11.13.18

2

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

3

4

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

Decorating a small apartment

By Brittany Loeffler U L O O P

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

When it comes to decorating a small apartment, you may be faced with some difficult challenges due to space. There are some general decorating rules out there that most people follow. However, if you are decorating a small apartment, there are some rules that just don’t apply. So, to make the best out of living in a small apartment, here are some decorating rules that you must break in order to live in a comfortable, yet stylish, apartment.

Rule to break: stay away from patterns Patterns can be difficult to decorate with, even in a large space.

That is why so many people shy away from them. However, when decorating a small apartment, patterns can be a lifesaver. When you add patterns to your space, it will distract people from the size of the apartment and may even make

it feel bigger.

Next time you’re looking at wallpaper, try something with a busy, two-tone pattern or vertical stripes. Apply it to one wall in a room to make give it some more dimension. You can also add patterns with furniture, like a couch.

Rule to break: minimalism is everything

As consumers, we tend to fill up our homes with a lot of unnecessary items. So, there is a movement trending called minimalism, where you only own what you use and need. While some people may think this is best when it comes to decorating a small apartment, they aren’t totally correct. When there are more items such as knick-knacks, pictures, and books in a small room, it can make it feel bigger than it actually is.

Some people have a hard time getting rid of their things, and that’s totally okay. Use those sentimental

items and knick-knacks while decorating a small apartment and show them off to your guests.

Rule to break: sofas belong in the living room

Most times you will see a sofa sitting in the living room a home. However, when it comes to decorating a small apartment you may have to forego a sofa entirely.

Your apartment may be too small to fit a sofa through the door, much less in your living area. When you can’t have a sofa, it’s time to get creative with comfortable seating.

One alternative to a sofa is a large bean-bag chair. They don’t take up too much space and can easily be moved to different locations.

Rule to break: paint the walls white Some people are under the impression that white walls will make a small apartment feel bigger. While light colors like

white do brighten up a room, it doesn’t necessarily make it feel bigger. In fact, it makes it feel less personal and a little uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to paint the walls a darker color. You can leave the trim around the door and the baseboards white to give the room some extra dimension.

Rule to break: small furniture belongs in small rooms

You may be instantly inclined to buy small furniture when you are decorating a small apartment. Just because your space is small, doesn’t mean you have to have small furniture in it. If you find a large piece of furniture that you like and it fits, then get it. A large piece of furniture in a small space can actually make it feel less cramped than if you put multiple small pieces of furniture in there. There is no sense in being uncomfortable on a tiny piece of furniture when you can have a big plush couch to lounge on.

●

T H E O R AC L E

Rule to Break: overhead lighting is a must

Use lamps to your advantage when it comes to decorating a small apartment. There are so many unique and fun lamps out there, it would be a shame not to use them. Lighting can greatly affect the mood of a room, so use different shades and light bulbs to create the atmosphere you desire.

Break All the Rules Rules are meant to be broken, especially when it comes to decorating a small apartment. The more rules you break, the better your small apartment will look.

Don’t be afraid to use patterns and bold colors and keep your knickknacks lying around. Mismatch your furniture and use cool lamps to create a unique style throughout your apartment. Make it yours and you’ll love it forever.

Marsha Study Center November 27 - december 6 u sf .e d u / m sc -s tu d y PAGE - CLEAR-BLACK Marshall Student Center 813-974-3180 usf.edu/msc

The center  it a Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

UNIVERSITY LINQ —Boutique Off Campus Sudent Housing— 3 BEDROOM / 3 BATHROOM

1.5 Million Dollars In Renovations To Come 4 BEDROOM / 4 BATHROOM

COMPLETED RENOVATIONS INCLUDE: New HVAC units New washer / dryer units New exterior paint in progress AND MORE TO COME

4 BEDROOM / 4.5 BATHROOM

AMENITIES: Resort style pool Heated spa 24/7 fitness center Valet trash service Cyber cafe, study areas, and free printing Game room with pool tables Picnic / grilling area Monthly resident events 24/7 emergency maintenance Reserved parking available Pet friendly ulinqsf.com 813-988-6400

FEATURES: Individual leases Complementary roommate matching Fully furnished units Balcony view Full XL bed, desk and chair, nightstand, and mini fridge All bedrooms include full bathroom Walk-in closet Washer and dryer in every unit Cable and internet included Plank wood floors (Upgrade) Plank wood floors, modern furniture, and bed risers (Upgrade)

Call us to hear oauyr! special rates tod

5

6

Tips for finding your first apartment A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

By Brittany Hawes U L O O P

Every first-time apartment hunter wants their new home to be, dare I say it? Magical.

There’s something especially important about choosing your very first apartment. Be it your first big venture outside of mom and pop’s house or a newfound journey outside of the horribly cramped, smelly dormitory, every moving student wants the place that they’re going to be calling their own to be completely perfect.

Maybe you know the basic things that your first apartment should have.

You know how many roommates you want, what amenities you’re looking for, how much you’re going to be able to pay for rent, and how close it should be to campus or to your job.

Or maybe you haven’t thought that far ahead just yet. Not to fear — here is what you need to know as a firsttime apartment hunter to get you on your way to finding your dream apartment.

Tip No. 1: Know how much you can spend for the rent

Arguably, the most important factor for first-time apartment hunters is going to be the apartment’s price. More specifically, how much can you afford to pay toward rent every month?

If you have a scholarship, financial aid or loans that you plan on putting towards your rent, make sure that you have sat down and calculated how much you’re expecting to get from any of these outside sources.

Make a budget. Add up how much rent you’re going to owe over the entire length of your lease. See how much you can afford to draw from these funds and put towards rent and if these outside sources will cover the rent.

If you don’t have enough money to cover rent but you’re very close to reaching it, consider looking at slightly cheaper apartments or even getting a part-time job. Balancing a job and school can be tough, but you

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

can do it. If you’re a well-disciplined person and you know that your coursework allows you to have a few days or hour-blocks off, you’ll be able to manage a part-time job.

If all else fails? Consider asking your parents for help. If you really love this apartment and it falls within your parents’ budget, I’m sure they will be willing to lend what they can.

But don’t ask for too much. If money is an issue, you have to be willing to downgrade on some amenities and other non-important aspects of an apartment.

Tip No. 2 – Don’t go overboard I get it. I really do. As a first-time apartment hunter, you’ll want to pull out all the stops when it comes to renting your new home. You want a place where you’ll be able to host the biggest parties, the place with that banana-shaped swimming pool, that place where you’ll be able to run around in a one bed, one bath paradise, in all of your naked glory.

Hold up! Slow your roll, partner!

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

Those things can be great to have and all … but can you really afford it?

Maybe you think you can, but you’re going to be forced to cut expenses elsewhere, whether you like it or not.

The ax might fall on your gas money, or grocery money, or money that you could be using to go out with your friends and hang. Before you dish out that extra $200 toward rent, be sure to think of the other things you could be spending that extra cash on instead of a pool that’s shaped like an odd fruit.

Tip No. 3 – Check out the neighborhood

How safe you feel in your apartment should be the number one priority when you go apartment hunting. I’ve heard nightmare stories of people who have unknowingly rented apartments in areas where theft and drug busts are a common occurrence. People have had their cars broken into, their speakers ripped out, and all of their possessions stolen. They’ve woken

●

T H E O R AC L E

up to gunshots down the street and police chases in their backyards. It’s not exactly a stress-free environment, and as a student, stress is the last thing we need more of.

Do a thorough check of the crime rates in your desired neighborhood.

If the outlook is grim, you might consider checking elsewhere.

Tip No. 4 – Know how many roommates you’re okay with Think of how many people you’d like to live with. Is the number zero?

Or is it as many as you can squeeze into the unit? You should figure this out quick because many apartments, especially student housing, will require you to share your space with up to three other people.

If roommates aren’t really your thing, I’d suggest looking into privately-owned apartments. You’ll be able to choose how many people live with you, and these apartments are often cheaper than student housing.

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

7

8

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

OFF THE GRID

A SAFETY GUIDE

OFF-CAMPUS SAFETY

The Dean of Students office and the Off-Campus Safety Committee encourage you to make safety a priority when choosing an apartment.

DOORS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

EXTERIOR DOOR TYPES

•

Are all outside doors solid core or metal-clad in construction?

•

•

If hinges are on the outside, are the pins the non-removable type?

Solid wood or wood core – High Security

•

Do all outside doors have deadbolt locks?

•

Metal-Clad – High Security

•

Do sliding glass doors have screws in the frame that prevent the doors from being lifted up and out of the tracks?

•

Hollow Core – Poor Security

•

Sliding Glass – Poor Security

•

Do sliding glass doors have a secondary security device? (Charlie bar or dowl)

ABOUT STRIKE PLATES A strike plate is found on the doorframe where the lock catches and it should have an extended surface area. The strike plate itself should be embedded in the door’s frame and 2 x 4 studs with 3-inch wood screws.

DOOR LOCK TYPES •

Double Deadbolt – requires a key to operate it from both sides

•

Single Deadbolt – requires a key on the exterior and thumb-turn on the inside.

•

The bolts in each of these should have a 1-inch throw into the door jam.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING: WHAT TO LOOK FOR •

Are all entrances well-lit?

•

Do lights turn on automatically at night?

•

Do lights all work properly? Are they protected or placed at a height that will not allow the casual removal of bulbs?

•

Are the parking lots well illuminated?

LANDSCAPING: WHAT TO LOOK FOR Does the landscaping create “blind spots” which allow someone to stand or crouch unobserved by your window?

Shrubs or other plants around the apartment should be trimmed back to allow for a clear view of all windows and doors.

These items should be kept less than 2 feet tall or below the lower edge of your window.

FENCES AND PARKING AREAS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR •

Do fences or gates block visibility of window, walkways, yard, entrances or parking areas?

•

Do all parking spaces or carports have good lighting and allow for an unobstructed view of the entire area?

SPECIAL SECURITY TIPS •

Engrave all property (TV, DVD player, laptop computer, camera, etc.).

Your driver’s license number is a good choice.

•

Use extra security when living in an apartment on the ground floor.

usf.edu/deanofstudents

9

10

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

HOUSING GUIDE FALL 2018

T U E S DAY, N OV E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

T U E S DAY, N OV E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

HOUSING GUIDE FALL 2018

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

11

12

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

HOSA THANKSGIVING SOCIAL November 14, 2018 8:00-10:00 PM MSC 3707

Drinks and Food on us!

Kelly Teegardin M.S., CCC-SLP

- American Speech-Language-Hearing Associate -LSLS Certified Auditory Verbal Specialist -Florida Language Speech and Hearing Associate

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

13

14

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

HOSA HOSA TRIVIA TRIVIA NIGHT NIGHT

●

T H E O R AC L E

Get a group of friends and get ready to battle it out HOSA Bowl Style !

November 15th 6-9 pm Beef O Brady’s

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

15

16

What to look for in an apartment A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

By Amanda Cohen U L O O P

Apartment hunting. Let’s all take a minute to groan, roll our eyes, and bash our heads against the wall. OK, we don’t have to take it that far, but let’s be real, apartment hunting is annoying, time-consuming, and all around just a burdensome task. This issue has become all-too-real for me since I’m graduating soon. Questions constantly are running through my head: how much rent am I willing to pay? How many roommates do I want? Do I even want a roommate?

Do I want a walk-up? What location should I live in? Should there be a washer and dryer in my actual apartment, or can I settle for having one in the building? Do I find a broker to help me with all of this? Do I need a guarantor? And so on.

These questions are frightening, but they can all be solved if we just work together through the process of apartment hunting.

Location, location, location Deciding on the proper location for an apartment is crucial. There are a variety of concerns to take into consideration: No. 1 safety, No. 2 convenience, No. 3 liveliness and No. 4 age-range of other people in the location.

When choosing an apartment, safety needs to be your number one concern. You want a building that has strong security measures to deal with possible intrusions and you, in general, want to feel safe in your home and walking/driving to your home.

Convenience is huge.

For example, you want to be close to your classes, your job or a transportation hub that can take you to where you need to be. When it comes to liveliness and age-range, they truly go hand-in-hand. You want to live somewhere in which there are fun activities, bars, restaurants, shops, etc. that you can easily get to.

In addition, you want your location to be lively in terms of the people you are living around. When headed to your neighborhood restaurant, you want to meet people your own age, not people who are so much

older or younger than you. All in all, when you start your apartment hunt, narrow down your options based-off of “location, location, location.”

Broker

Hiring a broker may seem counterproductive at first because you are thinking that you are paying somebody to do something that can be done by supposedly making phone calls and looking on apartment websites. I don’t mean to be harsh, but you’re wrong.

Apartment hunting is hard. Period.

Apartment owners, subtenants, etc. are more inclined to talk to a professional than someone that they don’t even know. Having a middleman, like a broker, makes things more professional, safe, efficient and effective. Yes, you have to pay your broker, but you are more likely to get the apartment of your dreams by using a broker than you are if you try to do everything yourself.

Brokers can help with financial negotiations and have “the in” on the hottest apartments available. They are paid to do this job, therefore they (hopefully) love it and are good at it. They are usually paid off of commission, so they are going to do their very best to get you the apartment that you want and will ensure that they go about finding this apartment in a way that you are most comfortable with. If you need a pet-friendly apartment, your broker will only show you apartments that are pet-friendly. If you want an apartment with a doorman, you can do away with all of the research and just have your broker narrow down your selection to apartments with doormen.

Hire a broker, it’s worth every penny.

This ain’t about the money, money, money (but it totally is) I don’t want to start the obvious, but the price of rent is extremely important when deciding on an apartment. When you first look at the rent price, you need to ask yourself, “Is it worth it?” Sometimes, rent prices are higher for apartments

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

that have amenities or, for example, an apartment that has washer and dryers in each room. Or, if the apartment building has top-notch security, rent prices are likely to be higher.

However, you don’t want an apartment that’s going to break the bank. A way to lessen rent prices is by having multiple roommates or opting for an apartment that doesn’t include as many amenities as you would like.

Unfortunately, you have to learn to make sacrifices when finding your perfect apartment because there isn’t such thing as the perfect apartment.

When deciding what your ideal rent price is, you need to take into account your employment situation, your “infatuation” for the apartment, the amenities, the number of roommates that you have, or are planning to have, and so on.

I’m not an expert on rent prices, but brokers are, which is why you should get one when searching for an apartment (I cannot stress this point enough). Ultimately, when thinking about what a realistic rent price is, you need to take a lot into account, including everything that I’ve listed in this paragraph as well as what I talked about above.

Roomies 4 life

Deciding about your roommate situation is actually a crucial first step to finding an apartment. You have to consider a few things: No. 1 do you want a roommate? No. 2 If not, how will this affect your rent price? No. 3 If yes, how will this affect your rent price? No. 4 If yes, how many roommates do you want? No. 5 Does wanting/having a roommate make things more complicated when searching for an apartment?

If you are talking about a college apartment, the roommate situation is far from permanent, so the stakes aren’t as high. However, when deciding on a roommate post-grad, you have to expect that your roommate situation will be a long-term situation, so you need to consider these questions in a much more serious light.

When deciding on who to live with, you want to consider the demands

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

Other aspects are important, but ultimately your decision will likely come down to cost. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE of his/her job and the demands of your own job. You also want to consider if you want a roommate of the same sex or not and whether or not you and your roommate have compatible personalities. In addition, you have to ask yourself if you want a random roommate, a friend, or an acquaintance from college.

Just don’t put yourself in a roommate situation that you think you will become uncomfortable with or live with someone who isn’t on the same page socially, career-wise, and so on. If you know that you want a roommate, but you don’t know who yet, you can probably work out a deal with your broker, landlord or the person you are renting the apartment from so that they give you a month or two to find a roommate.

Hold on, we’re going home Wherever you decide to live, you want to make sure that your landlord will allow you to decorate the apartment in a way so that it feels like a home to you and not just an apartment. Before signing any sort of lease, you need to understand all of the legal and creative aspects of the lease. If you insist on painting your walls blue, make sure you find an apartment where you’re actually allowed to do that. If you have to be able to put nails in the wall to hang up paintings and other artwork, make sure that you talk to your landlord

about this. If your apartment would simply not be a home without a dog, you need to ensure that your building and/or individual apartment unit is pet-friendly.

Wherever you decide to live and whoever you decide to rent from needs to be transparent about what you’re allowed to do in the apartment and what you’re allowed to do with the apartment. You don’t want your apartment to be an apartment, you want it to be a home. It’s hard to make an apartment feel like home, so you need to make sure that you can take certain measures that allow you to make your new apartment your second home. Happy home, happy life. You want to be comfortable and happy in your apartment, which is a major factor when you are apartment hunting.

Finding an apartment isn’t easy, but you want to make sure that whatever you decide to do, wherever you decide to live, and however you decide to go about finding your apartment, that you are comfortable, happy, and, ultimately, you make it feel like home.

You want to make sure that you aren’t getting ripped off and that you are living in a place that is safe. Safety is the most important factor when it comes to any living situation, so don’t let roommates, amenities, rent price or anything else get in the way of that.

Move-in ready or make it your own?

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

17

Choosing between a furnished and unfurnished apartment may be easy for some, but there are pros and cons to both.

By Victoria Robertson U L O O P

When it comes to furnished versus unfurnished apartments, there really isn’t a right or wrong answer. While this may not be the news you wanted to hear, it’s the truth. Essentially, it comes down to your personal preferences and situation.

That all being said, it’s easy to narrow down which choice is right for you in order to make an informed decision. So, in the interest of helping you to achieve that goal, here are the pros and cons of furnished versus unfurnished apartments.

Furnished Apartments: Pro: You don’t need to buy furniture.

Buying your own furniture can have a high price tag on it, and can be high stress, especially when dealing with the style preferences of multiple roommates. So a furnished apartment eliminates the options and saves you money in the long run.

Con: You’re stuck with what’s there.

Yes, you’ve saved money.

No, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it was worth it.

Some apartment complexes have furniture that’s falling apart, uncomfortable or worse.

So having furniture doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth it.

Pro: You don’t have to move furniture in.

Moving

day

is

already

stressful enough without having to move large, heavy furniture pieces. If you’ve ever helped a friend or family member move a couch, you know that you’re saving yourself some grief in not having to pull a Friends and “pivot!”

Con: You have limited options.

When your apartment comes fully furnished, you really don’t have much room for other furniture, so you’re limited in terms of what you can bring with you. While it’s nice to not have to worry about furniture, you will also find there isn’t enough room for anything else, so what they give you needs to be enough.

Pro: You don’t need to worry.

While you will get billed for furniture that’s ruined, you will quickly find that you’re a lot less stressed about small stains or rings on the coffee table than you would be if the furniture was your own. This allows you to feel less anxiety and enjoy it more.

Con: Or do you?

By this same thought, you have to consider the fact that you do need to worry about the furniture. Any damages can add up and leave you with a hefty bill at the end of the semester that you may not have been prepared for.

Unfurnished Apartments:

A furnished apartment can make the move-in process easier, but can also take away from some of the individuality and creative freedom that comes with a blank slate. SPECIAL TO THE ORACLE Pro: You can make the space your own.

Decorating an apartment, especially your first apartment, is half the fun of moving in.

For those of you that enjoy that aspect, getting an unfurnished apartment allows you to really decorate the place for your tastes and create an environment where you will be happy for the rest of the semester.

Con: Furnishing an apartment will cost you quite a bit of money.

Furnishing apartments isn’t cheap. You may save on the monthly rent, but you’re going to more than make up for that when you begin looking at furniture. This may come as a shock, but furniture isn’t cheap.

Pro: It gives you more room.

Many times, moving into a furnished apartment feels cluttered and overwhelming.

When the apartment isn’t furnished, you can make the most of your space and decorate it as you see fit, giving yourself more room to do activities.

Con: It can create conflict.

When you’re dealing with multiple individuals, you are dealing with multiple styles, which means arguments can ensue. So, just be careful not to step on anyone’s toes and make decisions together when it comes to furnishing your apartment.

Pro: You can save your furniture.

Most college graduates need to start over when it comes to their first house or apartment.

In other words, they need to buy all new furniture. However, in buying your own furniture earlier, you’ll be able to save this furniture and use it again down the road.

Con: You have to move in your furniture.

More often than not, you are going to have to move in the new furniture on your own.

This means you’re going to have to pay someone or do this alone, which is always a difficulty.

While it’s not going to make or break you, it’s a consideration.

So as you can see, there are pros and cons to both furnished and unfurnished apartments, which doesn’t necessarily make your choice any easier. Still, using these pros and cons in order to make a more informed, insightful decision is well worth it.

So weigh the options, consider all possible outcomes and, when in doubt, ask somebody who has made the decision before for their opinion. Again, you’re not going to get the right answer right off the bat, but with a little digging and a lot of patience, you’ll know exactly which option is the right fit for your situation.

18

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

T H E O R AC L E

19

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

How to know when it is time for a new apartment

By Brittany Loeffler U L O O P

The beauty of renting is that you can easily move out of your apartment for any number of reasons. The only thing tying you down to an apartment you don’t like is your lease. Once your lease is up, you are free to move out of your apartment and find one that better suits your needs.

There are many reasons to move out of your apartment. As you grow, your needs and wants change. The apartment you rented in college won’t meet your needs when you are in your late twenties.

You may not realize that it’s time for a change, so here are some signs that it’s time to move out of your apartment.

Your rent increases Depending on where you live, your landlord could choose to increase your rent if you decide to renew your lease. You may live right

●

in the heart of an up and coming neighborhood where property values are increasing drastically and your landlord wants to keep up with the market. Your landlord isn’t obligated to give you the same rent price as they did when you first leased the apartment. They are allowed to raise it if you renew your lease.

If your budget can’t keep up with the new rent increase, it’s time to move out of your apartment and look for one that is more suitable.

It isn’t worth going into financial trouble to stay in your apartment.

You’re bored of the neighborhood After living in a neighborhood for a while, you may start to feel bored with it. Sometimes something becomes too familiar and mundane that you need a change of scenery. Maybe there is a hot new neighborhood in your city that all of your friends are drawn

to. Or you want a different scene than where you live now.

It’s OK to want a change of scenery. Since you are only renting, you have the freedom to move as you wish without worrying about selling a property. It’s important to try different locations until you find the perfect one for you.

You’ve grown out of your apartment You’ll find that you need different things in different stages of your life. In college, the most important feature of your apartment may be a big bedroom where you can study.

In your mid to late twenties, you may prefer having a large living area and spacious kitchen rather than a large bedroom.

Or maybe you’ve accumulated too many things in your apartment that it’s uncomfortable now and it’s time to move somewhere it a little more space. Just like how people grow out of clothes and interests, it’s possible to grow out of your

apartment.

If you feel that you have different wants and needs that your current place doesn’t fulfill, it’s probably time to move out of your apartment.

You have a bad landlord It’s not uncommon to rent from a bad landlord, otherwise known as a slumlord. Most of the time you can’t tell if a landlord will be good or not until you’ve already signed the lease and moved in. If you find that your landlord doesn’t repair appliances when you need, enters the apartment without notice, or anything else, don’t be afraid to find a new place.

When searching for your next home, make sure to do your research. Use Whose Your Landlord to read reviews of landlords from past tenants and neighborhood profiles.

Roommate issues

FALL 2019-2020

RETREATATUSF.COM | 11326 N 46TH ST | 813.379.2415

Roommates can make or break an apartment experience. If roommate issues arise and fail to be worked out throughout your lease, it’s okay to move out. You don’t want to jeopardize your happiness because you have bad roommates.

If you find that you can’t live with your roommates anymore, it’s time to move out of your apartment and find new roommates or try living on your own.

You see a better deal In your spare time browsing the Internet you may notice a beautiful apartment for rent in a location you’ve always wanted to live for the same price or lower than your current apartment. It’s almost too good to be true! If the end of your lease matches up with this new, dream apartment, pounce on it!

This is a sign from the universe that it’s time to move out of your apartment.

20

A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T

H O U S I N G G U I D E FA L L 2 0 1 8

T U E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 1 3 , 2 0 1 8

●

T H E O R AC L E

LIFE

upgraded platinum features • Upgraded leather furniture

• Luxury plank flooring

• Black on black kitchen appliances

• Modern electronic unit locks

• Designer stone countertops

• Plus, new poolside grilling station and prep area!

• Brushed nickel fixtures & LED lighting

CampusLodgeTampa.com | 813.454.0228