Set your apartement ready for Love

Looking for love? Or worse…looking for love in all the wrong places? I think we all know by now that it’s all about living for fun, and just about everyone agrees that much of the fun in life comes from finding the right person to share it with.

From regular, day-to-day pursuits like grocery shopping, working out, or preparing a meal, to life’s more exciting adventures like traveling, going out, or getting close (and maybe a little adventurous), setting the right mood is imperative to finding love. Then when the time is right, the right ambiance in your apartment can make all the difference.

Let’s say you’ve gone out on a great date, the conversation’s fantastic, and it’s time to make a move. You’re looking to make the action in your apartment a little Carmen Electra and a lot less Electric Company. So what can you do to get that Electra?

I’d like to call myself a bit of an expert on the subject. Some may even go so far as to call me a professional. Okay, I think pretty much everyone might say that it’s a self-proclaimed title, but let’s let bygones be bygones and get down to the nitty gritty.

Since I’m such a sharing guy and want my vast knowledge to help every apartment-ite it can, I’m going let you in on some great steps that’ll help you get your place ship-shape for love. Some of you out there need a lot of help (you know who you are) so make sure to pay attention. Take notes if you want to, but let’s get your apartment ready for love!

Step # 1 For the Love of cheese, Clean Up - No one, and I mean NO ONE other than Grover gets hot and bothered amid a mess. Pick up around the place, clean up the dirty dishes, get that vacuum in gear, and don’t be afraid to actually clean your own toilet for once. Trust me, fellas, ladies don’t want to see [BREAK] the mold around your sink and the ring around the tub either. Soap scum will make you look like a lazy bum. Hire a maid if you have to. Just make sure your place is as dust, dirt, and clutter free as Mama would’ve wanted.

Step # 2 A little night music - When you head for the iPod, think soothing and sexy, not getting’ down and dirty. This one might depend on your personal definition of “soothing,” but Marvin Gaye is always a great choice. A nice acoustic sound like John Mayer or Jack Johnson will always set a great mood too. Plus, other than only turning up the heat, music therapy has proven to provide real health benefits as well as reduce stress. You’ll want to stay away from anything that could potentially bust an ear drum or makes you want to drive fast in the car. Anything you have to scream over to have a conversation won’t get anywhere. And no, the new Snoop album won’t work either. Offensive lyrics do nothing, but kill the mood.

Step # 3 Aromatherapy - There’s a reason the perfume and cologne industries rake in billions. Pleasing scents have been proven to soothe stress and can also foster romance. You can use candles, sprays, or even burn a little incense. But don’t overdo it. You can go from suave to cheesy pretty fast with too much smell good. Keep it subtle. Remember: scent is the number one sense associated with memory. Smell great and you’re bound to leave a lasting impression. Smell bad and you’re bound to leave their nostrils flaring and send them running.

Step # 4 Comfort is the key - If you’re going to spoil yourself with one expensive piece of furniture, make it a couch with plenty of room for getting to know one another. A couple of smooth recliners may look great and be heaven watching games or movies, but won’t help at all in putting a move on your date. In absolutely no situation should you ever find patio furniture or fold-up chairs anywhere else, but on the patio. Moral of this story: Go with that nice comfy couch. That after-dinner drink can turn into much more with the help of a comfy couch that just invites adventure.

The final step…Make it Your Own - Your apartment is your home and it speaks for you before you ever say a word. Remember that when someone walks in, they’ll make judgments about your style, your tastes, and, yes, your sex appeal based on how it looks. Pay attention to the details and you’re on your way to getting more than just a good night’s sleep.
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7 Questions to evaluate apartment over the Phone

You've looked up the information on thousands of apartments in catalogs and online. You've located the pictures, floor plans, maps, amenities, and details of the places you're interested in. You've compiled the data for 10 communities to finally narrow the field and now comes...The phone call.

The dreaded phone call to find out about specific rental rates and to address all of those "call for specials" that you've gathered.

The key to success is in the phone call. The amateur apartment shopper begins the call cold, unprepared, fidgety, and nervous. "Do you have a one bedroom?" or "How much is your two-bedroom?" Apartment Home Living is here to help you be successful at finding the right apartment home by knowing what to ask.

Question 1: What size and when?
Begin the questioning any way you like, but your most important question is do they have the apartment you're interested in available at your target move-in date.

It's a common misconception that apartments are simply sitting empty, waiting on you to show up to lease them. This is frequently untrue. To work out for you, the community must have the apartment you want in the timeframe you need to move. If it isn't available, unless you have some move-in date flexibility, you should go on to your next call.

Question 2: Do they take Fluffy?
If you have a pet, this question is as serious as a parent asking if this community will take their child. (By the way, all apartment communities will ALWAYS take actual children. Those little balls of energy are protected under the Fair Housing Act).

Unfortunately though, Fluffy isn't protected under any laws and it's completely up to the community if they'll accept your dog, cat, sugar glider, or monkey. They set the rules regarding pets.

They also set the price to pay for the opportunity to keep your child-pet. Don't choke if it's over $300 per pet plus monthly pet rent. That can be a starting point for some properties. So be sure to check and see if you'll be bringing Spot, then see if someone's going to have to "spot" you some cash to pay the fees.

Question 3: What's the #1 reason people love to live here?
This is the best and most straight forward way to find out what makes a community special. Is it the walking trail behind the property? The social atmosphere? The famous pork roast every July?

This question can be a key in setting one apartment community apart from another. The answer may be something that really peaks your interest or may unlock hidden potential in a place you wouldn't be able to see from a picture or driving-by.

Question 4: How much?
Initially, it's human nature to stop listening if we hear the price is remotely out of our budget. And yet, seeing an awesome apartment in person may actually sway us that it's worth the extra cost.

Think about this: Have you bought a car that was more than you set out to spend? Have you paid more for that purse you just had to have (but didn't know you had to have it until you saw it)? Gone on a vacation where you blew your budget?

Was it worth it? Nine times out of 10...Absolutely. So give cost an open mind before you say no to a place for breaking the bank. You might find it's perfect in the end and well worth it.

Question 5: Do I qualify?
Asking the price question and overshooting your budget goals won't matter if you don't qualify for the apartment anyway.

What is the general qualifying criteria? Making about 3x the rent, having a clean criminal record (no felonies or crimes against persons), and no prior evictions.

What do you do if you don't meet their criteria? You could keep looking for a place with less strict qualification restrictions or take the gamble of losing your application fee and/or deposit just to see if you qualify anyway.

Question 6: Do you have any specials?
Specials can change from day-to-day, so make sure to ask this question close to last. Remember to keep in mind that some of the best communities don't have the best specials because they don't need them. They're special just for being so awesome.

Question 7: Can I set an appointment to come in?
Don't you still need to visit to make the final judgement call? Yes you do.
At the end of all the other questions, if you're still interested, ask to set an appointment to come in and take a tour. Seeing your possible new digs in person more than likely will be the best way to make a decision.
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