About Furniture Rental
There are many businesses out there which rent furniture by the month. You need a couch? Rent one for only $40 per month. Need a lamp? You can get one for $12 a month. Now, let?s see, in one year you would have paid $480 to use the couch and you wouldn?t own it. The lamp would have cost you $144 and it?s the same situation ~ at the end of your lease, you still own nothing.
Most of us would think it foolish to rent furniture. But, that isn?t always the case. There are situations where renting may be the best option. Consider these scenarios:
? Your company transfers you to a new location but the rest of your family is staying in your present home until the school year ends and that?s 4 months away. You buy a house and live in it until your family arrives. Do you go out and buy new furniture or do you rent a few necessities in the meantime?
? Right after you get married, you move into a new home. You and your spouse haven?t decided how you want to decorate your home. Do you rush your decisions or do you rent furniture until you find the style that will please you both?
? You graduate from college and accept a position in an unfamiliar city. You find an apartment that has everything you want, except furniture. You can?t afford to go out and purchase the items you?ll need right away. What do you do?
If you find yourself in any of these situations, renting all or part of your furniture may be a viable option. The thing you have to keep in mind is that it?s never a long-term solution. From the figures in the first paragraph, you can see how expensive renting is over the long haul.
However, when you find yourself without furniture, short term rental may be your best option. If you don?t have the cash or credit to purchase what you need, or if you only plan to be without furniture for a little while, short-term rental may be the best solution.
Most furniture rental companies offer several options from which to choose. Most of them also offer packages in different price ranges, depending on the style and quality of the furniture you require.
? The bedroom package usually includes a double or queen-size bed, night stand and lamp, and 1 chest.
? A living room package provides a couch, end table and lamp, cocktail table, and a chair.
? A dining room package includes a table and 4 chairs.
? A complete home package includes all of the above.
? You can also rent any accessories you may need, including cookware and china, rugs, additional lamps, TV?s, stereos, etc.
As long as you rent only what you need and do so for as short a time as possible, furniture rental may be the solution you need. But, don?t forget to calculate the cost of your rent or mortgage along with the cost of your furniture rental before you decide which package to choose.
If money is an issue, one question you need to ask yourself is this: do you really need the most expensive package or can you get by with the more generic and economical choice for 2 or 3 or 4 months? Unless you plan to do a lot of business entertaining, the answer is obvious.
In short, furniture rental can be an economically sound solution to your problem, if you use your common sense and don?t get in over your head. It beats sleeping on the floor any day!
Kyle Thomas Haley has been helping people relocate on the Internet since 1999 for STANZEEKAY Inc's Relocation Websites: <a href="http://www.apartment-rental.net">Apartment Finding</a> and <a href="http://www.relocation-guide.net">A National Relocating Guide</a> Copyright 1999 ? 2005 STANZEEKAY Inc. You have permission to publish this article free of charge, as long as the bylines are included and none of the links or content are changed.
Building a Home - Do You Really Need a Realtor? Posted By : Joy Fleming
You’re having a new home built. There’s a sales agent in the model home who can help you, so do you really need to hire a Realtor? Most people would say, “no”. I didn’t even hire one back in 1998 when I had my 1st home built. I learned the hard way that it was a huge mistake. I was unaware of the problems that can occur without a Realtor.
Apartment Search
When you are apartment hunting, prepare a rental search plan. Be sure to know in advance what you want in an apartment and what you can live without. Decide in advance what areas of the city you could consider living in and make a list of apartment buildings within that perimeter.
Be sure to consider how far and how convenient it will be for you to travel to your job or your school or your family and friends. Also, how far is the apartment from stores, banks, hospitals, Church (if you attend) etc. If you have a car, make sure that there is adequate and convenient parking space 24/7. If you don’t drive make sure that there is close by public transportation.
Narrow your apartment locating to the size of rental unit you need. Studio apartment or one bedroom apartment or 2 BR apartment or more. Are you considering a furnished apartment or do you possible need a short term rental. If you are renting an apartment with a cat, dog, or other pet, you need to find out which apartments allow renting with pets and which do not. And, if they do allow pets, is there an additional security deposit required and if so, how much it is. Do you need an apartment complex with an exercise room or tennis courts or a pool or a recreation room, etc. or do you simply need and desire a nice clean and quiet pad.
Be realistic about what you can afford. Most apartment renting guides suggest that your rent should not be more than 25% to 30% of your income. This can vary depending on the income bracket, but be sure to be “real world” when budgeting additional apartment expenses such as heating and air conditioning and other utilities. If you fall short of affording the apartment of your choice, you might consider sharing an apartment with a roommate or roommates. Keep in mind that living with roommates can help you afford an upscale apartment or even, in some cases, luxury apartments, but it also has extreme restrictions to your privacy.
If you are familiar with the area and its neighborhoods, that gives you a distinct advantage for your apartment search. If, however, you are relocating to a new city or are not particularly knowledgeable about the city, you may want to contact an Apartment Locator or an Apartment Finder.
Once you narrow your search for apartments down to apts which suit your needs and desires you must be well organized & well prepared for your visits to the apartment complexes. When inspecting the rental premises be on the alert for unsafe conditions, excessive noise from traffic or playgrounds or neighbors. Visit the apartment building at night as well as the daytime hours. This will give you a more comprehensive understanding of the total space you will be residing in.
When you find the apartment complex that meets your renting needs and desires, you must be ready to put your “best foot forward” when you meet the apartment’s rental agent. This person may be the apartment building manager or a renting agent for the apts. You should prepare for this apartment renting interview in a professional and intelligent manner. Be advised that you are going to be asked to provide proof that you are a reliable prospective tenant. You are most likely going to need references from previous landlords. You may also be required by the apartments to show that you are gainfully employed and can afford the rent. Many landlords may require a credit report. If you are a first time renter and/or you have limited credit history you may be asked for references from family, friends, employer, professionals, etc. Likewise if you are renting with bad credit you will certainly want to come to the interview with a strong selection of references.
You are not necessarily restricted from apartment renting with less than perfect credit, but you may be required to put up an additional security deposit and possibly have a credit worthy person co-sign the apartment lease with you. Don’t unprepared for by requests for any of these things. Be sure to fill out a 100% truthful apartment rental application and come to the interview with references, proof of employment, credit information and any other renting resources at the ready. If you do have a credit history or renting history that might be detrimental, going through an apartment locator or apartment finder may be the best solution. They will present your history to the landlord for you, (make sure they are 100% truthful about it) and they can also be quite helpful and save you a lot of time because they most likely will know which landlords and apartments are more lenient in these circumstances. They can also advise you as to exactly what kinds of references and documents you might need to prove that you can be a responsible tenant.
You Have Located Your “Dream Apartment”
Once you have located your “dream apartment”, or as close to your perfect apartment as possible, now it is necessary to pay extremely close attention to the particulars of the rental agreement. An Apartment Lease is a contract between you and the landlord. Once agreed upon and signed by the tenant and the landlord, the rental lease creates obligations and restrictions for both parties. The most obvious covenants of the apartment lease are the length of the rental, (Six month lease, one year lease, two year lease, etc.) The amount of the security deposit, when the rent is due, who is responsible for what utilities. Also in that apartment lease, however, are stipulations, (sometimes in small print) that can cover a great variety of landlord and tenant obligations and restrictions.
They can include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Maintenance of the apartment
* Care of the premises
* Cleanliness
* Insurance
* Governmental regulations
* Eminent Domain
* Nuisance and noise clauses
* Stipulations as to the circumstances whereby the landlord can enter the premises
* Use of Common Areas
* Keys and locks
* Loss or damage
* Parking
* Pets
* Plumbing
* What the landlord may do if the rent is in arrears
* What the tenant can do to bring the rent current before any kind of action might be started
* Non performance or breach of the contract by the renter
* Renter’s penalties in the event of early termination
* Circumstances which might cause the tenant or the landlord to break the lease prior to the end of the term
* Heat and other utilities
* Removal of goods
* Surrender or Non-Surrender of the premises
* Waivers of various obligations
* Prohibited reprisals
* Garbage disposal
* Recyclables
* And the list goes on and on and on.
Prospective tenants should read an Apartment lease thoroughly. Prospective apartment renters should understand everything that is contained in that lease and make an informed decision to be 100% accepting of all the provisions for both the tenant and the landlord, that you are positive that you can live up to your end of the bargain and that you are comfortable with the provisions on the landlord’s end.
If you do not understand every single clause of that apartment lease then do not sign it until you do understand it. If necessary and if possible, request assistance in interpreting the lease from a trusted source such as a knowledgeable friend or family member or employer or professional, or anyone else who can understand it and explain it to you. If necessary get legal advice. It can cost additional funds if you do not qualify for free legal assistance, but that additional cost might save you a ton of money and save you a ton of heartache and aggravation down the road.
If you do not agree with any of the provisions of that apartment lease and/or you feel that you can’t live up to the tenant’s obligations, or if you are not in agreement with any of the landlord’s rights under the agreement, then do not sign the lease until/or unless it can be changed to your satisfaction. If the apartment rental agreement cannot be amended to meet your needs and desires and comfort level then do not sign the lease and do not rent that apartment. The Apartment Rental agreement that you sign as a prospective tenant will not change once you become the actual tenant of that apartment.
Good luck in your apartment search and good luck in your new apartment.
Kyle Thomas Haley has been helping people relocate on the Internet since 1999 with Apartment and Relocation Websites: <a href="http://www.apartment-rental.net">Find Apartments</a> <a href="http://www.relocation-guide.net/">Relocating Guide</a> Copyright 1999 ? 2005 STANZEEKAY Inc. You have permission to publish this article free of charge, as long as the bylines are included and none of the links or content are removed or edited.
Panama is Attracting Investors Worldwide Posted By : Dave 87 Mitchell87
Panama is fast becoming a world class destination for real estate investors. Located at the tip of Central America, Panama is the southern most country in Central America and is a rapidly evolving economy. Unlike the American real estate market, the Panama real estate market has shown considerable appreciation over the years and buyers from different parts of the US have started investing in Panama real estate.
Getting Your Home Ready for an Appraisal Posted By : Brayan Peter
Appraisal can be defined as a process or method of developing a value option, this valuation is a determined based upon the property’s market value which will be likely to be sold in the open market. Firstly one needs to know the ABCs of the appraisal methods and its process.
Find Good Tenants For Your Rental Properties Posted By : Michael C. Podlesny
As a landlord for over the last 10 years I can tell you I had my share of good tenants and share of some bad tenants, as do all landlords.
Should You Continue Renting or Should You Buy - Simon Salloom
Several times a week someone tells me, “My friends say wait to buy because the market is going to go down this year.” I am sure these same friends were telling these same people the same thing last year. Let’s focus in on Santa Monica Condominium sales for example. Last year, when the “bubble” was bursting median sales prices went up 12.3%. The median sales price for all types of real estate in Los Angeles went up 7.3%. Yes, the number of sales went down from 8,269 in 2005 to 6,888 in Los Angeles and average days on market went up from 41 to 57 days. However, 2005 was a record year for real estate sales. The fact that the pace of sales decreased in 2006 means the market shifted from going a metaphorical 100 miles per hour, a pace that is impossible to maintain, to a more sustainable 70 miles per hour. Let’s say for example that you didn’t listen to your friends or the media and purchased a home last year for $700,000. At the median increase in value of 7.3%, you would have enjoyed about .6% or $4,200 a month gain in equity. Another misconception is that it is better to rent now than to own. It may be better to rent if you don’t plan on being in the same place for more than a year or two or if you just moved to Los Angeles or Santa Monica and don’t know what neighborhood will work best for you. There are also some people who can’t come up with the money every month for the mortgage, taxes and home expenses. For all the rest of you, households making a combined income of about $90,000 a year or more, it is a good business decision to buy. Thanks to the media created “bubble” hype, and an ever increasing demand for shelter in Los Angeles, rents have increased about 12% citywide in the past year. Many rental seekers have said they see closer to a 15-20% gain on the Westside and in Santa Monica. You can buy a very nice 2br condo in a great Santa Monica neighborhood for around $700,000. This same condo will now rent for around $2,800-3,200 a month. To own it, with a 6.25% interest rate, taxes and $300 a month in dues, it will cost you approximately $4,900 a month. However, after taxes at 30% (many people pay more), your effective cost is about $3,100 a month. If you hold onto this same property for the next five years and enjoy a modest 3% or $21,000 increase in value per year, you will make over $100,000 in equity. If you sold and paid about 6% in closing costs, clearing $40,000, your effective cost of homeownership is only about $2,400, less than renting and a steal of a deal if you consider that rents will also be going up over the same period. So, the next time a newscaster on CNN or a friend at the coffee shop tells you it’s a bad time to buy just hand them this article or have them contact me via my web-site: www.SantaMonicaSimon.com Simon Salloom is a Realtor who specializes in Santa Monica Real Estate with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Brokerage, Brentwood Court Office. He is ranked in the top 3% of Coldwell Banker agents Nationwide for sales volume. Contact me via my web-site: www.SantaMonicaSimon.com All statistics taken from the Multiple Listing Service of the local, Beverly Hills Greater Los Angeles Association of Realtors.
Simon Salloom is a Realtor who specializes in Santa Monica Real Estate with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate Brokerage, Brentwood Court Office. He is ranked in the top 3% of Coldwell Banker agents Nationwide for sales volume. Contact me via my web-site: www.SantaMonicaSimon.com
Appraisals Part 1 Posted By : Bryan Benson
Say you have a property that you have almost finished rehabbing. You’re thinking about putting it on the market but have questions about aesthetics and market value. How do you go about getting an appraisal?
Why Should You Use Free Apartment Locators
Free apartment locators help you to locate a suitable apartment for rent in cities all over the United States.
Thousands of apartments for rent of various types and with different features on floor plans, rooms and facilities are available in the list. You can select the apt one in a suitable location by the help of apartment locators.
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On www.apartmentreviews.net, the cities and apartments have been listed alphabetically. It is easy to compare the apartment ratings and apartment reviews, if you are searching an apartment for rent.
Thousands of apartments for rent are available and you need not spend your valuable time and energy in search for apartment as the portal will give all detail on apartment rentals. Fill a form, you will be informed and called in minutes. It has suitable apartments for rent all across the country. The site is user-friendly. So, you can log on and avail the service easily.
Map of the cities are also available at the site along with their history and other information. You can also get tips on how to select an appropriate apartment for rent. Other information on credit, insurance, moving services, loans and finding a room are also available on the site.
He is well known author who writes articles on www.apartmentreviews.net
