Category: Blog

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.

Owning a house with a white picket fence is a dream for many, but a new study by Freddie Mac claims that nearly 80% of renters find that renting is a more affordable option. This sentiment is shared by renters spanning every generation, but this opinion has only increased in the last six months.

Among renters, seniors have become the fastest growing members in the market, but renters from each generation, from Millennials to Gen Xers, have begun to think that renting is more affordable than buying a home. In fact, nearly 72% of renters in 2014 were Millennials. This is in spite of rising rental costs that would lead people to think otherwise.

But why would people choose to rent than buy?

Flexibility

One popular reason people choose to rent instead of buy is the need for flexibility. Some people can’t imagine staying in one place longer than a year while others have to move constantly for work. Buying a house in a single location is an investment that many people simply don’t have time for.

But the need for flexibility is not limited to working professionals. Many parents prefer to downsize after their children leave the nest and older folks may prefer temporary living when they travel in their retirement. The need for flexible housing has become a desirable trait in an ever-fluctuating market.

The costs

Owning a home comes with a lot of extra costs that simply aren’t associated with renting. Owning a home results in the need for home insurance, fluctuating utility bills, home maintenance and upkeep, and a potential decrease in your property’s value.

By comparison, countless renters prefer to have a fixed rate for their utilities. On top of that, they won’t lose out on an investment by suffering from decreasing property values. And when something is broken in their home, they can rely on their landlord to get a maintenance technician to fix the problem promptly. Paired with lower insurance costs, renting has become a more affordable option despite the recent surge in rental prices. This is particularly popular among students.

There are countless reasons to choose to rent a home. When you want to check out pet-friendly student housing options in Delaware, contact the development group you can trust. At Lang Development Group, we offer the best Newark student housing available. Contact us today for a tour of our Newark student housing options.

Living in off campus apartments often seems like temporary housing. But that doesn’t mean you can’t craft the perfectly cozy college apartment of your dreams! Make the most of your time living off campus — follow these tips and tricks to make living off campus all the more enjoyable.

 

Get a coffee table

 

For some reason, college students never seem to get a coffee table. This is a simple addition that many college students seem to overlook. When it comes to relaxing on the couch or playing a game of cards with your friends, nothing beats the convenience and simplicity of a great coffee table.

 

By an affordable new coffee table or see what you can find at your local second-hand shop. You’d be surprised what a new layer of paint can do for an old piece of furniture.

 

Light it up with lamps

 

Delaware student housing options will usually provide a ceiling light in each room, but buying the lamps is up to you. An easy way to craft a cozy room is with strategic lighting.

 

If you’re not a fan of overhead lighting, using table lamps or standing lamps can add dimension and ambiance. After all, even the best student housing in Delaware doesn’t suit every mood. Lamps and other forms of lighting are often less harsh than the overhead light and make the room seem cozier since the light is concentrated in one area. Try accenting doorways with fun string lights or turning on a floor lamp when you’re watching your favorite movie.

 

Craft a color scheme

 

One of the worst parts of owning your own place is filling it with all the goods you’ve accumulated over the years. Oftentimes, you chose what looked cute or functional instead of opting for a cohesive design.

 

When you want to make the most of your student housing, think about choosing a simple color scheme consisting of two or three colors that complement each other. This can range from your throw rugs to the decorations on your wall to the colors of your lamp shades. It will create a cohesive space that looks more put-together than your old on campus housing.

 

When in doubt, always choose furniture that matches or — at the very least — get furniture covers that are the same color. This takes up the brunt of your living room and mismatched furniture will always look cheap.

 

Off campus apartments are beautiful, but they’re even better when you seek to add your own personal flair. According to the New York Times, 87% of students choose to live in off campus apartments. Gain ideas from your friends or rely on these tips when you want to make your off campus housing a home.

Finding the right off campus housing options can seem like running on a treadmill; while you’re putting in all the effort, you’re not really going anywhere.

Here are some essential tips for finding the best off campus housing options.

 

Start the search early

Many college students begin looking for off campus housing options nearly a year in advance. This is half because they need to announce their intentions for on campus housing, but it’s also because the best places are picked out quickly. On top of that, finding the perfect place takes time. Don’t be afraid to call up student housing locations as a sophomore when you want to live off campus as a junior.

Know your budget

And this doesn’t just mean allotting for rent. One person’s budget can be drastically different from the next. Do you like to eat out a lot during the weekends? Have you accounted for gas? Do you prefer one neighborhood over another? Here are some more basic expenses to account for when you move into student housing off campus, some of which may or may not be included in the monthly rent:

• Rent and security deposit
• Utilities
• Laundry
• Parking
• Food
• Pet fees

 

All these factors make everyone’s budget wildly different. Before you look at off campus apartments for students, try keeping a spreadsheet with all your weekly costs. Being realistic about your budget is essential when you’re looking for the pet friendly apartment of your dreams.

 

Keep the duration in mind

Student housing options vary in length and duration. While some options rent out their housing for just the school year, other locations will rent on a month-by-month basis or lock you into a year-long lease.

Each option has their pros and cons depending on your living situation and whether or not you plan on staying in Delaware over summer break. Keep in mind that there were 43 million apartments, townhomes, and houses rented in 2017 — if one housing option doesn’t work for you, you’ll be able to find other rental units for students with ease.

There are countless off campus housing options for students in Delaware. But when you want the best Newark student housing with pet friendly apartments, you need to contact the best student housing around: with the Lang Development Group, you never need to worry about finding the right apartment. We’re a full-service property management group designed with the student in mind. Contact us today if you’re ready to live off campus!

When it comes to everyday living, you might not notice a huge change between living off campus or relying on suite-style student housing. With off campus housing options, however, you’re opening up a new world of possibilities you may not have ever considered.

Here are some of the little-known perks of looking for student rentals off campus.

There are pet-friendly apartment options

Pet friendly student apartments are becoming more common for students and renters alike. Unfortunately, your campus dorm might not be so accommodating to your furry friend.

Luckily, pet friendly student apartments are right around the corner. While there is often a monthly fee and most residential real estate prefer pets under 30 pounds, this is a great option for students who have emotional support pets or just prefer to have animals in the home.

Alone time

If you’re tired of sharing a campus shower with an entire hall, you won’t have this problem living off campus. Off campus apartments for students are great options for social college students who still care about their alone time. Instead of sharing a room or constantly reporting to your RA on duty, with rental units for students off campus, you’ll get the alone time you never knew that you needed.

You usually get more living space

The largest housing option on campus is usually in the campus townhouses. Though you’ll have some room to stretch your legs, this is still not as much space as you could be getting off campus.

Off campus apartments for students guarantee you won’t have to share a room. On top of that, you usually get a larger kitchen, more space in the living room, and even a dining room. Most college campuses don’t offer this kind of space for lease for students.

Living off campus can seem like a big step into adulthood, but most renters are younger now. In fact, 65% of the people renting in 2016 were under the age of 35. Besides, these hidden perks are all the reason you need to make the switch from on campus living. Whether you want more room to entertain, more room to yourself, or room to share with a furry friend, look for pet friendly student apartments at Lang Development Group today. Visit langdevelopmentgroup.com for more information on our apartments for students.

Choosing your first apartment as a college student is an exciting time. You round up a troupe of your friends, make a list of the best apartments for rent in Newark DE, and go on your first tours. But it isn’t all fun and games.

Before you look into student rental units, there are important financial factors to consider. Here are three important financial matters to mull over before you take the big leap for off-campus housing.

Do you have a cosigner?

Many off-campus apartments for students require a cosigner to guarantee you’re able to pay the rent each month. This is particularly common for students and other young adults who lack a significant credit history. Without a verified record that you’re able to pay your bills consistently, there’s no way for an apartment rental to ensure you’re able to make the payments on time.

A cosigner is there to be held responsible in the event you’re unable to pay your rent. Your cosigner is usually a family member, like your parent or an established older sibling. Think about your family’s financial situation before you take on an apartment lease, even if you have student loans to ensure the payments. If your cosigner is denied, you may be in hot water.

Are the utilities included?

Most landlords are required to include water and trash removal. Anything outside of this can rest on the shoulders of the student renters. An affordable price might be at the top of your budget if you don’t consider outside costs like electric, heating, parking, and internet.

On top of that, you’ll need to pay for food, toiletries, and a pet fee if you plan to live with a small dog or cat. Budget accordingly so you don’t overextend your bank account.

Will you have to buy furniture?

Many apartments, especially those intended for student housing, will be fully furnished for the ease of the renter. This means you won’t have to bring your own furniture (unless you want to) but it also means that you have to treat the furniture with respect. Don’t spill any drinks, clean them regularly, and manage your guests when they’re over.

If your apartment does not come fully furnished, or you’d rather bring your own furniture, you’ll have to work out extra costs with your roommates to see who’s bringing what.

Student rental units come with a few different financial factors the average college student may not consider. But you’re not alone — an estimated 27% of Americans rented in 2016.

Before you move into off-campus housing, talk over your options with your parents and rely on the best student rental units in Delaware; with the Lang Development Group, our fully furnished student rental units are designed with the college student in mind. Call or visit today for a tour!

Moving to a new area is hard and it’s even more difficult when you move away from home for the first time. When you’re looking for housing options for students in Delaware, there are a lot of factors that go into finding the perfect location. If you’re moving into a new home, here’s how to find the neighborhood of your dreams.

Quiet or loud?

You will likely have a lot of off campus housing options for students when you move to Delaware. However, the closer you are to campus, the rowdier the nightlife. If you’re over the college scene, luckily there are a few more affordable housing options right down the street. It might be a bit of a walk, but you’ll actually be able to sleep soundly on the weekends for once.

Look at the price points

While everyone wants to move to New York or LA, the cost is simply incredulous. Not only will your rent be sky high, but the cost of living in the area will run your bank account dry.

The neighborhood that’s perfect for you will also be in your price range. There are luckily nice, affordable neighborhoods surrounding the University of Delaware campus. When you’re looking for apartments for rent in Newark Delaware, keep in mind that your monthly rent should be no more than 30% of your net income. This includes your utilities. That way, you’ll stay afloat and have a little extra spending money for your textbooks.

Visit

You’re not going to get the vibe of an area by looking at statistics on your computer screen. The best way to get a feel for an area is to visit, even if that means going a little out of your way.

This way, you can check out the local shops, eye public transit options, and actually walk the distance to and from campus. At the very least, try to contact someone from your campus that lives in the area or read local reviews online.

Talk to your roommates`

It’s rare that a college student lives off campus alone and your roommates might have some great insights. Real estate for students often comes with great amenities, nearby locations, and a proximity to local shops. If you don’t have the inside scoop, it’s likely your roommate might.

When you want the best in housing options for students, look no further than the Lang Development Group. Not only do we offer the best student housing near UD, we support our Delaware hometown by giving back to the community. Contact us today or visit our website for more information.