1. More Availability

One big advantage of searching for an apartment in the winter is that there tends to be more availability. Since fewer people move during the colder months, landlords and property managers might have more vacant units to choose from.

This means you could have a wider selection of apartments to consider, giving you a better chance of finding one that fits your needs and preferences.

2. Lower Rent Prices

With decreased demand during the winter months, landlords may offer lower rent prices or special discounts to attract tenants.

This can potentially save you money on your monthly rent or even lead to additional perks such as waived application fees or complimentary amenities. So, if you’re looking to snag a great deal, winter could be the perfect time to do so.

3. Easier Scheduling

Since there are fewer people looking to rent apartments in the winter, you might find it easier to schedule viewings and appointments with landlords or property managers.

You won’t have to worry as much about competing with other potential renters or rushing to make decisions before someone else snatches up the unit you’re interested in.

4. Accurate Impressions

Viewing apartments in the winter can give you a more accurate impression of what it would be like to live there year-round. You’ll get to experience firsthand how well the heating system works, whether there are any drafty areas, and how the property handles snow removal and maintenance.

These factors are important considerations when choosing a place to call home, and winter provides the perfect opportunity to assess them.

5. Avoid the Summer Rush

By securing your apartment in the winter, you’ll be ahead of the game when the busy summer rental season rolls around. You won’t have to deal with the stress and competition that often comes with searching for housing during peak moving times. Instead, you can sit back and relax knowing that you’ve already found your ideal living space.

So, don’t let the cold weather discourage you from your apartment-hunting journey. Embrace the chill and take advantage of the many benefits that winter has to offer for renters. Happy apartment hunting!

The post Why Winter Is A Great Time For Apartment Hunting appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

Impress your visitors, whether family or friends, by the cleanliness and fresh scent of your apartment. There are a lot of ways to do this. Make your apartment smells fresh by following some of these simple tips shown below.

First, Remove Smelly Objects

Removing smelly objects may take some time because you might need to put on your detective hat. But this is important because your apartment will never smell great if you don’t get rid of the sources of odors. You can follow all the other tips only to have your place stink up quickly again.

Some examples of smelly objects to look for and eliminate are damp laundry sitting around, dirty upholstery, leftovers in the fridge, your oven or microwave that hasn’t been cleaned in months, and, of course, trash cans that need emptying.

Your apartment will definitely smell better once you take care of these things!

Now Let The Fresh Air Come In

One of the easiest and fastest ways to improve the air quality in your apartment is to let clean, fresh air come in through open windows. It is a known fact that when old, stale air mixes with the fresh new air, the new air always takes over.

For best results, open several windows in different rooms, ideally facing different directions if possible, to get some natural air flow started. No wind outside? No problem! Put a desk fan or box fan by a window. If you set up one to blow out, that will pull fresh air in through all the others. Or, if you have ceiling fans you can use these to start air movement which will help pull the fresh air in.

It may not be the best idea to open all your windows during winter time, but winter air is often very fresh. Just a few minutes will definitely make a difference in making your rooms smell fresh and clean.

Candles, Air Sprays, Plug-ins

Sometimes you may have to resort to covering up bad odors. In this case you can use candles, plug-ins, air sprays, or even incense. These products can be quite helpful in making your apartment smell better.

If you use several of these, make sure to choose scents that compliment each other. You don’t want to overwhelm your senses, or those of your guests, by mixing too many strong perfume smells. While a little fragrance can be nice, too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing.

Also keep in mind that covering up smells is not a good long-term solution. You might get used to the mix of a scent covering an odor, but guests might come in and still easily detect the odors until their sense of smell fatigues.

Use Your Oven For Baking

It is always a good idea to greet guests with the smell of delicious, home-baked food. Some baked goods are like comfort smells. Examples include chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin pie, birthday cake, and even a fresh loaf of bread. Any of these will make your apartment smell amazing!

On the other hand, there are some smells you might want to avoid when expecting guests. Garlic and fish can be overpowering smells. Bacon can be another. Of course if you have invited guests for dinner and these are part of the menu, all will be forgiven. But even then you might want to consider mixing in some pleasant smells. Cinnamon can enhance the freshness by putting some sticks in a slow cooker or mulling some wine. Of course any of the baked items mentioned above will help too.

Never underestimate the power of freshly baked goods to make the smell of your apartment inviting.

Make Your Own Potpourri

Creating your own potpourri is really easy! No need to dry any flowers. All you need to do is boil water and throw in some things have have a nice pleasing smell. Some examples that you can use are spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks, a few orange peels can be nice, and, of course, a few drops of essential oils.

Feel free to mix and match to create your ideal fragrance. The steam from the pan will lift the smells from the water into the air of your apartment.

If you want a similar experience in another part of your apartment, you can use the bathtub as an option. Add a couple inches of hot water along with a few drops of a scented oil. Just be careful to rinse well when you’re finished to remove the oils from the tub. You don’t want to create slippery situation.

Well that’s it for now. Try some of these tips to help improve the smell of your apartment. You’ll like it and so will your guests.

The post How to Make Sure Your Apartment Smells Fresh appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

LOFT LIVING

These versatile open spaces feel much more like a town home than an apartment. Being welcomed by 10′-15′ cathedral ceilings is an impressive way to say hello. The first floor typically includes the kitchen, dining and living spaces. Bedroom and bathroom are found on the second floor or upper area. This is where the “loft” portion comes into play. The lofted bedroom usually has a half-wall, open to the downstairs. Renters are able to enjoy a beautiful  skylight tucked into the vaulted ceiling, while overlooking to the rest of the apartment. Pretty cool, huh?

BRIGHT, NATURAL LIGHT

The high ceilings, skylights, and large sliding glass doors of a loft let in an extravagant amount of natural light. With less barriers, light is able to flow through the space more easily. This gives the impression of living in a much bigger space than the square footage would suggest.

ATTRACTIVE & FUNCTIONAL

Living in a loft apartment allows renters to get away with decorating tricks that those in traditional floor plans could only dream of. Those tall walls are just screaming to be covered in funky artwork or antique frames and mirrors. We’ve even seen a deer hunting stand! (Wisconsin residents are the best residents, that’s for sure.) Proof that a loft is the perfect foundation for showcasing any unique style with endless possibilities.

Our loft-style residents receive more complements on their apartment home than any other. There’s something about the loft floor plan that feels refined, relaxed in a way that no traditional apartment possibly could. We encourage any renter who is looking for a fun and practical place to live to check out any one of our beautiful communities to tour a loft floor plan for yourself!

The post Apartment Layouts: Loft Style appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

1.  Check Cleaning Protocols

Asking questions is essential to protecting yourself beyond just moving day. Apartment communities have tons of high-touch areas shared by residents, guests and delivery drivers. Ask the property manager what steps have been taken to sanitize these surfaces. Intercom buttons, door handles and stair railings should all be cleaned with antibacterial products on a regular basis. 

Certain companies handle the cleaning of a vacant apartment differently than others. Professional cleaners usually provide their own cleaning supplies. Oftentimes, those are home or industrial multi-surface cleaners that kill bacteria and germs, but that isn’t always the case. Some cleaning service companies may use products they prefer or use as a personal preference. These could include things like less effective natural cleaning alternatives or even essential oils. Make sure you confirm what professional cleaning was performed in your new apartment, prior to moving in.  

Morgenson Realty has doubled-down on common area cleanings on a daily basis. That means we have cleaners on-site, at each location, cleaning all high-touch areas twice a day, every day. Our cleaners are clocking those times during the outbreak, along with extra assistance from our property managers and maintenance staff. 

2. Prep Prior to Moving Day 

All of us WANT to be the people with labeled boxes and neatly arranged clothes still on the hangers. Realistically, the majority of us are panicking last minute with everything we own in trash bags. If you consider the health risks and laundry list of logistics, moving can feel impossible. While it may seem like you need everything you own immediately after moving in, you can probably live with less. Pack things that are necessary for everyday life separate from your, “post COVID-19 crisis belongings”. Is that a thing? It is now!

Solo is the best social distancing option available. Minimize your in-person contact by taking whatever you can yourself. This will mean more trips from your old place to your new apartment, but keeps your risk level low. Don’t worry, your family won’t be disappointed they couldn’t help. Not at all. 

Moving can be freeing for some folks. It’s like spring cleaning, right? Finally, you get to toss that stained tupperware, old shower curtain, and drawers filled with random receipts. Thinking about fresh new things can be exciting and all of a sudden you’re filling your trash can with chipped coasters and your entire expired spice rack. Unfortunately, replacing those possessions isn’t as easy as it used to be. Stores aren’t as focused on stocking shelves with home decor items and Amazon shipping options are dating over a month, in some cases. If you’re able, salvage your current shower curtain and avoid risking weeks worth of shower splash onto your new bathroom floor. 

3. Know Your Must-haves 

Before physically moving or even completing your leasing process online, you’ll need to find the perfect apartment. While shopping is far from easy with a safer at home order, you can prioritize your rental needs once you decide your must-haves. Start by eliminating apartments that are outside of your budget or that you shouldn’t settle on.

Filter your online search results and only show listings you would consider applying to that day. If you know having a washer and dryer in your apartment is one of your requirements, eliminate all housing options that do not offer in-unit laundry. In addition, verify different properties by looking up their reviews. Current and past residents may have already done the legwork for you. If the only reviews you can find online talk about bed bugs, it’s safe to say that apartment is a hard pass. 

On the other hand, maybe you’re considering scheduling in-person showings at a couple of fancy properties. Is it fun to tour rental units that provide billiard rooms and other luxurious community amenities? Sure! Is it safe to schedule a tour if those units aren’t affordable? Not right now. Be thoughtful about what is realistic both for your safety and the safety of those leasing agents or property managers offering a showing.

Remember the popular theme of this crisis, we’re all in this together. While moving to a new place has added hurdles, there are kind and generous people waiting to assist you in navigating the unknowns. If you’re worried or unsure about the best ways to handle moving, we understand. Learn more about how each property is helping current and new residents move safely by contacting them directly. Simply choose which location or locations interest you most and call, email, or even text us today! There will be a property manager on the other side, waiting to answer any questions you may have. Stay well!

The post 3 Tips for a Safe and Healthy Move appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.

We offered 3 steps to Declutter your apartment for Spring, last year. So, the least we can do is offer 3 tips and encouragement, that will make your move to any of our Southeastern Wisconsin locations in winter, much easier!

• TIP # 1 – DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Worrying about being too cold or too hot, is always stressful when you prepare for heavy activity during the winter months. Continuous exertion will cause your body to heat up, leaving you uncomfortable and even more “excited” about moving day. Layers are your friend! Being able to discard layers of clothing throughout the day will insure you’re ability to get the job done efficiently and without too many breaks in the Uhaul changing room.

• Tip # 2 – IT’S ELECTRIC

Moving when it’s cold outside is one thing, moving into a FREEZING apartment is a WHOLE other thing! WE Energies should be in your name for the 1st of the month or whichever day you are planning on officially taking your apartment keys. The first trip to your new home could be to put away groceries in the refrigerator and freezer. While there, make sure your heat is on and ready to keep you and your movers nice and warm.

• Tip # 3 – SALT SALT SALT  (any Jimmy Buffet fans??…)

Safety is priority number one! However, with all of the salt on sidewalks and entryways, safety also comes with some serious clean up. Take care of your new floors with walkway protection film, like this brand from a local hardware store- Menards Surface Shields. Break down a few card board boxes for the entrance and you’re covered! Literally.

Extra Tip – Instead of tossing those shirts too worn for Goodwill donation, use them as extra cleaning supplies.

It’s always the little things, that fall between the cracks during moving time. Be a pal and share this post with those family and friends prepping for an upcoming move.

The post Wisconsin Winter Moving Tips appeared first on Morgenson Realty Company Inc.