Moving into a new space opens up a world of opportunities, it’s like getting to start out fresh, even if you are going to live in the same city. This gives you the chance to reevaluate your priorities to see what you’re wanting. This, of course, means that there will be some nerve-wracking aspects because you’re moving of course! When it comes to finding that right home, you want everything to be perfect, from the price, the sizing, the style, the character, and everything in between. But it all started with having some handy steps to get you started.

What type of location?

Location is everything, this is going to affect the price of the apartment (regardless if you’re renting or buying), this is going to play a factor in what’s going to be around you such as your work, school, etc. But the commute is another thing to keep in mind when mapping out your dream apartment. Maybe you want a short walk to the grocery store, and no more than a 10-minute drive to work. Make sure you know exactly what you’re wanting and start writing some general locations that you have in mind.

What sort of layout are you wanting?

Thinking about a cute studio? Loft? What about one of those luxury penthouses? There are more than enough styles for apartments, so it’s best to get a general idea of what you’re exactly after. When it comes to an apartment the square footage matters, so make sure you have a plan of what you’re wanting. Wanting to have multiple bedrooms?

Prefer to have a separate dining room? Dreaming of having a balcony with a small garden? Whatever you have in mind, you need to think it through and ensure that you’re wanting something that fits into your lifestyle. Maybe Meriton Apartments has something that you’re after.

Are you willing to fix it up?

Some apartments are for sale or rent slightly cheaper than average because they need some fixing up. This could include adding in the flooring, lighting, painting the walls, but it can go far beyond that too. So are you willing to work on a fixer upper to create your dream apartment? How much work are you willing to put in so you can have your dream apartment? It’s best to be realistic with yourself about this.

What can you afford?

Regardless of whether you’re opting to make a purchase or renting the apartment, you need to know what you can and can’t afford. While living in a comfortable home is great, being financially comfortable is significantly more important.

What sort of amenities are you wanting?

There are a variety of amenities that apartments will have this can include having a gym available, being pet-friendly, covering utilities such as interior or trash, free parking, washing machines, and so much more. Having these are great and it could be cheaper in the long run to get an apartment that has some of the amenities that you were already after in the first place. 

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

It’s an age-old question – should you rent or buy an apartment? We’re often told that it’s better to buy than to rent, but the truth is that renting has its benefits too. It all comes down to what you can afford, and what’s right for you at the time.

Take a look at some of the benefits of renting and buying to help you make the right choice for you. 

Should you rent an apartment? 

Renting is a popular choice for a lot of people, especially younger people. Some of the main benefits of renting include:

• The flexibility to move around if you need to for work or for together reasons.
• The process of renting a home is much quicker than buying, with a lot less paperwork involved.
• Your landlord is usually responsible for maintaining your apartment, so you won’t have to spend money on repairs and maintenance work.
• You won’t have to worry about the apartment’s value and whether it increases or decreases.
• Renting can be more affordable, giving you a larger sized property than you’d be able to own.

But while there are some benefits to renting, there are some downsides too:

• There may be restrictions on decorating your apartment as you want it – although there are ways to decorate a rental without losing your deposit.
• Renting doesn’t give you an investment with a return, once the money is gone, it’s gone.
• You could be faced with increases in your rent over time.
• Your landlord could decide to sell the property at any time. 

Should you buy an apartment?

There are a lot of good reasons to decide to buy an apartment, including:

• Your mortgage payments will help you buy your property outright over time, giving you an asset that you can sell in the future.
• If your home increases in value you can make a profit once it sells.
• You can decorate your house as you want, and carry out some renovations to improve your home.
• The security that your home is yours, and you won’t have to worry about moving out and finding somewhere else to live. 

Some of the downsides of buying:

• It can be complicated if you buy a property with a partner and your relationship breaks down – you may need to sell it.
• It can be difficult to find apartments or houses for sale that tick all of your boxes.
• Buying an apartment is a long-term commitment, you’ll be tied to a fixed-term mortgage until it’s either paid off or the house is sold.
• The process of buying can be a long and complicated one, with a lot of paperwork and lawyers involved.
• You’re responsible for taking care of and funding repairs and maintenance.
• If you fall behind on your mortgage payments, your home could be foreclosed. 

Whether you decide to rent or buy depends on your financial circumstances, and your long-term plans. If you know you’re going to live somewhere long-term, and want to invest in your property, then buying an apartment could be a great option for you. If you’re unsure of what you want to do or your finances need some work, renting could be a fantastic option while you figure things out. 

Whatever route you decide to go down, find your perfect apartment and get ready to fall in love with your dream home.

While the time for spring cleaning may have passed you by, there are various changes you can make to breathe some summer sunshine into your apartment this June. This doesn’t mean you have to plan to completely remodel or redecorate the space, as sometimes, even the smallest changes can have the biggest impact when it comes to interior design. Furthermore, changing up things such as color schemes and furniture throughout the year can entirely transform how your apartment feels, reducing the chances of you feeling bored of the space.

Therefore, if you’re looking to turn your flat from a fixer-upper into a dream apartment, you can use these tips to pull off the perfect summertime makeover! 

• Replace bulky curtains with lightweight blinds so that you can make the most of natural light and sunshine – especially if you’re working from home or spending a lot of time indoors. 
• Bring a splash of seasonal color into your home by getting your hands on some fresh flowers. You can even arrange Flower Delivery online by reaching out to a local florist. Flowers are a great way to change how a space looks or feels without having to make too many changes – and they look perfect wherever you chose to display them in your home.
• In the winter months, you’ll probably focus on making your home as warm and cozy as possible – which often means you have an abundance of throws, pillows, and blankets lying around. While this is a great way to achieve the perfect winter aesthetic, they’ll likely feel suffocating when it’s warm outside. Therefore, you should ensure you store these items away during the summer. 
• Switch out cushion covers, looking for bold and bright designs and colors that simply scream summer. For example, you should keep an eye out for pops of yellow and orange, and red. 
• If you’re finding it hard to sleep, switch out your winter duvet for light sheets that will help you stay cool and comfortable throughout the night. This is yet another excellent opportunity to bring in a splash of color.
• If you’ve put together a summer-themed color scheme, why not look for peel and stick wallpaper that matches your design? This is a great way to transform the space without altering it permanently – as you can simply remove the paper when you are done. 
• Find ways to bring nature into your home. For example, in addition to flowers, you could also bring various plants into your home. If you weren’t born with a natural green thumb, focus on plants that don’t require too much attention or regular maintenance – such as succulents. Alternatively, you could also buy fake plants so that you never have to worry about taking care of them. 
• If you have a balcony or any outdoor space, ensure you make the most of it. Throw open the doors to let in the fresh air, and give it a little TLC in time for summer BBQs and evening drinks. For example, one way you could enhance your outdoor space’s quality is by adding outdoor lights.