http://hai.timeforcakeftp.com/index.php/site/index/ en melanieblevy@gmail.com Copyright 2010 2010-09-09T19:19:03-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/web-roundup-apartment-ideas-online/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/web-roundup-apartment-ideas-online/#When:19:19:03Z Relocating to Houston or another area? Check out these cool ideas for decorating your next apartment! From Houston Apartment Insiders. Whether you’re relocating to Houston or you’ve lived here all your life, your new apartment is a clean canvas, ready to be decorated and organized just the way you like it. The possibilities are endless! You know where to find furniture and other home décor for a steal. Now it’s time to design your space. Need some ideas to spark your creativity? Here are some of the best home decorating sites on the web, with ideas tailored to apartment dwellers:  Apartment Therapy: As the name suggests, this site is all about apartments, all the time. Their stated mission is “Helping people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.” With a focus on green living and simplicity, Apartment Therapy is full of beautiful pictures and great ideas. Also check out its spin-off sites for specific areas of interest: The Kitchn will help you design and decorate your dream kitchen—or just fantasize about it—and provide gourmet recipes to cook there. Re-Nest is for the eco-conscious apartment dweller. It’s full of green ideas, as well as stories about very tiny, very efficient apartments. Ohdeedoh shows parents how they can have both happy kids and apartments. Unplggd shows techies how to fit all of their toys into compact spaces, and helps them dream of the super-apartments of the future.  Shelterpop: This AOL-owned portal is the source for entertaining news—tiny apartments, expensive luxury penhouses, celebrity home stories, and more. Yes, there are also apartment-specific tips, and lots of decorating ideas. Most of all, this site is a fun. Visit it for inspiration, or just to lift your spirits. This is a great spot to find news stories on extreme home creations.  HGTV: The web site for Home & Garden Television is full of ideas for every kind of home, including articles specifically for apartment dwellers. Enjoy the rest of the site, too. While HGTV’s more involved do-it-yourself renovations are probably too much for your landlord to handle, (Always check their rules before painting or making any permanent changes!) you will find ideas even renters can use, from furniture makeovers to making your own custom window treatments.  Need a new space to decorate? Houston Apartment Insiders can help. Call us at 713-581-1055 (866-918-4022 toll free) or contact us online. 2010-09-09T19:19:03-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/odd-apartment-news/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/odd-apartment-news/#When:20:32:08Z Looking for Houston apartments? Houston Apartment Insiders has tips and some odd apartment news for your apartment search enjoyment! Moving in Houston? Apartments come in so many styles, and finding the right one, setting up mail and utilities, and moving all of your worldly possessions can feel strange, indeed. Rest assured, though, that your situation is not as strange as they come. To give you some perspective (and maybe a laugh), here’s the latest odd apartment news from around the web: Furniture     that moves itself: Dutch designer Wouter Scheublin has created     furniture that, with a slight lift and a gentle push, will walk itself     where you want it to go. Scheublin’s table and bookcase are equipped with     legs and a system of rods and cranks that cause the legs to scoot across     the floor in a walking motion. No, they can’t climb stairs, but once     you’re settled in, these pieces make rearranging your living room a     breeze. Transformer     Apartment: In Hong Kong, where the population is dense and space is at     a premium, architect Gary Chang has created a 24-room apartment for     himself—in 330 square feet of space. How is this possible? A system of     sliding walls and shelves allows Chang to rearrange his room into 24     different configurations. His home can include a steam room, movie screen,    minibar, and full bath . . . or not, depending on how the pieces are     arranged. Follow the link to see a diagram and an amazing video tour of     the transforming studio apartment. When     the Bed Bugs Bite: Bed bugs are spreading across the nation, becoming     an increasing problem in hotel rooms and apartments. The bugs, themselves,    are not a long-term danger to humans, since they aren’t known to carry any     diseases, but they are itchy, annoying, and icky. The real danger is when     people are overzealous in trying to get rid of the bugs. As the problem of     bedbugs spreads, so does the problem of people attacking them pesticides     that were designed to be used only outdoors, endangering children, adults,    and pets in their homes. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a     warning urging people to use treatments designed for the indoors, or to     hire a professional exterminator. Getting Paid to Move     Out: A housing authority apartment complex in Sanford, Florida, is so     run down that HUD is paying residents to move out. A federal grant has     allowed the local housing authority to pay an average of $15,000 per     family to move anywhere else, so that the complex can be torn down. The     residents won’t be missing the place. They’re delighted to be able to move     on to newer, safer homes. Whatever your tastes and whatever your situation, Houston Apartment Insiders can help you find the perfect place to call home. Contact us online, or give us a call at 713-581-1055 (866-918-4022 toll free). 2010-09-07T20:32:08-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/relocating-to-houston-texas-finding-fun-in-your-new-home-town/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/relocating-to-houston-texas-finding-fun-in-your-new-home-town/#When:14:18:24Z If you’re relocating to Houston, Texas, we have a handy guide to help you get settled in when you arrive! 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. 2010-09-02T14:18:24-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/fun-with-fido-finding-dog-parks-near-your-houston-apartment/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/fun-with-fido-finding-dog-parks-near-your-houston-apartment/#When:14:05:07Z Looking for a pet-friendly Houston apartment? Houston Apartment Insiders has the scoop on where you and your four-legged friend can be happy throughout the city.Dog lovers, rejoice! We can help you choose one of the many pet friendly apartments in Houston. Wondering where you can take your furry friend for some outdoor fun? You’ve come to the right city. Houston is home to many great parks and recreation areas that both you and your dog can enjoy.  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. 2010-08-31T14:05:07-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/furniture-and-style-for-your-houston-student-apartment/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/furniture-and-style-for-your-houston-student-apartment/#When:14:10:48Z You’re ready to start school, and you’ve just found the perfect Houston student apartment. Now you need to give it your own personal style- but money’s tight. What to do? Our back-to-school series continues with these tips for furnishing your new home on the cheap.You’re ready to start school, and you’ve just found the perfect Houston student apartment. Now you need to give it your own personal style—but money’s tight. What to do? Our back-to-school series continues with these tips for furnishing your new home on the cheap. 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 2nd 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.   2010-08-26T14:10:48-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/houseplants-for-your-houston-student-apartment-a-beginners-guide/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/houseplants-for-your-houston-student-apartment-a-beginners-guide/#When:14:58:31Z Want to brighten up your new student apartment? Be in the know and grow! Houseplant tips for any kind of thumb. 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!   2010-08-24T14:58:31-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/where-is-the-worlds-smallest-apartment/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/where-is-the-worlds-smallest-apartment/#When:17:09:14Z Concerned about size in your next Houston apartment? Check it our - we’ve done some looking into the world’s largest and smallest apartments! 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.   2010-08-19T17:09:14-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/august-in-houston-staying-cool-and-saving-green/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/august-in-houston-staying-cool-and-saving-green/#When:13:29:46Z Need tips for relocating to the Houston are in August? Whether new or seasoned in the Houston area, you know it gets warm, so here are some tips for staying cool in your new apartment home! 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. 2010-08-17T13:29:46-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/apartment-living-how-to-remove-carpet-stains/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/apartment-living-how-to-remove-carpet-stains/#When:14:20:51Z Keep your apartment deposit - tips for removing carpet stains from Houston’s leading apartment finder, Houston Apartment Insiders. 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! 2010-08-13T14:20:51-07:00 http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/five-must-have-tips-for-houston-apartment-renters/ http://www.houstonapartmentinsiders.com/site/blog/post/five-must-have-tips-for-houston-apartment-renters/#When:14:06:12Z Are you looking for a Houston apartment? Don’t miss these five great tips for renters from Houston Apartment Insiders - Houston’s number one Houston apartment locator service. Family-owned.We just love being a Houston apartment finder. Why? Because everything we do makes our clients’ lives easier! And believe us - as Houston natives, we understand how big this city can seem (even if you ARE a native!). Searching for a Houston apartment doesn’t have to be a headache. With fall rapidly approaching, we put together a list of five things that every Houston renter should think about when you start an apartment search. We hop you enjoy the list and this great city as a result! 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! 2010-08-13T14:06:12-07:00