Here are our top 5 tips for getting packages delivered to your apartment…

Community Storage or Mail Room

If you live in an apartment community that offers a package delivery storage room, use it! This is a space where we keep your packages until you arrive home to collect them. Delivery drivers typically have access to this room through management.

It’s extremely convenient and makes for a seemless package delivery option!

Delivery Alerts

The fastest way to track your package in real time, is by signing up for alerts. Most shipping companies offer text or email alerts letting you know where your package is or when it’s being delivered. This option will allow you to atleast know the date and time frame of delivery, so you may be able to be home.

During checkout, Amazon offers a scheduled day for delivery. If you know you’ll be home a certain day of the week, try getting your packages all delivered on that scheduled date.

“Hold for Pick-up” Option

This is available via USPS and FedEx. Simply have the item held at your local post office or nearest FedEx location where you can pick it up within the specified amount of time.

Pick Another Location

Direct your deliveries somewhere else where you know they’ll be secure until you pick them up.

Friends with any neighbors? Perhaps they’re home and available when you’re not? If you’re comfortable with your coworkers knowing what you’re receiving, consider having your packages shipped to your office. What are friends and family for, if not to help when in a bind, right? If you’ve got family or friends who live nearby, try asking them if it’s okay to send your deliveries to their door, at least for the holiday season.

Ship to the Retail Location

When checking out, request the item(s) be shipped to the retailer’s nearest store for pick-up. Most retailers do not charge a fee for shipping to one of their locations. Plus, they usually hold your package for 3-5 days until you’re able to make it into the store.

We hope you enjoy each and every present that arrives at your door this holiday season. Happy shopping!

The post 5 Tips for Getting Packages Delivered to Your Apartment appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

Convenience is the number one reason people choose to live in apartments. However, renting doesn’t always provide the customization one may find in a home. Homeowners are able to store their belongings in more areas like garages or basements, for instance. Most residents of Apple Valley, Appleton Place, and Cameron Heights Apartments are happy to leave the home-buying for their later years however, and enjoy the convenience of apartment living for now.

By taking some of the steps listed here, you could find yourself a very happy apartment-dweller without a mess to be found! Here are 3 tips for keeping your apartment continually organized.

1. Quality Over Quantity

Think – less is more. Invest in furniture and storage items that offer the most use and will last for years to come. These nicer elements will encourage you to tidy up more consistently too. IKEA is the perfect place to visit for all your apartment decorating needs. They offer unique, cost-effective ways to organize your home and we luckily have a local store in Oak Creek. Look for shelves, storage bins, and closet organizers. Spend time in the kitchen section where you can find cabinet and drawer coordinators. Make a day of it and stop for a yummy snack like Swedish meatballs in IKEA’s cafeteria area. If this is your first or fifth apartment, an IKEA shopping experience is a no-brainer!

2. Use Lids

Surprisingly, your laundry basket and trash can aren’t the only essential places to have a lid. Next time you buy storage supplies, focus on items with lids only too.

Let’s be honest, apartment bedrooms offer closet space with limited functionality. While a cubed shelf may seem like the perfect tool to keep organized, it may just take up more square footage than it’s worth. You don’t need another piece of furniture to keep a space looking clean. Stacking clear, matching storage bins can have the same appeal and be way more effective.

These same rules apply with bathroom organization. Cute baskets for your hair and body products are only helpful if you use everything you own daily. If there are items that don’t need to occupy the front row, utilizing a storage basket is the way to go. While we support this approach, we also suggest purchasing baskets with lids only. These allow you to stack them in a linen closet or under your bathroom vanity in a more clean chaos sort-of-way.

3. Maximize Wall Space

When shopping for the perfect floor plan, you may have been excited by the appliances or amenities. Like most renters, planning on where everything will go doesn’t happen until after the lease is signed. When deciding the locations of knickknacks and decor it’s important to use your walls. Keeping your floors and countertops clear of clutter will allow your entire apartment to look organized. A simple floating shelf here or stacked shelves there, can make all the difference.

We hope this list keeps you organized while enjoying your Menomonee Falls apartment home. Be sure to follow Apple Valley Apartments & Townhomes, Appleton Place Apartments, and Cameron Heights Apartments on social media to keep yourself up-to-date on all the latest property happenings!

The post Keeping Your Menomonee Falls Apartment Organized appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

1. Notify Your Property Manager or Landlord

This is oftentimes a missed step. Alerting your Landlord that you are going on vacation is important for many reasons. First, in case there are any planned inspections that you are unaware of currently. The majority of communities perform annual maintenance inspections, for example. If you are planning on being away for a week or longer, you may not have been notified of an upcoming inspection yet.

Another reason to alert your Landlord is to ensure your packages are not stacking up outside of your apartment door. This can highlight that you are away and may open you up to becoming a victim of package stealing.

2. Housekeeping Items

Before leaving your apartment, remember to take care of minor cleaning items. This goes beyond just coming home to a fresh smelling apartment. You’ll be thrilled you avoided bugs, bacteria, and rotten smells when you get back. Clear out any food that could spoil while you’re away, take out the trash, wash dirty dishes, and sanitize your bathroom before you head out.

The only thing you should have to take care of when you get back is vacation laundry. Wouldn’t that be nice?

3. Parking

Road trip with your car? Then you can disregard this tip, but if you’re keeping your vehicle on-site, there are a few questions to answer. If your community has assigned a parking spot, underground parking or personal garage to you, you should park your car in that space. Otherwise, contact your property manager or Landlord and ask where is the best place to park your vehicle during your time away. They may have the perfect spot!

If you’re only option is to park on the street near your community, we have tips for you too! Remove any valuables from your vehicle ahead of time. Roll up all your windows, lock your doors and make sure your car is parked in a well lit area. It’s always a good idea to leave a spare key with a local friend or family member just in case, as well.

4. Electronics 

Save energy and money by unplugging some electronics before you leave. There are some exceptions! Do not unplug your refrigerator or turn off all of your breakers. The last thing you’ll want is to come home to appliances that aren’t working when you plug them back in. Even worse, having entire rooms that don’t have power because the breaker needs replaced.

5. Have fun!

The beauty of renting is skipping all the stresses of home ownership. There are tons of extra things you avoid just by living in an apartment home. Woo hoo! Let your community team handle the landscaping, maintenance, snow shoveling, and package collection. You just go have fun!

By following these easy tips before leaving your apartment for vacation, you can home happy and worry-free!

The post 5 Tips To Leaving Your Apartment For Vacation appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

1. Supplies

Have you ever left a store and all of a sudden it’s pouring down rain? There you are, standing in flip flops with a cart full of groceries, considering just making a run for it. Even though that is an inconvenience, it’s not a big safety concern. Leaving a store to find 3 inches of snow in freezing tempertures, THAT is what we call a safety concern. In that case, making sure you have an ice scraper and gloves is priority number one. From early November until the end of March is a good time frame to keep an ice scraper on-hand. If you want to get fancy try one of these heated ice scrapers from Sharper Image.

Snow shoveling can be a great workout or a big headache. Picking a solid shovel is more important than it seems. Best practices for shoveling snow should be centered around how much you can safely move and lift. We’ve tried these strain resisting shovels at several of our communities and the snow shovelers love them!

Of course, the fastest solution for snow removal is to purchase a snow blower. There is a wide variety ranging in price, size, and preference. For areas like decks or patios, an electric or battery operated snow blower may be all you need. Gas powered snow blowers are nice for clearing larger areas like driveways, long sidewalks, and further distances.

2. Planning

Whether you live in a house or an apartment you still need to prepare for a heavy snowfall. Your first thought should be transportation. How quickly and easily will you be able to move your vehicle to go to work, for instance.

If you’re lucky enough to have a garage you’ll want to make sure you can clear the driveway. Several of our communities offer personal garages and underground parking included. Residents never have to worry about winter clean up. Our plow truck company is set to clear snow once it reaches 2 inches. That being said, what if your property complex does not offer snow removal? Then it’s time to arrange your schedule and get ready to shovel or snow blow.

Is underground parking included at your apartment community? If so, make sure your property manager discusses the snow plow companies schedule with you. It’s important to know when the pathway will be cleared and safe for driving.

In addition to covered parking options, those parking outside must also figure out the best location for their vehicle. For example, an apartment community with a plow service will create a parking map and schedule. Essentially, the map is a plan for where vehicles should be parked while it’s snowing and where they should be moved for clean up. Touch base with your landlord to make sure you have these details around late Fall.

3. Tips and Tricks

Snow is shoveled, driveway is clean, but your door handle is frozen and won’t budge. Aside from pulling as hard as possible and trying not to slip or fall, try WD-40. Spray the car door lock and voila! Old Man Winter – 0. You – 1.

Ice scrapers can only do so much with a hard layer of ice on your windhsield. If you’re running late and can’t wait for the car to warm up, try vinegar. In a spray bottle, mix 1/3 part water and 2/3 part vinegar for a perfect ice melting solution. Spray it all over the windshield and windows of your car, but be careful not to get any on yourself. Driving around in a warm car with a sour smell is almost worse than being late.

Salt can be found at all entrances to the buildings of each one of our properties. Why? Being able to immediately melt away hidden ice sheets is extremely important to us. Salt should be in a covered container with a cup or hand shovel to toss on slippery areas whenever needed. While salt is a great deicing option, it can be harmful to plants and surrounding grass. It can also damage concrete fairly quickly. Avoid these problems by being careful of where you throw salt and how much salt you’re using.

By putting these tips and tricks into action, you’ll be cruising through winter without concern! Always remember to check the weather frequently and be thoughtful of your neighbors by moving your vehicle according to the plow schedule. Lastly, all of our properties offer discounts on rent for residents interested in snow shoveling, snow blowing, salting, and more. We even provide the supplies! So if you’re looking to make some extra money or just simply love snow clean up, reach out to your property manager today!!

The post How To Deal With Heavy Snowfall appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.