Apartments Now! - Tips and Information for Renters in Austin and San Antonio

CPS Energy Projects Lower Energy Bills

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:54:00 +0000

CPS Energy projects customers will see lower bills this summer, My San Antonio.com reports. The utility said that customers can look forward to bills that are approximately $22 a month lower this summer than last year.

CPS made this prediction based on the fact that June, July and August 2012 are projected to have more regular temperatures, causing CPS to state that the average residential use of 1,500 killowatt-hours a month will cost $148. June-August 2011, average use was over 1,700 kilowatt-hours which cost an average of $170 per month.

The company used a computer program to compute predictions for this summer's temperatures based on the average temperatures for the last 15 years. Using this program, they discovered that this summer won't be as hot as last year. They are also offering customers a chance to further lower their bills by providing 24,000 free home energy management systems to utility-users. The systems could help customers lower their energy usage by as much as 10 percent. To use the Consert Inc. system, you must have internet access and a house with electrical wiring up to current code.

The special meter is hooked into the home's air conditioner, water heater and pool pump, if applicable. The customer can control the units through a website and set the individual components to go off when they aren't home and to come back on when they are about to return. In this way, they can reduce electricity usage when it's not needed.

During peak energy usage, CPS may use the energy management system to remotely adjust a heater or air conditioner for a short amount of time to prevent brownouts.

Looking for a great new San Antonio apartment to stay cool in this summer? Call Apartments Now to help you find the perfect place!

Reducing Noise Levels in Your Apartment

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:22:00 +0000

Reducing noise levels in your apartment can be a must for any renter, especially if you have noisy neighbors, thin walls, hardwood or tile floors, or any/all of the above! Wikihow.com has some helpful tips on drowning out the noise of your fellow apartment-dwellers.

Your first line of defense against excess noise is carpeting and rugs, which are excellent at absorbing sound. If you have hardwood or tile floors, which tend to cause sound to echo, use area and throw rugs to dampen the sound, the heavier and larger the better!

If the noise is coming from your neighbors on either side, rather than above or below, curtains, tapestries or other fabric wall-hangings can cut down on the bleed through to your unit. Fabric helps to cut down on noise wherever you put it, such as on a wall, over the window (to reduce the amount of exterior noise) or used as a room divider. There are also soundproofing wall-hangings, ceiling panels and room dividers which go even a step further in keeping loud noises from reaching your ears.

Are you being a good neighbor? There are many ways you can reduce the amount of noise you generate, which hopefully will inspire your neighbors to do the same. Make sure your stereo and tv are away from shared walls and keep them at a conservative volume, especially late at night. Wait until the daylight hours to vaccuum or rearrange your furniture and don't wear your high heeled or hard-soled shoes around your apartment if you have hard surface floors. Finally, use rugs in the places where things like shoes or kitchen silverware are likely to fall or be dropped and place felt pads under chair and table legs so that they don't noisily scrape across the floor.

Looking for a nice quiet apartment where you can live in peace? Apartments Now can help!

Hiring Movers: Mistakes to Avoid

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:10:00 +0000

When hiring movers there are certain mistakes that a rookie can make that will wind up causing you headaches, not to mention money, in the long run. About.com tells you what those mistakes are and how to avoid making them.

Your first mistake would be to only get a quote from one moving company. You should get quotes from at least three, and preferably five, movers. You can then research the movers and find out if their customers were happy with them or not. Another mistake would be allowing movers to give you a quote without visiting your apartment. You should always have potential movers visit your home so they can see exactly what they are moving to give you a more accurate estimate. You should also create a household inventory list so the movers will have the exact list of what they are moving.

Choosing your moving company solely on the basis of them having the lowest quote? Another rookie mistake! Sometimes the lowest is not always the best. You especially should be wary if the potential mover has a much lower quote than the other movers. That could be a sign they're trying to lure you in with great specials, and then take advantage of you. It's also important that you ask the right questions of your movers. Here is a list if you're at a loss of what to ask.

Finally, be sure you know exactly what is in included in the price, and what are extra things you might be charged for, such as stairs, not having a parking space directly in front of your unit, or if the company has to repack improperly packed items. That's it, now get out there and find someone to help you make your move as smooth as possible!

Parking Meters on SoCo?

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:27:00 +0000

Parking Meters on South Congress could become a reality, if the plan put forth by Councilmember Chris Riley is accepted. The Statesman reports that Riley proposed putting meters in the area to try and appease both neighbors and South Congress Avenue merchants who have been engaged in a dispute over parking for over a year.

Under Riley's proposal, which he emphasized was just "a basis for continued conversation", parking meters would be installed on South Congress and the streets that intersect it. There would be some sort of parking permit system for residents and South Congress employees on the streets that run parallel to South Congress. The meters would be installed on South Congress from the Texas School for the Deaf to Live Oak street and also on the east-west streets for a couple of blocks to either side.

If the plan were to pass, it would be the first wave of paid parking beyond downtown and UT. Other potential districts that have been proposed are Rainey Street, West Campus, parts of East Austin and the north UT area. Neighborhoods would have to apply for the meters to have them installed.

Bouldin Creek residents don't seem to be enthusiastic about meters, either on South Congress or on other area streets. In a recent survey, the majority of residents asked were against meters in both places. Merchants aren't happy with the proposal either, and are upset about the falling through of an earlier agreement which divided parking off South Congress about equally between free parking for the public and resident spaces.

Looking for an Austin apartment where you have your very own parking space? We can help you at Apartments Now!

Mother's Day Gifts that are Personal

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:22:00 +0000

Mother's Day gifts that are personalized for your Mom are the ones she'll remember. My San Antonio.com has some great ideas for getting Mom a gift that will stand out from the pack.

Rather than buying a card, get out the art supplies and have the kids MAKE a card for mom. You can purchase scissors that will cut embellished edges at the craft store. Add a poem that express your feelings for Mom and you're done! As far as a gift, if you're short on cash, you can offer to do Mom's chores for her. Go to those art supplies again and do something unusual like a "Helpful Zoo" made of animal shapes on paper with chores on them or trace flower cookie cutters for a chore bouquet. Then Mom can redeem them anytime she needs some help.

Know what stores Mom likes to shop at, but not exactly what she wants? Fancy up a plain old gift card by presenting it in a thoughtful way. Wrap a spa gift certificate in a colorful towel or turban from the dollar store (or for a fancier touch, use a terrycloth bathrobe), put it in a pretty linen napkin or scarf, or put an iTunes gift card in a CD case with your art as the cover.

Want to surprise Mom in a big way? Get her an IPad, Kindle or Nook and have it engraved. Then put books she would like to read on it along with homemade coupons giving her free time to enjoy those books. You can also make a personalized IPhone case out of your photos at Casetagram.

Of course, you can't go wrong with flowers or chocolates, but to really make them special, make sure you buy Mom's favorite flowers rather than the first bouquet you come across at the grocery store. Want to give a sweet gift? Make a candy wrapper for Mom's favorite candy bar that is also her Mother's Day Card. Or attach pre-wrapped chocolates or truffles to straws or skewers using tissue paper or tulle netting, and stick them in a flower bouquet or potted plant. If Mom likes coffee, you can dip plastic spoons in gourmet chocolate so mom can use them as delicious coffee stirrers.

Still living with Mom? Give her the ultimate Mother's Day Gift and call Apartments Now San Antonio today to find the perfect apartment for you and move out!

Fake a Clean House

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:14:00 +0000

Faking a clean house. It sounds ridiculous, but when you get word that last minute guests will be dropping by your apartment in mere minutes, you don't have time to do a thorough clean. Luckily, Real Simple has your back with tips on making it look like you keep your place neat and tidy.

In the living room, keep one side of the couch cushions designated as for guests only. When people are on their way, put that side up to show perfect fabric. When they leave, flip it back. Make stacks of magazines, books and other ephemera look neat by putting them in neat piles on the floor or table, or place them in a decorative basket. Stain on the couch? Hide it with a blanket or throw pillows.

Filthy kitchen plus a full dishwasher and sink? Put your dirty dishes in a stockpot for the time being. Take all the notes, drawings and magnets off the fridge and put them in a plastic bag you can sort through later. Also, make sure to fold hand towels to hide stains by either hanging them clean side out on the oven handle or rolling them and stack them next to the sink.

Now it's time for the scariest room in the house: the bathroom. Keep your bathroom from making guests scream by running a lint roller over the bathmat to pick up hair, placing a bathrobe over the wet towels hanging on the back of the door, and hanging clean guest towels. Finally, light a candle and wait for your guests to arrive! Real Simple has tips for the other rooms of your house, but really, why not just close the door?

Small Space Tips and Benefits

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:54:00 +0000

Small Apartments need not feel cramped. In fact, there are a lot of surprising silver linings to living in a petite place. It's all in how you look at your situation (AND live in your situation)! Apartment Therapy has some surprising benefits of living small to help you embrace your tiny home.

The biggest benefit may be that you have less to clean! Of course, you absolutely have to keep your place neat as a pin, because not only do you not have less places to stash the mess, but you also often can see the cluttered area no matter where you are in your apartment. Along with that, storage is at a premium, and so looking for unconventional solutions such as under the bed bins and shelving on the wall is a must.

You also really have to be clever when decorating a smaller space. Every decision from furniture to layout is much more important when you are placing it in a diminutive area. Along with that, you don't have room for as many possessions, so you must be relentless when thinking about what to keep and what to toss. This means that you must shop carefully and be sure everything you do choose to bring into and keep in your home has real value to you personally. Also, make sure the belongings you have are organized and have their own designated spots to keep your home from looking like a pack rat's den.

Follow these tips and more at Apartment Therapy and you'll find yourself loving, rather than loathing, your wee abode!

Gender Inclusive Housing Possible at UT by 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 02 May 2012 20:59:00 +0000

Gender Inclusive Housing may be implemented on the University of Texas campus soon, The Daily Texan reports. At the most basic level, this means that students of different genders would be able to live together in dorm rooms, possibly as soon as the 2013-2014 school year.

The University Residence Hall Organization, which consists of about 50 student officers who represent all the students who live on campus, unanimously voted to pass a resolution asking the University to provide gender inclusive housing for students who would like it. They did this after a survey found that 64 percent of the students living on campus are in favor of providing gender inclusive housing.

The University states that the purpose of this housing is to give options to transgender students, students who are discovering their gender identity, gay or bisexual students, students who would feel more comfortable rooming with members of the opposite sex, and students who do not wish to be identified by gender. It would also benefit those who may wish to room with a sibling of the opposite sex or a disabled person and their caretaker.

Currently, over 100 universities and colleges provide this option. The next step will be getting approval from the UT Board of Regents and President Bill Powers. Residence Hall Contracts for next year have already been signed, so gender inclusive housing could not be offered until at least the fall of 2013.

Looking for off-campus housing where you can choose who you want to live with? Give Apartments Now a call today so we can help you find the perfect apartment!

Walmart Proposals Anger Neighbors

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:39:00 +0000

A Wal-Mart slated to be built at the corner of Wurzback Parkway and Blanco Road has angered nearby North Castle Hill residents. On Tuesday, their councilwoman, Eliza Chan, presented area residents with the results of her negotiations with Wal-Mart representatives. Many were still not happy, My San Antonio.com reports.

Chan presented two proposals for her constituents to consider: one is for a 165,000 square-foot store that would be open between 6am and midnight. The other other is for a 150,000 square-foot store that is open 24 hours. Both proposals include concessions such as a banning of a gas station or tire and battery center, a minimum of 300 feet between the nearby North Castle Hills neighborhood and Hardberger Park, and an 8 foot wall between the store and the buffer area, which would be rezoned as a green space that cannot be developed.

In addition, there will only be five pad sites along the road, down from the original seven, and there will be fewer curb cuts to enter the property. Also, deed restrictions would prohibit several uses, such as gas stations, adult bookstores, and bars. 18-wheelers would be banned from Vista View, which is the street into the neighborhood, and from making deliveries after midnight, although it's unknown how early they could begin making deliveries.

Despite many in the audience's unhappiness with Chan's efforts, she pointed out that she inherited this problem and revealed Wal-mart's original plan, which included a 180,000 square-foot store and a large apartment complex between the store and the neighborhood and park. Chan warned that if the neighborhood doesn't agree to one of the two proposals, they could wind up with the apartments in addition to the store, as well as no protection zone. Under both of the current plans, apartments would no longer be an option.

Making Guests Feel at Home

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:36:00 +0000

Making Guests Feel at Home is an important job as a host or hostess. And one of the ways you can make your travelling friends or family feel more comfortable is by having certain technology solutions on hand for their use. Apartment Therapy.com walks us through how to make sure your guestroom is equipped to handle your guest's cell phone, computer, you name it!

Providing a USB docking station for your guests to plug in their phone, camera, Kindle, IPad, what-have-you is a wonderful convenience when it's time to charge back up that battery for a sightseeing tour or to read a book before bedtime. Along with this, a power strip is another great item to provide so your guests won't have to be crawling under the bed or searching behind bookshelves to find an outlet and discovering your dustbunnies.

Your guests will inevitably want to use your wireless network, and if you leave the network name and password on a post-it on the fridge, they will be able to find it easily and conveniently. If you're concerned about having it that prominently displayed, leaving it in their room in an obvious place also works well.

For entertainment, give your guests instructions on how to operate Netflix Instant, if you have that, or your cable if you are a subscriber, so they can keep themselves occupied if rainy days keep them indoors. Finally, if you host guests from all over the globe, have a set of international plug adapters ready for them to convert their electronics to be used with U.S. power.

Need help finding your very own Rental in Austin where your family or friends can visit you? Give us a call today and we'll help you locate the apartment you've been dreaming of.

Linen and Towel Storage in a Small Space

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:50:00 +0000

Linens and Towels can take up an enormous amount of real estate if you have a small apartment. Apartment Therapy.com has some clever tricks for taming the tide of towels and sheets if you don't have a gigantic linen closet.

First, make some tough decisions about how much you really need. Beds can only wear one set of sheets at a time, so consider keeping just one or maybe two sets per bed. Also, everytime you buy a new set of sheets or towels, get rid of an old set. If you like to change up your bedding, choose a duvet and different duvet covers, which will take up a lot less space than bulky comforters.

Once you've paired down your stash, keep your linen closet neat by storing like items and sizes together on a labelled shelf, so you don't have to pull out all your twin sheets to find your king set. Then store the sets in their matching pillow case so they are ready at a moment's notice.

No linen closet or one the size of a postage stamp? There are other creative places you can keep your stuff such as under your bed or at the end of your bed in a piece of furniture with a lid. You could even put them in your closet on hangers, in empty suitcases, or in an armoire or cabinet in a convenient place for you that is not necessarily the bathroom. For blankets, you can fold those and place them at the foot of your bed for a storage solution that's also decorative. Now you and the fabric that keeps you dry and warm at night can live in harmony!

Trader Joe's Coming to Austin

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:26:00 +0000

Trader Joe's is coming to Austin, the Statesman.com reports. The California-based chain, famous for its "2 Buck Chuck", $2 store brand bottles of wine, will be downtown on the site of the former Seaholm Power Plant. A mixed-use project which will have 298 apartments, 130,000 square feet of office space, 40,000 square feet of retail space and an acre of event space outdoors, is slated to start construction in July.

The Trader Joe's store will have a much smaller footprint at only 11,500 square feet, and will open sometime in 2013. Over 4,000 people signed an online petition asking Trader Joe's to come to Austin, and the Austin location is the eighth announced in Texas. The chain has 365 stores in 32 states and is famous for its discount prices and barebones stores.

Trader Joe's target consumer is "an urban high-income resident", attracted by the chain's house brands and wine specials. With the explosion of downtown apartment and condo dwellers Austin has seen in the last few years, Trader Joe's should have no problem finding customers who fit that bill. Trader Joe's competitors will be locally based Whole Foods and HEB's Central Market, although market analysts don't think the store will have much impact on either of those company's bottom lines.

Girl Scouts' Southwest Texas Council Names New CEO

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:53:00 +0000

Girl Scouts' Southwest Texas Council named its interim director, Rose Gonzalez Perez, CEO today, MySanAntonio.com reports. Perez has been a Girl Scouts executive for twenty years and has been the interim CEO since September after the former director was named CEO of the Girl Scouts of America.

There are nearly 30,000 girls and adults in 21 counties served by the Southwest council and a committee conducted a national search to find a new CEO. Perez has been a Girl Scout since she joined as a Brownie in Mathis, where she grew up. The committee chose her at a meeting earlier this week, but surprised Perez and her staff with the announcement today at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center.

One of her staff described Perez as having collaborated with many of San Antonio's business leaders and said that, "girl's needs are going to be seen by San Antonio, regardless if they're Girl Scouts or not. When the business or nonprofits look to serve girls, they're going to look to Girl Scouts."

Looking for a new San Antonio Apartment for yourself and your Girl Scout? Call Apartments Now San Antonio today!

Repairing Bad Credit

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:20:00 +0000

Repairing Bad Credit is a difficult process, but a bad credit rating can keep you from renting an apartment, getting a credit card or loan, or even getting a job. About.com guides you through the process of erasing your past financial mistakes and getting on a path to good credit in the future.

First of all, this is a process that you do not need a professional's help for. You may see many ads for credit repair services, but there is nothing they can do that you can't do on your own. You first step will be to order copies of your credit report. You can do this for free once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com, or if you've been turned down for credit because of something on your credit report. If you've already ordered your free annual report, you can pay to order them directly from the credit bureaus.

After you have your report, review it for errors and contact the reporting agency if you find any. You'll need to include proof such as a cancelled check that proves you made your payment on time and a copy of your report with the disputed information highlighted. Alternatively, you can contact the company who listed the information on your credit report and dispute the mistake directly with them. If you win your dispute, your credit report will be updated and you will receive a new copy. If your dispute is not successful, your report will be marked that you disputed the information and you can add a personal statement to your credit report.

Your next step is to tackle past due accounts. First, pay accounts that are past due, but not yet "charged-off". Then pay off charged-off accounts and accounts in collection. After that, be sure to bring high balances back to below the credit limit. Finally, apply for new credit, which you then pay in a timely manner and keep a low balance on. That will rebuild your credit, showing future creditors you are a worthy risk.

Decluttering a Small Space

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:35:00 +0000

Decluttering a small space can seem overwhelming. However, if you don't keep the mess to a minimum, you can feel like your clutter is going to crush you! Apartment Therapy.com comes to the rescue with tips on how to manage the mess even if your apartment is a bit on the diminutive side.

Make sure you have the proper storage containers for what you need to keep. Rather than say, "there isn't room in my apartment for a filing cabinet (or bookshelves, or a desk)", acknowledge that you have stuff you need to keep and make sure you have the proper receptacles for it. Put your furniture to work as storage. Use an ottoman with a lid to store blankets, put drawers or storage boxes under your bed and get a bedside table with drawers or shelves so you can put everything you need at the night within arm's reach. Also, in a smaller space, you need to go vertical with your storage. Put shelves above your desk or on the wall in your living room to put books or papers (in storage boxes, of course!)

Finally, the last two tips may be the most important: do a little sorting each day and don't be afraid to get rid of things. You may think you don't have time to declutter, but if you break it into bite-sized chunks by doing things like, say, spending 15 minutes each day cleaning out one drawer or going through your closet, you'll have your whole abode organized in no time. When you do go through stuff, be honest with yourself. When was the last time you used it? Do you really need to keep this? If you answered, "I can't remember" or "I can't think of a reason why", then toss or donate it. You'll feel a lot calmer without all those extra possessions weighing you down!

Area School Districts Tap Reserves to Make Ends Meet

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:15:00 +0000

Local School Districts are having to tap their reserves and make budget-cutting measures to continue to survive, Statesman.com reports. Although the budgeting process has just started, area school districts such as Dripping Springs and Hutto say they are going to have to make deep cuts in their budgets due to tax ratifications that failed to pass or because they are spreading cuts over two years.

In Hutto, district administrators are looking at budgets that would charge $100 a semester to ride the school bus and increase fees students have to pay for extracurricular activities. Dripping Springs is planning to eliminate 25 to 30 positions, including teachers, and get rid of programs like multimedia and keyboard courses in the middle schools. Both districts have to make such deep cuts due partially to voter vetoes of tax increases.

In Austin, AISD is contemplating using $14.2 million from their reserves to give employees a one-time 3 percent raise in 2012-2013. To make the raise permanent, the district would have to increase the part of the tax rate that pays for daily operations. The school board seems to be divided on whether they should call a November election to increase the tax rate.

Looking for an apartment in AISD, Hays or any of the other area school districts? Contact Apartments Now for help finding the perfect home!

281 and 1604: Relief from Congestion is on the Way

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:22:00 +0000

281 and 1604 have long been a nightmare to drive for San Antonio residents. 1604 is always backed up with traffic and 281 is filled with commute-delaying lights. However, help is on the way in the form of a new plan recently revealed by public officials and reported on by Fox San Antonio.com.

Officials say that the current incarnation was never planned to be a permanent solution. Now, thanks to funds from TXDot totalling $146 million for the city, Commissioner Keven Wolff presented a resolution to the Metropolitan Planning Organization to remove the traffic lights and put in freeways. No tolls are proposed and in fact the project is expected to be completed with existing tax money.

Construction has already began on overpasses connecting 281 and 1604. The entire project will likely take years to finish, but drivers say they can wait a little longer for something that will make their lives so much easier. The plans are due in June and the decision as to whether the project will be funded should be announced later this year. Hopefully the new roads will make the commute to your San Antonio Apartment easier and smoother!

Renting with Children

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:13:00 +0000

Renting with Children, whether as a single parent or a family, can be a bit trickier than finding a place on your own. It is against the law for landlords to discriminate against prospective renters just because they have children, but it will make your life easier if you enlist your Austin Apartment Locator's help in finding a place that is welcoming to children. Hometrader.ca has tips for doing just that.

Be sure to ask if a building has other children or young families in it. Many complexes welcome families with amenities like onsite daycare and host seasonal parties that the entire family will enjoy, you just need to mention this is something you are looking for. Know beforehand what schools or daycares you want to be close to, and if you'd like to have a playground either onsite or nearby.

Once you are moved in, be sure to be respectful of neighbors who may not have children. Don't leave your large stroller or bikes in the hallway, store the stroller in your apartment or in a storage area and use bike racks on the property to store bicycles. Don't allow your children to run through the apartment complex or ride elevators alone. They should be supervised both for their own safety and for the peace of mind of your neighbors. Finally, never leave young children alone in your apartment, even if it's just to run to the car, and make sure all windows and doors are safely locked. Follow these tips and you can find a new home the entire family will love!

Planting Container Gardens: How to Plant for Success

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:13:00 +0000

Planting Container Gardens can be a great way for apartment dwellers or anyone without a yard to still enjoy beautiful plants and even vegetables. About.com assures the reader that planting a container garden is super simple, all you need are plants, potting soil, fertilizer and containers. However, if you want those plants to thrive, they go more in-depth with step by step instructions for keeping your new flora alive.

The culprit of most plant deaths is excess water drowning the plant. Make sure the pot you use has enough drainage. To do this, you may have to drill additional holes, as many as necessary, to allow excess water to drain out. You'll also want to cover the holes with something permeable so your water can drain without taking the soil with it. You can use window screening, coffee filters, paper towels, newspaper or products sold specifically for that purpose.

Now that you have your pot prepared, it's time to get planting. Remove your plants from the pots they were sold in carefully. You'll probably have to squeeze the pot to get the roots loosened up. Next, make sure you add fertilizer to your soil and then plant your new green beauty at the same level it was at in the pot you bought it in. Water immediately after planting. On an ongoing basis, you need to know what conditions each plant prefers as far as water, but a good rule of thumb is to keep the soil moist, not wet, at all times. Water when your fingertip comes out dry after sticking it into the soil up to the second knuckle. That's it! Now get out there and turn your brown thumb green!

Pedestrian Safety Initiative Launched by APD

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:39:00 +0000

Pedestrian Safety is the focus of the Austin Police Department's new program, the Pedestrian Safety Initiative. The department has established a Pedestrian Enforcement Safety Team, or P.E.S.T., which is populated by officers from their Highway Enforcement Command.

KVUE.com reports that the program was launched today on Barton Springs Road, but will move around the city at six different locations. Officers watched for motorists who did not yield the right of way to pedestrians and pedestrians who crossed in the middle of the road or did not obey crosswalk signals. Warnings and tickets with a price tag of up to $200 were issued.

The program is not designed to be a temporary crack down, but an ongoing operation with the goal of changing the culture. Last year 22 pedestrians and cyclists lost their lives to traffic accidents and already in 2012, there have been eight deaths. APD hopes their P.E.S.T. program will prevent further deaths and encourage pedestrians and motorists to share the roads safely.

Looking for an Austin Apartment that's walkable? Contact Apartments Now today for help finding your next home!

SAWS/BexarMet Merger applauded by Moody

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:44:00 +0000

SAWS/BexarMet's merger was lauded by Moody's Credit rating agency Thursday, My San Antonio.com reports. Moody's said that the oversight by the San Antonio Water System and the city of San Antonio should resolve Bexar Metropolitan Water District's financial and management problems.

Moody's was also happy to see that SAWS acquired BexarMet's water rights to the Edwards Aquifer and the Guadalupe River. The rights to Medina Lake aren't as valuable, however, as the reservoir is less than 20 percent full.

San Antonio Water System thinks that the merger of the two water systems will result in savings of more than $90 million. Hopefully some of those savings will be passed along to the consumers in San Antonio Apartments!
photo by Hash Milhan

Decorating your Apartment: Tips for Small Spaces

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 20:15:00 +0000

Decorating your Apartment can feel daunting, especially since most landlords won't allow you to paint the walls or make other major changes. But Better Homes and Gardens.com has a list of 19 innovative ideas that will help you make your new apartment truly your space.

Choose lightweight furniture to maintain a sense of openness in your cozy nest. For example, a small-scale, armless sofa will leave lots of space to move around in your living room, especially if you let it float in the middle of the room, anchored by a rug. An advantage apartments often have is lots of wall space. Transform a pair of bookshelves into an attractive storage wall by placing them side by side and covering them with curtains that match or complement your window treatments. If you want to make the room seem taller, hang curtains in rich, textured fabrics from the ceiling instead of the top of the bookshelf.

Kitchens can often be small in apartments, but make the most of yours with these space-saving secrets. Use a magnetic strip to hang your knives on the wall, hooks close to the ceiling to organize pots and pans, and line rarely used kitchen appliances or pots on top of the cabinets. With these tips and more from BHG.com, you'll be feeling right at home in your new place in no time!

San Antonio Rental Market Booming

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

San Antonio's Rental Market is booming, according to My San Antonio.com. After years of losing customers to homeownership during the national housing boom, renting is having its day in the sun. Due to many factors such as rising gas prices and demographic trends such as younger people looking for housing and relocating employees wanting to try out a city before they buy, apartments are in demand.

This demand is leading to higher rents. In the last quarter of 2011, rent in the San Antonio area averaged 89 cents per square foot, up about 4.3 percent from the year before. It also leads to more apartment projects being built. 10,000 new apartment units are expected to open in the San Antonio area in the next two years.

Developers of San Antonio Apartments are also including nicer amenities to set their properties apart from competitors. These amenities include everything from the expected, like fitness centers, to the unheard of, like car washes, and high-end decorating touches such as black appliances, stainless steel, tile or wood floors rather than carpet and resort-style pools. All of which adds to your chances of being able to rent the perfect home, in the perfect location, for the perfect price!

Austin Energy Rate Hike Work Sessions Begin

noreply@blogger.com (Dwight Baker, Manager, Austin Apartments Now!) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 17:59:00 +0000

Austin Energy rate work sessions begin this afternoon, KVUE.com reports. There will be eleven in all between Austin Energy representatives and City Council. The council is asking Austin Energy to present evidence showing how much money it needs to continue to function without asking customers to overpay.

Austin Energy's reserves, which in part determine what their credit rating is, are dangerously low. Austin Energy wants to raise enough revenue by raising rates to bring the level of reserves to $30 million. They have proposed rolling out the increase over a couple of years to help ease the burden on customers. The utility company will also review debt service coverage, or how well they can pay their debts while still paying for new improvements, and its debt equity ratio, which determines the cost of debt. Austin Energy is recommending a 50/50 debt equity ratio.

The work sessions will continue through April and City Council expects to make a final decision on rates on May 24th, so you can know how the new rates will affect your utility bill and the cost of your Austin Texas Apartment.
Photo by Cycling Octopus

Bandera ISD Names a New Superintendent

noreply@blogger.com (Chris Reynes) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:14:00 +0000

Bandera ISD named a new superintendent yesterday. KSAT.com reports that her name is Regina Howell and she has been working in various positions for the school district for the last 16 years, including assistant principal at Hill Country Elementary, principal at Alkek Elementary and since 2000, personnel director/assistant superintendent.

In early February, Mrs. Howell was named the sole finalist by trustees for the position from among 20 applicants. She'd been serving as Interim superintendent since Kevin Dyes resigned in May. The job pays about $120,000, which includes benefits.

When named the sole finalist, Ms. Howell told My San Antonio that she was excited about working with the district and students and about what they would be achieving together in the future.

Bandera, the self-proclaimed "Cowboy Capitol of the World", is 40 miles Northwest of San Antonio, so an easy drive from your San Antonio Apartment.