Apartment Blog

You know that iconic phrase “Houston, we have a problem” from the Apollo 13 movie? Here at For Rent Media Solutions, we prefer to think we have the solutions. We have the resources and the answers to your apartment searching needs.  Not only do we provide you with a moving center and a getting settled center on our Relocation Page, we also provide you with decorating and entertaining tips and apartment living ideas on our Apartment Blog.

So if you’re looking for apartments in and around the Houston area, we are your one stop shop! Check out our newest apartment community videos for Houston apartments:

Hartford Park Apartments

Canfield Lakes Apartments

Briar Park Apartments

Lantern Village Apartments

Steepleway Downs Apartments

Huntington at Stonefield Apartments

The Steeples Apartments

Meadow Ridge Apartments

and Bristol Apartments

I remember as a child when I asked my mother for my friend to come over, she would always state “Sure, as long as the house is cleaned up.” That exact moment would produce a frenzy of activity around the house, me racing against time to pick up everything so my mother would say yes. Ahhhh…. Those were the days. Now that I’m an adult, I don’t to have to deal with that when my friends come over. I want my apartment to already be kept up, so when a friend calls and says he/she is coming by I don’t have to worry.

Here are five foolproof ways I make sure this is accomplished for my apartment:

1. Make your bed as soon as you get up. As soon as I get out of bed, I make the bed. I feel like my room is extremely messy if the bed is. After all, the bed is usually the focal point of the bedroom; people tend to notice if that’s neat versus your vanity being kept up.

2. Unload your clean dishes from the dishwasher in the morning and make it a rule that if somebody uses a dish they are to load it into the dishwasher. If you don’t let dishes pile up, you won’t have a mess after dinner. And when the dishwasher is full, you can run it.

3. Clean up all spills immediately. That means on counter tops, on the stove, and on the floor when you are cooking. This will eliminate the hard scrubbing from food deposits sticking to the surfaces.

4. Make it a habit to take your shoes off at the front door when you come home. I have a shoe rack by the door for myself and guests to put their shoes. Doing this will keep dirt from being tracked in onto your floors or carpet, which will help them look beautiful longer! Remember, you want that security deposit back! J

5. Another thing people will notice when they come to your house is clutter. Make sure you have a spot for everything. When mail comes into the apartment, go through it immediately and throw away unnecessary items. Then, place your bills or other ‘keep’ items in their spot to go through when needed.

While I miss the good ole’ days from my youth, I certainly do not miss the frenzy of activity before a friend comes over. After all, it looks kinda bad when he/she shows up and I’m all sweaty & out of breath! J Hopefully these tips will help you whenever you are in the situation of needing a clean house on the fly.

Summer is in full swing now! And it’s time to not only get yourself outdoors, but your pet(s) as well. We’ve put together a list of tips for you to follow to keep your pet safe this season.

1. Never leave your pet in the car.
2. Be on the look out for fertilizers and deadly plants.
3. Always have your dog wear a collar and identification tag.
4. Fresh water is a MUST for your pet while outdoors.
5. Think about the heat (especially with older dogs or dogs with longer coats).
6. Be careful of hot asphalt or cement. Dogs can blister just as easy as people.
7. Have your animal on the proper medication to prevent against fleas, ticks & mosquitoes.
8. Don’t forget sunscreen….for the animal! Light skinned pets will burn if they are outside long enough without sunscreen.
9. No ‘outside dogs’. It’s not healthy for your pet to be outside for long periods of time, even if there is shade. They can get overheated quickly.
10. And finally, just be observant of your pet. You will notice when they start to act differently and if they do, take them to the vet.

Everyone loves keeping their animals safe and healthy. They are a part of the family. So if you’re looking to move this summer, be sure to check out Pet Friendly Apartments on ForRent.com so you can bring all your family with you healthy & safe!

With the current economic state many renters are looking for apartments that are ‘cheap’. While the perceived monetary gain may be tempting, it’s important to also look at the safety factors before signing a lease.You should first examine the neighborhood. You have every right to seek out information on whether or not there have been criminal activities. This includes asking the property manager or looking to local authorities. While also examining the neighborhood, you should make sure you visit the property multiples times. Plan on once during the day and at least once during the night. This will help you see how well light the area is and you’ll get a better sense of how safe you will feel when you return home from work each day.

Next, you should check the windows and doors. When you go to a model unit, chances are it’s going to be a better looking home. But check around the community when you visit. Do they tend to be in good shape? You need to also explore the locking mechanisms on the doors and windows. They should always ask when you move in, if the locks have been be changed from the previous owners. Always better to be cautious!

I would also recommend looking at the smoke detector.  This is the most valuable protection you can have-it will save your life! When you choose an apartment, be sure to check where it is located and when the batteries were replaced. Keep a schedule so you know when to change them out again.

Most apartment communities offer, as a paid service, the capability of a security system. They are a great way to protect your apartment. It scares away burglars because it increases the potential and fear of being captured and arrested by the police. But an alarm also does that without anybody getting hurt.

Lastly, protect your belongings by getting renter’s insurance! You can get quotes online by visiting the relocation page on ForRent.com.

Your apartment should be a sanctuary for you and your family, so make sure it’s a safe one.  Take these tips with you when you’re searching for apartments for rent, they’ll really be a lifesaver!

If you’re anything like me, the idea of Father’s Day is a daunting one. Not because I don’t enjoy celebrating my father, I do! He’s an unbelievable man who has taught me so much and I love him dearly. But, because I am always at a loss of what to get him. What to get a man that has loved me and cared for me all these years? What to get someone who has truly been there for me whenever I needed someone? Those are the questions that always creep up when Father’s Day rolls around and I rack my brain trying to think of something. 

And of course, I want it to be something creative. Something I’ve not done before to really show him how much I appreciate him. Well after racking my brain for hours, I’ve come up with a list of five ingenious ideas (if I do say so myself).

1. Go the sentimental route. A video montage or collage of photos with you and your father (or the whole family) would really be something special for your father to receive. It’s something he can truly cherish for many years to come.
2. Make an afternoon date with him! If he would enjoy activities such as miniature golf, ice cream, lunch, then why not take him out? He deserves to have a bit of fun doing child-like things for a day!
3. Splurge for some hobby supplies. Every father has a hobby he enjoys! Whether it’s a sport like soccer, racing or maybe just fixing up cars, give him something that he would benefit from. Be careful though, you don’t want to overuse this tip as it could become predictable.
4. Bring him humor! There are a plethora of items that would fit the bill, books, trinkets, etc. In fact, I was on Barnes & Nobles web site and saw quite a few books that poke fun at ‘Dadisms’ or have cartoons to depict father-like situations. Guaranteed to make every dad grin, chuckle and laugh out loud.
5. And finally, time is all your father really wants. He enjoys spending time with you, his child. So be sure to spend good quality time, even if it’s not doing anything special, just to be with him.

This photo is something my father and I did when we were in Key West….father-daughter bonding! J

 Continuing our weekly trend, here are some amazing tips on how to refresh your home using the happy color yellow. As the color of sunshine and daisies, yellow brightens up dark rooms and breathes warmth into cold spaces. And remember, these tips will accommodate most limitations given for apartment renters!

For an elegant feel, add black and white furniture with strong silhouettes to a room in addition to the color yellow. In the photo example, a simple color scheme of white, soft yellow, and black creates a timeless look to this room.

Pale yellow walls set a soothing tone. Pairing cheerful colors, such as soft greens and yellows are also very welcoming.

A beautiful combination is blue with yellow. It adds a classic French country feeling to any space, especially with patterns that include the fleur de lis, the swan motif, stripes, small floral prints and checkerboards.

Curtains, appliances and kitchen towels in a mustard yellow coordinate with rustic cupboards (common in many apartment communities) can give a kitchen a Mediterranean ambiance.  Pair a few mosaic plates with red, blue and orange on the wall to really get the feeling going!

A floral-inspired bedspread, curtains and chandelier bring a romantic feeling to a bedroom.

A bold beam of sunny yellow can be brought in with an accent rug or a piece of art work.

For a multifunctional room or a child bedroom, use yellow with other primary colors (red and blue).  Children of most ages like the bright colors, plus this palette can be used for many years.

Yellow backing on bookshelves will make the books stand out on a custom-built shelf.

Combine warm shades of yellow, gold, and tangerine give to a room a sophisticated and elegant look. The walls, floor, and drapery are kept neutral in shades of white and cream (as most apartments are). Yellow upholstery, pillows, and artwork add a bit of color but keep it rich and elegant (see photo on left).

One of the best qualities of the color yellow is that it goes great with nearly every other color — white, orange, green, pink, blue and brown. So if you’re looking to punch up a space, why not consider this pleasing color! What’s next on the palate? The color PINK!

Source: Country Living and Better Homes & Gardens