Renter's Guide 2017

Contents

Contributors

New neighbors………………………………… 4–5 Checklist…………………………………………………9 Subleasing…………………………………… 14-15 The ultimate apartment style guide……… ……………………………………………………… 24-25 Getting a pet…………………………………… 30-31 Financing your apartment……………… 36-37

Editor in Chief Emily Barske

Special Sections Editor Nicole Miller

Managing Editor Emily Blobaum

Visuals Editor Chris Jorgensen

Authors Jillian McKee Madeline Lerum Tiffany Nelson Zachary Cook Savanna Pardekooper

Design Peter Lemken

Responsible roommates…………………… 38

Photography Getty Images Cover John Hesse

Renter’s Guide is a publication created by the Iowa State Daily Media Group and is published by the Iowa State Daily Publication Board, 2420 Lincoln Way, Suite 205, Ames, Iowa, 50014 © Copyright 2017 • Iowa State Daily Publication Board Opinions expressed in the editorials belong to the Iowa State Daily Editorial Board. The Publication Board

Want to see more?

Visit us at www.iowastatedaily.com.

meets at 5:15 pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month during the academic year.

Publication Board PROFESSIONALS Grant Heineman Chairperson

Kim McDonough College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Andrew Pritchard Greenlee School

Paxton Williams Iowa Department of Justice

Chris Conetzkey The Des Moines Business Record

Susan Kloewer State Historical Society of Iowa

Kyle Oppenhuizen Greater Des Moines Partnership

IOWA STATE DAILY

STUDENT MEMBERS Qianqian Shan Graduate College Kingsley Jewett At Large Matt Tjaden College of Business Jennifer Poncelet At Large

Mackenzie Jones College of Human Sciences Xue Bai College of Engineering Grant Heineman College of Ag and Life Sciences

Savanna Falter College of Design

Iowa State Daily 2420 Lincoln Way Ste. 205 Ames, IA 50014 P. 515-294-4120 Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 3

NEW NEIGHBORS Neighbors are a fun part of living on your own because they’re almost like a present, you never know what to expect.

Here’s the reason I’m writing this story. When I moved into my very first apartment I had one of my neighbor’s kids throw a large stone through my window, bust out the remaining glass in my window with a bow and arrow and break into my apartment. Everything ended up being OK; no one was hurt, and I was taught a valuable lesson about neighbors that day.

I’m not the only one to experience wacky neighbor stories. Good or bad, new neighbors keep us on our toes with their constant unpredictability.

With constant unpredictability comes the hilarious and sometimes alarming instances.

New neighbors provide students with lifelong memories. Here are some quirky neighbor stories from other Iowa State students.

“One day I was walking out of my apartment when I noticed my neighbor’s door open for some ‘quality outside cat time,’” said Lauren Vespa, junior in journalism.

WITH CONSTANT UNPREDICTABILITY COMES THE HILARIOUS AND SOMETIMES ALARMING INSTANCES. 4 RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

“They leave their door open all the time so their cat can roam freely, it’s so bizarre,” she said.

“A few days later they were asking me if I had seen a grey cat. I can’t say I was surprised.”

Austin Frasher, senior in computer science, seemed to have more relaxed neighbors.

“I was pulling into the parking lot of my apartment complex when I noticed a smallish group of people huddled around what looked like a small flame near the building I lived in,” Frasher said. “When I got out of my car I was greeted by my neighbor and eight of his friends smoking a large purple hookah in the front lawn of our apartment complex,” he said.

Jazz Niehaus, a junior in advertising, has also been that ‘weird neighbor.’

After coming home from a rough Saturday night, Niehaus could hear her neighbor yelling and pounding angrily through the wall, saying “could you stop screaming so loud and throw up a little bit quieter? I have to wake up really early for softball!”

— Jillian McKee

“When I walked past to get inside, they acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary. This wasn’t their last time, either.”

Danielle Gerst, senior in psychology, had an interesting roommate encounter.

“My roommate and I are night owls,” she said. “We both get off work around 10 and don’t make dinner until like 11. One night we were playing music on a speaker while I was showering and my roommate was making food, when she ran into the bathroom to show me a less than pleasant note our neighbor left under the door.

“Let’s just say they didn’t appreciate our music.”

Dakota Karthan, junior in marketing, seemed to have the opposite problem.

“I live with the people others consider the ‘weird neighbors’,” she said. “They always buy way too many bananas and never end up eating them all, so after they’re too brown to eat, my roommates throw them onto other people’s porches for fun. I just don’t get it.”

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 5

SPONSORED CONTENT Stadium View Suites 1206 S. 4th St., Ste. 101 Ames, IA 50010 515-296-4787 StadiumViewSuites.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internet included W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly Just down the street from Jack Trice Stadium, Stadium View Suites is a brand new, high-end student living community in Ames. The two, three and four-bedroom suites offer private bedrooms and bathrooms, furnished common areas, in-unit laundry, rent-by-the-room leases, and hasslefree, all-utilities-included rent.

Haverkamp Properties has specialized in student apartment living since 1991 and wants you to #lovewhereyoulive. Call 515-296-4787 to schedule a tour today!

OPTIONS 2 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 990 SF $670 per bed/month

3 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 1280 SF $660 per bed /month

6  RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

4 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 1511 SF $650 per bed /month

SPONSORED CONTENT Haverkamp Properties 4720 Mortensen Rd., Ste. 105 Ames, IA 50014 515-232-7575 haverkamp-properties.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internet included W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly Choose to live with Haverkamp Properties and you will get more than just a great place to live. All residents get free fitness, internet, cable and tanning. With several locations in Ames including West Towne, Walnut Place, Steinbeck & Twain, Stone Court, Westwood Village and Crown Point, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your budget and needs!

Haverkamp Properties has specialized in student apartment living since 1991 and wants you to #lovewhereyoulive. Call 515-232-7575 to schedule a tour today!

OPTIONS 1 Bedroom

2 Bedrooms

3 Bedrooms

1 Bathroom

1 Bathroom

2 Bathrooms

4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

700-1000 SF

700-1000 SF

900-1400 SF

1100-1600 SF

$850-1150

$850-1150

$1200-1400

$1100-1600

per month

per month

per month

per month

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 7

Live in Jack Trice’s Back Yard Ask about our specials today!

www.groveatames.com • 515.232.1046

Resident Features

69

13th St

13th St S Duff Ave

Iowa State University Lincoln Way

E Lincoln Way

Lincoln Way

S Duff Ave

• Study Room with computers & free printing • Free Tanning • Resort-Style Pool

S University Blvd

• Game Room • Free Parking • Giant Walk-in Closets • Private Bathroom

State Ave

• Walking Distance to Jack Trice Stadium • Fire Pits • 24 Hour Fitness Center

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Mortensen Rd S 16

th St

Text Groveames to 47464

U.S. HWY 30

SE 16th St U.S. HWY 30

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Finding the perfect place to live at an affordable price is only one part of the multi-step process to creating the perfect living space. This list includes some of the essentials students don’t think to get for their apartment.

“I started cooking my own food in my apartment, but I had no idea what dishes or pans I would need to do so. I didn’t know what I would need to start cooking basic recipes,” said Sam Kunde, junior in finance and current renter at The Edge.

Dishes and pans are a big item on the list when you plan on cooking your own meals.

“It’s hard to know exactly what you have to bring,” Kunde said. “There was a lot of last minute shopping after I moved in to get the stuff I needed.”

“Some of the most forgotten items are bathroom essentials,” said Summer Feaker, a desk manager at The Foundry.

When coming from a dorm or house, a lot of people don’t realize what a bathroom space needs.

“A lot of the guys forget shower curtains and bathroom rugs,” Feaker said.

The first few weeks of living in an apartment constitute a lot of late night runs to the store to buy forgotten items.

“One thing that I have seen people do that I thought was really smart was that people started bringing their own mini-refrigerators into their room,” Feaker said. “It lets you keep the food you like in your room, that way, other people don’t eat it.”

Although a mini-refrigerator is not required, it can help ease tension with roommates over situations involving food.

— Madeline Lerum

• Mugs/glasses

• Measuring cups

• Shower curtain

• Dishes

• Mixing bowl

• Hand towels

• Jars for holding sugar, flour, etc.

• Pans

• Toaster

• Desk lamp

• Toilet paper

• Utensils

• Carpet cleaner

• Paper towels

• Plunger

• Pyrex pan

• Broom and /or mop

• Napkins

• Shower mat

• Paper towel holder

• Mini-fridge (optional)

• Measuring spoons

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 9

SPONSORED CONTENT

Campustown 200 Stanton Ave. Ste. 101 Ames, IA 50014 515-598-9000 isucampustown.com

Going to college at Iowa State University is extraordinary—how you live it should be too! Campustown offers furnished and unfurnished apartments with private and shared accommodations, washers and dryers included, and fully equipped kitchens with stainless steel appliances and a built-in dining area available! With our state-of-the-art fitness center with separate cardio and Fitness On-Demand rooms, and swimming pool with hot tub and sun deck, Campustown is designed

10 RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

with students in mind. At Campustown, you have the resources you need to succeed with our Academic Success Center with iMacs, free printing and study lounge! Plus, you can walk or bike to class with our close-to-campus locations.

You’ll see why we say: You’re going to love it here. ® *Amenities and pricing vary per property.

Contact office for details.

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internet included W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly

OPTIONS 1 Studio/Bedroom 1 Bathroom 2 Bedrooms 1-2 Bathrooms 3 Bedrooms 1-2 Bathrooms 4 Bedrooms 2-2.5 Bathrooms

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 11

University West Properties 1320 Coconino Road Ames, IA 50014 (515)292-9790 University-West.com

University West Apartments & Townhomes professionally manages 484 apartments and townhomes in West Ames. We offer a selection of more than 30 floor plans, with amenities and prices to meet your needs. We also offer pet-friendly apartments and townhomes, so you can bring your furry friends too! We have completed 50 interior renovations, many exterior renovations and many new amentities.

Call us today to arrange a personal tour.

One of our leasing consultants will be glad to help you find your perfect home!

12 RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

Whats New? •Study rooms and printing station •24/7 on site fitness •Dog park •Outdoor pool luxuries with grill access

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly

OPTIONS 1 Bedroom 1 Bathroom 612-900 SF $780-$900/month 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathrooms 860-1075 SF $850-$1,120/month 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 960-1372 SF &1,035-$1,425/month 4 Bedrooms 2-3 Bathrooms 1150-1500 SF $1,460-$1,720/month *Prices subject to change

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 13

SUBLEASING A ‘sublease’ is a lease or rental agreement between a tenant who already holds the lease to a property and another person who wants to use part or all of the space.

There are many different ways students can find the right place to sublease, such as Facebook pages, Craigslist postings and postings on apartment complex websites.

“Post on as many different websites as you can.

It is very important because there is a better chance of someone finding it,” said Chloe Elsbecker, a leasing consultant for University West Properties.

Often times, before agreeing to the sublease, the person on the original lease will provide a tour of the living space to the potential sub-letter to make sure that it will suit their needs.

There are various options offered to the potential sub-letter when considering a place to sublease.

Two options that are available to potential renters are subleasing an individual room or subleasing the entire space of the unit.

After the potential owner has found a place to sublease, they will need to talk to the leasing office and fill out required paperwork.

Commonly there are fees that need to be paid, the amount differing per agreement.

“If the original person who is doing the subleasing can’t find someone to take over their lease, the person can’t just leave, they are still responsible for rent,” Elsbecker said.

The Landing 4710 Mortensen Rd. Leasing Office: 258 N. Hyland Ames, Iowa 50014 (515) 292-5020 www.fpmofames.com

14 RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

Once the two parties are in agreement, the two of them sign what is typically referred to as ‘the assignment of lease agreement.’

“What we do is an assignment of lease agreement,” said Todd Wuestenberg, the chief operations officer at Haverkamp Properties.

“This actually removes the resident from the legal obligations of the lease agreement.”

The assignment of lease agreement is designed so the person who used to be on the lease is no longer obligated to pay rent.

“Make sure to read and understand the lease before signing it,” said Paul Johnson, attorney for Student Legal Services.

He recommends students are aware of Iowa Code 562a.12, which deals with rental deposits.

The property owners can work with students to try and find the right place for them to live. They can assist with whatever questions and concerns that may come up during the subleasing process and can provide resources on where to post the ad.

“We make the process easy for the resident and try to remove any barriers,” Wuestenberg said.

Finding the right place to move into when students want to avoid a year long commitment may seem difficult, but subleasing can be the easy solution students search for.

-Zachary Cook

205 Beach Ave Leasing Office 258 N. Hyland Ames, Iowa 50014 (515) 292-5020 www.fpmofames.com

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 15

SPONSORED CONTENT Hunziker Property Management 105 S. 16th St. Ames, IA 50010 515-233-4440 www.hunziker.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly Looking for a 1, 2, or 3-bedroom apartment close to the ISU Campus? Hunziker Property Management has exactly what you’re looking for! We have hundreds of units within a block of campus. Included in the rent is heat, water, gas, cable/DirecTV, internet, water, sewer, trash, snow removal & lawn care. Tenants can expect to get around 100 mbps of internet speed with the ability to upgrade. Hunziker Property Management believes in offering a high-quality living experience and excellent customer service for our tenants. We have 24/7 maintenance and do routine building checks to make sure everything is kept at a standard that our tenants deserve. Apartments are available now. Please contact us to schedule a showing or ask questions about apartments you are interested in. We look forward to hearing from you!

OPTIONS 1 Bedroom

2 Bedrooms

3 Bedrooms

1 Bathroom

1-2 Bathrooms

1¾ Bathrooms

16 RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

SPONSORED CONTENT Campustown Property Management 200 Stanton Ave. Ste. 101 Ames, IA 50010 515-598-9000 isucampustown.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly

Going to college at Iowa State University is extraordinary.

How you live should be too! Campustown offers a variety of locations near the ISU campus — any closer and you’d be in class! Find your perfect fit with our furnished and unfurnished apartments with private and shared accomodations, washers, and dryers included, and fully equipped kitchens with stainless steel applicances and a built-in dining area avaliable!

You’ll see why we say: “You’re going to love it here!”

OPTIONS 1 Studio/Bedroom

2 Bedrooms

1 Bathroom

1- 2 Bathrooms

3 Bedrooms

4 - 5 Bedrooms

1 - 2 Bathrooms

2 - 2.5 Bathrooms

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 17

SPONSORED CONTENT Unique Apartment Homes 2811 West St. #102 Ames, IA 50014 515-292-5050 leasing@uniqueames.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly

Aurora Heights is located in the ISU Research Park.

Full of upgrades such as granite counters, wine fridge, window seat, stainless appliances, mounted 55” Smart TV, and more. All units are pet friendly. Pay electricity only and enjoy 105 Mb internet and free assigned parking. All residents receive free gym membership to Ames Racquet &Fitness Club. Garages available as an upgrade.

Unique Apartment Homes is a local, family run company that started in Ames over 25 years ago. Our staff has extensive knowledge in the rental market to help you find the perfect place.

OPTIONS 1 Bedroom

2 Bedroom

1 Bathroom

2 Bathroom

705 SF

905-1145 SF

$775 (Jan 2018 Move in)

$950-$1050 (Jan 2018 Move in)

$950 (Aug 2018 Move in)

$1200-$1350 (Aug 2018 Move in)

18 RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

SPONSORED CONTENT Unique Apartment Homes 2811 West St. #102 Ames, IA 50014 515-292-5050 leasing@uniqueames.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly

The Heights at Lincoln Swing offers 1, 2, 3, 4, 4+ and 5 bedroom units. Many of our large units are 2 story lofted units. Pay electricity only and enjoy 105-meg internet and free assigned parking. Mounted 55” smart TV in all units. All units are pet friendly. All residents receive free gym membership to AR&FC. Unique Apartment Homes is a local, family run company that started in Ames over 25 years ago. Our staff has extensive knowledge in the rental market to help you find the perfect place.

OPTIONS 1 & 2 Bedroom

3 & 4 Bedroom

574 - 893 SF

860 - 1537 SF

$895 - $1195

$1485 - $2100

4+ & 5 Bedroom 1629 - 1759 $2,350 - $2,500

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 19

515.292.5050 | www.uniqueames.com THE HEIGHTS AT LINCOLN SWING 4130 Lincoln Swing

Free 105 Mb internet Pay electric only • Free parking 1, 2, 3, 4, 4+, and 5 bedrooms available Pet friendly Free gym membership to Ames Raquet & Fitness Club

WEST STREET LOFTS 2811 West. St.

2 blocks from ISU campus Lofted units with unique floor plans 1, 1+, 2+, and 4 bedroom units Free parking Within walking distance of restaurants and bars

MORE LOCATIONS CAMPUS LOCATIONS

WEST LOCATIONS

Welch Avenue—444 Welch Ave. (2-4+ bedrooms)

Mortensen Heights—5304 Mortensen Rd.

Triangle Apartments—125 Hyland (2+–5 bedroom)

(1–4 bedroom)

Campus Pointe—150 Campus Ave. (1–3 bedroom)

The Heights at Lincoln Swing—4130 Lincoln Swing

Hyland Apartments—134 Hyland (3 bedroom)

(1-5 bedroom) Dickinson—802 Dickinson (3 bedroom) Creek View Luxury Town Homes—4523 Twain Cr. (1-2 bedroom)

MORTENSEN HEIGHTS 5304 Mortensen Rd.

Free 105Mb internet Pay electric only • Free parking Clubhouse, gym, and dog park on site (pet friendly) 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom units available Units available for January and August move-in

AURORA HEIGHTS 2110 Cottonwood Rd.

Free 105Mb internet Pet friendly Pay electric only • Free parking Free gym membership to Ames Racquet & Fitness Club Units avaliable for January and August move-in

CLOCKTOWER 2410 Chamberlin

Located in the heart of ISU Walking distance to class, restaurants, and bars Unique floor plans and upgraded finishes 2, 3, 4, and 5 bedroom units One, two, and three story floor plans available

OTHER LOCATIONS

TOWN HOMES

Aurora Heights —2110 Cottonwood Rd., ISU

Twain Town Home—4715 Twain

Research Park (1–2 bedroom) Flatiron Lofts—2600 Northridge Pkwy.,Somerset (4 bedroom) Town Centre—802 6th St., Downtown Ames

(1-2 bedroom)

(Ranch style 3 bedroom) Hutchison Town Home—4603/4605 Hutchison (Ranch style 3+ bedroom) Harris Duplex—4202/4204 Harris (Ranch and two-story option - 3/3+ bedroom)

SPONSORED CONTENT Unique Apartment Homes 2811 West St. #102 Ames, IA 50014 515-292-5050 leasing@uniqueames.com

AMENITIES

444 WELCH

Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly Unique Apartment Homes is a local, family run company that started in Ames over 25 years ago. Our staff has extensive knowledge in the rental market to help you find the perfect place.

We have quality properties at affordable prices with more amenities to come! Cable and internet are always included.

We work hard to ensure you get personalized service in a town full of options. Our apartments and townhomes are located throughout Ames ranging from 1 bedroom to 5 bedroom units. We look forward to having you stay with us!

OPTIONS 2 Bedroom

4 Bedroom

from $1250

from $2180

3 Bedroom

5 Bedroom

from $1185

from $3050

22  RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

SPONSORED CONTENT Unique Apartment Homes 2811 West St. #102 Ames, IA 50014 515-292-5050 leasing@uniqueames.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry

MORTENSEN HEIGHTS

Pet friendly

Mortensen Heights offers 1 - 4 bedroom units. We are a pet friendly community with a private dog park and dog wash. Our clubhouse offers a workout room, study rooms, game room, and more. Pay only electric and enjoy 105 Mb Internet and free assigned parking.

Garages available on site. All tenants receive free gym membership to Ames Racquet & Fitness Club.

Unique Apartment Homes is a local, family run company that started in Ames over 25 years ago. Our staff has extensive knowledge in the rental market to help you find the perfect place.

OPTIONS 3 Bedroom

4 Bedroom

1 Bedroom

2 Bedroom

1 Bathroom

2 Bathroom

3 Bathroom

Bathroom

644 SF

825-922 SF

1139 SF

1305 -1434 SF

$775

$800-900

$1200

(Avaliable

(Jan 2018

(Jan 2018

(Jan 2018

Aug 2018)

Move in)

Move in)

Move in)

$895

$1050-$1150

$1590

(Aug 2018

(Aug 2018

(Aug 2018

move in)

move in)

move in)

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 23

THE ULTIMATE APARTMENT STYLE GUIDE Decorating an apartment begins the process of turning it from just an apartment into a new home.

First things first: Establish a budget. Start with the cost of deposits, rent, utilities and food, then move on to decorations, furniture, kitchen and bathroom supplies.

Something else to remember is asking for furniture that might be in a storage unit or a family member’s house that can be passed down.

“My fiancé already had a lot of furniture, so that made it easier moving in,” said Alyssa Yanni, a graduate student in history.

24 RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

“If you live fairly close, you can sometimes convince your parents to upgrade their furniture so you can take their current furniture to college,” said Jessica Mortvedt, marketing director at Haverkamp Properties.

“Pinterest is full of ideas for decorating your apartment,” Mortvedt said. “Start with a piece of artwork, rug or bedspread and use it as a palette to decorate the rest of your space.”

Don’t get rid of old dorm decorations just yet.

Items can be paired with more adult pieces to give them an upgrade. Pairing last year’s futon pillows with a new couch saves money that can be spent on other apartment decorations.

Re-using dorm posters or pictures can give a space a more personal feel and hanging string lights along the ceiling is another way to change the atmosphere of a room.

“Students love making a trip to Wal-Mart and Target with their roommates to find all of their other furniture for their space,” Mortvedt said.

While decoration shopping, pick up kitchen and bathrooms items that may be overlooked.

Take inventory of what is already available and buy anything else that is needed. Dishes and utensils are essentials and will likely be used every day. Towels, hand soap, shower mats and curtains are also important to remember to buy. All of them add to your decor.

“I got a bunch of stuff at Target,” said Cali Kinney, a senior in advertising. “Target has a brand called Threshold that I really like and it’s fairly inexpensive. Plus there’s a lot of color that already went with my room.”

A word of warning: Try to shop for your apartment before the back-to-school rush.

Decorating for holidays is another great way to make a space feel more fun.

“Right now we have our place decorated for Halloween, so putting things up for holidays

can be cool,” said Jordan Wagner, senior in agronomy.

While styling an apartment is fun, it can also come with some challenges.

“We had weird window coverings that were unsightly,” Yanni said. “We found some paintings online that helped distract from that.”

Keeping restrictions in mind also can help avoid unintended costs.

“It’s best to avoid putting too many nails in the walls when you are decorating,” Mortvedt said.

“If possible, it’s also best to not mount anything large, like TVs, to your walls. They can create large holes that are difficult and more expensive to repair.”

Finally, adding personal touches can make all the difference.

“I think hanging up pictures and decorations helps,” Wagner said. “We also rearranged furniture to make it better.”

— Tiffany Nelson

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 25

SPONSORED CONTENT Triplett Companies 323 Fifth St. Ames, IA 50010 515-232-5240 www.triplettpm.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly *varies per property - contact us for more information

Triplett offers a myriad of housing options and one of them is sure to meet your needs! We have traditional apartment living close to campus, single family homes ranging from 2-8 bedrooms located on and off campus, and duplexes/four-plexes dotted throughout Central Iowa. Amenities and price vary by location so be sure to call or check out our website. All prices are per unit (not per person).

OPTIONS Single Family Homes

Apartments

2 - 8 Bedrooms

Studie-3 Bedrooms

On and off campus

On and off campus

$600 - $2,995

$525- $990

Duplexes

Over 500 different

1 - 3 Bedrooms

options including stand-

On and off campus

alone homes, duplexes,

$500 - $950

apartment complexes, etc.

Call us today!

26  RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

SPONSORED CONTENT Profrofessional Property Management 201 S. 5th St. Ste. 202 Ames, IA 50010 515-232-5718 www.ppm-inc.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly

What is the most important thing to you as you begin your search for housing for next fall? It would behoove you to sit down, either by yourself or with your roommate, and make a t-chart for what’s most important and economical for your needs. Notice we say needs—not wants. Wants can be an expensive way to go. What do you NEED. As a student, many think being close to campus is a must.

What about CyRide? It looks pretty good in January to get on a nice warm bus and go straight to Campus. Doesn’t it?

What about amenities? Is it more important to have a w/d in your apartment when you’re paying electric, and sometimes water, or would you rather have FREE laundry in the building?

If you time it right, you can use all the washers and dryers and have your laundry done in pretty decent time. Time you could sit and study for the next day.

Exercise room? Is that not included in your student cost with all the top notch equipment you could ever hope for? Pool?

Again, do you not have that available on Campus? You’ve already been charged for these wants—why pay them again in your rent? PPM offers so many needs you will not receive at other places.

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE 27

SPONSORED CONTENT South Duff 416 Billy Sunday Rd. Ames, IA 50010 515-200-1120

AMENITIES Onsite parking Garages Available Decks/Patios Available Furnished Units Cable included Internet included W/D in unit Pet friendly

Spacious, upscale apartments serving Iowa State University students. Our cozy community offers all the comforts of home: optional fully furnished apartments, full-size washers and dryers, 50 inch Smart TV provided, and high speed internet. Club-style community amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, full-size basketball court, stand-up tanning bed, and study center with free printing. We offer a unique blend of city and country living: only minutes from ISU’s campus, Jack Trice Stadium, and local dining & entertainment! If you’re looking for off-campus housing in Ames that offers students a convenient and welcome living experience, come home to South Duff!

OPTIONS 1 Bedrooms

2 - 3 Bedrooms

1 Bathrooms

2 - 3 Bathrooms

2 - 3 Bathrooms

532 - 612 SF

910 - 1342 SF

1356 - 1617 SF

$684 - $765

$425 - $515

$425 - $465

28 RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

4 - 5 Bedrooms

www.totalpropertyames.com

1-4 Bedroom options avaliable

Love where you Live!

ISU Campus Area: 1-4 BDRM 801 - 807 Beach 101 - 103 Riverside 2412 Knapp 528/530 Welch 131 North Hyland 125, 134 & 145 Campus 2922 West 3206 & 3505/3515 Lincoln Way

Somerset Area: 1&2 BDRM 2724, 2730 & 2804 Stange 2508, 2511, 2516, 2522 & 2722 Aspen 2624, 2636 & 2706 Kent 3810 & 3821 Tiverton

Northern Lights Area:1-3 BDRM 3304, 3314 & 3427 Polaris 3305 Roy Key

South West Ames Area: 3404 & 3418 Coy 4325 Todd 4404 Lincoln Swing

South East Ames Area: 420 South 4th 2105 & 2121 Cottonwood

3505 Lincoln Way | Phone: 515-292-7777 | Email: rentals@tpmames.com

Getting a pet Students may like the idea of having a pet, but sometimes the fantasy is better than the reality. Here are some things to consider before becoming a pet owner while in college.

WHAT KIND OF PET SHOULD I GET? Kim Polk, an employee at Petco, said one of the most important things you need to ask yourself is how much time you have.

“The amount of time you have will directly impact the quality of life your pet has,” Polk said. “If you are someone who doesn’t have a lot of time we usually recommend buying a fish or a hamster.”

you get will have a direct correlation with one’s ability to be a good pet owner.

For example, if a student decided to own a Betta fish, there isn’t going to be too much to consider as the amount of attention required will be minimal.

“The size of the animal I got was a huge deciding factor,” said Tiffany Adams, a recent Iowa State graduate. “I ended up going with a cat because they don’t take up much room, they The employees at Petco make these suggesbathe themselves, you don’t have to take them tions because hamsters and fish tend to be lower on walks and they don’t need much attention.” maintenance pets. The size and type of the pet

Other than size, the type of pet should be taken into consideration. Pets such as snakes and reptiles have certain dietary requirements that have to be met or habitats that are necessary for their survival.

WILL MY ROOMMATES MIND? Lastly, think about roommates sharing the living space.

“I ended up getting a small dog instead of a cat because my roommates not only prefer dogs but one of them is allergic to cats,” said Holly Carpenter, a senior at Iowa State.

Carpenter said taking her roomates allergies into consideration helped improve their relationship and made her roomates more willing to help out with her dog.

“When you’re on good terms with your roomates they are always going to be more willing to help you out,” Carpenter said. “Since sometimes I have long days at school, it’s nice to know I can ask them to walk Maize once in awhile.”

Taking roommates into consideration is extremely important. Your relationship will determine how your home life will be for the rest of the year. Your decision to get a pet and/or what kind of pet you get does have the potential to ruin friendships. The ability to take into consideration other people’s feelings should give you some insight into whether you are mature enough to take care of another life because doing so does require a certain amount of selflessness.

LIVING SPACE Living space and where students live is also a determining factor. If students live far away from campus but have to spend hours a day at campus, they should get a pet that doesn’t need to be taken out every couple of hours.

Polk said where you live and the size of your place can also have a huge impact on the quality of life for your pet.

“The size of your place will also impact the quality of life for your pet,” said Polk. “If you have a smaller place we usually recommend that you get a smaller pet.”

-Savanna Pardekooper

5910 W. Lincoln Way 515-296-2906 westfieldaptia@gmail.com

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IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION 400 E. 14TH STREET DES MOINES, IOWA 50319-0201 515.281.4121 OR 800.457.4416 https://lcrc.iowa.gov

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IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION | 400 E. 14TH STREET DES MOINES, IA 50319-0201 515.281.4121 OR 800.457.4416 | ICRC.IOWA.GOV

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IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION Edna Griffin Offices 400 E. 14th St Des Moines Iowa 50319-0201 515.281.4121 or 800.457.4416 htpp://icrc.iowa.gov

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ON THE CYRIDE BUS ROUTE

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4912 Mortensen Road | Ames, IA 50014

515.292.0229 | M a d i s o n A m e s .c o m Amenities subject to change.

SPONSORED CONTENT Union on Lincoln Way 218 Welch Ave. Ames, IA 50010 (515) 203-2008 uniononlincolnway.com

AMENITIES Onsite parking Secure entrance Heat paid Water paid Cable included Internetincluded W/D in unit W/D hookups On-site laundry Pet friendly

Union on Lincoln Way is just a short walk from Iowa State University. Our temporary leasing office is located at 218 Welch Avenue. We are now leasing for Fall 2018 and offer floorplans starting at studios and going all the way up to 5 bedrooms, with a bathroom for every bedroom!. We also have shared and semester leases available! Our units will be fully furnished and all utilities, including Wi-Fi and cable will be included with the exception of electricity. Did I mention that we are pet friendly, because we are huge pet lovers as well!

Not only could you be living in the best apartment complex in Ames, but we like to spoil our residents and have a ton of great amenities. These amenities include: onsite parking, 2 courtyards, a 2,200 sq. ft. fitness center, clubroom, several study rooms, computer lab, amenity deck with grills, fire pit and pool and so much more!

Iowa State Daily RENTER’S GUIDE  35

FINANCING FOR AN

APARTMENT For many Iowa State students, being a first-time apartment renter can be stressful, especially when the budget is tight. Planning ahead and budgeting can help ease the stress for many student renters. For some college students, every penny matters, so it is important to know what costs may become a roadblock in the future.

Jennifer Kreiser, senior lecturer in accounting, gave some helpful advice to students about budgeting.

“Talk to someone who is operating the apartment building,” Kreiser said. “Sometimes they can give you averages for utilities. A lot of times, students don’t think about the cost of utilities.”

Although utility costs can be inexpensive, little charges can really add up.

515.233.2752 JensenGroup.net 515.233.2752 4611 Mortensen Road JensenGroup.net #106 4611 Mortensen Road Ames, IA 50014 #106 info@jensengroup.net Ames, IA 50014 nfo@jensengroup.net

“Utilities vary depending on the type of unit,” Baker-Latimer said. “Typically if you go on a website, they will tell you about their units.

They want you to know as much information as possible.”

“Make sure you are conserving energy because you pay for your utilities.” said Nicole Sorensen, a current apartment renter at The Foundry.

“Every light you leave on, you and your roommates pay for.”

Planning ahead can be crucial for students making a transition, especially if overspending is a concern.

“I would absolutely recommend planning ahead, especially the first few months when you make the transition from the dorm room to the apartment,” Kreiser said. “Be very frugal and kind of get a feel for what your expenses are so you don’t find yourself in a situation of ‘I’m running out of money.’”

Jake Pierce, a renter currently living in Suites on Lincoln Way, said eating out every meal can get expensive.

“Sometimes you have to sacrifice convenience because of expense,” he said.

Kreiser also recommended setting an ideal spending amount so situations don’t become problematic.

“Students will rely on credit cards in these situations and that is not the best idea because the interest rates pile up,” Kreiser said. “If you are having to use a credit card because you simply don’t have enough money, you need to change your spending habits.”

Paying a deposit is commonly the first thing lease signers do after signing their contract.

Kreiser advised paying attention and looking at whether you’ll get it back or not and what you have to do in order to get it back.

“Definitely do a little checking on your roommates before you just randomly pick people on the internet because you often have to pay if they rip something up or break a window,” Kreiser said.

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It’s aa Home Home It’s 515-460-6660

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“In most cases, most landlords charge one month’s rent for deposits,” said Vanessa BakerLatimer, a housing coordinator for the city of Ames.

“Read the tenant and landlord law for Iowa that lays out the responsibility for tenants and landlords,” Baker-Latimer said.

When it comes to paying for deposits, you want to know what you are paying for and what you will eventually get back.

Often times it saves to be organized, but this task can hold its own problem for students while budgeting.

“The internet is going to be really helpful,” Kreiser said. “If you know how to use excel, then a nice little excel spreadsheet listing out all your expenses and kind of keeping track of those is a good idea. There are tons of resources on the internet.”

It is important to know all the details and be prepared for the long term commitment. For many students, it is important they live where they want without having to go over budget.

— Madeline Lerum

HOW TO BE A RESPONSIBLE ROOMMATE KEEP SHARED AREAS CLEAN An easy rule to remember is that if it takes two minutes or less to clean up, then do it right away. “My roommate was the clean one luckily, so I just had to make sure to pick up after myself and we didn’t have too many issues with that,” said Georgia Kolf, senior in chemical engineering.

COMMUNICATE Having a guest over? Give a heads up beforehand. “You must work to communicate expectations and give each grace when when necessary,” Todd Wuestenberg, the chief operations officer at Haverkamp Properties.

BE AWARE OF YOUR OWN HABITS “When I was an undergrad I had a musical theater major who would practice her songs at 2 in the morning,” said Alyssa Yanni, graduate student in agronomy. “Eventually, we set up guidelines and quiet hours, and after that it made things a lot smoother.”

TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN PETS Before moving into an apartment, communicate with roommates about pets. Pets are a huge responsibility and it shouldn’t be on others to take care of them.

DEAL WITH ISSUES QUICKLY Whether it’s about cleaning, an overstaying guest or any other problem, defusing it as soon as it arises is always a good idea. “Do your work early.

You will never prevent issues from arising but you can minimize the number of issues and the intensity of the issues,” Wuestenberg said.

38 RENTER’S GUIDE Iowa State Daily

RESPECT EACH OTHER’S SPACE AND PRIVACY Everyone needs space sometimes and giving your roommate some time to themselves is a nice gesture. Give them a few hours to relax per week.

COMPROMISE Hate unloading the dishwasher but don’t mind vacuuming? Talk about it and see if a compromise can be reached. “We’ve had issues with cleaning the apartment. Now we have an agreement to clean up after yourselves…here and there people will clean up too,” said Jordan Wagner, senior in agronomy.

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN GUESTS Talk about boundaries with your roommate and figure out a guest policy. “We usually just tell each other if we’re having people over,” Wagner said.

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN BILLS Having to pay bills can be overwhelming, so figure out how to deal with expenses ahead of time. Keep a calendar in a shared space to remind each other when bills are due.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE BEST FRIENDS “Choose your roommate with your eyes wide open, but once you do move in together you have to live with your eyes half closed,” Wuestenberg said. “What I mean by this is you need to change your perspective a bit. There are no perfect roommates, and that includes yourself.”

- Tiffany Nelson

1-6 Bedroom options avaliable www.fpmofames.com

Managing over 900 units in Ames.

Campus

121 Beach • 121 Howard • 135 Campus • 141 Campus • 205 Beach • 209 N. Hyland • 210 Gray • 218 N. Hyland • 221 Sheldon • 225 N. Hyland • 225/227 Sheldon • 230 Campus • 233 Sheldon • 244 N. Hyland • 245 N. Hyland • 246 N. Hyland • 247 Sheldon • 258 N. Hyland • 312/320 Hillcrest • 409/411 Welch • 531 Welch • 535 Welch • 1526 Little Bluestem • 2519 Hunt • 2717 West • 2721/2723 West • 2862 Lincoln Way • 2917 West • 2921-2927 Woodland • 2929-2931 West • 3008-3014 Oakland • 3106-3112 West • 3322-3326 Story St. • 3319 Story St. • 3404-3414 West

West

126 Beedle Dr. • 218/220 S. Dakota • 225/245 S. Franklin • 1217 Delaware • 1225 Delaware • 1315/1317 Woodstock • 1401 North Dakota • 1502 Delaware • 1521 N. Dakota • 3836/3838 Ontario • 4003-4011 Aplin • 4112 Lincoln Swing • 4227/4229 Toronto • 4411 Castlewood • 4416 Toronto • 4606 Ontario • 4612 Twain • 4625 Twain • 4710/4712/4714 Mortensen • 4731 Toronto, 4409-4415 Ontario

CAMPUS: 135 Campus Ave.

WEST: 1401 North Dakota

Central

129 S.Oak • 205 Washington • 209 Washington • 212 S. Walnut • 219 Washington • 225 Washington • 328 Washington •

CENTRAL: 645 Squaw Creek

• 1424 16th St. • 1431 Summit • 2004 Kellogg

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2707 Luther • 2713 Luther • 3000 Regency • 3406 Orion • 3426 Orion NORTH: 3000 Regency

258 N. Hyland Ave | Phone: 515-292-5020 | Email: leasing@fpmofames.com