Click, Click, Move: How the Internet is Changing How We Move

(ARA) - Moving season is upon us. According to the American Moving and Storage Association, half of all household moves take place between May and Labor Day. Overall, 43 million Americans move every year.

Planning a move can be time-consuming and nerve-wracking, but two things can help make the process go more smoothly: educating yourself through research, and working with a realtor you trust.

"In the last year, there has been an explosion of free real estate or rental information on the Internet," says Michael Yang, general manager, Yahoo! Real Estate. "More than ever before, potential buyers are better educated by access to home price estimates, comparable home sales, and satellite pictures of houses on the market and their neighborhoods. And the information is available without paying a penny."

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Renting your first apartment is right up there with taking your first steps, graduating from high school, and getting a real job. But this milestone is one that you shouldn’t take lightly, especially when it involves signing a lease.

What to Look for When Choosing Your First Apartment:
Proximity to work. With gas prices hovering on excruciating, you need to find an apartment near your place of employment. In fact, walking distance would be preferable. If that’s not possible, scour the two mile corridor surrounding your employer until you find a nice place in a nice neighborhood that you can afford.
Size does matter. You don’t want to live in a box, but if you’ve come from say, your parent’s home, a 300 square foot studio might be difficult to adjust to. But if a 2,000 square foot penthouse isn’t in your budget, consider a compromise. Either rent a larger place with a roommate or carefully consider the studio if it’s the right price and you don’t have a lot of stuff. A room will appear larger if you don’t cram it full of furniture.
Negotiate the rent. So you’ve found your dream apartment but the rent is a little steep. Don’t be afraid to ask the landlord for a lower price. The worst that can happen is that he/she says no. Remember, landlords would rather receive less in rent and take a good tenant, than command a higher monthly payment and accept an iffy resident. If you look professional, carry yourself with confidence, and make a good first impression, you’ll have a better chance at a lower monthly fee.
Can’t find anything you can afford? Consider moving back home with your parents for a short time (if that’s an option) until you can save enough money for a security deposit and first month’s rent. Also, don’t rule out the basement or spare room in someone’s house. Just make sure you do a thorough background check before you sign a lease.
Signing a Lease. Read the fine print carefully. Unless you are sure you will stay in the place for the foreseeable future, and the rent is a steal, don’t sign a long-term lease. Try to negotiate for six months. If that’s not possible, sign a year’s lease at the most. Agree to rent month-to-month after that. Read the paperwork carefully and find out exactly what you are responsible for. Who pays the cable, trash, water, alarm, sewer, etc? Budget all your expenses carefully. Look for language in the contract that would protect you in case you lose your job in the middle of the year. If it’s not there, don’t hesitate to write in a clause, initial and date it and keep a signed copy.
Before you sign the dotted line, and this place becomes yours for a year, look around for any damage. If you find something amiss, report it to your landlord so you’re not charged when you move out. And don’t do any damage yourself. If you treat the place like you own it, you’ll not only get your security deposit back, but you’ll also learn how to care for the home you will own someday.

Ceramic tiles have been used on countertops for over a hundred years in this country. In the old days (or as my kids would say, "back in the day") mosaics, some of them hexagonal, were often used for the "drainboard" itself, and bulky trims called "box caps" were used for the front edge of the counter. In many cases the drainboards were actually tilted or sloped toward the sink. A few of these installations have been preserved and are still in use in older homes.   At the time I entered the tile trade we were using wall tiles for drainboard work. Wall tiles did not hold up well at all.   For the most part, we don't have "drainboards" anymore: we have countertops instead, and seldom are mosaic tiles used on their surfaces, even though porcelain mosaics remain one of the toughest materials in the tile trade. They seem to have fallen out of favor about forty years ago. Wall tiles shouldn't have been used, period.

For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing.  They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments.  Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county.  For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.

You might be able to walk next door on a Saturday morning and find just the piece you need. What your neighbor is getting rid of may be just the piece you need. When shopping at a garage sale, always bring cash, look for defects, and be ready to negotiate on the price. It's usually expected and you can often get a great bargain.

For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing.  They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments.  Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county.  For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.

How much closet space is there? You may not be a clotheshorse, but you still need a place to hang clothes and coats, put away shoes, linen and even the vacuum cleaner. Apartments in older houses tend to have few closets. Look to see how the current tenant (if there is one) manages.

How old is the wiring? Count how many outlets there are and if they have a grounding socket. Few outlets and/or two-pronged outlets often indicate older wiring, which can be a safety concern.

How present is the landlord? You want your landlord to be available when you need assistance, but it can be intrusive and uncomfortable to have him or her around all the time or coming by unannounced.

What are the policies and laws regarding pets? If a pet is already part of your family, make sure it is legal and acceptable to have pets. Otherwise, you may have to face a heartbreaking decision.

How big are the rooms? You can use a tape measure or pace off to get a good idea of the room dimensions. Also notice how much and what size of furniture the current tenants have. For example, if you have a queen-size bed, will it fit in the bedroom? Also note stairwells, hallways and doors. Maybe your couch will fit in the living room, but will you be able to get it in?

Is there parking? If you have a car you’ll want to know if parking is included in the rent, where it is and how safe it is.

Check for insects and rodents. Look in corners, behind furniture and along baseboards for any evidence of critters or repellent. If there are current tenants, they may be forthcoming with such information. And, if possible, visit the apartment at night and turn lights on in the bathroom and kitchen to look for any activity.

If the place is in need of repair or paint, find out what will be done before you move in. If the plaster is falling down and you have to repair it, you may find living there more expensive and annoying than you bargained for.

The key to successful apartment hunting is keeping your wits about you. Don’t just look at the surface of things and make assumptions. Review the notes you made as you viewed the apartment. Jot down your impressions as well. This will be your home. It is worth taking the time to plan ahead, ask questions and weigh pros and cons before signing on the dotted line

For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing.  They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments.  Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county.  For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.