What to Look for in Renters’ Insurance Plans

November 24, 2021 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

As a renter, one of the most important things you can do is secure your future. Rental agreements are typically very specific, but it can be easy for a landlord to twist things to get what they want. With that in mind, you should always be looking to find a way to protect yourself. An…

Should You Buy Renters Insurance? Pros and Cons

September 11, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

The word insurance can send shivers down many a spine. In healthcare, for example, insurance is the divide between paying a modest amount for healthcare and going into extreme long-term debt. In renting, though, insurance is not nearly as dramatic. Renters insurance is usually quite modestly priced and straightforward. For a generally affordable monthly or…

Six Questions People Forget To Ask When Apartment Hunting

July 17, 2019 | By Stella M AuthorMy First Apartment

Finding a new apartment can be exciting, but there’s no doubt about it: the process is exhausting. As one address and complex blurs into the next, it could be easy to forget to ask certain questions. In this anxious mindstate, it can be easy to forget to ask your agent, landlord, or property manager some…

Renter’s Insurance – What It Is and Why You Need It

August 1, 2016 | By Kalee AuthorMy First Apartment

You’ve found your apartment, signed the lease, and set your move-in day. What’s next? Now you need to purchase renter’s insurance. While some landlords require renter’s insurance for liability reasons, not all landlords do. Purchasing renter’s insurance is an inexpensive way to protect both yourself and your belongings. When purchasing any type of insurance policy,…

New Year’s Resolutions

January 1, 2015 | By Sarah AuthorMy First Apartment

It’s the New Year! I hope 2014 was great for you and you’re looking forward to an even better 2015. We are here today with a few resolutions for your New Year that will help keep you (and your apartment) in good shape for all of 2015! Think about where you want to see yourself…

First Apartment Budgeting Basics: Your Monthly Expenses Checklist

February 21, 2014 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

You’ve signed the lease and you have a move-in date. You know how much rent you can afford. But what are your expenses once you move in? Let’s break it down. First, there’s the moving. This is a one-time expense, but it can be a big one. You need to decide whether you’re using movers…

New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

December 30, 2013 | By Alex AuthorMy First Apartment

Maybe last year’s resolution to hit the gym and drop 10 pounds didn’t work out so well, nor did that plan to write a best seller. Perhaps you were over-reaching a bit. Luckily, a new year means new beginnings and a chance to make realistic resolutions you can actually keep. Last new year, we had tips for getting…

What I Learned When My First Apartment Burned Down

June 26, 2013 | By Zainab AuthorMy First Apartment

Standing outside in my ill-fitting pajamas near the neighbors from an adjoining building, with a laptop and my purse clutched tightly against my chest, I remember thinking what a different experience it was for me to view what was happening than it was for them. We saw the same balls of flame on a familiar…

Does Renter’s Insurance Really Work? YES!

August 8, 2012 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

As MFA is a site dedicated to apartment rentals, we endorse renter’s insurance because: 1) It seems like a smart idea to insure your stuff against the unthinkable and 2) It’s SUPER inexpensive for the value it brings (Alex and I have been paying around $150/year for up to $20,000 of coverage). In this post,…

Apartment Safety Tips: Holiday Travel Edition

November 14, 2011 | By Alissa AuthorMy First Apartment

With the holidays just around the corner, it’s no surprise that many folks will be travelling – especially those living away from home for the first time. I still remember the relief that first year going home for Thanksgiving – and the equal relief upon opening the door to my apartment afterwards. I also remember…