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There are many advantages of Memphis apartment living as opposed to home ownership. These range from financial advantages to convenience to cultural.

One major advantage is that you do not to have to sign a home mortgage and then have to make payments for the length of the mortgage. Most Memphis apartment complexes require a year lease, but you might be able to work out a shorter lease with the Memphis apartment manager. It never hurts to ask! This can be especially helpful to students or young professionals who are just entering their careers and need to be more flexible with their relocation options. Memphis apartment leases have a shorter-term commitment, which results in more freedom and mobility for you.

Another advantage of Memphis apartment living is the lower utilities, as compared to the utilities you would have for a house. Memphis apartments have little wasted space and therefore less square footage to heat or cool. Some Memphis apartments come with some or all utilities paid- be sure to ask about this when checking into different Memphis apartments. Often, cable connection comes with the Memphis apartment. Appliances most often come with the Memphis apartment. This may also include a washer /dryer, or the washers and dryers may be located in a special room somewhere on the Memphis apartment complex grounds for use by all tenants. This is much more convenient than driving to a Laundromat.

One of the greatest things about living in a Memphis apartment is that the lawn maintenance is all done by a groundskeeper. You will not be responsible for upkeep of a lawn, but can enjoy the benefits of landscaping done by someone else. If you have a green thumb and want to have plants to care for, however, this is easily accomplished by placing potted plants on the balcony, outside the door, or even inside the Memphis apartment. There are many plants that thrive in shady areas and indoors.

The Memphis apartment manager will be responsible for the maintenance of the Memphis apartment, such as fixing the plumbing and appliances or your heating and air, unless this is stated otherwise in the lease agreement. This can be a strong advantage because it eliminates many wasted hours of your time spent on waiting for plumbers, electricians, or exterminators to come take care of the problems. It can also be very beneficial financially since you will not be responsible for the bills.

Another major advantage of Memphis apartment life is that many Memphis apartment complexes and buildings have some amenities that most people simply can’t afford for themselves. Some of these are:

*A pool. A swimming pool is not only a major installation expense; it can be very costly- and time consuming- to maintain. If you live in an Memphis apartment with a pool, someone else is responsible for both the time and the energy of upkeep. That means all you have to do is worry about whether you are tanning evenly and if you’ve yet perfected your breaststroke.

* A private gym. This can be quite a cost savings over joining a gym. The monthly expenses of a gym membership can really add up. It is also much more convenient. With gas prices at an all time high, it is much better to be able to walk out your door and across the Memphis apartment complex to the gym than to make a separate trip to the gym everyday.

*A game room. Some complexes have a game room/clubhouse. This can be a nice place to relax after a long day at work. Many times it can be reserved to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or promotions, with friends and family.

Another great thing about Memphis apartment living is the community. Many different types of people live in Memphis apartments including families with children, young professionals, and senior citizens. There may also be many different languages spoken within one Memphis apartment complex. This brings richness to Memphis apartment living that is often times missing in our fast paced world.

So, give Memphis apartment living a try and experience the many ways it can enhance and simplify your life!

If you look around your Memphis apartment, you may decide there’s simply nothing of significant value - and you may be right. You have your clothes, a television set, a DVD player and a video game, but you managed to pay for all those things on your meager salary and you have nothing of value that anyone would want - except you. The bottom line is that even if you haven’t spent a lot on your possessions, the total cost of replacement would likely be more than you could afford. And if you think your landlord has all your possessions covered, you should probably have a talk with your landlord. Chances are, you have no insurance at all and a fire, vandals or some natural disaster could leave you with nothing.

How much is it?

Actually, renter’s insurance policies are typically among the less expensive types of policies available. That’s because the policy isn’t going to pay out on the cost of replacing a structure or other major expense. In today’s marketplace, shopping for insurance is easy and you’ll find that there are literally dozens of insurance companies with online quotes available. That means you can shop for a renter’s insurance policy from the comfort of your own Memphis apartment, whenever you have time to do so.

Where do you get it?

Renter’s insurance is available from almost any insurance company. While online companies are very convenient, you should weigh that with the service you’ll expect if you should ever file a claim. That means it becomes a personal choice and you may prefer to deal with a company that has an agent in your neighborhood. Again, there are advantages to both online companies and those with neighborhood agents and it’s a personal decision, which you should select.

What does it cover?

Basically, your renter’s insurance will cover all your personal possessions - from clothing to the antique mirror left to you by your grandmother. Companies have different requirements with regard to putting a value on your possessions and you may be required to log individual items in order for them to be covered. This is another advantage of having a personal agent who can help get your policy started correctly so that you don’t encounter problems in the event you need to make a claim.

What about liability?

Renter’s insurance can also provide liability insurance that would pay if someone were injured in your Memphis apartment. This kind of insurance may be required if you have a pet and the cost may go up if you have a specific kind of pet, such as a dog that is typically labeled among the vicious breeds. In that case, your renter’s insurance serves the purpose of protecting you and the landlord in the event the animal hurts someone. As a rule, an insurance policy of this kind will pay if someone trips on a rug in your Memphis apartment or suffers some other kind of injury in which you might be found at fault.

With the Internet at your fingertips, it’s a simple matter to compare quotes online, but be careful that you’re comparing apples to apples. Some common mistakes are:

Length of policy - Be sure that the policies you’re comparing are all for the same length of time. Some companies quote six-month prices while others quote monthly or annually.

Deductible amounts - The deductible is the amount you’ll pay if you make a claim. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Be sure the deductible amounts are the same.

Before you sign on the dotted line, take time to check out the company. After all, the policy you’re paying for is only as good as the company backing it and your Memphis apartment possessions are worth it.

If you’ve ever been in a department store and thought there was another entire hallway filled with racks, you’ve fallen victim to illusionary space. Mirrors are a great way to create this effect, but it’s not necessary to set up mirrors in such a way that guests think there’s another room. Mirrors can also simply add dimension to your small Memphis apartment rooms, meaning they feel larger.

If you’ve been shopping for furniture and accessories for your Memphis apartment, you’ve probably already honed your “tiny” skills. You zero in on smaller items because you know the really big pieces are not going to work for you. Mirrors will become the exception. While there is a limit to how big is big enough, this is the one time in your efficiency Memphis apartment that bigger is going to be better. The exception is the frame. A mirror with a heavy frame will make the room seem smaller. There are some options when it comes to framing a mirror and some ways to create a wide-open appearance on a budget. See related articles for those details. Meanwhile, consider that where you place the mirror will make a big difference.

* Over the couch - Consider doing away with whatever art you have on the walls above your couch and replace that with a large mirror. That’s not to say a plain mirror is the answer. Consider mounting a narrow shelf immediately under the mirror for displaying some greenery or even some small knick-knacks. Don’t overdo on this point or you’ve eliminated the positive effects of the mirror.

* In a corner - If you have a particular dark corner, try two mirrors with a small lamp in front of them. Not only will you find that the space is lighter, it will seem much more open and will give the illusion of additional space in that corner. Again, avoid piling too much on a corner table or at the front of these mirrors. The reflection will actually increase the appearance of all that clutter in your Memphis apartment.

* On short walls - If you have a very short wall, perhaps between a door and a hallway, mirrors will have the same impact as is the mirrors in a department store that create the illusion of an open hallway.

* Face to face - This is actually a bit dangerous as it can also create the impression of a more narrow space. However, in some cases two mirrors that face each other can be a positive point that will increase the feel of an open area. Lighting and other factors play into the overall effect so there’s no hard and fast rule on this point. If possible, try out a couple of inexpensive mirrors in a place you’re planning to put mirrors facing each other before you invest in costly versions.

* Facing up - mirrors on a table can greatly increase the light in a room. This can also be used to heighten the impact of a particular color since whatever you place on that mirror is going to be reflected.

While there are really no hard and fast rules as to where mirrors will work best because of the number of factors that play into the situation, there are a few things that are just not a good idea. One of those is mirrored hallways. The fact that the opposite wall is so near means that it will be reflected back at you, making the hallway seem even more narrow. Mirrors on each side will create the same effect as the “house of mirrors” at a carnival - a sense of disproportion that may be fun at the fair but isn’t where you’ll want to be every day when you go to your Memphis apartment.

Whether your Memphis apartment is in the city of Memphis or a small rural town on the outskirts, you have a major issue with recycling - where to store the stuff. There are some ways to deal with your desire to be “earth friendly” while avoiding the trap of having all your recyclables taking up the lion’s share of your Memphis apartment. Take a look at some of our recycling tips for Memphis apartment dwellers.

Squish it, mash it, make it small! There’s nothing that says your aluminum can or plastic bottle has to be in it’s original shape for recycling. Plastic bottles are easy - step on it. You might want to put down a cheap rug for this purpose so that you don’t damage your flooring and taking a minute to rinse the can or bottle will help eliminate spills so that you‘re not constantly cleaning the floors. Aluminum cans can be very rough on floors so you should really make certain you aren’t causing any damage before you use this technique on your cans. But there is an alternative. Most hardware stores have can compactors. These are small and are mounted on the wall and typically sell for ten dollars or less. The result is that the can will be no more than a couple of inches tall when you’ve smashed it using this device. With this option, dozens of cans can be saved in a single plastic grocery bag, meaning you’re not turning over a large space for storing them until it’s time to recycle.

Look for a recycle center. Most cities have a recycle center of some sort and you may find that some offer free pickup. Depending on the nature of the center and their mission, you may even find they offer some specific services - such as free paper shredding for your sensitive documents. Rather than incinerating all those credit card offers, you may be able to put them to a good use. If you plan to use this service, ask for references and take time to look over the process to reassure yourself that it’s a good idea. If you’re not comfortable, you may want to do the shredding yourself and simply hand over the shreds instead. With the advances in identity thefts, be certain that you do all you can to keep your important records and numbers safe, even at the expense of a few pieces of paper not being recycled.

If you do find a recycle center, find out what they accept. You may find a place to drop off not only your newspaper, you may also find out that they’ll accept your broken computer equipment and electronics. In many cases, these centers offer free pickup and may even pay for all or some of your recyclables.

Sometimes civic groups recycle as part of their community project or may collect recyclables as part of a fundraiser. The chamber of commerce may have a list of those. If you make donations to those groups, they may have a place where you can regularly drop your items so that there’s no need to let them pile up at your Memphis apartment, or you may find they are willing to make pickups. If you don’t find a group of this kind, ask around your Memphis apartment building. There may be kids who are willing to haul off your recyclables on a regular basis for a small fee or even simply for what the local recycling center pays.

You should also check with your city. Many offer free pickup of specific items for recycling but there are typically stringent rules in place. If that’s the case, the city may provide containers for those items with instructions of what day they should be outside your Memphis apartment - sometimes with the requirement that they be on the curb.

You’ve found a great Memphis apartment at a super-terrific price and, fearing someone else would snatch up that bargain, you’re ready to sign on the dotted line immediately. Before you take that step, take a minute to read the lease information or rental agreement, ask some questions - and get all the answers in writing. But what could possibly go wrong? Consider just a few of the possible fines and fees that you might encounter in your new Memphis apartment.

1. Deposits. Ask not only how much deposit is required, but whether you can expect to have that money refunded to you. If you do put up any deposit, make certain that you do a walk-through with the landlord or building superintendent before you move anything in. Use a camera to document any damages to the Memphis apartment, including worn spots on carpet and nicks on walls or doors. Print them out and have them included in your lease file. You should retain a copy for yourself so that you’re not held liable for that damage when you decide to move out.

2. User costs. Many companies have figured out how to get a little more money from their customers by assigning “user fees.” These appear on bills such as the telephone bill. The idea is that the company has installed lines and equipment and that you - as the user of that equipment - should pay for it. You may find that you are asked to pay for the laundry equipment or some recent upgrade, all in the name of user fees.

3. What does it cost to have company? Sure, Joey is going to eat all the chips and Suzie is going to empty the fridge of anything that resembles ice cream, but what’s the policy on company. If your utilities are paid, you’re probably going to be charged by the day for the electricity, water and gas your guest used. As a rule, this is simply a flat rate and you pay whether that guest takes a shower, turns on a light or sits quietly in the dark. You may even face a fine for guests unless you make prior arrangements.

4. Utilities. Sometimes, tenants are responsible for paying all or some utilities. If you’re looking at a Memphis apartment with no utilities included or even only some paid, be sure to find out the costs of others. Think you’ll just do without cable and slap a rabbit ears antennae out on the roof? You may find there’s an ordinance against visible receivers, including satellite dishes. You should also find out about hook-up fees and deposit requirements.

5. Paperwork or application fee. Believe it or not, you’ll sometimes be charged for filling out the paperwork. The idea is that the Memphis apartment landlord or building maintenance people will have to check references, credit and other aspects of your background to see that you’re going to be a reliable renter. Be sure to ask about this before you fill out the application. You may be charged a fee and still be turned down.

6. Late fees. In theory, you’re never going to be late paying your rent. In reality, problems arise. Whether your own paycheck gets lost in the mail or you are out of town on the due date and can’t get back, you may find yourself paying a late fee at some point. Ask up front what the policy is, but remember that this could be a dangerous situation. The Memphis apartment landlord may come to believe that you’re in the habit of making payments late.

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