Transforming Your Off-Campus Apartment Into A Homey Paradise

new apartmentApproximately 33% of renters move every year; this behavior is especially common among college students, most of whom live in off campus apartments. When you’re constantly packing up and relocating, turning that simple student rental unit into a home can be quite difficult. Whether you’re moving into student housing or a brand-spankin’ new apartment across the city, you’re going to want to make that space your own; here are a few tips to get you started.

  • Pictures, pictures, and more pictures: Home is defined by personalization. The best way you can bring some life to your home is to bring your life into your home; hang or post as many pictures as you want of your family, friends, or pets to make you feel comforted on those lonely days. In fact, it’s a good idea to fill up your walls entirely with things that you love. From posters to tapestries, the place will begin to feel warmer and more inviting almost immediately.
  • Create a cozy spot: College students spend a great amount of time studying. Rather than sequestering yourself away in a dark corner of your campus library, or sitting at your uncomfortable kitchen table, you can create a cozy nook specifically dedicated to academics; whether you decide to pick up your textbook or your favorite novel, you’ll find yourself feeling more at home by the minute.
  • Add plants: Indoor plants have been proven to improve mood. Not only do they provide an inexpensive way to decorate your space, but they can act as companions for those moments when you just need to think out loud. Find the varieties that are hard to kill (such as succulents) and you’ll be feeling calm in no time.
  • Accessorize your bed: For most people (college students especially), their bed is their favorite place. Since home is almost entirely about comfort — as your cozy spot has proven — your bed should be extra comfy! Invest in a new duvet or comforter, some fluffy throw pillows, and maybe even a few stuffed animals. Add a small bedside table for books or before-bed snacks, and you’ve got a perfect place to snuggle up.

Once you really get into the decorating swing of things, you’ll find that your new apartment — no matter how temporary it is — feels like home. With just a few personal touches, the transformation can be profound. Before long, you’ll find yourself truly relaxing in a space all your own.

Preparing Your New Apartment For A Canine Companion

new apartment

new apartmentToday’s young people love to rent. Studies have found that 65% of households headed by those under the age of 35 were renting — a 57% increase from the previous decade. Although many are students interested in living off campus, a great number of new apartments are going to individuals who have graduated and are firmly established in their lives; the next logical step, of course, would be to get a pet!

Provided you’re able to find pet friendly housing options, you’ll need to get your new space ready for your new companion. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can pet-proof and prepare your apartment for a dog.

  • Get a dog bed. Your new pup will be spending even more time in your apartment than you; he or she should have their own space. By placing a dog bed in the main room (or buying multiple and putting them wherever you hang out the most), your dog will truly begin to feel at home. Unless you’re comfortable with puppy fur all over your own bed and other furniture, dog beds are a perfect way to tackle two problems at once!
  • Replace your trash bins. Dogs are notoriously nosey — literally. Their keen sense of smell can give them a direct line to the garbage, and sometimes (most times) the temptation is too much to resist. To ensure your puppy isn’t getting into the trash and eating something that could make them sick, replace all the bins in your apartment with lidded options.
  • Pet-proof the whole apartment. Pet proofing is as serious as childproofing, especially for those pups that seem to have a genius-level intellect. This includes getting a puppy gate, putting away loose, within-reach cosmetics, and being incredibly strict with open food. If your dog has a reputation for being where they shouldn’t be, go the extra mile and invest in child-proof locks to guard cabinets containing cleaning products.

Finding quality apartments for rent is the hard part — and you’ve already done it! Making your new apartment cozy and safe for a canine companion is as easy as it is fun; before you know it, Fido will be curled up by your side and as happy in his new home as you are.

Find the Best Student Rental for Your Needs

student rental

student rentalRenting your home is one of the oldest ways or providing a roof over ones head. Even in ancient times, people rented, and the tradition continues today. As a matter of fact, in America, about 27% of citizens rented their home in 2016. Among the largest growing groups of people are students. Students come in all shapes, sizes and ages. Regardless of their background or their reason for going to school, they need a place to live. Because a student is most likely going to be in the area near their school for a limited amount of time, renting is usually the way to go. Student rental can benefit the renter in several ways.

Stay Close to Your School and Pay Less

The room and board rates are going up as fast as—or faster than—tuition rates. The cost of living increases for a few different reasons. One, the cost of building increases on a yearly basis. Therefore, those who build dorms can justify rental rate hikes easily. Also, sometimes schools desire to attract a certain type of clientele, aka student, to their school. Building more expensive dorms is a way to get higher paying students into their classrooms—and into their alumni database. While this is great for the school and its benefactors, it hurts regular students who don’t have the means to pay higher dorm rental fees. Student rental near the campus is a great way to offset this potentially huge cost.

You can shop around to find the best rates or contact an agent or company that specifically deals with real estate for students. Rental units for student will vary in price, of course, but that doesn’t mean they are out of your reach. You just have to set your budget, stick to that range, and find the right pool of student rental options to choose from. Consider this your first foray into real estate. Student housing is always at a premium, but you can get ahead of the game if you arm yourself with the right resources to locate the best housing for your needs.

Stay Closer to Study Groups with the Right Student Rental

While you may have access to a car or feel comfortable riding public transportation, being far away from campus can preclude the possibility of joining or participating in study groups. You want to be a resource for your fellow students. Study groups are also a great place to make new connections that may prove valuable when you need to network in the future. Therefore, spending a little time finding student rental choices that are relatively close to campus can be time well-spent. Access to study groups will make you a better partner and result in higher grades and better impressions with other students. Everything will combine to a more rewarding college experience.

A Student Rental that Fits Your Needs Is Important

Not any student rental is going to be the one for you, however. A new apartment can be exciting, but you don’t want the excitement to momentarily cloud your judgment. Make a list of what you need, the bare minimum, from a rental. Include location, ease of access to transportation, proximity to other students, where the nearest grocery store or coffee shop is, etc. But also make a list of “wants” that you would like but could probably live without. Make this list guide your decision-making process. One of your most pressing needs is going to be the kind of privacy you get. If you need a lot of privacy, you will want to choose student housing that affords you your own room. Or perhaps, you just need a good place to study but don’t mind sharing a room with a roommate. In that case, you will want to locate space for lease that has a study nook that can give you the enclave you need to properly immerse yourself in your work.

Regardless of the rental you decide to go with, you will want to make sure not just your studies, but your overall sense of comfort is prioritized. This will be where you live, sleep, laugh, relax and have fun. It will also be one of your most major expenditures, so take your time and choose a student rental that works for you.

Top Benefits of Off Campus Housing

delaware student housing

College Housing

For freshman and seniors alike, finding the right housing for college is an important aspect of your university experience. The right student housing experience can enhance your experience by providing a great social atmosphere, convenient location, and good roommates. The wrong student apartments can likewise be a wrench in an otherwise great year.

According to the New York Times (2016), over 85% of college students choose to live off campus. That figure has surged over the last several years, showing that off campus housing is by far the most popular choice among college students. This is especially true of Delaware student housing. Delaware student housing has significant off campus options from pet friendly student apartments to student rental units. Here are some of the main reasons why off campus Delaware student housing is so popular:

Benefits of Off Campus Housing

Increased Living Space and Personal Space: It is no secret that many of the on campus student apartments are very crowded and limited in space. Sharing a dorm room with a roommate can make it feel especially cramped. Maybe it’s a good experience to break into college as a freshman . . . but other than that, the cramped living quarters aren’t that great. University of Delaware student housing has plenty of off campus options that are much larger and offer private rooms. Each apartment includes a real kitchen, private bedroom options, a living room, and additional storage space. These living spaces are much easier to hang out in and have a good time.

Better Life Experience: A big part of attending college is the opportunity to live on your own and gain some real world experience. Living off campus is a great way to experience what living on your own in the “real world” is like. You will be in charge of new responsibilities such as: paying rent and utilities, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, etc. Additionally, it will be a great opportunity to learn how to negotiate and understand lease contracts and develop relationships with professionals such as your property manager, landlord, and maintenance crew. Also, just like building good credit is important to eventually purchasing a house, building a good rental history is important to finding other apartments in the future.

Cost Effectiveness: As odd as it might sound, off campus housing is often significantly cheaper than on campus options. Of course, because of how much variety there is in off campus housing, there will certainly be premium rentals that are more expensive. But the point is that no matter what your budget is, off campus housing for Delaware student housing has plenty of price points to match your needs. Do some research and find out the pros and cons of each area. Consider how far the closest grocery store, gym, or campus bus stop is. Figure out which amenities are included or not included (such as a washer and dryer).

Set Your Own Rules: On campus housing comes with a plethora of rules. Curfews, guest restrictions, and pet restrictions are just a few that come to mind. Resident Advisors (the infamous RA), are also always around policing students and enforcing the rules. When you live off campus, in your own apartment, you set the rules. You decide when it’s quiet time and when it is party time. Each apartment will have its own rules of course (like don’t harass your neighbors), but off campus apartment rules are much less strict than their on campus counterparts.

Amenities Access: Perhaps one of the most difficult things about living in the doors is the lack of amenities. No hot tub. No dishwasher (or kitchen in many cases!). No private washer and dryer (gotta haul to the laundromat). Off campus apartments give full access to amenities. Free Wi-Fi, a study lounge, pool and hot tub, washers and dryers in your apartment, and even free gym access. Additionally, off campus housing will naturally put you closer to the grocery store, restaurants, parks, and other places of interest in Delaware. This will allow you more freedom to explore and experience the area.

There is no doubt about it, off campus housing is the way to go.

Tips on Finding Student Housing in Newark, Delaware

student housing de

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.

3 Must-Haves for Any Student Residence

newark student 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.

4 Things To Look For In An Off-Campus Apartment

off campus housing options

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.

The Secret Life of Pet Friendly Apartments: Finding Pet Friendly Student Housing

pet friendly apartments

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.

Housing Options for College Students

housing options

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!

The Many Perks of Off Campus Living

living off campusAre you thinking of stepping away from dorm life and renting an apartment for the rest of your college career? There are a lot of off campus housing options out there for those looking to change it up, and living off campus comes with a lot of advantages.

Learn more about the benefits off campus living below, then find your dream apartment today.

More Independence and Freedom

Let’s face it. Campus housing comes with a lot of rules and regulations, and most people in their early twenties are ready to be done with that stage of life. Being supervised by a resident advisor can get tiresome, so get the independence you deserve by living off campus.

No more curfews, and no restrictions on who you can and cannot invite over. Off campus living is truly liberating.

You Can Cook Your Own Meals

For the first few weeks of college, eating at the cafeteria can be a fun experience. Unfortunately, the cooks tend to serve the same options over and over, and the whole ordeal gets old pretty quickly. Not to mention, you have to eat within certain time frames, and there are typically long lines for better food choices.

Living off campus means your getting own kitchen, fully equipped with a stove, microwave, and refrigerator, and you can easily invest in some cheap utensils and pans. In no time, you will be all set to cook whatever meals you want whenever you would like.

Craving pasta at 2:00 in the afternoon? No problem. Whip up some spaghetti or alfredo. Want to make a grilled cheese before bed? You can do that, too. Being able to cook your own meals is a big perk of off campus living and one thing people love most about getting out of the dorms.

Gaining Life Experience

Another big perk of living off campus is the ability to get a taste of adulthood and what to expect when you are officially done with classes and out in the real world. Living in off campus apartments means paying your own bills, buying your own groceries, and making smart investments when it comes to furniture, tvs, and dishware. If you are looking for an adult experience, this is definitely one way to get it.

Along with this, it gives you some rental experience, so you will have something to put on rental applications down the line. If you are a good tenant, then off campus living will set you up nicely for getting better housing down the line.

Want a Pet?

If you want to add a furry critter to your life, then finding a pet friendly apartment is the route to take. Pets in a dorm room is a big no-no, so you will not be able to invest in a cat, dog, bird, or anything else until you are officially off campus.

Ready to get Started?

After reading some of the many pros of living off campus, you will not be surprised to learn that around 87% of students lived off campus in 2016 according to the New York Times. If you are ready to join them, work with us here Lang Development Group today. We can set you up right.