New Orleans Apartment Blog

Decorating Your New Apartment

What is the most exciting part of moving?  Well certainly not the packing and transfer of heavy furniture!

Apartments.com recently conducted a survey to current renters about decorating, ninety percent of renters will decorate when moving to a new apartment; of these renters, eighty-one percent will decorate within the first three months of their move.

Decorating your new apartment should be fun and rewarding.  Many times we get caught up in price tags and small budgets leaving your decorating experience feeling more like an algebra quiz than a pleasurable rite of passage. Decorating however, does not have to break the bank as Eva the Shopping Diva, shopping expert and blogger from ShopLocal.com, offers advice for renters decorating on a budget:

Start Small: First try a small yet important room, like the bathroom. Simply hanging a new shower curtain with a gorgeous pattern can really change the look of the room. Add a great bath mat that compliments the pattern and a new look is born.

Teach that old dog new tricks: Re-covering old dining room chairs or a worn-out ottoman are easy ways to subtly change the style of a room. Select a fabulous fabric and use a staple gun to give old furniture a new life.

What’s black and white and read all over? The paper!  New Orleans is known for its loyalty to the local paper and many people and businesses use the paper to advertise estate sales, auctions and downsizing.

But I’m not from New Orleans! The two biggest websites to check out if you can’t get the local paper are Nola.com and Craigslist.org. Nola.com is basically the New Orleans local paper on the web! Craigslist.org is not affiliated with the paper, but allows you to search thousands of classifieds by region.

There are an abundance of tools available to you at your own property office: Print out floor plans with room measurements to draw in your ideas!  You property office should have some on hand for you to use as well. This is a great way to visualize the layout and shop smart.

Decorator’s block? Talk to the on-site staff about decorating ideas. They see these floor plans in action quite often and have probably picked up some great tips and stylish inspirations along the way.

Happy Decorating!

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Dealing with Stains and Spots (Part 2 of 2)

Concluding our series on how to deal with stains and spots in your apartment, here are some more great tips!

Juice

• Red or purple juice can be removed from fabrics by sprinkling salt on the stain as soon as possible. The salt will absorb the liquid forming a paste that can be easily scraped up.

Magic Marker

• Hairspray will remove marker from hard surfaces and some fabrics. Some permanent markers are just that…permanent. Some may fade with repeated washings.

Motor Grease/Motor Oil

• Scrape off as much of the grease as possible, on clothing, rub lard or Vaseline into the stain then launder as usual. The lard or Vaseline may ruin some fabrics, for more delicate items; try a spot stain remover instead.

Nail Polish

• Acetone will remove this from most fabrics but synthetic fibers (ex. Polyester, carpet) will dissolve with acetone use. Check the label of your clothing before using acetone.
• If you spill nail polish on a wood surface, do NOT wipe it up while it is still wet, doing so will remove the color from the wood. Wait until the polish is dry and then scrape it off gently with a credit card.

Oil

• Cover oil stains on fabric with talcum powder, then cover with a paper towel and hot iron the fabric. Launder as usual.

Pencil Marks

• Believe it or not, fresh rye bread can remove pencil marks from non-washable wallpaper.

Red Wine

• Use a dab of shaving cream (the kind in the can) to remove red wine stains from upholstery. To remove a wine stain from clothing, soak the fabric in boiling milk.

Candle Wax

• Place a piece of facial tissue over the stain and hot iron on top. The wax will melt into the tissue and away from your fabric.
• Candle wax can be removed from hard floors by using a hair dryer and paper towels to absorb the wax once it melts.

While these tips are quite useful and most common, use the link below to access the stain index for those extra specials mishaps!
http://housekeeping.about.com/od/stainremoval/a/stainsindex.htm

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Dealing with Stains and Spots (Part 1 of 2)

All stains are not created equal. Here are a few tips on getting out the most difficult stains without ruining your clothing, upholstery, or other fabric and surfaces. As with any chemical, spot testing in an inconspicuous area beforehand for color fastness is advised.

Blood

• Rub hydrogen peroxide gently on clothing and furniture to remove blood.
• Rub moistened corn starch into blood stains on clothing rinsed in cold water. Place clothing in the sun to dry and then run through a normal wash cycle.
• Cover fresh or dry stains with meat tenderizer and sprinkle on cool water. Let stand for 15 to 30 minutes and then sponge off with cool water.
• Stains on leather can be treated with hydrogen peroxide, wipe off when the bubbling stops.

Coffee

• Rub denatured alcohol into the stain and then rinse with water.
• Beat an egg yolk, with a white cloth rub the yolk into the stain and then wipe off.
• Apply a solution of half vinegar and half water and then wash.

Crayon

• Toothpaste or an ammonia soaked cloth will remove crayon marks from painted walls.
  PREVENTION: Crayola now produces crayons which are washable!

Gum

• Use an ice cube to harden the gum and then a dull knife to chip it carefully away.
• Cooking spray will also help remove gum from clothing and from hair.
  FUN FACT: Gum on your face?  Use more gum to blot it off!

Heel Marks

• Use a pencil eraser to remove black heel marks from flooring. Before washing the floor, rubbing toothpaste on the mark will also help in removal.

Ink, Ballpoint Pen

• Saturate fabric with an alcohol based hair spray then blot the stain with a rag (not a paper towel), and then wash as usual. This method may ruin some sensitive fabrics like silk, always spot test this method to make sure you don’t make a bigger mess than what you started with.

Bookmark us and check back soon for Part 2 of our series on how to deal with stains and spots!

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Questions To Ask When Renting (Part 2 of 2)

Today, we continue our look into what questions to ask when renting an apartment.

1. Are the rooms big enough to fit your furniture? How much closet/storage space is there? Don’t underestimate how much space your belongings will take up. Take a tape measure with you to be sure.
2. How do guests obtain entry and what type of security is in place? If there is an electronic system, test it out to make sure it works.
3. Make sure that the apartment will be cleaned and have the paint touched up before you move in.
4. How is the apartment heated and cooled? Check the units to see what shape they are in. Also ask what utilities are included in the rent and which ones is your responsibility as a renter.
5. What is the maintenance policy? What fixes are included in the rent and which ones are not. If there are repairs that are not included in the rent, find out if there is an extra charge and how much it is. There should be a prompt emergency contact and a non-emergency line as well.
6. What parking is available and is it included in the rent? Ask if any special permits are required to park in the lot or in the streets around the building.
7. Be clear on all fees for applying and non-refundable portions of the money you’re being asked for. Read your paperwork.

Before you sign the lease…

1. Be clear on all fees for applying and non-refundable portions of the money you’re being asked for. Read your paperwork.
2. Make a walkthrough of the apartment before you sign the lease making sure to give feedback on any items you need changed or would like considered.
3. When is the rent due and what is the policy on late rent?
4. What types of provisions are in the lease for excessive noise or overnight guests? Read every line and be sure you understand what your part of the deal is.
5. Are you required to hold renter’s insurance? If so, how much will a policy cost?
6. Is the neighborhood safe? Actually, this is something leasing agents are not permitted to tell you by federal law. Walk the neighborhood at night (with a friend) and observe your surroundings. Also check online to see if crime reports are available for your neighborhood.
7. When can you move in your belongings? Check the move in/move out dates printed on the lease. If the 1st of the month falls on a Wednesday, can you move in the previous weekend or will you have to do a weekday move?
8. Get a copy of the lease and keep it in a safe place.

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Apartment Living – Blog Lifestyles!

It is with great pleasure that 1st Lake Properties, Inc. introduces its newest improvement to its communications base. Welcome to our blog, which will hopefully provide an avenue for residents and service providers to view tips, ideas, and other interesting information.

Our aim is to tap into valuable resources, such as our on-site property management and corporate team members, that have never been utilized in this fashion before. With years of experience and an eagerness to serve, these professionals will offer insight on all facets of your apartment search and living. You’ll even be given the opportunity to pose questions and get real-life answers in the open forum.

Is it your first time renting? Are you dreading the move? Are you struggling with a plan for moving? How can I search for apartments? What should I be looking for? Where can I find this information?

1st Lake Properties, Inc. is here to facilitate your journey. So, don’t hesitate to get started.

-The Apartment People

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