Staying warm in your apartment this winter!

If you live in an apartment, there are still simple ways you can stay warm. It’s even more important if you live in an older building where the quaint architectural features that add the charm also bring the chill.

Let’s stay warm this winter:

1. Tape over leaky cracks along the edges of windows. (I use clear packaging tape.) Check to make sure it won’t hurt the paint, but I haven’t found it to be a problem.
2. Roll up a blanket or towel and place it under doors or windows to block drafts.
3. Put on a sweater.
4. Insulate the windows by hanging a clear vinyl shower curtain behind the drapes. We did this in one room with three exposed walls, and it really helped to stabilize the temperature.
5. Bake something.
6. Close air vents to unused spaces.
7. If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper is closed. (Speaking from experience here.)
8. Keep closet and cabinet doors closed (except for cabinets with pipes during a freeze warning).
9. Buy a programmable thermostat — you can take it with you when you move.
10. A humidifier causes the air to feel warmer.
11. Cuddle up under quilts.
12. Use a space heater, carefully.
13. Put an electric blanket on your bed.
14. Drink something hot.
15. Switch the ceiling fans to turn in reverse.
16. Cozy up with a hot water bottle.
17. Apply weather stripping to doors or windows (easy and cheap).
18. Soak in a hot bath.
19. Wear wooly socks.

Reference: Small Notebook

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Great Christmas Decorating Ideas for your Apartment

It is again the time of the year when Christmas is round the corner and everybody is busy preparing to make the occasion as special as ever. An important aspect of Christmas is decoration and you sure want to make your home small or big, either independent villa or apartment the best looking in the neighborhood.

When the house is beautifully decorated, it gives a welcoming happy feeling to all the guests coming come to share and celebrate the joy of Christmas along with you. When the house is of independent nature, there would be innumerable ideas to decorate, as there would be ample space available to highlight your creativity.

However, the challenge lies in decorating your apartment where the space is limited. One of the first things you could do is decorate the front door in a very pleasing and pleasant manner. One such way could be to fully gift-wrap the door and stick a huge bow in the centre. This would require gift-wrapping paper, ribbons and lot of transparent cello tape. By neatly sticking the paper fully to the door and decorating, it with ribbon it would give the guest a feel of entering into a special enchanting gift. Christmas is all about sharing joy and gifting, so here itself you have scored your points and mesmerized all your loved ones.

The interiors can be done up using the decorating material available in the stores. A festive look would look incomplete without a Christmas tree so choose a nice place preferably a corner as it would give you easy access to an electric socket for the lights to light up your Christmas tree. You could choose the size of the tree depending on the space available. Make sure to deck up tree as beautifully as possible and also hang a few stockings with small gifts for the kids coming over. Use vibrant shades of pink and red to decorate the walls, as it would give a bright look.

However, do not overdo the decorations with decorative paper hanging all over and giving it a messy look. Keep the decorations simple yet grand and make this Christmas look very colorful.

Reference  Home Edit

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Townhome for rent in Vancouver WA

Ideal Townhomes with attached garage

 9500 NE 73rd Circle , Vancouver, WA 98662

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CONTACT US

This 1483 square foot homes boasts large closets, washer and dryer, attached garage and fenced yard. The community is close to shopping & freeways. Call for a tour today 360-892-4000

Square feet: 1,483

Amenities

• Area: Orchards
• Type: Condo
• Style: 2-Story
• Floors: Carpet & Laminate
• Fireplace: Gas
• Dining Room: Area
• Parking: Single Garage
• Garage Opener: 1
• Fence: Full
• Laundry: W/D Included
• Heat: Gas Forced Air

• Range
• Refrigerator
• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• Pets?: Possible
• Lease Term: 6-12 Months
• Deposit: $1000
• Nonrefundable Fee: $275
• Pet Deposit: $500
• Pet Nonrefundable Fee: $150
• Other Terms: Non Smoking & CRWD

Rental Terms

Rent: $1,050.00

Security Deposit: $1,000.00

Available Now!

Map of 9500 NE 73rd Circle , Vancouver, WA 98662

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Homes for rent in Vancouver WA

We have houses for rent!

Fantastic 2-Story, 4 Bedroom home in Battle Ground!

Great Ranch Style 3 Bedroom Home in Crystal Springs!

Beautiful 2 Bedroom + Loft!

 

Post by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist

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Townhome for rent with commercial space in Battle Ground Village

Desirable 2 Bed/3.5 Bath "Live/Work"Units! *Next to Desirable Battle Ground Village*

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1105 SE Rasmussen Boulevard, Battle Ground, WA 98604

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Beautiful 2 bed 3 ½ bath Town home w/double car garage, beautiful cream colored cabinets, gas fireplace, hardwood floors, carpet, and tile counter tops w/decorative back splash. Formal Dining room,hard wood floors,eating bar w/built in shelves. 2 walk in closets for each bedroom. 2 decks off living room & dining room. Live Work Town homes w/commercial space for office or retail shop w/customer parking right in front.ADA bathroom, coffee bar & sink included. Two entrances; 1 for your home and 1 for your clients. Commercial area cannot be used for residential living. Includes the name of your business on the marquee sign in front of the space. Fire sprinkler. JF

By applying for this unit you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and accept the Rental Criteria. Click on this link (or copy into your browser): https://www.tmgnorthwest.com/forms/disclaimer.php?st=wa Additionally, applications submitted without payment will not be processed until payment is received. A property is NOT reserved until the deposit to hold has been received.

Square feet: 2,150

Amenities

• Area: Battle Ground
• Type: Condo
• Style: 3-Story
• Year Built: 2009
• Floors: Carpet
• hardwood & tile
• Fireplace: Gas
• Family Room: Yes
• Dining Room: Formal
• Parking: Double Garage
• Laundry: Hookups
• Heat: Gas Forced Air

• Range
• Refrigerator
• Dishwasher
• Microwave
• Pets?: Possible
• Deposit: 1000
• Nonrefundable Fee: $275
• Pet Deposit: 500
• Pet Nonrefundable Fee: 250
• Other Terms: Non-Smoking & CC&Rs

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Tips: Your Home's Energy Use

How We Use Energy in Our Homes

A home energy assessment (sometimes referred to as an energy audit) will show what parts of your house use the most energy and suggest the best ways to cut energy costs. You can conduct a simple home energy assessment by doing it yourself (DIY) or, for a more detailed assessment, contact your local utility or an energy auditor. Also, you can learn more about home energy audits and find free tools and calculators on energysavers.gov, the Residential Services Network or the Building Performance Institute.

DIY Energy Assessment Tips

• Check the insulation in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces. To determine the insulation R-values in different parts of your home, visit the Air Leaks and Insulation section.
• Check for air leaks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets.
• Check for open fireplace dampers.
• Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained. Check your owner's manuals for the recommended maintenance.
• Study your family's lighting needs and look for ways to use controls—like sensors, dimmers, or timers—to reduce lighting use.

Apartment Living - Hallways and Stairs

Hallways and Stairs

First impressions are important and your hallway is the first room you enter upon arrival. These areas are often neglected and the least-loved rooms in your apartment. This article will help you smarten up and transform your hall into the grant entrance your apartment deserves.

Unless your front door opens directly onto your living room, you can and should make something of the entrance to your apartment. A well presented hallway will welcome your guests into your apartment.

Make an impact

People pass through the hallway rather then spending time here but your hallway is a prefect place to show off a bit of your personality to guests. Use your hallway to set the tone for the rest of your apartment. Display paintings or photographs that represent you and your family.

Use colour to create a warm welcoming feeling when entering your apartment. You can introduce colour via wallpaper, fabric such as curtains and rugs or a painting. Patterned wallpaper works well in long narrow hallways as it draws the eye away from the length and creates the illusion of width. Not only will it add drama but you also won't have to worry about the wallpaper clashing with your sofas.

Pay attention to details

Your hallway is a room in its own right, so treat it with the same care and attention as you would any other room in your apartment. If your hallway has a window and if space allows it, make a feature of this by placing a table or a chair underneath.

Hallways are areas that are prone to wear and tear so remember to keep skirting boards painted and keep your walls clean of mucky hand prints on the walls.

Take advantage of the wall space you have in your hall by hanging pictures and photographs or a mirror to give the illusion of space.

Hallway Tips

Your hallway is the first thing you see when entering into your apartment, so make sure it is not as used as a dumping ground and keep it clutter free.

• If this is where you keep your coats and bags, invest in some appropriate storage.
• If you have doors leading from the hallway into other rooms you have to think carefully about your colours scheme as it has to be easy for the eye to be drawn from one space to the other.
• Whatever size or shape of your hallway you prime concern should be to make it welcoming.
• Use the space underneath your stairs wisely. If you don't already have a under stairs cupboard, it could easy be converted into one for extra storage space.
• Reference: Apartment-Ideas.com

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Making a Move in Winter Weather

Moving during winter months is a great way to save on costs because professional moving services often offer discounts during the chilly season — but there are other things to consider, as well. Prepare for the challenges of cold weather conditions with these helpful tips.

Weather-proof your vehicles
If you’re uncomfortable driving in winter weather in a passenger car, imagine what it would be like driving a truck with a heavy load! Consider the bargains to be had from moving companies during the winter and whether it might be easier overall to leave the driving to a pro.
If you are hiring movers, you can likely assume that they won’t want to take any chances with their trucks and will equip them with necessary snow tires and/or chains. It’s still a good idea, however, to talk to the company about their cold-weather moving practices.
If you are renting a truck yourself, however, you’ll need to be vigilant when it comes to getting what you need from the rental company. If there is a chance of any significant snow or ice on your journey to your new home, be sure that the truck you’re renting can handle it with the proper tires and chains.

Maybe you have only your own car to worry about during your move. In that case, be sure it is in good working order, with proper tires and/or chains, working heat and topped-off fluids.

 Be prepared for emergencies
 Whether you’re traveling in a rental truck or your own vehicle, prepare for the worst by carrying supplies, should you break down. Make sure you have:

• Warm coats/clothes/blankets for each person
• Water and nonperishable food for each passenger
• Jumper cables
• Tow rope
• Candles
• Ice scraper
• Collapsible shovel/screwdriver kit/hammer
• Flashlight/light sticks
• Batteries/matches
• Hand warmers and knit gloves
• Roadside safety manual and survival instruction 

A GPS is great unless your signal and or/batteries fail. Bring an old-fashioned road map of your route, as well, and consider signing up for roadside assistance service. (This may be included as part of your moving truck rental, so ask your vehicle provider.)

You’ll want a battery-powered or hand-cranked NOAA emergency radio so that you can keep track of storms, especially if your car battery fails. Also bring a bag of non-clumping kitty litter for traction, should your car get stuck on ice.

 If you already have such a kit assembled, be sure to check the working order and freshness (batteries, water, food) of everything in it. And don’t forget to have plenty of warm clothes with you in the car!

Most of all, don’t drive alone if you can help it. Two (or more) is always better than one in an emergency situation.

Weatherize the load
Antiques and other wooden pieces are sensitive to cold temperatures, so be sure to wrap them well in packing material to protect them. Make sure you have drained liquid out of anything you’re moving that could freeze and also keep plants in a controlled climate as much as possible. If they will be in a moving truck, cover them with garbage bags with holes in them so the plants can breathe.
Moving during the winter can mean a shorter wait for a rental truck and lower prices with professional movers, but there is one major downside—it’s cold! Ice and snow might complicate your move, so plan ahead to make sure you still have clear sailing ahead!

Courtesy http://wwwRentals.com By Amber

How to Save Energy (and Money) when Renting an Apartment

Whether your apartment is considered all-inclusive or if you have to cover some of the utilities yourself, it’s everybody’s responsibility to reduce the amount of energy they use, regardless of whether the costs are coming out of your own pocket. Reducing your apartment hydro bills will not only save you (or your landlord) some money, you’ll also be doing your part to help save the environment, which is just as important. If you’re looking to cut back on your energy consumption, all you need to do is follow these handy everyday apartment rental energy-saving tips.

Lighting

1. Turn off lights when they aren’t in use.
2. Use compact fluorescent lights instead of regular incandescent light bulbs. While they are more expensive initially, fluorescent bulbs will pay for themselves many times over in the long run, as they consume about a quarter of the power and last up to 10 times longer than regular bulbs.

Heating and Cooling

1. Use a fan during the summer months instead of an air conditioner. However, if you have to use an air conditioner, keep it on a lower setting and at a slightly higher temperature. Don’t forget to turn off your A/C when leaving the apartment – most window units cool the apartment very quickly, so there’s no need to keep them running while you’re away.
2. Close window shades during the day, particularly if your apartment has windows that receive direct sunlight.
3. Open windows at night when there is a breeze.
4. Seal windows with plastic during the winter.
5. If you control your heat in the winter, turn down the thermostat when you are not home, and at night.
6. Install an energy-efficient showerhead in the bathroom to reduce your hot water usage.

Furniture and Electronics

1. Arrange your furniture in a way that doesn’t block or obstruct any heat vents, radiators or baseboard heaters. This includes drapes or curtains; not only will they block the heat from entering your apartment, but it’s a fire hazard too!
2. Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use.

Cooking and Storing Your Food

1. Minimize the number of times you open the oven, refrigerator and freezer doors.
2. Match the size of any pots or skillets you use on the stovetop elements. There’s no need to use the energy required to heat up the largest element when you’re only using the smallest pot in the kitchen.
3. Reduce cooking times by thawing frozen foods in the refrigerator beforehand.
4. Don't overcrowd your fridge, or unfill your freezer.

What are some good tips for deciding what to plant in an aparment garden?

If you have some room to garden, you'll need to think about what types of plants you want to have and how much time you are willing to spend on the area. Here are some gardening tips for your apartment yard:

• Flowers. If you choose to go with flowers, have a plan. Are you looking for pretty ones to cut and put in a vase or would you prefer they decorate the yard area? What colors do you like? Do you prefer to tend to them a lot or just let them bloom and fill the air with fragrance? Knowing these things ahead of time will help you do a little research. Either take a look on the Internet or ask at the garden center, but keep your criteria in mind.
• Vegetables. It can be fun to grow vegetables in a garden and then use them in your food. Choose a few favorites that would do well in your soil/sun conditions and make sure you know how to deter any pests that may spoil your goodies. Again, a bit of advance research will set you on the right course.
• Decorative plants. Grasses and other decorative plants can be a great addition to any yard. Many require little maintenance, so they can be a super choice for those who like to garden but don't have much time.

What are some ways I can include more activity in my apartment lifestyle?

There are many ways that apartment living can actually contribute to a healthy lifestyle. These simple things can be included in day to day activities to help you maximize the amount of exercise you get. Here are some great basic health and fitness tips for apartment living to help you make the most of what you've got:

• Even if you live in a building with an elevator, always take the stairs. Those trips to the grocery store or getting the garbage out can really add a little workout to your day.
• Make more trips whenever possible. If you are going to have to go and get a newspaper and do laundry, break it up into two separate tasks instead of combining them. You'll get more exercise.
• Walk to do errands whenever possible.
• Use a bicycle to go on longer errands or to go to work.
• Make a vigorous apartment cleaning part of your weekly schedule. Put on some music and really get to it!
• Rearrange furniture periodically. It will help keep the place looking fresh, and provide you with a little extra exercise.
• If you have a dog, walk it often. You'll both be happier and more fit.

It can be easy to amp up an apartment lifestyle to include a bit more activity if you keep in mind the things you do each day and just try to keep moving.