Four Great Housewarming Gifts for Your Friend’s First Apartment

October 28, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’re the kind of person who likes to invite friends to celebrate big moments with you, then maybe you had a housewarming party when you moved into your first apartment. When you did, maybe some of your friends got you housewarming gifts for the occasion. And now that your friends are moving into their…

Is an Apartment Cleaning Service Worth the Money?

October 24, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Having your own apartment can give you thorough peace of mind, but keeping it clean can just as quickly bring stress back into your life. No matter how hard you try, a thin layer of dust will all but inevitably make itself at home on your dresser, bookshelf, and other surfaces that mostly go untouched…

Five Halloween Decor Ideas for Your First Apartment

October 23, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Do all the Halloween decorations you’re encountering at local bars and shops, not to mention houses around the neighborhood, have you wondering how you can properly spook up your home for the scary season? Let skeletons and witches be the only thing you fear this Halloween – with these five Halloween decor ideas for your…

First Apartment Checklists: The Ultimate Guide

October 21, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Moving into your first apartment is the dream, but nobody said it would be easy. On top of the physical labor, financial costs, and stress of the actual move, there’s all the work that comes with unpacking, organizing, decorating, and stocking up on basic needs. The last of these tasks can involve buying so many…

Can Your Landlord Raise Your Rent?

October 17, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’ve ever rented an apartment, you’re probably all too familiar with the nagging worry that your landlord will eventually raise your rent. In some cities, this practice is more common than in others, though it is fully legal throughout the U.S. That said, there are rules on how landlords must go about raising your…

How Does Rent Control Work?

October 15, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

No matter how you cut it, your monthly housing payment comprises a major portion of your monthly bills. Worse yet, if you’re renting, your landlord may be able to raise your rent every time you sign your lease for another year. That’s part of why terms such as “rent stabilization” and “rent control” are like…

Smart TVs vs. Streaming Boxes: Which Is Right for You?

October 11, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Although lots of people subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video (or some combination of all three), not everybody has a giant screen for watching their favorite TV shows and movies. Even if you’re the kind of person whose usual way to watch the latest episode of The Bachelorette is to curl up in…

Bed Bath & Beyond Is Closing – Five Other Great Home Goods Stores

October 9, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Recently, leading home goods store Bed Bath & Beyond announced that it plans to shutter 60 of its retail locations following the 2019 holiday shopping season. This figure marks a 50 percent increase from earlier this year, when the company estimated that it would close 40 stores. Bed Bath & Beyond isn’t alone in scaling…

Four Square Footage Facts You Need To Know Before You Rent

September 30, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

If you’ve used an internet search engine to find a new apartment, you’ve certainly seen no shortage of the abbreviation “sq ft,” short for “square feet.” This measurement is intended to help prospective renters understand how much space their new apartment will have, but the number may be an abstract one for many renters. It’s…

How to Spot An Illegally Subdivided Apartment

September 27, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

The need for cheap rent can sometimes compel people to settle for cramped, poorly maintained, and possibly even dangerous apartments. Sometimes, that shoebox apartment sounds like a super inexpensive steal, but something so small may be signs that a full-sized apartment is being subdivided, possibly illegally. Housing authorities require homeowners to obtain permits that outline…