5 Common Repairs You Need to do When Moving out of Your Apartment

apartment living1 - 5 Common Repairs You Need to do When Moving out of Your Apartment

Editor’s note: Here’s a guest post from our friends at Omega Industries (www.omegaindinc.com). Just an added word to the wise – in Wisconsin, landlords can’t require their tenants to clean their carpets. Additionally, at Decker Properties, we’re very concerned with how someone untrained might do repairing their own drywall. If your repairs aren’t going to be perfect and invisible, it’s better to leave them to us. Yes, you may get charged. But you could get charged, potentially even charged more, for a botched drywall repair. – Dave

All your boxes are packed and you’re ready to move out. The last thing on your mind is cleaning and repairing the apartment you’re leaving. But, as a tenant, you have the responsibility to leave the place as you came.

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Decorating Your New Digs

little chute skyview apartments exterior 300x225 - Decorating Your New DigsDon’t be flustered about where to put the lava lamp. The key to decorating success is to start with a great apartment.

Hey, you’ve got some nice stuff, why put it all in some dump? That’s why you should be calling the Skyview Apartments home. We’ve got everything you need and it’s all like brand new. Spacious room sizes, heat included and available garages because you’ve got a nice car too. And all at a price that won’t break the bank.

I was going to blather on at further length, but why not let the pictures do the talking?
Click here for the full photo line up.

The picture of dogs playing poker is never going to look right in a living room with 70s shag carpet, so come to Skyview today!

See also “Decorate Your Digs Part 1” and “How to Dress Up Your Floors” and “Design Ideas for Small Spaces

To Move or Not Move, That is the Question

moving a house 300x225 - To Move or Not Move, That is the QuestionIf the question is whether or not to move from a Decker Properties apartment, then obviously, the answer is no! But for the many folks moving to one of our wonderful homes, the question is whether you should move your stuff yourself or hire somebody.

The main issue here is money. Like many things in life, there’s often more to moving than meets the eye, so let’s take a clear look at what you’re getting into before you head off to U-Haul. Continue reading

Evicted Part 2 – The Midnight Move

two men carrying a house 272x300 - Evicted Part 2 - The Midnight MoveLast time, we were talking about how bad things can happen to good people. And one of the consequences can be that making the rent becomes difficult or impossible. In this instance, the best remedy is to talk to your landlord and work out an arrangement. Maybe a deferred payment plan can be worked out. Even if all is lost and you have to move, it’s still better to talk to your landlord, because here’s what going to happen if you don’t: Continue reading

12 Tips for Knowing When to Walk Away from the “Perfect” Place – Part 2

Hi, strap on your helmet and get ready for tips 7-12 from ApartmentTherapy.com of what will happen if you don’t rent from Decker Properties. For the truly brave, you can click here to review tips 1-6 and get a double dose of all the scary stuff.

7. If you are allergic to animals.

Make sure you are aware of those rules as well.

8. Check windows for cracking, mold, or signs of poor ventilation.

Good landlords will know when to replace and repair the windows and doors.

9. A dirty space.

I know this may seem inconsequential to some, especially since you can clean and then start fresh yourself. However, this also could be a sign that the current tenant didn’t take care of the unit.

Read more at ApartmentTherapy.com

Our new Wilson Heights Apartments in Hartford (rentals starting this month!) won’t have these problems. Neither will our new Catalina Crossing Apartments in Madison. Call us at (262) 785-0840 for other great Wisconsin apartment locations.

12 Tips for Knowing When to Walk Away from the “Perfect” Place

Hey, this article from apartmenttherapy.com reads like a list of the things that will happen to you if you don’t rent a Horicon apartment from Decker Properties. This is some scary stuff, so we’ll only frighten you with items 1-6 for now. Come back next time for items 7-12.

halle and jeffs east village apartment 214x300 - 12 Tips for Knowing When to Walk Away from the "Perfect" Place

Halle & Jeff’s East Village Apartment

A few years back, I had an appointment to view an apartment that sounded PERFECT. A view of the Puget Sound, hardwood floors, two entrances, with a second floor deck (high enough to be safe from break-ins, but low enough to escape from a fire), in the lovely neighborhood of Queen Anne, Seattle.

When I entered the apartment, however, things changed: roach motels in every room, cigarette butts in a messy apartment, incredibly low water pressure when I turned on the faucets, and cracked windows. I was so desperate at the time that I nearly filled out an application. I’m so glad I didn’t, because over the years I have learned a few things about living in an apartment building, and what a person should be expected to deal with.

1. Location.

Location isn’t everything when it comes to searching for a rental. Sometimes you end up paying way more for a convenient, but fancier, neighborhood, without the high quality amenities that should be expected with a high rent. Sometimes, you can live much more comfortably with a short bus ride into work. Balance time vs. cost to find the best location for you.

2. Look for signs of a pest problem.

The roach hotels were a red flag for me, but for different reasons than you might think. I’ve lived in apartments with mice and roaches (I didn’t enjoy it), but Seattle really doesn’t have a roach problem, so it was important to note that this building was not the norm.

Read more at ApartmentTherapy.com

A Horicon apartment at Washington Heights wouldn’t have these problems. Neither will our new Madison apartments at Catalina Crossing. Call us at (262) 785-0840 for other great Wisconsin apartment locations.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

get to know your neighbors 254x300 - Get to Know Your NeighborsFirst of all, a few thoughts as to why you would want to do this.

1. Security. While the cat’s away, the mice will play. But forget about the mice, you need to be worried about someone breaking into your apartment. If you’re friends with the neighbors of your Fond du Lac apartment, and they know your schedule and habits, maybe they’ll think to call the police if something seems amiss.

2. Greater patience so they don’t call the police. Hey, let’s have a party! Sometimes, parties can get out of hand, but if you’re friends with the neighbors, maybe they’ll be patient and you won’t wind up entertaining the boys in blue.

3. Better health. Recent research shows that well-being is greater for those that have regular contact with their neighbors, even if the contact is limited to just saying hello. That contact leads to a better sense of security and happiness.

4. You never know who you might meet. You’re single. They’re single. And gorgeous. See where this could go? Continue reading

Ten Ways to Get Your Application Denied

man rejected graphic 300x225 - Ten Ways to Get Your Application Denied

Things not to do or you will get your apartment application denied

A man’s home is his castle. Castle or not, you’re going to be living under a bridge if you commit the 10 Ways to Get Your Application Denied:

1. Don’t pay your bills.

Maybe the landlord will understand about the medical bills being delinquent – who could have planned for that? But what about the credit card payments, the cell phone and the utility bills? You knew those were coming and those accounts will show up on your credit report. Continue reading

Ten Ways to Insure Misery In Your Rental Experience Part 2

Welcome back to our study of bad haircuts, traffic jams and fingernails scratching down chalk boards. Add to these delightful experiences the misery you will suffer when you commit the next five blunders in Ten Ways to Insure Misery in Your Rental Experience:

6. Have an unauthorized pet

At Decker Properties, we believe our pet policies are reasonable. But reasonable or not, they’re certainly not a secret. You don’t want you and your pet to get stuck out in the cold. So check with your landlord first before you bring home that adorable furry critter. Continue reading

Ten Ways to Insure Misery In Your Rental Experience Part 1

Life, shall we say, can be interesting. Your car gets a flat tire. Your significant other trades you in for another. You get a pink slip with your paycheck.

There’s nothing here that can help you with any of that, but if a bed of nails is what you’re into, we can give you 10 pointers on how to insure your rental experience with your apartment is an utter nightmare. The first five are below. Check here for pitfalls 6-10.

1. Never Talk to Your Landlord

Is your faucet leaking? Toilet running? A little grout missing in your tub surround? If you don’t call these problems into your landlord promptly, these repairs are only going to get worse. Additionally, that leaky faucet is probably leaking hot water, creating further waste. Your landlord might charge you for expensive repairs that might have been less had they been addressed sooner. Continue reading