5 Tips for Keeping Things “Safe” on Campus
From text books to laptops, parents of college-bound students spend thousands of dollars preparing their children for a new school year. Now that the back-to-school dust has settled, it’s important to...
View Article5 Concerns When Moving to the Big City
My first summer after college was one big blur: In just a couple of weeks, I went from hitting the books to hitting the streets for a new job in a brand new city. Although it took only five hours and...
View ArticleHow to Deal with an Uncooperative Landlord
When I moved into my first apartment after college, I was thrilled about finally having my own place. What I didn’t count on was the family of mice that would also make a home in my cozy space. Despite...
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Consider These 5 Things Before Renting Your Townhome
When my husband and I first bought our townhome, I loved everything about it—the high ceilings, the spacious kitchen and most of all, the neighborhood. Once we updated some of the paint colors, I...
View Article5 Tips for Renegotiating Your Apartment Lease
When I first moved to Chicago, I saw my living situation as temporary. I’d planned on finding a less-expensive apartment once I made a few friends and had a better sense of my daily life here. But,...
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My First Apartment: How the World Sees It
Renting your first place after college is a big deal. Living with roommates, paying bills, maintaining a social life and trying to furnish an apartment on a not-so-large paycheck can be challenging....
View Article4 Steps to Take Before Renting Out Your Home
My friends like to joke that my husband and I are on the path to becoming professional landlords. When we got married, we decided to buy a townhouse together and rent out the condo I lived in when I...
View ArticleTips on Sharing Expenses with a Roommate
With our college days firmly behind us, many of my friends are moving from rowdy, shared houses to quiet apartments of their own. But I’ve lived with roommates since my dorm days and at this point in...
View ArticleHow to Assess the Security Risks of an Apartment Building
Some people feel property ownership is an integral part of the American Dream, while others are staunch advocates for the flexibility and convenience that comes along with renting. But one thing that...
View ArticlePacking for College: Everything You Need to Move into Your Apartment
Attention college students! You’re probably enjoying the very end of your summer break. And while I’m not here to tell you to put down your lemonade, school is right around the corner, and you need to...
View ArticleCountdown: A Week-By-Week Moving Checklist for Your New Apartment
Whether it’s your first time or your 12th, moving can be exciting. But it can also be overwhelming and stressful. From finding a place to live and packing up your things to unpacking boxes and figuring...
View ArticleGolden Opportunity? Get Your Jewelry Reappraised
When my grandmother passed away last year, I inherited part of her jewelry collection. While some pieces are treasured family heirlooms, others reflect my grandmother’s taste for the eccentric, flashy...
View ArticleThe Apartment Walkthrough: Things to Watch Out For Before You Move In
You’ve found a great apartment in your price range and are ready to move in. But before you pack your bags and boxes and load up the moving truck, you’ll want to do an apartment walkthrough....
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Studio, Apartment or Condo: Which One’s Right for You?
Searching for a place to rent can be overwhelming if you consider the array of available options. Should you take the studio? Or opt for something a little larger, like an apartment? Or maybe even a...
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Living Large, Spending Small: Tricking Out Your First Apartment on a Budget
I'm done with college and officially a member of the real world. I have a job and a new apartment. I'm feeling safe and secure from those real-world risks with a new renters insurance policy for my...
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5 Tips for Renegotiating Your Apartment Lease
When I first moved to Chicago, I saw my living situation as temporary. I'd planned on finding a less-expensive apartment once I made a few friends and had a better sense of my daily life here. But,...
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Shoveling Snow: Who’s Responsible, the Renter or the Landlord?
Winter is not quite over, which means there a few more opportunities for snow to fall and ice to form. And while renters might assume that their landlord is responsible for shoveling snow and other...
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The Essential Guide to Renting a Storage Unit
Many of us, at one point or another, will use self-storage. Whether it be for college, moving, general storage or downsizing, self-storage remains a viable option for those with simply too much stuff....
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Renters: Why You Need a Home Inventory [INFOGRAPHIC]
Renters of both apartments and homes have similar concerns regarding safety, security and protecting their stuff. Some disasters can be prevented; others can seem inevitable. Either way, a home...
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A Deep Dive into Storage Auctions
Storage auctions were virtually unheard of before A&E’s "Storage Wars" gained popularity, joining the new phenomenon of oddly specific reality shows like "Hoarders," "Auction Hunters" and "Pawn...
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