What are apartment amenities? 

Your monthly rent isn’t always a flat rate that only includes the apartment rental itself. It can also include certain utilities like water, sewer, trash, and recycling. Utilities are typically attached to a service provider. For example, the electricity bill would come from WE Energies, here in Wisconsin. Oftentimes, landlords will consider cable and internet as a utility, as well. Perhaps one of the communities you visited offered free WiFi, that would be an included utility.

Pools, community rooms, and even granite countertops fall in the amenities category. These are usually things that bring convenience or extra comfort to your living experience.

When touring an apartment, it’s important to discuss the rent, amenities included, and the utility costs with the property manager. Additionally, all of these should be listed clearly on your lease paperwork. So ask your landlord to point those out when signing your lease.

Community Amenities

Your lease may be a year long or you may stay in your new apartment for years to come. Here are some of the most popular apartment amenities to consider when searching for that perfect place to call home.

Parking and Storage

Street parking in Wisconsin is more than just inconvenient. No one wants to worry about leaving their car exposed to snow plows, being snowed in, or any other accidents. Thankfully, a ton of communities offer on-site parking, underground parking, or personal garages.

If you’re lucky, you’ll find an apartment that includes both parking and storage in the total rent price. Storage is essential in apartment living. Christmas trees, bicycles, and even seasonal clothing can all be securely reserved until you need them again. Double check if a storage unit is included during your next showing, you’ll be happy you did.

Fitness Centers

Say goodbye to gym memberships and fees! Finding a community that offers an on-site fitness center could be a great option to save money every month. Don’t forget to discuss when the fitness center is accessible and when it’s closed. If you tend to exercise late at night, this may not be as big of a win as it seems.

Online Tenant Portal

What is a tenant portal exactly? It’s a fast and secure way to pay rent online, view payment history, submit maintenance requests, and perform a number of other important renter services. These options are available to access on any smartphone, tablet, or PC. Renter’s are prioritizing the ease of using these tools and having an online tenant portal has become a must-have feature!

Other community amenities to consider are things like a playground, pool, community room, and pet-friendly outdoor spaces.

In-Unit Amenities

Appliances

Standard appliances found in every apartment would include a refrigerator and stove/oven. Surprisingly, those could be the only appliances included at certain communities. While touring apartments, don’t assume that what you see is what you get. Oftentimes, community rooms are decked out with stainless steel and granite, but the apartment rentals are not. Shocking, we know.

Think – convenience. Dishwashers, for instance, are extremely convenient, but it’s possible to get by without them. Garbage disposals, microwaves, and laundry could be of higher importance.

In-unit washer and dryer are considered essential to certain tenants. There are renters happy to share on-site laundry facilities, or even provide their own washer/dryer if there are available hookups for them. When deciding for yourself, consider the building size you would be sharing the laundry facilities with or if you’re okay going to a laundromat down the street.

Security

You don’t have to live in a high-rise to have security features available at your community. It’s often overlooked, but asking about features like locked entry with in-unit intercoms, security cameras, and FOB access are extremely important. These can all help keep you safe and even keep your packages safe.

Patio or Balcony

Outdoor space usually takes the form of a balcony or patio attached to your apartment. There’s value to these private spaces that go way beyond the square footage they bring. They are extensions of your home. Enjoy grilling, a potted garden, and a hot cup of joe at sunrise. Amazing views make these apartment add-ons even more delightful. There may be a cost to having a balcony with your apartment. However, in these socially isolated times, it may well be worth it.

In-unit amenities could also include things like a fireplace, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops.

Every renter is different and sometimes, you can find everything you want, just not all within the same community. We’ve given you some examples of common amenities found nationwide. Consider what features fit your lifestyle the best and will ensure a living experience that is both convenient and comfortable.

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Studio Space

Fitting your entire life into 450 square feet could present some challenges. So it’s important to find a studio apartment with features that give you the experience of a larger floor plan. Spacious kitchens with full-size appliances allow you to cook, clean and dine without frustration.

Dishwashers keep your counter-top space clean, avoiding dirty dishes sitting out and making a small space seem even more crowded. Tons of cabinets and drawers help you to stay organized and keep clutter from view. While an over-the-range microwave gives you more room for food prep or decorating. Speaking of range, we can all agree that tiny stoves or ovens are silly, right? Efficiency does not always mean the loss of functionality. Full-size stoves only, please!

So we’ve covered the cook and clean portions, what about the dining option? The idea of eating, sleeping and relaxing in one singular space can be down right discouraging. Enter, the breakfast bar! A large breakfast bar is the perfect place for enjoying meals, entertaining guests or even keeping a work space. All without losing precious square footage. If the studio you’re considering does not offer a breakfast bar, you should look at other options. Crumbs in your bed that is also considered your couch, that’s also your office, will only make you dream of the day your lease is over.

Practical Perks

Amenities are a priority. Parking, storage, and recreation are all important things to keep in mind while apartment hunting. Bonuses like washer and dryer being on-site, having an underground parking space and fitness center access are at the top of the list too. Overall, amenities seem to be more and more influential for the studio renter specifically.

Dealing with that singular space can include the joys of redecorating the same day you moved in, or the frustration of realizing you can’t fit everything you’d hoped. Storage is vital with small space living. To keep things neat, opt for a community that allows you store those collectibles and extras near, but outside of your apartment.

Add to your living area with a large patio or balcony and create a secondary nook to enjoy outside of your living/bedroom. Potted plants, cafe dining sets, and outdoor lighting can create a peaceful, fresh extension to enjoy alone or with guests all year long!

Floor Plan/Layout

When someone says studio apartment, the first thought that comes to mind is space or the lack of it. Creating the illusion of more space is key for any studio layout, and easier than you may think. Using the right furniture and decor to section off or sometimes open up your combined living and bedroom, can make your studio feel much larger.

Start by separating your space with an area rug. This will help break up the big rectangle and spice it up with some different texture. Next, you should think of the floor as prime real estate. Sure, that bed with drawers built into the bottom seems like a smart idea, but having furniture with legs shows more of the floor and will make your apartment seem much more open. A glass coffee table or any other see through piece of furniture could also do the trick!

When everything is in one place, it’s important to multipurpose.  Think about what can be used as a place to hold your TV but also your clothes, for example. Mounting shelves, using a cube shelf, placing your dresser inside your closet – all great ideas to think about before move in day.

If you need more inspiration or just a place to start, try searching for studio layouts on Pinterest. You’ll find all sorts of innovative ways to design a studio floor plan that fits your needs perfectly!

Most of our amazing communities offer the popular studio floor plan.

Check out the virtual tour here!

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Renting has never been easier. For those of you who have yet to experience the convenience, here are 3 Reasons To Love Your Tenant Portal:

• Pay Rent

Opting for online rent payments is both secure and easy. With two options to choose from you can pay your rent worry-free in whichever way suits you best. Automatic payments provides renters with a set-it and forget-it alternative to traditional due dates. It’s as easy as choosing the date you would like your rent payment to pull from your bank account  or credit card monthly and that’s it! Scheduling your rent payment avoids the potential for late payments and late fees.

Let’s say you want to pay half your rent now and half your rent later.  Manual payments allow for that freedom. Logging into your tenant portal and scheduling a manual payment gives the feeling of sending a physical check, by having more control of when it’s deducted and how.

Split payments between roommates, co-signers, and couples too!

• Submit Maintenance Requests

No matter if it’s 2 in the morning or 4 in the afternoon, submitting a maintenance request can be done from the palm of your hand.

Enter a description of the issue, upload any photos of the item needing attention, and hit submit. That’s it! You can even check the status to see it was received, scheduled, and that it’s been completed.

Goodbye paper maintenance requests. So long late night calls to your landlord. Good riddance lingering maintenance concerns that you lived with for way too long. Bye bye bye!

• Sign, View, & Download Documents + Communicate with Management

Everything from your lease signing to your lease renewal can be signed electronically in the tenant portal. These documents are saved and can be accessed at anytime. Your property manager can also send other important documents securely and you receive notifications if a new document is shared. These can be downloaded to your smartphone, tablet, or PC.

Quick newsletters or updates about the property can be emailed and sent via text message directly from the property manager to the resident. These can even include images, helpful tips, or reminders.

Additionally, you can update your contact information and even your renters insurance, all on the tenant portal.

Accessing the tenant portal is as simple as logging into your email or clicking an app on your phone. It’s convenient, secure, and allows renters to feel connected to their community at all times. We hope this has helped ease the minds of those worried about a more technology driven rental experience.

Ready to try it? More information on how to navigate the Online Portal can be found here.

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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!

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Amazing Amenities and Features

We believe it’s how you live that matters and strive to provide our residents with unique layouts and amenities. Equipped with modern kitchens for fully functioning food prep and cooking.  These one bedroom layouts have recently received polished GE appliances, to include: glass-top stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, and full-sized refrigerators.  Serve guests or enjoy a quiet meal in the spacious dining room or living area with wide view windows and plush carpeting.

Ridge Pointe Apartments extends your comfort with bedroom ceiling fans, stylish bathrooms, and updated fixtures throughout. Located right next door is our sister-property, Ridge View Apartments.  This complex has a truly unique fitness center for all of our residents to enjoy! Extra guest parking is a nice perk too. Other added benefits include on-site laundry, large storage units, and assigned off-street parking.

Well-maintained, secure apartment homes are also a top priority. Locked and secured building entry doors give residents peace of mind. While 24 hour emergency maintenance is available with a quick phone call. The ease of paying rent has also been considered with our residents in mind. This complex comes with the addition of an online tenant portal. Giving residents the ability to set automatic, manual payments, and even split-payments. 

Outstanding Convenience

We understand that with busy lives and schedules, our residents want to have more time to enjoy the best things in life. These one bedroom apartments enjoy incredible city views! Located near nature trails and the Fox River, Ridge Pointe offers the best of both worlds. The Fox River Sanctuary and Frame Park offer opportunities for a peaceful lifestyle without missing the excitement our city has to offer.

Friday Night Live events run from June to August and provide endless entertainment. Every Saturday, Waukesha’s Farmer’s Market hosts vendors from all over the state of Wisconsin. Flowers, fresh garden vegetables, and smiles line the streets as residents enjoy their purchases just steps away from their apartment. 

Ridge Pointe also gives renters quick travel to both Lake Country, and the Metro Milwaukee area. The hassle of long morning commutes is avoided with access to major highways and interstates nearby. Plus, this Waukesha location is walkable to amazing local dining! Restaurants like Taylor’s People’s Park, Mainstream Bar and Grill, and Bernie’s Tap Room and Restaurant are all must-haves amongst Waukesha residents. 

Interested in experiencing a fresh perspective on apartment living? We invite you to visit Ridge Pointe Apartment Homes today! You can also Search Availability Now!

This apartment community is ready to provide you with a virtual tour or self-guided tour at your convenience. In keeping with all safety guidelines, Ridge Pointe is also holding an Open House tomorrow, Saturday, May 16th between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Feel free to stop by or call to schedule a separate showing. Ridge Pointe Apartments is ready to accommodate and bring you the best living experience Waukesha has to offer!

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Under our current stay-at-home orders, renters are wondering how to adapt while maintaining confident during their search for a new apartment home. Apartment renting, like most other industries, is requiring a bit of creativity to meet the current needs of residents and renters. Although it may seem like the world has hit the pause button, housing is an essential business that remains in play. Our apartment communities are still open for business and offer exclusive living experiences to discover from a safe, social distance!

Our team of incredible property managers haven’t just mastered the art of virtual tours either. Losing the opportunity to physically see your future home is a new fear and reality for renters everywhere. Facetime showings provide a live walk-through of multiple floor plans, becoming a helpful tool in easing renters concerns of the unknown. You can complete the entire apartment rental process from your mobile, tablet, or desktop device. Visit our Rental Applications page here to see currently availability!

Looking to speak with a leasing agent and schedule your virtual tour? Start by contacting the property or properties in the locations that fit you best. Take your time to get all of your questions answered and to get to know us a little more. We understand this is a new experience for everyone. Our guidance is at your pace, we will be available for each question and concern you may have. In addition, photos, floor plans, and community features can also be found online. Discover more here!

Morgenson Realty spans 14 South Eastern Wisconsin locations and manages over 1,200 individual apartment homes. The health and safety of our residents and staff is our top priority. We understand the vital role we play in maintaining clean and safe communities. As we do our part to stop the spread of the coronavirus, we will continue to evolve our procedures to accommodate the needs of renters and residents alike.

Virtual property tours are now offered at our Hartland/Delafield, Pewaukee, Sussex, Waukesha, Menomonee Falls, Wauwatosa, and Franklin locations.

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