Renter’s Advice and Resources

Legal Issues

Things to Look Out for When Renting a Flipped Property

Ramona Branson

 · Dec 6, 2018

If you’ve recently turned on HGTV or opened up a home and garden magazine, you know that everyone is flipping for flipped homes.

The apartment you end up in might not be the one of your dreams (subway tile in the kitchen, a large soaking tub, and unobstructed views of the city), but at the very least you can expect it to be clean and safe. Your landlord is responsible for keeping every rental property they own in […]

Ramona Branson

 · Nov 13, 2018

Tenant background checks make up a perfectly normal part of the rental process. Whether you’re signing a long-term lease or just a month-to-month agreement, most landlords will want to know if you’re trustworthy, financially stable, and free of a criminal past before agreeing to take you in.

Cassie Damewood

 · Oct 18, 2018

Getting scammed is embarrassing. Whether it’s an auction site purchase, an allegedly “free” vacation, or an apartment rental, you usually feel stupid in hindsight when all those big red flags suddenly become visible to you. Don’t be too hard on yourself, though

Cassie Damewood

 · Oct 2, 2018

When you’re a renter and looking for a place to live, you may know exactly what you want in an apartment, like hardwood floors, two bedrooms, and a place that’s close to public transportation. What you may not know, however, is what type of landlord you prefer: a large property management company or an individual […]

Ramona Branson

 · Sep 20, 2018

When a renter has a problem, a good landlord will try to fix it as soon as possible. After all, they want their tenants to be happy and stay with them long-term so they’ll have a lower turnover and spend less money on advertising, move-in renovations, etc. But then there are the proverbial landlords from […]

Cassie Damewood

 · Sep 6, 2018

Landlords will often ask for a security deposit when you first move into a rental space, whether it’s a house or an apartment. That security deposit is to help them with any unexpected expenses, such as a tenant causing damage to their property or defaulting on rent.

Cole Nemeth

 · Sep 4, 2018

Every single time you want to rent a new apartment, condo, or house, you’re going to have to fork over quite a bit of money — including a hefty security deposit. In case you didn’t know, a security deposit isn’t just a random fee that’s required to rent an apartment. In reality, it’s given to […]

Ramona Branson

 · Mar 27, 2018

Let’s face it: your apartment probably isn’t your dream home. From the wall-to-wall carpeting to the vertical blinds over the back patio and the 90s-era cabinetry, chances are your rental doesn’t exactly scream “style.” But before you grab that sledgehammer and start renovating your apartment à la HGTV, you might want to give your lease […]

Ramona Branson

 · Mar 1, 2018

Deciding to buy a home is one of the most exciting moments of your adult life. Whether you’ve been a renter for a decade or just choosing to jump into home ownership at a young age, it’s an absolute rush to tour houses, work with a real estate agent, and find yourself a permanent place […]

Ramona Branson

 · Feb 22, 2018