Homes and Apartments
List of Kitchen Essentials: How to Stock Your First Kitchen
5-11-2010
If you open a cookbook or watch a cooking show, you’ll see dozen of cooking utensils and pots and pans. Do you really need all of those fancy supplies? You don’t! It’s easy to make a delicious, healthy meal with a few simple kitchen essentials. Read on for What College Forgot’s list of essential kitchen supplies and tips on how to stock your first kitchen.
(Read more...)Questions to Ask a Landlord
3-31-2010
You’ve found an apartment that you like. But before you sign a lease, make sure you ask the landlord a few questions that you may not think about when looking at the actual unit. Is there a possibility of a month-to-month lease after the initial lease period of six or twelve months expires? Which utilities does the renter pay, and what are the rates? Is there a separate storage unit that’s included in the rent? And more...
(Read more...)Guidelines for Buying Renters or Homeowners Insurance
1-30-2010
Sally moved into a newly-renovated apartment in Manhattan. She felt like a queen. It was her first home – without roommates. She painted, purchased new furniture, and set up the place of her dreams. And then, disaster struck! Sally’s radiator leaked while she was out of town. Her apartment flooded, destroying all of her new furniture, jewelry, clothing, and electronic equipment. The building owner covered structural damages, but Sally was out of luck for her personal possessions. Learn how to protect yourself from unforeseen disasters like this one.
(Read more...)Rent vs. Own: How to Decide Whether to Rent or Buy a Home
1-10-2010
The benefits of buying a home seem almost endless. No upstairs or downstairs neighbors, you get your own yard, there are no restrictions on pets, and you can remodel without having to get permission. There are also many financial and emotional benefits when you buy a condo or house. Home ownership provides multiple tax incentives and the ability to make money on your investment. While home ownership has plenty of appeal, it’s also one of the most difficult financial decisions facing young people. Consider these five questions when deciding whether to rent or buy.
(Read more...)5 Key Steps for First-Time Home Buyers
9-27-2009
You’ve religiously dined on frozen meals for months. You’ve been stashing away your extra cash instead of spending it on baseball tickets, a pedicure, or a night out on the town. You’ve even been riding the bus to work. Now that you’ve saved enough money for a down payment, you’re finally ready to make the biggest purchase most individuals ever make – buying your first home. If the sheer amount of information available to first time home owners makes you feel doomed to rent forever, don’t panic! There’s hope, even for a rookie. This article contains five tips for first time home buyers can help alleviate your pre-purchase jitters.
(Read more...)How to Rent an Apartment – 4 Steps for New Renters
7-18-2009
You finally have your degree or new job offer in hand, but the apartment hunt looms in the distance. Renting is a good option for young people who aren’t ready to buy a home, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility and potential headaches. This article covers the following four steps to make finding that first apartment a little easier for the new renter: what to do before you rent, how to find an apartment, how to read and negotiate your first apartment lease, and how to protect your security deposit, rental history, and credit score.
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