Apartment Blog

Super Bowl XLIII.  Another opportunity to entertain in your quaint little apartment.  Oh, don’t fret.  Transform that small space into a sports haven.  Actually, it’s quite simple to decorate.  Since this year’s match-up includes the Cardinals and the Steelers (”Here we go Steelers, here we go… whoop whoop”), throw up some team colors.  Of course you’ll have White and Red for Arizona and the famous Black and Gold for Pittsburgh.

Super Bowl parties are yet another way to bring family and friends together for a good time.  I love it because everybody comes sporting their team’s colors, whether it be jerseys, t-shirts, or in my cousin’s case, ‘terrible towels’ serving as makeshift capes and Steelers earrings.  You can even send out invitations flaunting each team’s logos.  The last time the Steelers were in the Super Bowl, we used black and gold paper plates, another great example of how you can get creative with your decorations.   And the best part… FOOD.  Cook up some buffalo wings, pigs in a blanket and nachos to start.  Don’t forget the seven layer dip for the nachos…I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!  Of course you can never go wrong with some potato chips and popcorn.  My stomach is saying ‘YES!!’ Right now!

Super Bowl XLIII will be played this Sunday, February 1^st in Tampa, Fla.  Now for those of you who watch the Super Bowl for the game, like myself, not just to see who’s performing or how outrageous advertisers will be in there commercials, kick-off is scheduled for 6:28 PM EST.  For everyone else, they’ll be performances before kick-off, beginning early Sunday afternoon.

So now for my predictions.  Honestly, this is a no-brainer.  The Steelers finished the regular season with a 12-4 record, while the Cardinals had a less than modest record, 9-7.  Some even thought it was a fluke that they made it to the playoffs (myself included).   The Steelers have the #1 defense in the league.  That right there says it all. What’s that famous old adage…”Defense Wins Championships”.  So even though Arizona may have a ‘high-powered’ offense, averaging about 366 total yards per game, they’re no match for the Steel Curtain’s D, who held teams to just over 237 yards per game.  During the regular season, the Cardinals averaged just over 292 passing yards per game…HOWEVER, the Steelers defense held teams to just fewer than 157 passing yards per game.

With all of that being said, the outcome is clear.  The Black and Gold will reign again… and my cousin, a die-hard Steelers fan, will become more obnoxious than ever…

When post people search for super bowl facts, the more interesting they are the better! So I searched through many websites and weeded out the not-so interesting stuff, to compile a list of 10 random facts I found interesting. I thought I’d share them with you….

1. The name “Super Bowl” was not used officially until the 3rd championship game in January 1969.

2. No NFL team has ever played the Super Bowl in their own stadium.

3. New Orleans and Miami have hosted the Super Bowl the most at 9 times.

4. Mike Ditka, Tom Flores, and Tony Dungy have all won a Super Bowl both as a player and a coach.

5. The following things have never happened in a Super Bowl: a scoreless first half, a shutout, an overtime game and a punt return for a touchdown.

6. 30-second TV commercials are believed to be costing close to $3 million this year. If this reported rate is true, how is it that we are in an economic crisis??

7. According to About.com, the amount of chips consumed on Super Bowl Sunday is over 14 tons!!

8. Eight million pounds of guacamole is consumed on Super Bowl Sunday.

9. An average of 6% of people will call out on the Monday following Super Bowl Sunday.

10. The Super Bowl is measured in Roman numerals because a football season runs the span over two calendar years.

Now granted I’m a football impaired chick, so these facts may not be an over the moon spectacular or anything. But they sure made me say ‘uh…’ when I read them. Hope they gave you a little something to think about, or a least a much needed break from your busy day!

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The count down is on! Super Bowl XLIII is five days away and the game is shaping up to be a good one. Everyone is looking forward to the traditional festivities for their Super Bowl party, such as the manly (or womanly) bonding, yummy food, friends, etc. However, according to Extra, the average person eats about 1,200 calories in snacks alone on Super Bowl Sunday?! That’s insane! Participating in this time honored tradition can be detrimental to your diet!

Well, take a breath….we’re providing you with two recipes that are for the healthy conscientious. Feel free to snack on these bad boys, in moderation of course, guilt-free!

Fresh Tomato Salsa

From Eatingwell.com Ingredients

• 4 cup(s) diced tomatoes (5-6 medium)
• 3/4 cup(s) finely diced red onion ( about 1 small)
• 1/4 cup(s) red-wine vinegar
• 1 1/2  jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 1/2 cup(s) chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
• cayenne pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Combine tomatoes, onion, vinegar, jalapeno, cilantro, salt and cayenne in a medium bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

With only 21 calories per serving and 0 grams of fat, you can snack happy with this recipe! J Be sure to serve with reduced fat or multi-grain chips for an added health bonus!

Spicy Blue Cheese Dip

From Eatingwell.com 

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup(s) reduced-fat sour cream
• 2/3 cup(s) crumbled blue cheese
• 1 tablespoon(s) distilled white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Whisk sour cream, blue cheese, vinegar and cayenne in a small bowl.

This blue cheese dip is perfect compliment for buffalo wings (again, moderation is key) or with a tray of veggies!

Feeling inspired to decorate this year? As you may have read, decorating your apartment was number four on our ‘10 New Years Resolutions for Renters’ blog.  So we’re here to provide you with the styles in home décor in 2009, getting inspiration in pattern, environment and texture. See for yourself…

1. The Devil Wears Prada: Being a fashionista is hard work! So why not incorporate the style of your clothes into your home décor? Embellish your outfit with some gems; then incorporate those gems into the style of your apartment! One way to do that would be with decorative pillows. Pillows are said to be dressed in high fashion this year, so you better hit the stores for the ones that express your true style.

2. Van Gough: Who doesn’t love a beautiful art piece? I know I am also captivated by art in my, and other’s, homes. In 2009, art is a big ‘YES’ for interior decorating. Show your appreciation for local or nationally recognized artists by having a beautiful painting sit center stage in your apartment. A more creative way, if you’re talented, would be to make your own masterpiece! Now talk about a one of a kind piece.

3. Pattern & Textures: Who doesn’t love a nice paisley? Or a striking animal print? Or luxurious silk sheets? This year, home décor will incorporate all your favorite patterns and textures. Stripes and geometric patterns will appear in decorative accessories and furnishings all over the stores. Be sure to incorporate one that fits your style best!

4. One decorating trend you’ll see this year is the sanctuary feel. Create a safe haven for yourself in your home. This environment will be something that comforts and offers you refuge from the outside world. For this type of décor, simple, serene colors will work best. The cool color palette (blues and purples) exemplified this idea. And I would suggest something that reminds you of a peaceful place so you can escape.

5. Another decorating style you’ll find is MODERN. Modern can be defined as a contemporary style that would include classic pieces with a new twist; re-interpreting the definition of classic. A sophisticated modern style would have the edginess of new shapes and designs while also including timeless elegant pieces.

For pictures of these ideas and more, visit DecoratingDiva.com.

We’ve posted an article previously with ‘Ten Tips for Advertising during Tough Economic Times’. And today I stumbled upon an article from the Wall Street Journal circling the same suggestion we provided; which is for companies to ‘provide perks’ for their customers. This is something we’d like to elaborate more on as it’s very current for today’s market. As I’m sure many property managers know the nationwide vacancy rates are increasing. In fact, according to research collected from Reis, apartment vacancy rates rose to their highest in more than 3 years-greater than 6%-in the third quarter of 2008. While most companies are looking to abandon ship on items such as advertising, the successful companies know better. So what else can property managers do in order to ensure lower vacancy rates at their communities? Again, we go back to the ‘provide perks’ tip.

Renters are smart. There is a plethora of information on the internet about how renters have control now. And everyone knows that turnover in the multi-family housing industry is costly. So keeping renters that are stable and dependable is highly desirable.

So what perks would your company be able to provide? The most popular choice for renters is going to be rent discounts! “There isn’t the job growth necessary to sustain a high demand for rentals and they [property managers and owners alike] have to be much more realistic” about price, said Daniel Baum, chief operating officer of the Real Estate Group. Offer rent discounts for residents that opt to stay in a longer lease.  And beware of the ‘shopper’ renter. These renters will do their research and seek out similar apartments in your neighborhood for less money. Be prepared to show how your community stacks up, or match the competitors pricing.

Another perk to offer would be services for next to nothing or free! (Everyone loves the word FREE) Does your community charge for additional amenities, such as spa usage, renting the club house or the use of a garage? Or how about upgrading on renters appliances? You could even sell the fact you’re installing energy star appliances to save them more money on monthly utilities!

And finally while property managers/owners have to pay bills too, we all need to be a little more flexible. In this state of the economy people are taking pay cuts or worse, loosing their jobs. So if a resident contacts you regarding the rent being a few days late, or a possible payment plan, weigh your options. If this renter has a steady track record, then be willing to discuss alternatives.

Times are tough, but everyone-property managers/owners and renters alike-have to survive. So finding a balance between what each side can financially do is going to be the way to weather this current economic storm.