Decorating Ideas for Small Apartments

Source: renters.apartments.com ~ Author: Erica Wacker

When you live in an apartment, it can be hard to replicate the Christmas decorations you grew up with, from the Christmas village on the mantle to the lights on the bushes outside to the six-foot tree in the corner of the living room. But even if your space is small, there are lots of ways to fill it up with holiday cheer. Here’s our list of space-saving alternatives.

Instead of a Christmas tree: Hang tree-like garland from the doorways. The garland can be purchased with lights already attached; all you need to do is hang it up and plug it in. You can even add ornaments, paper snowflakes or a homemade string of popcorn. If you’re set on a tree, look for a table-size version that will fit on an existing end table or kitchen table.

Instead of a Christmas village: Why not make your very own gingerbread house? You can still put a light inside and display it on your dining table or mantle (if you have one). Plus, having decorations you can eat is even more fun.

Instead of lights outside: Hang them inside, of course! Wrap them around banisters, string them over the windows, or use them to create a “tree” on your living room wall (make sure you use tape that won’t damage the walls or have permission to use nails). You can also swap out some of your regular light bulbs with red and green ones for added effect.

Instead of decorating the mantle: Unless you’re one of the lucky ones with a fireplace in your apartment, chances are you don’t have a mantle from which to hang your stockings with care. Put up or use an existing single shelf as a makeshift mantle. To display your Christmas cards, hang them from the ceiling on a string going across the room. If you live with roommates, have each person put a stocking on their bedroom doorknob and buy each other small gifts to put in them.

Instead of presents under the tree: Wrap your existing artwork in wrapping paper and ribbon, then hang them back up on the walls. This is an easy way to add Christmas cheer to your space without taking up any additional room.

Rent vs. Buy: Is Homeownership Your American Dream?

Source: www.rent.com



James Truslow Adams, the historian who coined the phrase “American Dream” defined it as a life that was “better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” He was clear that it was not a dream of accumulating material wealth and goods but a dream of a respectful social order and meritocracy; nowhere did he mention homeownership.

That was 1931.

Fast forward more than 80 years and the phrase “American Dream” has become synonymous with homeownership. We grow up biding our time and saving our money for that day when we can achieve our goals and beam with pride over the purchase of our very first home, complete with white picket fence and loyal pet.

But it’s the blind pursuit of this American Dream that’s resulted in such devastating consequences for so many U.S. homeowners. With that in mind, we analyze the rent vs. buy debate, hoping to shed light on the more flexible definition of the American Dream.

The Downside of Dreaming Big

More than 8 million Americans have lost their jobs since the start of the recession, and foreclosure rates are at historical highs. Many Americans are out of work, have lost their homes or have mortgages that are under water.

While this situation has improved over the past few years, many are wary about homeownership as a result of the housing bubble. In the midst of such chaos, even those of us watching from the sidelines and quietly planning for our own futures are forced to wonder: Is homeownership my American Dream?

Not So Simple

Over the last half century, buying a home in America has taken on more complexity. First, we’re a more mobile society. We move more frequently for opportunities than previous generations did, which puts us at the mercy of housing market cycles when we need to sell. Whether you have to move for work or simply want to try a new city, apartment rental may be more feasible than buying property.

Second, some American homeowners have come to view their family homes as short-term investments, temporary places to settle until the opportunity to trade-up presents itself. With that in mind, what’s the point of buying? Because so many people want to continuously grow, they could waste money by reselling a home soon after purchasing it.

Third, the huge stigma that used to be associated with owing debt in the first half of the 20th century no longer exists. As a result, we often take on much more debt than is prudent.

Fourth, government regulation and tax policies that favor homeownership have pushed us into an “ownership society” mentality without consideration for our individual circumstances.

Lastly, banks and lenders have devised more sophisticated and confusing types of loans, and they have essentially encouraged ordinary people to bet their entire future on real estate. That doesn’t seem like sound financial advice to us.

Investment Attitudes

Somehow, people came to believe you could depend on home prices to appreciate and that your primary residence should be treated as an investment, like a stock or bond, rather than as a place to hang your hat and build memories.

Even the professionals sold this notion; they lent more money on new homes and encouraged consumers to take equity out of their existing homes. All of this left many American homeowners house rich and cash poor.

It’s clear now that people are seriously reconsidering the assumption that homeownership is a natural part of life. With the collapse of the housing market, many Americans are left feeling cynical about home ownership.

In a June 2009 survey commissioned by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, one third of respondents admitted to the disbelief that they will ever be able to own a home—and 42 percent of those who once purchased a home but no longer own it believe that they’ll never be able to afford to buy a home again.

Resetting Our Goals

Perhaps it’s time to rethink the American Dream. While homeownership may carry benefits for many, it might not be for everyone. Besides, you have many important factors to consider in the often overlooked rent vs. buy decision.

To learn more about how to make an educated rent vs. buy decision, read the next four articles in this five-part series. We’ll walk you through key financial considerations for both the short-term and long-term, and we’ll discuss the impact that lifestyle choices should have on your thinking.

Discover if homeownership is really a part of your American Dream, or if renting is more in line with your ideal way to live. After all, Adams’ American Dream was all about bettering oneself, and renting an apartment could be the road you take to do so.

Rental Trends: A Third of Americans are Splitting the Rent

Source: zillow.com ~ Author: Jennifer Chan

In recent years, America has been shifting toward a more renter-based society – but not necessarily by choice. Across the nation, housing costs are rising at a faster pace than incomes; as a result, more adults are doubling up in order to afford the rent, especially in states like California and New York where rents are increasing the fastest relative to income.

The Zillow research team looked at the numbers behind this phenomenon to determine how it has impacted the national housing landscape. The results are significant: from the year 2000 to 2012, the number of working-age Americans sharing a home rose from less than a quarter of the adult population to more than a third.

During that 12-year span, the median household size increased from 1.75 adults per household to 1.83 adults. In practical terms, that means there are now 5.4 million fewer households than there would have been if the average number of adults per household stayed at year 2000 levels.

Doubling up is defined as working-age adults who are not married or in a partnership moving in together and combining incomes in order to afford housing – it includes both renting with a roommate and moving in with parents. Metro areas with the greatest share of adults in doubled-up households are New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

Percent of Adults Doubled Up in Households in the Largest Metros 

“There is a silver lining behind this data,” said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries. “Like a coiled spring, all of these doubled-up households represent tremendous potential energy for the market.”

With so many possible new households across America hidden within existing, joint households, there’s a lot of potential rental and home buying energy on the horizon. As incomes rise or housing costs normalize, these doubled-up households will most likely split off on their own, with individuals moving into separate rentals or entering homeownership.

Cloverland Property Management is a full service property management company. Our clients include individuals and investors throughout the Northern California. Our goal is to provide the highest level of service to our clients with professionalism and timeliness. Call Cloverland Property today at (209) 821-3000 or visit the Cloverland Property Rentals website.