As a renter, you want to be able to find the perfect available apartment for your needs – that means the right price, location, and amenities. But that’s easier to find in some places than others.
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According to the National Association of Realtors, in the apartment rental market – aka multifamily housing — vacancy rates are likely to stay about the same in the near future, with new construction rising to meet increased demand for rental spaces. The top cities that are considered “renter’s markets” have the highest vacancy rates, leaving many options open to renters.
Top 5 renter’s markets (percentages indicate vacancy rates):
On the other hand, the top cites that are considered “landlord’s markets” have the lowest vacancy rates. Any place with a vacancy rate below 5 percent is more likely to be expensive because high demand justifies higher rent prices.
Top 5 landlord’s markets:
More infographics on the AG Blog:
Top 10 Metros for Great Apartment Kitchen Amenities
Get More Apartment for Less Money in These Top Metros
For many American families, everything that’s really important in home life takes place in the kitchen.
At Apartment Guide, we know that renters want kitchens they can both enjoy spending time in and also put to work for their cooking efforts.
[find-an-apartment]
What are the great apartment kitchen amenities people want and need most?
Stainless steel appliances, dishwashers and microwaves are important, but extra amenities like a kitchen island and granite countertops can make a kitchen more useful and elegant.
We’ve combed our apartment listings to find the metro areas with the most tricked-out kitchens.
Top Ten Metros for Kitchen Amenities
1. Chicago 2. San Antonio 3. Los Angeles 4. Washington, D.C. 5. New York 6. Salt Lake City 7. Phoenix 8. Baltimore 9. Seattle 10. Dallas
EnV Chicago Apartments in Chicago, ILThe Mansions at Canyon Springs, San Antonio, TX
Editor’s note: Friday 2:50 pm, October 4, 2013 The infographic has been updated to list metro areas with all kitchen amenities. An earlier version of the infographic listed metro areas with stainless steel appliances, or dishwashers, or microwaves, or island kitchens.
The views expressed on this blog are those of the bloggers, and not necessarily those of Intuit. Third-party blogger may have received compensation for their time and services. Click here to read full disclosure on third-party bloggers. This blog does not provide legal, financial, accounting or tax advice. The content on this blog is “as is” and carries no warranties. Intuit does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of the content on this blog. After 20 days, comments are closed on posts. Intuit may, but has no obligation to, monitor comments. Comments that include profanity or abusive language will not be posted. Click here to read full Terms of Service.
When we think of things that will save the environment we think of taking the bus to work or buying local food — both expensive actions. Yet going green doesn’t have to cost you a ton of time or money. In fact, many of the eco-smart habits also help you save money by reducing excess and getting more use out of old things.
We all know the phrase: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. However straightforward it may sound, it can still be hard to incorporate environmentally friendly actions into your everyday. Becoming familiar with the sustainability of every company and brand you support can be time-consuming and difficult. It can be confusing to determine which kinds of plastic can be recycled and which can’t.
Thankfully, there’s technology out there that can make helping the environment a bit easier — all while saving money. There’s apps that help us monitor our energy and water usage to help us make smarter choices, and apps that make it easy to upcycle old clothes and electronics.
Graduating from college is a huge accomplishment, so of course you want to honor the young scholar in your life. Just think of all the places their lives will take them!
There’s just one problem: You know that stereotype about broke college students? That’s not going to change for a while after graduation. They’ve got to find a job (which is sometimes much easier said than done), locate a place to live, and get started on being a grown-up. That’s tough to do when you’re starting from scratch.
But that’s where you come in! If you’ve got a friend or family member who’s graduating, we’ve got some gift ideas to help them embark on post-college life:
1. For the job they’ll have
When people graduate, suddenly their lives become focused solely on finding a job. You can help with that by giving gifts they’ll be able to use as a young professional.
Clothing or accessories appropriate for interviews or workdays will be much appreciated – every interviewee wants to look polished and professional to help their chances of landing and keeping a job.
A resume service could be very useful – there’s an art to creating a resume that will catch the eye of potential employers. There are plenty of services all around that offer advice on making any resume effective.
Likewise, a session with an interview coach could help a recent grad land the perfect job. Anyone can use a few pointers on how to conduct themselves in an interview so they’ll make a great first impression.
Every young professional can use a nice laptop bag to carry to and from work.
Finally, a nice briefcase or laptop bag is the perfect accessory for an interview or day in the office.
Moving after graduation? Check out our infographic: Top 10 Cities for College Grads: Post-Graduation Moving Trends.
2. For the money they’ll make
Many people consider graduation a great time to start thinking about the future. In that vein, why not set up or contribute to a Roth IRA for your recent graduate? They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness now, but they’ll be especially happy when it comes time to retire and they have a nice little nest egg, partially funded by you.
Many young people are overwhelmed at the choices in front of them when it comes to investing and saving money. Surely they’d appreciate some financial advice as a gift – you could sit down with a recent grad and give them some one-to-one advice, or if you’re no expert yourself, a nice book could do the trick.
Need some book recommendations? We’ve got them: The Top 5 Personal Finance Books.
3. For the home they’ll create
After college, it’s time to get some real kitchen accessories – no more drinking out of plastic Solo cups.
Any graduate will appreciate some grown-up glassware for nights in with friends and family.
You could also buy someone a starter set for the kitchen – a few place settings, pots, pans and utensils. It doesn’t have to be fancy stuff; durable everyday kitchenware is an uber-practical gift.
Anyone with their own place – male or female – needs a few tools as well. Consider giving a small toolbox with some basic necessities: Hammer, screwdriver, pliers, wrench. These starter tools will help your young friend hang pictures on the wall, do minor maintenance tasks, and learn to become more self-sufficient.
Looking for cooking tools? We have recommendations for The Best Kitchenware on a Budget.
4. For the places they’ll go
Many graduates dream of traveling the world, either for their jobs or in their vacation time. There are many fun, inexpensive accessories you can give as gifts to support that dream:
Passport holders make great presents, as well as travel logs for them to document their many upcoming adventures.
If your recent grad loves vintage accessories, an atlas might make them happy – there’s something romantic about plotting a trip on paper instead of online.
If they prefer the digital life, gift them with iTunes or Amazon gift cards so they can download music and audio books to keep them entertained on their travels.
If you know someone who’s traveling, you might share The Benefits of Renting Vs. Staying in a Hotel.
Congratulations to all the college graduates out there! What would you like to receive as gifts?
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Labor Day is a time to recognize the hard work we all put in year-round. Why not get away for the weekend? Here are some helpful tips to save money while you relax, plus a look at Labor Day’s origins and some fun facts.
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For college seniors, the spring season means looking forward to graduation – and life beyond the college campus.
To help college graduates as they look both for work and a new place to live, Apartment Guide consulted with Indeed, the number one job site worldwide, to bring together information to match the perfect apartment with the right job.
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Together, Indeed and Apartment Guide have researched the top cities with the most entry-level job openings, along with average rents for one and two bedroom apartments in these cities.
Here’s the list.
Top Ten Cities for Most Entry-Level Job Openings*
1. Washington, D.C.:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,755, average sq. ft: 985
1-bedroom average rent: $1,402, average sq. ft: 705
2. New York, NY:
2-bedroomaverage rent: $2,067, average sq. ft.: 1,014
1-bedroom average rent: $1,611, average sq. ft.: 722
3. Houston, TX:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,121, average sq. ft.: 1,024
1-bedroom average rent: $854, average sq. ft.: 660
4. Chicago, IL:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,318, average sq. ft.: 990
1-bedroom average rent: $1,013, average sq. ft.: 700
5. San Francisco, CA:
2-bedroom average rent: $2,337, average sq. ft.: 946
1-bedroom average rent: $1,864, average sq. ft.: 663
6. Dallas, TX:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,100, average sq. ft.: 1,024
1-bedroom average rent: $822, average sq. ft.: 673
7. Austin, TX:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,191, average sq. ft.: 1,006
1-bedroom average rent: $947, average sq. ft.: 655
8. Los Angeles, CA:
2-bedroom average rent: $2,011, average sq. ft.: 1,013
1-bedroom average rent: $1,566, average sq. ft.: 693
9. Atlanta, GA:
2-bedroom average rent: $962, average sq. ft.: 1,103
1-bedroom average rent: $795, average sq. ft.: 746
10. Phoenix, AZ:
2-bedroom average rent: $831, average sq. ft.: 967
1-bedroom average rent: $703, average sq. ft.: 705
A renting conundrum for the new graduate So these are the great cities where the most jobs are available, but can a recent graduate – and new employee – realistically afford to live in them?
Here’s the rub for the entry-level employee: overall, these metros are on the expensive side. All but two of these major cities cost over a grand to rent a two bedroom apartment, on average – and in two, the cost is over two thousand a month.
There are trade-offs, of course, between having a little more space and how much more you’ll pay in rent for that space. Note the difference in rents and square footage between one and two bedroom apartments in these cities.
An often-quoted rule of thumb is to try to keep the rent within 30 percent of overall income. For recent grads starting out in new careers, these rents and the overall cost of living in these places might present a real challenge to this goal, at least in the short term. That said, these are also amazing cities to live in. They offer a great quality of life, IF you can afford it!
There’s also the roommate solution. When you can split the rent, you and a roommate can experience a more expensive city together without breaking the bank. You might even choose to focus your search on cities where the rent is more affordable. In Atlanta, splitting a rent of just under one thousand a month makes this great Southern capital a reasonable place to pay for an apartment. For another cheaper, warm weather option, consider Phoenix.
A little support at home As you’re starting a new life around a new job in, perhaps, a new city, you deserve some support. After all, just moving to a new place is stressful enough. Apartment communities that offer helpful amenities can make settling in a little easier.
Many apartment communities offer services key to new professionals. A full-time Business Center can be an invaluable backup to a home office. A friendly space with shared wi-fi on-site can make connecting feel like more of a shared experience. Communities which offer electronic rent payment make that monthly responsibility a little easier to take care of.
All of these amenities and more can be searched via ApartmentGuide.com to help you find the right apartment for your needs, straight out of college.
*Methodology: Indeed.com looked at their job posting dataand determined these cities based on the number of postings per city associated with an Indeed.com search for “entry level” in March 2014. Apartment Guide looked at their internal listing data to determine the average rent and square feet for both a one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment in these locations.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
April is Financial Literacy Month, making it a great time to boost your money knowledge and take charge of your financial life. To celebrate, we’ll be providing you tips, tricks and insights throughout the month to help you manage your financial health. Be sure to check back in on the blog and join the conversation on Twitter & Facebook – we’ll be surprising some lucky followers with prizes throughout the month, so chime in to win!
Did you know that only one third of American households have a budget? Well, they say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, so what are you waiting for? Kick off Financial Literacy Month and get your financial life in order. Here are a few ideas to help you get there:
Update your budget
Analyze your spending patterns over the last few months. If you’ve gone a little overboard on entertainment or dining out, it’s a good time to revisit your budget and adjust for any changes. Make sure your budget matches your actual spending and perhaps take a minute to remind yourself of your financial goals that will help you better stick to your financial plan.
Check your credit score
Your credit score is three little numbers that can have a big impact on your financial life. Get your free credit score from Mint.com so you know where you stand and look at ways to improve your score.
Automate everything
Use Financial Literacy Month as a motivator to finally automate all of your bills and savings. The more you can automate, the easier managing your finances will be the rest of the year. Download a free bill payment app like Mint Bills that will help you pay your bills on time (and on-the-go) and maintain a healthy credit rating.
Develop a debt payoff strategy
Take the time to review your balances. If you have extra cash in the bank, you might want to make a large payment toward cutting down your debt. If you can’t pay down a debt you’ve accumulated so far this year, create a payoff plan that will get it down by this time next year. You can pay down your debt from smallest to largest, or pay down the debt with the highest interest rate first. Either way, Financial Literacy Month is a perfect time to develop a strategy to become debt-free.
So happy spring! There’s no better time than now to hit the financial refresh button and be good with your money. Just think how much you’ll enjoy your summer vacation with your budget on track.
Do you have a personal finance success story you want to share? Or perhaps there is a financial stumbling block you’ve encountered, and want to share how you overcame it? If so, leave a comment below to help inspire other MintLife readers.
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As a parent, you’re the biggest influence on the way your kids will manage money, but talking to them about personal finances can be tough. With April being Financial Literacy Month — it’s a perfect time to begin the conversation! Get started with our infographic on teachable moments for children of all ages.
Click on “Launch Infographic” for an expanded view.
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Wedding season has arrived! If you’re getting married this year, there’s a decent chance you’re tying the knot soon: June remains America’s most popular month for weddings. Guys are taking a more active role in wedding planning these days, from picking out a venue to helping make a couple’s biggest wedding-related decision: setting a budget for the big day. Check out our infographic to get the scoop on wedding expenses and how you can save money.
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Let’s face it. Who doesn’t like saving time and money? While it may seem hard to do when you are paying for both auto and home insurance, there are ways to simplify and save. Here are a few ideas!
Digital ID Cards
You can do pretty much anything from your smartphone these days — including providing proof of insurance. More than half of states now accept digital forms of your insurance ID cards, via your smartphone. This means no more waiting for a new card to be sent to you or having to worry about accidentally carrying the expired version.
These are the states that accept digital insurance ID cards.
Usage Based Auto Insurance
Usage based insurance is just what it sounds like. Basically, your insurance premium is based on how you drive.
Here’s how it works:
You’ll need to install a telematics device provided by your insurance company. Your driving is then tracked through the telematics device and immediately sent to your insurance company.
Are you a good driver? Would you be willing to have a device track your driving behavior if it helped save you money?
If you answered yes to both of these questions, than usage based insurance could be a great option for you to lower insurance premiums.
It’s important to know that carriers typically give you a discount for installing this device, but your rates are subject to go up or down (based on your driving) after the data collection period — usually one term (6 months).
Go green to save green
You can also save money by getting a green home insurance policy. If your home is Green certified (by LEED), it could qualify you for discounts — up to 5% or more in savings!
Do you have or are considering solar panels, wind or geothermal power in your home? If so, it’s time to look for a discount! Helping the environment in conjunction with saving money is pretty cool.
And when you’re on the road, driving a hybrid or an electric car can also save you on insurance.
Many insurance companies consider people who own these types of cars to be less of a risk, so there’s a good chance your premium won’t be as high as if you were to drive a traditional car instead. Plus, feel rewarded for helping out our precious environment.
Driving these types of vehicles on average saves you up to 10% on your premium!
As you can see, there are some great ways to save time and money on your auto and home insurance policies. We all know that time and money are both limited, so why not give one of these insurance trends a try?
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