getting late to work.

So, it’s not quirky to ask your roommate about the stay of her guest. Also, be assertive about your shower time!

Many a times, there are chances of us reconciling with our roommates, once we get along with their guests!

Apartment for rent in New York with all facilities.

How much do you need to live in NYC?

“UNO!”

I said, as I was dropping my last card from the deck. I was looking out the window from my friend’s 2 bedroom unit. At 12 am in the morning, I felt quirky, when I was recalling the ways he was fighting to cope. I was looking at his treadmill, which was the result of frugal living in NYC. By the time he was done battling with jobs and standing his grounds, he realized how much he needs to live in NYC.

Spare the Upper West Side and Yuppies.

Rental costs has dropped

 Decent living with a bit of privacy given up, renters could live fairly in the neighborhoods of Bedford Park, Queens, Bronx and Williams Bridge spending approximately around $1,400 for accommodation. Rental expense could be brought down a bit, when shared with roommates/housemates.

Coming to high-end living in Upper West side figures have turned out to be nightmares. It’s such a fright in the eyes of an average renter. Localities like Greenwich Village demands up to $4,017 as monthly rent.

Eat-to-live, no cuisine dinner

Drop the idea of luxury dinner every Saturday. People have had the shock of their lives, when well-known lousy cooks in their circle surprised them with an immaculate home-cooked lunch and dinner. My friend learnt to shop for groceries on coupon (I’m contagious in a way ;)!!)  

Craving for fresh food in NYC? Then you might consider overnight threats to big names! He buys his favorite drink for $4.37 per gallon – MILK. He hardly thinks about having pot-roasted beef. He rather prefers poultry. He could afford an ample amount of chicken breast at $5.52 per lb.

Like I said, I’m contagious he grows his sweet kitchen garden and balcony garden. Inexpensive home vegetable garden at $100.

Also, he visits ‘The Lobster Place’ often these days. Buying fishes are a bit cheaper in the fish markets of New York City.

Cellphone bills

Only figure that doesn’t scare him to death. With concession and planning he pays about $75 per month. Why to spend on phone conversation, when he could do it longer on internet?

Utility bills

He gets shaky during summer – It’s extremely hot from mid-May – Mid September.

He jitters during winter – Snow is piled up everywhere; thermostat and heaters demands his attention.

Spring and fall – he’s totally at peace.

one bedroom apartment for rent in NYC with all facilities and Cheap apartments in NYC are also available .

How to evict a problematic tenant?

Jerks disappear even without thinking about the plight they’re going to land on. Evicting a troublesome tenant isn’t a child’s play. Treatment differs for some. State laws favor the just always.  Especially sociopathic tenants don’t need the landlady’s say.

No problematic tenant would find it easier to find a rented flat.

When to think about evicting the problematic tenant?

Alice says in most of the cases it’s the unexpected pour of guests. Of course, one could be sociable without breaking the core laws.

Reality holding elderly landlords, also holds their inability to bear with sleep overs, loud music and noisy pets.

Note: A pet owner or not, it’s a perk to dwell in pet-friendly apartments.

On top of the misery comes wrecking the property. Four shots of tequila would’ve fetched you that “yee-haw” status on Facebook and Twitter, but not on the walls and fences.

Damaging property leads to forfeit in some ways. You never knew it’s coming. Property insurance doesn’t get into the picture because somebody has violated the agreement.

It happens with most of the megalomaniacs, who never knew that they’re driving by the firing line.

Notice, landlord and the Tenant Act

Some thought on the legal steps pertaining to Landlord Tenant Act. No landlord seals the copy of eviction notice without State Attorney General declaring it.

Most of the state orders 30 days of eviction notice.

Note: In some states,60 days of eviction notice is a must.

When things go haywire….

Being too much of a jerk is absolutely pathetic. They’ll be ordered by the court to move immediately. It comes so sound as UNLAWFUL DETAINER LAWSUIT.

It happens with the due. While signing the lease, it would be a brilliant step to brief your financial ups and downs. There are times of recession brought along by loss of job. An organized tenant would let the landlord know what he’s going through.

Every tenant has his own trait. Keeping tabs with the rules happens fairly with 95% 0f them.

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Hostel Tips - Lazy shortcuts to keep your room clean

Students living in hostel detest cleaning! Think of a bachelor living pod, you immediately picture untidy rooms with unorganized stuff. Most students are pre-occupied with their studies to bother about their room while the rest are just too lazy!

We have a few tips that would make cleaning a lot simpler, dedicated to the smart yet lazy students.

Cleaning the Carpet

Do you have a pet? Is your roommate losing a lot of hair? Dust and hair are a pain to remove from the carpet. The straightforward solution of using a vacuum cleaner poses the threat of the cleaner being clogged! Worst-case scenario you could even damage your vacuum cleaner.

Housing Corner Tip – Use a squeegee! It works! The hair and dust balls are easier to remove with a squeegee which costs much less than a new vacuum cleaner.

Removing stains

Carpets and drapes are prone to stains in a bachelor pad. A party or a movie night is bound to leave marks of awesomeness all over the place! Long hours of washing is not going to be of any use and dry cleaners or carpet cleaners are too costly to be a frequent solution.

Housing Corner Tip – Try baking soda. Spread it on the stain and let it cure overnight. Vacuum later to see the magic!

Smart Duster

Dust is easy to remove – almost any cloth or material can be used to clean dust. However, most dusters unsettle the dust and cause allergies. Tailor-made dusters for this purpose are costly and also cannot be reused all the time. Some people use tissues or toilet paper which leave fibers behind.

Housing Corner Tip – Use old regular whites or a coffee filter as a duster. These capture dust without dispersing and are cheaper!

Stay tuned for the second part of this article. Tell us if these tips were useful in the comments section below.

Home Improvements Tips for students

It doesn’t matter how small your rental abode is, you can always make it feel like your home. Most Indian students prefer to share rental accommodation with someone and fail to personalize the living space leading to emotions like not belonging in the place and homesickness. Here are a few simple things that can be done to make your rented house, a home away from home!

Curtains up!

Curtains add character to any room and if the room depends a lot on natural light, it could very well provide a complete makeover to the space! You can’t change the color of the walls but you sure can put up a shade or two to give the room a glow in the shade you love.

Let there be light…

Light fixtures talk a lot about your taste. Any house owner would not object you adding decor to the space as long as it does not need additional hammering of nails or running external wiring over the walls! LED lights do not shoot up the power bill numbers while giving a soothing feel when the sun goes down.

Stow smart

Smart, multi-purpose storage solutions not only help reduce the clutter but will also make it that much easier when you move to the next place.

Corner tables, shelves that extend, smart boards are some of the many things that you can use to be canny in space management.

Throw in some greens!

Plants not only add to the sense of freshness to your room but also gives you a sense of responsibility and can be a good alternative to pets. Make sure you water them and do not let the dirt spill over the expensive carpet!

There are lot of apartment for rent in jersey city with all facilities for students.

Student Furniture - What is best for your room?

As a student in the US, finding accommodation is the easy part. There is a lot of help online to help you find a roommate or a cheap rental accommodation. However, the tougher part is to set up the place you move into, a comfy and welcoming space that would help you study and grow in your career.

Most college students spend a majority of their time in the room studying and without the right furniture, it can get tiring real soon! Students who sit on the bed and study are prone to dozing off and those who walk and read get tired too soon. Here is what you should have in your room as a student to help you study to the max potential.

Sturdy Study Desk

A good study desk is indispensable for studying long hours. Writing assignments or taking notes is a lot easier when you sit down at a desk and write. Do not go for a portable fold out desk. These move around a lot and will be a hindrance for your concentration. A sturdy desk that is of ideal dimension should be the key.

*Expert Tip: If your room is tight on space, go for a corner table that will help you liberate more space.

Comfy Chair

An ergonomic chair is very important to help you go for long hours without feeling tired. The chair should complement your desk – if you chair is good but is of the height that makes your desk unusable then it is not of any use! Your chair should also have the leeway to allow you to flex, stretch and relax. Go for a chair with arms – it will help reduce fatigue. Make sure the back of the chair is ventilated or has breathable fabric else you will be getting up more often than required.

*Expert Tip: Avoid chairs that have rollers! Though they might give you a lot of freedom to move around while sitting they are once again a source of distraction while studying.

Productive Desk Items

Productivity is the key word here! Yes, you can have a photo of loved ones in your desk or maybe even a parking slot for your phone but try and stack up as much as productive stuff on your desk as possible. A good lamp is indispensable. If you have a roommate and do not want to disturb during your late night marathons, a night lamp should come in handy.

A pen stand that has provisions to store pins, stapler, tags etc. will help you be organized. An alarm clock helps too! If you are running out of steam and need a quick nap, make sure that you set the alarm. There are nifty alarms that buzz during regular intervals. If you have the habit of nodding off midway through a chapter – this could be your life saver!

What else do you have on your desk? Share it with us and get featured here…

Student accommodation near New York University also having best student furniture 

Renovating rental property without driving the tenants mad

Between the tenant and landlord – the latter does the talking part with tenant to make sure that it happens in an amicable fashion. Three things are discussed, when tenants occupy all the rental units:

How long does the rental remodel is going to take place?

What’s the estimate of replacing and repairing everything from scratch?

Are you going to compensate for their stay within the period, say three months?

Temporary stay

(In case if you own more than one rental unit, but only one is occupied)

Then their stay turns easier than expected. An understanding tenant knew that their landlord is taking pains towards remodeling his property. Living in a better space provides the desired ambiance. Obviously, they’re going to occupy the vacant unit until the task gets over.

Talk money.

Let them know, if they’re going to pay off the entire amount of rent. Good land lords knew that it’s sort of inconvenience. Tenants working from home and people will be hammering the wall. By the time they serve their dinner, smoke and fume warming their wine isn’t as funny as it sounds.

Firstly, it might me your second house, but it’s their home. So a nice landlord respects it. According to state regulations, a tenant who’s made to occupy another place temporarily is supposed to be compensated for three months.

How to save on rental remodel within agreed time?

Tenants don’t fancy a villa, so fairly insulated floor and well fitted bathroom fixtures would do. Not every tenant has got the time for steaming carpets or shampooing it. It should be replaced with an easy-to-care insulation. It saves money and time.

Of course, it’s going to cost a little higher. However, it has a shelf-life of about 25 years. Even if you’re going to sell your second property in the future, you can expect better returns from it.

120 days of notice

Evicting tenants on the grounds of renovation requires a 120 days of notice ahead.

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Rental prices for apartments getting cheaper

Approximately it’s about $995 per month in Ohio. To one’s shock, rental prices in Los Angeles have come down to an amicable scale. “Small time metros” they were called once.  Rental prices for apartments didn’t get cheaper in small metros as expected.

Living in one of the top metros paying moderate rental price, and that’s the point one shouldn’t be thinking any further about moving.

Small metros with higher % of rental prices

 Renters living in the given places would probably be thinking about moving to big metros henceforth. A dramatic increase in the rent has made their livelihood a bit shaky.

Reasons being well-organized infrastructure no wonder that landlords have increased the rent by 85%. Steady agriculture, oil resources, water resources and mineral resources being the prime reasons.

San Angelo (TX), Wooster (OH), Williston (North Dakota), Indiana (PA), Glen Falls (NY), Nacogdoches (TX)

Listings boomed within a year’s span in these regions. Developers were seen interested in small metros since the year 2012.  To be specific rental rates have increased from $536 to $995 approximately. Similarly, it was $460 in San Angelo in 2013. Figures turned into fright to the renters in this small time metro in 2014 ($678 approximately).

On the whole, rental increase in such places seemed like it’s going to on rising scale forever. Census shows a drastic increase by 70%.

Looking into it further, Williston (North Dakota) towers its rivals. Moderate livelihood has reached up to $4,500 per month, if renters are willing to occupy a 3 bedroom-3 bath apartment/penthouse! Shared living is much of a question with such steep prices.

Big cities with fallen % of rental prices

On the other side of the colored glass, there goes a fall surprisingly low. Provided with every utility one could count on as laundry unit, pet-friendly space and policy, air conditioning, dishwasher, stainless steel kitchen and oven, 2 bedroom-2 bath units are offered at cheap rental prices.

Kansas City (KS), Tucson (AZ), Birmingham (AL), Tulsa (OK), Oklahoma City (OK), Greensboro (NC), Huntsville (AL)

Livelihoods of renters in the big metros of America make room for savings a bit more. Reason duly a fall in rental prices.

Student accommodation near new york university have lot of facilities

Common Roommate Problems

Living with a roommate is fun. They provide the much needed companionship and convenience, not to mention sharing the room rent. But not everything can be bliss. When you choose to share an apartment with a roommate, there are chances for conflicts. Sometimes, such conflicts lead to an unpleasant living and may even put the whole room sharing arrangement at risk. It’s always safe to know the Common Roommate Problems that could arise…

Messy Roommate

Most people would prefer a neat and clean room. But whilst living with a new person and sharing the room with them, this might not be possible. It is thus ideal to choose a roommate who agrees with you on at least most of the housekeeping matters.

Noise Level

Since everybody likes different kinds of music and they prefer varied volume levels at which to listen to them, the noise levels might cause problems.  Not just that, even if they are naturally loquacious, and you find that as a roommate problem it is wise to let them know about it. Sit down and try to set a few ground rules for noise level around the room, about when it’s okay and not okay for them to be loud.

Different Decor Ideas

Having a room of your own is a kind of freedom. Most people exercise that by coming up with “out of the world” decor ideas for their room. But while sharing a room these decor ideas may differ with that of your roommate. And that in turn leads to arguments. The only solution for this is “compromise”.

Who-Pays-What Conflict

The most common roommate problem arises when it’s time to split the bills. Money matters lead to unsolvable clashes. To avoid such pitfalls, it is advisable to put money related agreements in writing while finalizing your roommate.

Privacy Problems

Establishing a relationship with your roommate is important but that should not cost you your privacy. While you question your roommate before signing on the dotted line, make sure you come up with ground rules. Rules that ensure both you and your roommate can live in peace in the same room.

There are lot of studio apartments near asu with all facilities

Essential features to look for in Student Apartments

Student Apartments are becoming more and more popular with Indian students who are studying in the US. University Dorms and Hostels are costly in the US and also have a number of restrictions that will constrain your freedom. Working part-time for late hours will not be possible unless you get your own place.

Sharing apartments with fellow students is a smart move and will help you save a lot of money. However, money and time are not the only factors that you should consider while renting out a Student Apartment near your University. There are a few essential amenities which you should never compromise on.

Location

While this might not be an amenity of the apartment, it is an important factor to consider since you should not lose time traveling to and from the university especially if you are in a place where public transport is not well-evolved. Most Indian students do not own a car while studying in the US and a lot of time can get wasted if the accommodation is far from the university.

Housing Corner Top Tip – Make use of our University Room Finder and get accommodation nearby your University

Internet Connectivity

Studies are synonymous with the Internet in this new age of electronics! Every university has a curriculum that is based online and has tests that need to be taken online. A reliable internet connection is a must! Though you might have the latest phone or iPad that has a fast LTE connection, a good ‘ol broadband connection is necessary to ensure that you do not face connectivity issues while you are in the middle of a term paper.

Basic Necessities

Water, Electricity, Gas, Heat and Ventilation are things you should not take for granted in the US. You cannot have makeshift options for these basic necessities which are more of a need than a luxury. With extreme winters, heating is very important and so is a reliable gas connection, whether you cook or not. Also, make sure you understand how the bills have to be paid and bring that into your financial planning

Student Furniture

The right student furniture is important while studying! Check if the room has a table and a chair. Most student apartments and lodging does offer a basic table and a chair/stool but ensures it suits your need. Make sure you have plug points nearby for plugging in your night lamp. Check if they have a bed and cot that is decent enough for you to crash at nights.

Housing Corner Top Tip – Make sure you spend from your pocket and get this basic furniture that is indispensable for your student life. You can always sell it off at a site like Craigslist or Sulekha Buy & Sell while you decide to move on. 

Living with 4 or more roommates

Sharing a wardrobe doesn’t happen to everyone.

It happens to someone who can get out of their home to taste dew drops; the one who could have fun, the very next moment they get their brain twisted. The best of us, who has the lust for life;

A two bedroom apartment shared by 6 housemates, amidst three of them being roommates!

Not a night owl?

“Knowing each other’s schedule”

Of course, I don’t like to look like Hannibal Lecter with the wings of an avenger set alight. It doesn’t sound too pleasing to our senses at 3 am in the dawn waking up to thuds in kitchen.

Ground rules

“Standing your ground”

No one is up for “Oh little fairy! My pinafore is covered in cinders” sort of Cinderella act! No roommate has taken an oath of playing Quidditch in the shoes of their fellows.

Sticking to rules is the wisest key to stay in peace, while living with more than four roommates.

No small talks with

“Shrewd heads leading to drama”

People are shrewd, but they get shrewd only at their call. It looks like some of them are born shrewd, and almost make a demi-Icarus.

Small talks may not work with such roomies. Drama-free life is a myth for sociopathic roommates.

We never know what to expect from manufacturer. After all, we’re masterpieces walking according to our design.

Cleanliness

“Keeping with chores”

There are rainy days too! I don’t like to put on a motherly show every time my roomie eludes bathroom cleaning. It’s time for us to save our skin from disgrace. It goes with us too.

“Thou art keep thy labor of bed and bath!”

We knew that group classes at gym wouldn’t end without butt blasts. A flash text would do. However, it’s our turn to clean the bathroom.

Face the music

“Confront the issue, but how?”

Everyone knows how nosy their roommate is. But, it goes under the rug, unless it gets to wreck their happiness.

Also, slamming the door as if they’re about to answer the call of trumpet may be pleasing to their night owl head, but the rest needs to be spared.

We knew the one, who steals our tuna sandwich, besides Ranch dressing.

There’s a way to address things. It’s good to be subtle about it, rather than ranting to others.

If things go out of hand, it’s good to address the issue in person in a subtle and polite fashion.

The funniest thing is every time we walk the hall of shame in the loo just besides empty toilet paper rolls, we arch our brows, as if it’s happening for the first time

How to make money with the vacant space in your home

Most people in the US buy larger houses even though they don’t need it! Unlike other cultures, an American family is small and self-sufficient. With no relatives to lodge and children moving out as soon as they reach college, there is always an extra room or an entire portion of the house which can be used to rake money.

At times, finding a tenant is as simple as hammering a “Vacant” or “For Rent” board in your driveway or posting a few fliers in the city center. That is the way America has been doing it all these years. However, of late, this has not been so effective and there seem to be fewer visits by potential tenants. This is because the bulk of the renters are looking for places to rent using technology and more often than not they land up with the right place in a matter of days, if not hours!

Finding Potential Tenants

This is an absolute no-brainer in the era of the Internet. List your room/accommodation on any popular rental site like Zillow or Sulekha and you will be bombarded by responses within a few minutes. Make sure you post photos of the living space. Most potential tenants love to have an idea of the place before visiting it in person.

Also, list the proximity of your offering to places of interest and public transport spots. If your accommodation is targeted to students, chances are this will invoke more interest. You can also try posting an Ad in the local newspaper.

Screening Applicants

Landlords have the right to screen those who wish to apply for the accommodation. Screening can involve checking for the following information.

• Credit history
• Employment history
• Income status
• References from landlords and roommates
• Past evictions

Most states also have the provision which allows the landlord to charge applicants a screening fee for checking all these.

Rental Agreement

Make sure you have a rental agreement drawn out by an experienced real estate attorney. You can find such legal personnel online or there are also formats of such agreements available online.

Need more insight into rental agreements and the issues related to it? Check this out!

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