When you’re relocating to Houston, Texas, you may be focused on the practical aspects: finding the perfect apartment, getting settled into a new job or school (or both!), moving your stuff, finding your way to the grocery store. Looking at Houston through a tourist’s eyes is a great way to get to know your new home town. These web sites can help:

• Visit Houston Texas — This     site is run by the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, which     is the marketing agency of the City of Houston and Harris County. The     Bureau is all about getting people to come to Houston, patronize its     businesses, and have a great time to tell their friends about. Read about     Houston’s favorite attractions. Use the site’s events search function to     find concerts, shows, festivals, and more happening on the date and at the     time you choose. You’ll also find coupons here for deals on museum     admission, spa services, restaurants, sporting events, and more. If you’d     like a hard copy, offline guidebook, use the simple web form to ask for     one to be mailed to you.
• Lonely Planet:    Houston — Lonely Planet publishes hip, budget-conscious travel guides     for cities around the world. Their web site’s Houston section has some     basic suggestions for banking, health care, and transportation, as well as     suggestions for sights to see and attractions to visit. Most interesting     is the Thorn Tree discussion forum, where you can read what visitors from     around the world thought about their time in Houston.
• Yelp — Whether you’re new to Yelp     or you’re were addicted from your previous city, this site is worth a     look. Yelp revolves around reviews written by regular folks. You can read     about restaurants, clubs, shops, museums, and more through the eyes of     tourists and locals alike. Scroll down the Houston home page to the     “Search by Neighborhood” feature, and find out what’s going on in your new     neck of the woods. Also check out the “Popular Events” section. Yelp     events are listed by readers, too, so you’ll find everything from big     concerts and festivals to independent local shows.

 Enjoy getting to know the city! When you’re ready to settle in, let Houston Apartment Insiders help you find your new home. Call us at 713-581-1055 (866-918-4022 toll free) or contact us online.

The City of Houston welcomes dogs and their owners in all of their parks, but except in designated off-leash areas in official dog parks, your dog must be on a leash at all times. Also keep in mind that even dogs on leashes are not allowed in children’s play areas or on athletic fields. If your dog loves to run and play off-leash (and what dog doesn’t?) never fear. The City of Houston maintains six dog parks. Each one has a fenced, designated dog zone where your dog is welcome to run free. You can find the parks at:

• Levy Park, 3801 Eastside 
• Ervan Chew Park, 4502 Dunlavy
• Maxey Park, 601 Maxey Road
• West Webster Park, 1502 West Webster
• T.C. Jester Park, 4201 West T.C. Jester Boulevard
• Tanglewood Park, 5801 Woodway
  

Each of the city-run dog parks requires dogs and owners to follow a list of rules, but most are common sense. For example, you must clean up after your dog, and keep him or her in voice and sight control at all times. Females in heat, puppies under four months old, and aggressive dogs are not allowed. No smoking or people food is allowed in a dog park. You can find the complete list of rules on the city’s web site.

Some dog parks include other amenities, such as ponds, doggie drinking fountains, dog showers, canine playground equipment, shaded seating for human companions, and separate areas for small and large dogs. For the lowdown on each of Houston’s dog parks, visit the Houston Dog Park Association (HDPA) web site. The HDPA is also a great resource for information on county-run dog parks and parks outside Houston, but in the area. Also, the HDPA is an advocacy association for dog parks and dog lovers, so they are the people to know if you’d like to report a park that is being neglected, you’d like to push for a new park to be built, or you’d just like advice on responsible pet ownership and fun things to do with your pet.

If you and your pooch haven’t found your Houston home yet, give us a call at 713-581-1055 (or toll-free 866-918-4022) or contact us online. Houston Apartment Insiders will help you find the right home for all of your needs.

Craigslist

It’s amazing what you can find on Craigslist! Search the “Furniture” section of the “For Sale” category, of course. If you have items or skills of your own to trade, consider looking through the “Barter” section, too, or posting your own ad there. Just clearly state what you want and what you have to offer in exchange. And don’t forget to check out the “Free” section. Furniture is so bulky that many people who are moving or redecorating are willing to give away amazing pieces (We’re talking beds, shelving, tables, dressers, and more!) for free, as long as you’re able to haul it away. What if you and your friends don’t have a vehicle big enough to pick up the furniture you want? Place an ad under the “Labor” section of “Gigs” to find a strong person with a truck. You’re likely to find someone to do a one-hour moving job for about $20. 

Furniture Consignment Shops

If you’d rather browse through a store, check out a furniture consignment shop. Stores like 2^nd Debut Furniture Resale and Repeat! Consignment Superstore, both in the Westchase District, accept gently used furniture from people like you, then resell it, giving a percentage of the sale price to the original owner. The quality of items at consignment shops is more reliable than on Craigslist. The shop’s reputation is at stake, so shop staff carefully examine each piece that’s brought in, and reject those that are in poor shape. You may not find quite as amazing a deal, but you can count on your new purchase standing up to many school years’ us 

IKEA

If it’s only brand-new for you, or if you can’t find just what you want secondhand, drop by the IKEA store at Katy Freeway and Antoine. Specializing in clean-lined, efficient, inexpensive Scandinavian-style furnishings, IKEA is a favorite of young single people, college students, and divorcees everywhere. If you’d like a coordinated bedroom set or a living room where everything matches, IKEA is the place to be. It’s also a great place to find desks, shelving, and closet organizers that will insure that everything you need this semester will be easy to find and easy to put away.

What’s that? You haven’t found the perfect student apartment yet? Houston Apartment Insiders can help! Just call us at 713-581-1055 (866-918-4022 toll-free if you’re outside the area now) or contact us online.

If you’ve just moved into your first Houston student apartment, consider adding some green to your new home. Houseplants are not just stylish decorations. They also clean the air, bring a feeling of life and light to your space, and give you the satisfaction of caring for another living thing—all with a few minutes of attention per week. If you’re new to the green thumb game, here are a few tips to get you started: 

Buy Plants and Get Advice

It’s still summertime, and garden stores are still open throughout Houston. Ask the staff to recommend plants that do well indoors year-round. Also watch for plant sales at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. Your money there goes to a good cause, and it’s a great place to ask questions about which plants to choose and how to care for them. 

Grow Free Plants

If you have a friend or relative with a green thumb, you can grow pieces of their plants into free, apartment-friendly greenery for you. 

Chlorophytum, better known as the spider plant, loves apartment life and is easy to reproduce. Just snip off one of the plantlets (the “spiders” that hang down from the main plants) and pot it in sterile potting soil. (You can find pots and specially-formulated indoor potting mix at garden centers or hardware stores.) Keep it moist, and watch to make sure the plantlet takes root. 

Aloe vera is equally easy to get from an existing plant. Mature aloe plants put out suckers—little plants that come up from the roots of the original plant. Just find a little plant around the perimeter of the pot and pull gently. If it comes out easily, the sucker is ready for a life of its own. Pot it just like the spider plantlets described above, keep it moist, and watch your new aloe plant take root. 

Many plants can be grown from stem cuttings. Ivy grows particularly well from cuttings, and is easy to keep indoors. Ask your friends for cuttings from plants that have done well for them. The process of rooting cuttings is only slightly more complex than for plantlets or suckers. This tutorial makes it easy. 

Enjoy Your New Companions

The plants listed above all grow well near a window, watered once each week. Others may need more pampering. Whatever type of plant you choose, keep a regular schedule of waterings (and fertilizing, if necessary) so you won’t forget. Enjoy your new companion!

The world’s smallest apartment is not in Houston, Texas, nor is the world’s largest. Several people around the world claim to have created the world’s smallest apartment, but each story gets topped by a more amazing one: 

New York City

Last December, the New York Post reported that a couple and their two cats had moved into the smallest apartment in America’s highest-priced real estate market: New York City. The co-op studio, bought by Zaarath and Christopher Prokop for $150,000, measures just 175 square feet. The 3’ by 9’ bathroom has a stand-up shower instead of a tub, and the kitchen consists of a hot plate and a small refrigerator. The couple makes up for the lack of closet space by keeping their work clothes at various dry cleaners around town. 

London

Across the pond, the Manchester Evening News reported in 2005 that a 62-square-foot apartment was available for rent for £135 per week, which equates to about $210. The converted storage closet came with a shower room, a kitchenette, a closet, and a loft bed that hung over the rest of the space. Two previous renters had lived in the apartment (not at the same time, of course!). There is no word on whether it found another renter. 

Bejing

The true smallest apartment in the world is one of the two “capsule apartments” in Bejing, China, where housing is scarce and the cost of rent rose 11.7 percent last year. The capsules are being marketed to students and migrant workers, who often have to share tiny, crowded dormitories in order to afford a place to sleep. Each capsule offers 31 square feet of precious personal space for the equivalent of $32 per month. This includes a bed and a desk. A shared bathroom is down the hall, and there is no kitchen of any kind. The ceiling is made of a chicken wire-like mesh to provide ventilation, since there are no windows.

Houston Apartment Insiders will help you find the apartment for rent in Houston that’s right for you, large or small (within reason!). Give us a call at 713-581-1055 in the Houston area or toll free at 866-918-4022, or contact us online.

If you’re relocating to Houston, Texas this summer, Houston Apartment Insiders can help you find an apartment that is cool and energy-efficient (and that fits all of your other needs.) But if you’re already here, you know that summer is in full swing, and the heat is on.

You’ve had time to look at those summertime energy bills, and the price you’re paying for air conditioning may have been a shock to your system. Still, cooling is a must for August in Houston. We’ve recently given you some tips on saving energy throughout your apartment. Here are a few more pointers, specially designed to help you keep your cool:

• Look     for an Energy Star rated air conditioner. Remember that Energy Star     appliances of all kinds use at least 10% less energy than other models. If     you’re in the market for a new apartment or a new AC, look for the logo.
• Replace     filters monthly to keep your AC running at top efficiency.
• Eat     cold meals, or use your microwave. Cooking with your stovetop or oven adds     even more heat to your home. Besides, what’s more refreshing than a cool     summer salad?
• Turn     up your thermostat. The Consumer     Energy Center recommends you keep it at 78 degrees while you’re home,    and set it at 85 degrees or turn it off when you leave the apartment, but     consider what’s right for your own health and comfort level, and for any     pets who live with you.
• If     you’re in the market for a new apartment, Houston Apartment Insiders can     help you find one with a programmable thermostat. It’s ideal for keeping     the temperature right at night, when you’re home and when you’re away.
• When     the sun shines in, it heats up your apartment. Keep your shades or     curtains closed during the day, especially if you’re out and about.
• Keep     the cool air in and the warm air out. Weather stripping is as important in     the summer as it is in the winter. Also make sure all windows, doors, and     fireplace dampers are closed when the AC is on.
• Turn     off the TV and lights whenever you’re not using them. Also consider     replacing traditional incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents,    which put out less heat.

 Give us a call at 713-581-1055 in the Houston area or toll free at 866-918-4022, or contact us online.

It’s likely your Houston apartment came with a neutral beige carpet. It matches everything…which means it shows everything, too. From dirty footprints following a rain storm to a drip of ketchup from hot dogs with the guys on a football Sunday, it’s common that apartment carpeting takes a beating. We put together this simple guide on how to remove carpet stains for your apartment, as no one wants to be stuck with a heavy duty carpet cleaning bill when they move out.

Step One: Blot Your Spill

Be sure to not rub anything further into the carpet. Rather, use a clean, absorbent cloth to blot up the excess from your spill.

Step Two: Grab Supplies

A standard carpet cleaner like Resolve is great to have around your apartment. When shopping for the ideal all-purpose stain remover, make sure it’s useable for everything from food to grease (oil-based stains). NEVER use bleach or other household cleaners on a carpet stain. The chemicals in these cleaners could set the stain even further and leave you with something no carpet cleaner will ever remove.

Step Three: Treat the Stain

Using your carpet cleaning treatment, spray the stain and let the stain remover sit for the suggested period of time. Avoid walking on this area of carpet until you’ve finished the cleaning process and the area is dry.

Step Four: Let the Carpet Dry

You won’t be able to tell how effective a stain removal treatment was until the carpet is dry. If possible, let dry overnight and look at it again in the morning. You can repeat the treatment for stubborn stains.

Again, if all else fails, you can call a professional carpet cleaning service (make sure they have truck-mounted equipment as it’s stronger) and request a spot treatment. We want you to get your deposit back on any apartment you rent in Houston (or anywhere) and we hope this helps!

Houston Apartment Tip #1: Things to Do - Are you a Texans or Astros fan? Do you love to ride your bike? Are you an art enthusiast? When you search for your next apartment, consider how you’re going to get to the city’s favorite sporting venues and artistic centers. Public transportation is a great consideration, as what’s better than heading out to catch a game or an exhibit and never having to worry about parking or driving home late at night?

Houston Apartment Tip #2: Freeway Access - Our city is one powered by freeway systems. It seems like everything is 45 minutes away, doesn’t it? Take into account freeway options - the more the better in case of road closures or accidents. It’s always nice to have more than one way to get somewhere.

Houston Apartment Tip #3: Flood Zones - Yes, Houston is prone to flash flooding. When considering your next apartment home, ask us or the property manager about flooding potential. Your renters insurance company will base your rates on this information and knowing it may help you decide between two units in the same area. There can definitely be price differences.

Houston Apartment Tip #4: Heating and Cooling - Does the unit you’re considering face East or West? More importantly, do the large windows in your unit face East or West? If you love light, choose a unit with big windows facing East as the morning sun is cooler and you’ll have less of an impact from the afternoon sun when temperatures are at their highest. Windows that face North and South are ideal as a middle ground.

Houston Apartment Tip #5: Parking - Parking at the various apartment properties around Houston generally isn’t a problem, but it’s something to think about. Is the complex gated? Is there covered parking to protect your car on heavy weather and hail days? Do you have a nice, new car that you want to keep under wraps? Let your Houston apartment finder know and we’ll find the ideal home for you - and your car!

When you rent a Houston apartment, it’s not uncommon to walk through your front door and think, “Well, this is what I get!” While you can’t move the walls or change the carpeting, you can be an eco-savvy renter in just a few short steps. We’ve put together a list of things you can do to make both your Houston apartment search and apartment living experience more eco-friendly and save you money in the process.

Energy Star Appliances: Lots of apartment complexes advertise that they have them, so there’s nothing wrong with asking. Appliances with the Energy Star rating use at least 10% less energy than other models. We can even help you search for apartments in Houston that have Energy Star appliances.

Lighting: When you move in, there’s nothing wrong with replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent ones. They use, on the average, 75% less energy and last 6 to 10 times longer than regular light bulbs (and you can take them with you when you move out – just be sure to put the old ones back in!).

Heating: During colder winter months, heat up your unit by keeping blinds and curtains open. Use the sun and glass to add some warmth and you might find yourself running that furnace less!

Water: If you have an electric water heater (always ask when you move in) or if you’re paying for gas in your unit, wash your clothes in cold water to save on electric/gas bills. You can also turn down the setting on your water heater to a comfortable level to save even more on electricity and gas expenses.

It’s your first apartment – congratulations! Whether you’re moving to Houston for school, work or life in general, we want to help make your transition as simple as possible. Houston apartment hunting doesn’t have to be a task, even if this IS your first-ever apartment situation. With a few tips, you’ll be well on your way to being “in the know” and your first apartment experience will be easier than you imagined.

Houston Apartment Hunting Tip #1: Know what you’re getting.

Quite often, you’ll be shown a unit that isn’t the actual unit you’d be renting. Many complexes are tight on availability so they’ll show you a model unit. If at all possible, ask to see the unit you’d be renting and take note of the location and condition. While most property managers are excellent about rehabbing units between renters, some slip through the cracks. If you’re dead-set on a particular property yet can’t view the unit you’d be renting, make sure to do a thorough pre-move-in inspection to make note of anything the landlord should fix.

Houston Apartment Hunting Tip #2: Understand maintenance.

If it’s your first go with an apartment, you need to be sure to understand what types of maintenance are included in your lease and what’s not. Simple things like carpet cleaning, replacing air filters and light bulbs are always the management company’s responsibility as are appliances and plumbing. If you’re confused or unclear, there’s not shame in asking tons of questions. Also make sure you understand what’s expected of you upon move-out.

People need corporate or short-term rentals in Houston for a variety of reasons. Job relocations, medical treatment, internships and residencies…the list is as varied as life itself. If you find yourself in need of a corporate apartment in Houston, we’ve put together a list that might prove to make your move more bearable – especially for the short-term!

Many residents feel they need to bring everything with them from their old home to their new, temporary home. As a matter of fact, we’ll tell you it’s quite the opposite. Think in terms of bare minimums. Most Houston corporate apartments can be arranged to have everything ready and waiting for you, from linens to cookware and furniture. But thinking outside the apartment, here are some things that you can skip moving and arrange for at your new home:

Car: Auto shipments can take up to a month depending on the service you choose. You can rent a car on a monthly rate and sometimes, the difference in choosing a slower shipping service and the car rental will help lower your out-of-pocket. You could even rent a scooter and get around Houston just fine!

Electronics: Yes, you love your big screen TV, but you can rent one from numerous appliance and furniture rental businesses. Keep your moving expenses down by getting one when you arrive. It also helps avoid the inherent dangers of shipping electronic devices.

When you’re headed to Houston, short-term stays don’t have to be a headache. If you have questions about what can (most anything) and can’t (almost nothing) be done to make a short-term stay more bearable, just ask us. We’ve lived here all our lives and know the area apartments inside and out. We’ll help you find the perfect Houston corporate apartment for the short-term!

It’s a simple fact: thing happen that we can’t control. Your Houston apartment could be in the best part of town and you could fall victim to a break-in, a flood or damage from a hurricane. And you might think your landlord is responsible for paying for your loss or damage – but they’re not.

Your landlord carries insurance on all of their buildings – but it covers the buildings and not your wide screen TV that just got damaged from a flood or fire. That’s why you need renters insurance.

As a Houston apartment finder, we get asked this question a lot. We tell our clients to think about their apartment as a box: the box itself is the responsibility of the landlord. Everything you put in the box is your responsibility. Your clothes, bicycle, jewelry, electronics, furniture and more – that’s what renters insurance will help you replace if the unthinkable happens.

And renters insurance isn’t expensive, either! For $10-$20 per month, you can have a policy that will cover all of your belongings. The easiest way to find a policy is to do a web search for “renters insurance Houston” and you’ll discover a list of providers to explore. Here are some handy tips to use as you shop for a policy:

Cash value vs. replacement cost – There are two types of renters insurance policies: make sure your agent explains exactly what each one covers and you understand what you’re buying.

Photo inventory and receipts – At the beginning of your policy period, grab your camera and take pictures of everything. Pull receipts for major items like computers and electronics. Keep these in a safe place (and NOT in your apartment). This will help with replacement should the need arise.

Understand what you need.  If you don’t have belongings worth $30,000, you don’t need that much coverage. Many insurance companies have worksheets that will help you determine the proper amount of coverage.

If you’re simply moving across town, you may not need the services of a full-service moving company. As a Houston apartment finder, we love giving our clients the most comprehensive list of resources possible to make their move an easy one. This week, we’ve got a list of tips for finding the right moving service if you happen to be coming to Houston from a little further away than across town! Use these tips to make sure that your selected moving service gives you everything you need and for a reasonable price as well.

1. Begin your moving company search at least 4 to 8 weeks prior to your move. The earlier the better, as you have more time to shop around and companies are less likely to already be booked for your date.
2. Use the Better Business Bureau to research any company you’re considering using.
3. Get multiple estimates and make sure you compare apples to apples.
4. Understand the insurance provisions on your shipment. The basic liability insurance is very skimpy with most carriers. If you have valuable furniture or collectible items, it may be worth purchasing the extra insurance.
5. Always ask to see a moving company’s ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) Report. All interstate movers have to make this available so they can demonstrate history of complaints and their resolution procedures.
6. Make sure you have a complete inventory of your boxes and the items enclosed. It’s easy to use a Sharpie to number your boxes to make the list more organized.
7. Always confirm if the moving service includes unpacking. You may not need this service, but if you want it, avoid the shock of not having it by confirming up front.

You hear the term every day, but do you know what a corporate apartment is? If you find yourself looking for corporate apartments, Houston is full of options but we thought we’d take a minute and tell you about what these types of units include.

Your typical corporate apartment is a fully furnished apartment designed for the short-term resident. People become short-term residents of an area for a variety of reasons: temporary work assignments, waiting for a house to be built or home renovations, medical treatment, medical internships and more. In these situations, people prefer a short-term lease and may not want to incur the expense of moving their belongings to an area. Thus, a fully furnished Houston corporate apartment is a great solution!

Available throughout Houston, furnished apartments are popular in areas like the Medical Center for medical students and those coming in from out of town for specialty medical care. You’ll move in to find cabinets stocked with dinner and cook ware, rooms furnished and linens provided. All you have to do is show up, sign your lease and open your front door!

Lease terms for Houston corporate apartments are typically shorter than the standard 12-month term. Some complexes offer terms as short as three months or month-to-month. If you’re using a Houston apartment finder like us, just let us know what you need and we can help you locate both the right corporate apartment and lease term for your needs.

And here’s a tip: it’s usually possible to turn most any apartment into a furnished apartment! While some complexes specialize in already furnished apartments, others can be completely outfitted to your needs in just a few phone calls. So when you’re looking for that furnished apartment in Houston, don’t let your search be limited to just those units that advertise themselves as “corporate.”

Consider the Size: Dark colors make smaller spaces look smaller while lighter, more vibrant colors make the space look more open and bright. Keep this in mind as you think about the colors you’d like to have for your decor in your Houston apartment. Maybe a wall opposite a window showing the Houston skyline would look great with a bright wall hanging to keep the room opened-up!

Consider What You Own: Even if you’re headed to college and this is your first student apartment, you own something. Think about what you already have will work in your new space. It’s also something to keep in mind when you purchase new furnishings: how will these items look in a variety of spaces? For it you move, you’ll have to take it all with you. If all of your current furnishings and decor are dark or generous in size, you might do better with a more open floor plan for your Houston apartment. (This is something easy to share with a Houston apartment finder like Houston Apartment Insiders - we’ll help find the best floor plan for your needs and for free!).

Consider Your Life: If you have kids and pets, we’re betting you’re going to be in search of both apartments and furnishings that can stand up to the task. Delicate fabrics and hard-to-clean carpets might not be the right choice. Consider area rugs that are washable for your larger living spaces and furnishings with removable covers (like futons, slipcovered chairs and sofas). If you can’t clean it or wash it, it might be best to hold out and find something you can so that once you decorate your apartment, you can love the way it looks day in, day out!