Category: Blog

Record numbers of students are attending college, and student housing is an element of concern globally. This is because the students seeking to be housed come from far and wide. Students from China, India, Europe, Hong Kong, and Latin America are all coming to U.S. colleges. In most cases, they have not traveled to the area before, which can make finding student housing a challenge. Even for local residents, finding student housing can be a challenge. Fortunately, new student housing developments are making it easier for students everywhere to find an affordable apartment.

If you are looking for student housing developments in Newark, Delaware, then the Internet will be an important resource. To ensure you find the right student housing in Newark, DE, here are some tips you can use to ensure that you get the best living space.

Create a short list of options

When it comes to student housing, there are plenty of options to choose from. When starting your search, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. For this reason, your initial goal should be to narrow down your options to three or four choices. If official university housing is not an option, the start your search by looking only at housing within walking distance of your school. Once you have prepared your short list, proceed to the next steps.

Determine your budget

There is a large degree of variance when it comes to cost. From luxury student housing developments to low-cost basement studio apartments, you can find a lot of options. As such, it is important to look at what you are looking to spend on your housing. If you are taking out student loans, factor in what, if anything, these funds will contribute to your housing budget. A normal apartment lease is 12 months, so make sure you can maintain the budget for the term of the lease. This will ensure you get the best price and value for money.

Establish the requirements for the housing

Typically, you will find that all housing situations have different rules and requirements that have to be adhered to. For instance, there are some housing options that might not allow pets. As a result, if you have a pet or plan to own one in future, such housing options get ruled out. Other apartments will place limits on overnight guests or parking. Also, requirements pertaining to the terms of payments and the facilities provided are important to put into consideration.

Use the internet to your advantage

The internet has made this process easy and fast. When looking for student housing developments, this should actually be your first stop, especially for students coming from far. In fact, it is possible to get housing even without setting foot in town. In addition to getting housing listings around the desired area, you also get an opportunity to look at the reviews from the various residents that have been housed here. From their experiences, it is easy to learn any inconveniences they experienced. Finally, look for housing developments with lots of photos.

Take time to inspect your preferred house

Even with an online search for student housing developments, images can be deceiving. If possible, make time to tour your apartment list in person. At this time you will be able to assess the neighborhood as well as the amenities in the house. You will be able to even note the finer details such as access to natural lighting, air conditioning, and much more. At this time, you will also be able to find the proximity of the house to the learning institution as well as the available means of transport.

Since students form a significant percentage of renters here in the United States, there are more and more student housing developments opening with each passing year, and Newark, DE is no exception. Hopefully, this post will aid you in making a better selection for your housing.

According to the Rental Protection Agency, 40% of U.S. renters are between the ages of 15 and 34. Students comprise a large portion of this demographic, with many of them choosing to move out of their college dorms and into off campus student housing. This change can be both exciting and overwhelming — as this is the first time they have had to furnish an apartment, it can be difficult for them to know where to start. If you are a student who is about to move or recently moved into an apartment, whether in Newark student housing or anywhere in the country, make sure to consider these three items that will make apartment life a breeze!

1. An elevated bed frame

   The most common challenge students come across, whether living on campus, in Newark student housing, or an apartment in any city, is limited space. In a dorm there is not much you can do, as you essentially have just the furniture provided by the school to work with. In an apartment, however, students have far greater flexibility. If there is not one in the room already, purchasing an elevated bed frame allows for large amounts of convenient, out-of-sight storage space. Acquire some rolling plastic bins to slide in and out from underneath the frame and this solution becomes even more effective.

2. An electric kettle

   They say a watched pot never boils — buy an electric kettle, and no watching is necessary. Simply flip the switch or press the button and the device heats your water automatically, needing only an outlet to be plugged into. If you are an avid tea or coffee connoisseur, it may be worth investing in a kettle with variable temperature settings. While boiling water is perfect for black teas such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey, more delicate varieties such as green tea and oolong tea require lower temperatures, typically around 175 and 185 degrees, respectively. Coffee should be brewed with water below the boil as well, ideally around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. A comfy desk chair

   Unless you are the type of student who strictly works in the library or at nearby cafés, you are going to want to set up a quality workspace in your apartment. If you buy an uncomfortable chair, you will never want to sit at your desk to work. Invest in your productivity and buy an ergonomic desk chair that makes working as pleasant an experience as possible.

Before you get these important items, you have to find an apartment — the best Newark student housing options for students living off campus while attending the University of Delaware are with Lang Development Group.

Contrary to traditional college life, more and more students decide to live away from their University campuses than before. It helps to build independence more than living on campus, and they do not have to abide by University housing rules. For example, students attending a dry campus can have alcohol in their off campus apartments while they would not be able to in on campus dorms. In fact, a New York Times article put the percentage of students living off campus at 87%. Also, 40.6% of renters in the U.S. are from ages 15-34. If you are looking to live off campus at your university, attached is a list of things to look for (Once you know the rent, security deposit, and what you can afford):

1. Parking

It cannot be overstated how important this one is. One of the first things that you should consider is how much parking is available. Is there off-street parking? Is there a garage provided, or does it cost extra? Will you have to park on the street? How secure is the parking lot (If the neighborhood is not the greatest)? Is there a parking garage nearby, and how much does that cost? You should call the property management company ahead of time to get the answers to these questions. The answers to these questions could help eliminate some of your options right away. The last thing you want to do is fall in love with an apartment, save parking questions for last, and end up stuck parking a block away every day. Remember to check parking first before even going into the apartment.

2. Proximity To The School

This might seem like a given, but it is also a give and take. While most student rental units are very close to the University, your budget, parking, and other factors might make finding an apartment adjacent to your University hard to do. If you cannot find an adjacent unit, you should find off campus housing options that have access to an expressway or other highway that will get you to the University.

3. Amenities

This one is not quite as important, but, especially if there are roommates, you may be able to afford student rentals with nice amenities. Is there a pool or hot tub? Do you have a pet? What is the square footage? Is there storage offered? Is there a washer and dryer in the unit, or is it shared (Does it cost money?)? Is there a garbage disposal? These are all questions that you should have answered before signing the lease for any off campus housing options.

4. Utilities

Some apartment complexes cover certain utilities making the rent more affordable. Research these questions: Do I have to pay for water? What about gas, internet, electricity, garbage disposal, snow removal (For rental houses)? These questions can be answered prior to your visit, and you can focus on finding the right space for you and your roommates, if you have them.

These and other questions that are on your mind should be answered before considering signing a lease for off campus housing options, so you can have a more fun and enlightening experience at University.

For many students, senior year sneaks up on you. All of a sudden you’re preparing yourself for ingress into the ‘real world,’ while also trying to balance your thesis, internships, and living your best life. Throw a beloved pet into the mix, and the entire affair may become overwhelming. Just by having a sweet dog, or cat, or bearded dragon, finding a pet friendly apartment becomes a herculean task. With so many factors to consider, your pet becomes the primary point of focus for any landlords or student housing authorities, and you find yourself making a pros and cons list. To save you the trouble, here’s one already built.

The Cons

– It’s an unfortunate reality of student housing: pet friendly apartments are not included in your tuition. If you’re looking to roll out of bed at 8:20 for your 8:30 class, you may only find leniency from the student housing department if your pet is a service animal.

– Chances are, if you’re hunting for a pet friendly student apartment, your animal’s main service is less medical and more communal. In this case, you may go the clandestine route of making your student housing unofficially “pet friendly” student housing. However, a pet friendly student apartment must come with pet friendly students. The bond you share with your roommate or roommates must be a bond sealed in puppy nose kisses. You need to be able to depend on them to cover your secret cat or parakeet if your residence advisor comes busting in, or to keep their mouths shut even if all their shoes get chewed through.

– Often, campus housing is the easiest option to ascertain where you’re going to be spending your college years. Finding a pet friendly apartment on your own can be an expensive and time consuming endeavor, especially if your campus is situated in the Finger Lakes region New York and the closest city is an hour away. Student housing, even if the rooms needed upgrades in the 80s and the showers are reminiscent of prison bathrooms, is usually the safest of your housing options.

The Pros

– Most colleges these days offer off campus housing, which is usually only available to upperclassmen. If you’re a senior with a pet, living off campus may be the best option to both keep the cost in your tuition, keep close proximity to your classes, and make your home a pet friendly apartment without a pesky residence advisor barging in at a moment’s notice.

– The real estate market has never been more saturated by younger generations than it is now. Just three years ago, 65% of real estate belonged to renters aged 35 and younger, and the number has only gone up since then. By 2017 around 43 million housing units were renter-occupied. Since commercial real estate has become an unavoidable aspect of independent living, finding a pet friendly apartment may be a great way to get a jump on the real world. Rental units for students are an overlooked sector of the rental market that may be a good place to start for seniors who want to lower the cost of college and are looking for pet friendly housing options that they won’t have to vacate come summer.

– Finding a pet friendly apartment can be daunting. If you know you’ll need to find pet friendly housing you need to hit the real estate market early, and know exactly what it is you’re looking for. But the pay-off is immeasurable. Student housing tends to be overpriced at universities, and often barely meet the qualifications to be student friendly, let alone pet friendly. By looking into the rental option you set yourself and your pet up for success by making a fiscally sound decision.

As a college student, you may have a lot of housing options in the Newark, DE area. You probably are sick of dorm life, so renting one of the off-campus apartments could be a good choice for your lifestyle and needs as a student. Off-campus housing may be your first venture into the world of rental properties, but we can help you narrow down your housing options.

In 2016, 87% of college students lived off campus, according to the New York Times. Sharing a bathroom with an entire floor and eating cafeteria food can only last for so long, so you might be looking to rent your first apartment.

First and foremost, you must decide on a budget. This could be your first foray into paying bills on your own, which could get confusing, but if you do the right research, you will be able to find your dream apartment and afford it too. According to financial experts, your rent and utility bills should be no more than 30 percent of your monthly income (after tax). Finding your budget and sticking to it will be the most essential part of finding a space for lease.

After the budget, choosing the location of where you want to live is also important. There are many student rental units around the University of Delaware, so you must decide where you want to be close to. Whether it’s closer to the library for late night study sessions or closer to the nightlife for late night drinks is entirely up to you.

In your list of housing options, you’ll also need to consider roommates…and that includes roommates with four legs, too. Pet-friendly apartments are available in this area, but you have to address that in your search from the get-go. Other not so furry roommates will be taken into consideration in the form of how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need.

As a full-service property management company, we can help provide you with the housing options that meet all of your above needs. We have worked with the local Newark area and the University of Delaware and can help you make that next big move in your life.

For more information on off-campus housing options, give us a call or visit us online!

Renting your first off campus apartment during college can be incredibly exciting. You’re finally going to be living in a space that’s truly your own; for many students, this represents a first real taste of freedom. But are you actually ready to be living off campus? Use these five tips to rent your first off campus apartment.

1. Figure out your roommate situation: Before you start actively looking for an off campus apartment, you’ll need to know how many people will be living in the apartment. Whether you’re living by yourself, with your best friend, or a group of students, knowing how many people will be living with you is essential to your search.
2. Know what you can afford: Once you know who will be living with you and what size apartment you need, get your budget set and stick to it. According to financial experts, your monthly rent and utility bills should be no more than 30% of your monthly net income. Make sure you’re taking into account everyone’s incomes when calculating this.
3. Create a shopping list: You need to make sure your off campus housing options have everything you’ll need. Sit down with your roommates and make a list of what everyone needs. Do you need to find pet friendly student apartments? How important is the size of the kitchen? This will make sure you’re organized when you start visiting apartments.
4. Have a timeline: Make sure you start your search early enough to give yourself time before the semester starts. Otherwise, you might end up scrambling to find off campus housing a week before the semester starts. Living off campus takes planning, and planning takes time, so give yourself a bit more time than you think you need just in case.
5. Be willing to walk away: Unless your semester starts tomorrow and you need to secure housing immediately, remember that there’s always going to be another apartment. If the one you’re looking at doesn’t suit your needs or is outside your budget, be willing to walk away and look at other student housing.

Looking for student housing options near the University of Delaware? Contact Lang Development Group for more information on University of Delaware off campus housing.

The Rental Protection Agency estimates that more than 2,600 people enter the rental market every day in search of a place to live. In fact, every 80 seconds, a new unit is rented.

That’s especially true if you’re a college student. A New York Times article from 2016 found that nearly 90% of college students live off campus. What’s more, it’s estimated by the Rental Protection Agency that people aged 15-34 represent more than 40% of renters in the United States.

If you’re a college student, there are plenty of benefits to living off campus and opting to live in apartments for students. Perhaps the biggest among these is the freedom that comes with living in apartments for students. For many college students, going away to school represents the first time he/she is on their own and with no one telling you what to do, you get to take charge of your life.

Other benefits of renting an off-campus apartment include:

• The chance to have real world experience. Again you’re on your own, living on your own and you get to make adult decisions.
• You can develop a rental history, which will help you once you graduate and might be looking to rent a place in a new city.
• Apartments for students are sometimes cheaper to rent than paying to stay in university housing.
• You’ll have more space to study, more peace and quiet and hopefully fewer distractions.
• You get your own bathroom and get to make your own meals.

Of course, there are also some things to be mindful of if you’re leaning toward living off campus and living in apartments for students:

• While it can be cheaper at times, living off-campus can be more expensive too, since you’ve got to pay for utilities, groceries, appliances, etc.
• Living off-campus means you have to do chores, including cleaning the bathroom and shopping for food.
• You’re away from campus, which likely means you’ll need to make sure you have a way to get to classes.
• If you sign a year-long lease, you’re likely going to have to find someone to sublet with you.

Still, if you’re looking into living in apartments for students or other off-campus housing options, it’s important to keep these tips in mind.

• Keep a budget: Many campuses across the country can be off the mark when estimating the cost of living off-campus. If you’re living off-campus, it’s very important to create a budget and stick to it since there’s a lot of new costs for college students living on their own. Not only do they have to pay rent, move-in fees, and utilities, but there’s also the costs of food, Internet/TV, laundry services and perhaps even parking. If a student has a pet and can find pet-friendly apartments, they’ll have to factor in any pet fees they incur when they move in as well as the cost of pet care.
• Do some research: Rental companies offer plenty of options when it comes to apartments for students and off-campus housing. But it’s important for students to wade through all the options and find the perfect living situation for their needs. When looking at apartments for students, consider the size of a place and make sure to do a walkthrough before signing off on anything. The last thing a student needs is surprises after they’ve already agreed to lease terms. Other things to keep in mind include the amenities a complex offers, location relative to campus and how long a lease is for.
• BYO: If you’re renting an apartment, it’s very beneficial to bring your own items from home. If you can bring appliances, furniture, and other apartment essentials, it’ll make things easier in the long run. Keep in mind the size of the apartment and if you live with roommates, try to avoid having duplicate items, especially appliances.
• Keep things fair If you’re living with roommates, keep things fair. Split bills, share the apartment space and be respectful. It’s going to be a nightmare if you don’t.

Renting an off-campus apartment comes with plenty of benefits, but you want to be sure to take time to create a budget and consider your options. For University of Delaware students, Lang Development Group can help you find the perfect off-campus housing opportunity.