By Peter Anderson1 Comment – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited January 21, 2019.
One great way that I’ve found to save money is to buy things that I would normally buy at a Bricks and Mortar store, at an online store.
You can often find ways to make it cheaper to buy online using one of my favorite things – Coupon Codes!
There are a ton of coupon code sites out there, and some of them are better than others.
Coupon Code Sites
Here are a few of my favorite sites online to save by using coupon codes and discounts:
Retailmenot.com: This website is one of the better ones out there. Not only do they allow you to search for coupon codes by website or product type, you can search by keywords as well. They also have a rating system for the coupons telling you how successful people have been when trying to use each coupon code. Some may be 50% successful, while others might be 100%. You can also try out their firefox extension which will show you what coupon codes are available for any one site that you’re browsing. For example, if you are on Amazon, you will get a notification bar saying that there are 22 coupons available for this website.
Insideredbox.com:This coupon code website has allowed me to get all of my movie rentals for free. For those of you who don’t know yet, the Redbox is a movie rental kiosk that are found at Mcdonalds restaurants, grocery stores and other retail outlets across the country. Normally movie rentals at redbox are only $1 per night anyway, but after using coupon codes found on the Insideredbox website, all your movies will be free (assuming you return them the next day). Can’t be free movie rentals!
The Bargainist.com: Great website to find deals, coupons, tips and freebies. They are updated constantly, and have a great eye pleasing design.
Couponheaven.com: Another site with easy to use search functionality that allows you to find coupons to some of the most popular online shopping destinations.
Honey: Honey is a Chrome extension that helps you to find coupon codes when you’re checking out on a retailer’s site. They also allow you to check the price on an item and set price alerts. A must use extension.
Rakuten: Rakuten is an online coupon codes and cash back website where you can save by shopping through their online portal or app. I’ve used them to save hundreds of dollars over the years.
So there are a few of the better coupon and hot deals forums sites. Remember, just because you can find a good deal, doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Sometimes the best deal of all, is no deal. But if you have to buy something, don’t forget the coupon codes. Save your money!
When you think about the best college towns in Georgia, there is a unique blend of southern charm, rich history and vibrant culture that come to mind. The towns featured below offer not just top-notch educational institutions, but also a memorable experience for students and full-time residents alike.
In this article, we will explore four of the best college towns in Georgia. So, grab a glass of sweet tea, kick your feet up and join us on this journey through Georgia’s finest college towns.
Nestled about 70 miles northeast of Atlanta, Athens is home to the University of Georgia, one of the oldest public universities in the United States. This quintessential college town is known for its lively music scene, which has produced bands like R.E.M. and the B-52s. In Athens, you can find a plethora of unique restaurants, bars and shops that cater to the eclectic tastes of college students and residents alike.
The downtown area around UGA’s Campus offers a variety of entertainment options, from art galleries to live music venues. For outdoor enthusiasts, the nearby State Botanical Garden of Georgia and Sandy Creek Park provide ample opportunity for hiking, biking and exploring nature. Sports fans will enjoy attending UGA’s competitive athletic programs, particularly the beloved football team.
Overall, Athens provides a perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities, making it one of the best college towns in Georgia and the country.
Atlanta is home to several top-notch colleges and universities, including Georgia State University, Emory University, Georgia Tech and Morehouse College. This bustling metropolis offers something for everyone, from world-class restaurants and entertainment to top-tier professional sports teams.
Georgia State University is located in the heart of downtown Atlanta and is full of excitement and energy. Here students are free to pursue their passions, whatever they may be. From the High Museum of Art to the World of Coca-Cola and everything in between, there’s something for every student and recent grad in Atlanta. Additionally, the thriving nightlife in neighborhoods like Midtown and Little Five Points gives students their choice of a plethora of bars, clubs and live music venues to explore.
Emory University’s picturesque campus, located in historic Druid Hills, provides a serene environment for students while still being close to Atlanta’s many attractions. Nearby, the trendy Virginia-Highland neighborhood boasts an array of boutique shops, restaurants and bars to enjoy.
In Atlanta, students can take advantage of the city’s many internship and job opportunities, making it an excellent choice for those looking to launch their careers in the South after graduation.
Known for its stunning architecture and cobblestone streets, Savannah is home to the prestigious Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). This coastal city is steeped in history and boasts beautiful parks, historic homes and fascinating museums that attract tourists from around the world.
SCAD students have the unique opportunity to study in a living museum, as the university has repurposed many of the city’s historic buildings for academic use. The artsy vibe of Savannah is clear in its many galleries, boutiques and cultural events, making it an ideal location for creative minds of all pursuits.
Foodies will love exploring the city’s diverse culinary scene, which includes everything from traditional Southern fare to international cuisine. Savannah’s vibrant nightlife also provides plenty of entertainment options, from lively bars and clubs to ghost tours and historic pub crawls.
With its enchanting beauty and unique local culture, Savannah is undoubtedly one of the best college towns in Georgia for students who appreciate history and the arts.
Located in central Georgia, Macon is home to Mercer University and Wesleyan College. This charming city is steeped in musical history, having played a pivotal role in the development of Southern rock and R&B. Notable artists such as Little Richard, Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers Band all have roots in Macon.
Mercer University’s beautiful, historic campus is situated near downtown Macon, providing students with easy access to the city’s cultural and entertainment hub. The revitalized downtown area boasts a variety of unique shops, restaurants and bars, as well as the historic Grand Opera House, which hosts concerts, plays and other performances regularly.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, a prehistoric Native American site, or enjoy the scenic beauty of Amerson River Park. Additionally, music lovers and sports buffs can visit the Allman Brothers Band Museum and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame to learn about the city’s rich musical heritage and the state’s athletic prowess.
Macon’s blend of history, culture and natural beauty make it a fantastic choice for students looking to experience the best college towns in Georgia.
Honorable Mentions
While Athens, Atlanta, Savannah and Macon are undoubtedly among the best college towns in Georgia, there are a couple other noteworthy destinations worth mentioning.
Located in southeast Georgia, Statesboro is home to Georgia Southern University. This rapidly growing college town is a friendly, tight-knit community that has an array of outdoor activities just minutes away. This includes hiking and birdwatching at the nearby George L. Smith State Park. The revitalized downtown area features a variety of restaurants, shops and entertainment options, making Statesboro a great choice for students who are looking for a smaller, close-knit college town experience.
Kennesaw, a suburb of Atlanta, is home to Kennesaw State University, which is one of the largest public universities in Georgia. The city offers a diverse range of cultural and recreational activities, from hiking at Kennesaw Mountain to shopping and dining at the popular Town Center at Cobb shopping center. Kennesaw’s focus on community and family-friendly atmosphere make it an appealing choice for students seeking a suburban college town experience.
Your Georgia college town awaits
Georgia is home to some of the best college towns in the country, each offering students a wide range of unique experiences and opportunities. It’s easy to see why Georgia is an incredible destination for higher education and unforgettable experiences. So, whether you’re a prospective student, a proud parent or just a visitor passing through, be sure to explore these amazing college towns in the Peach State!
While renovating an entire house is a massive headache project, it’s actually the final details that will have a lasting impact. With the holidays around the corner, I’m working overtime to make our house feel as finished and as cozy as I can (even though we’re still a long way from complete – this is the house that will never end, I swear!). One way to help a space feel finished is with drapery. When looking at the work of interior designers have you ever noticed how often rooms include window treatments? All the time, right?! That’s because drapery can serve as a dramatic design statement. They can tie a room up with a chic bow.
But custom window treatments can be an intimidating thing. I’ve certainly never purchased them before (a piece of fabric and a rod from Ikea doesn’t count!) That’s why I turned to The Shade Store to help me figure it all out. While you can shop The Shade Store online, I’m lucky that there’s a Shade Store showroom in San Francisco – it’s certainly place to get inspired – it’s rather purdy.
There are a lot of options to consider when it comes to drapes. There’s the style of window treatment – roman shades, blinds, drapes – different types of folds, different options for hanging, all kinds of finials. And we haven’t even talked fabrics yet! If you love customization, you’ll be a kid in a window candy store in this place.
Thankfully, The Shade Store has their own in-house designers that can help you navigate all of these options. The process is actually quite fun. It starts by getting professional measurements of your windows – something that the Shade Store arranges for you. With those in hand, The Shade Store can create mockups of your rooms and help you cherry pick the perfect designs. With new fabric collections from designers ranging from Jonathan Adler, Kate Spade New York, Jeffery Alan Marks to Diane Von Furstenberg and the Novagratz, you can really get creative. While neutrals are certainly my comfort zone, you can actually use drapery to inject some print, texture or even color (gasp!) to a room. Decisions, decisions.
Did you spy that sexy Kate Spade New York stripe sneaking its way into my fabric samples?!
I’m so excited for my final selections to arrive. They’re going to be the perfect touch to make our rooms feel warm and inviting for the holidays. While I’d never claim to be a window-treatments expert, I did pick up a few key basics about classic drapery from The Shade Store that I thought would be helpful to share.
1. Maximize the Height. Drapes can actually make your ceilings feeling taller. Classic placement is half way between the top of your window and the ceiling – but you can go all the way up to the ceiling if you like the look!
2. Pick Your Fold. Ripple, pleats, invert pleats, grommets, rod pockets. There are all kinds of options for how your drapes will drape, but the Tailored Pleat is a timeless, sophisticated option that is equal parts traditional and modern.
3. Take a Risk. It is easy to just pick a basic fabric and call your decision making done. But don’t overlook the extra details you can use to make your window treatments pop. While you might not see a crazy print in our house, I love the idea of a contrast border to create
4. Go Low. You want to make sure drapes graze the floor. Some people like a puddle look, but that’s very dust bunny friendly. Measure to 1/2 – 1/4″ off the floor to get that long extended look that isn’t too puddled.
Check out the progress on the rest of our house RIGHT HERE.
original photography for apartment 34 by delbarr moradi, inspiration pic 1, pic 2 , pic 3
These lush gardens are accompanied by luxurious apartments. Find your favorite and fill out an application today.
It’s no secret, Tampa is a great place to be a renter. Filled with lakes and tropical vegetation, nearly every outdoor space throughout the city feels like something special. This lends itself to some otherworldly courtyards and gardens, among many other amenities you’ll find when you’re on the hunt for a new home in Tampa.
As you check out the high-end equipment in the gyms, those chic clubhouses situated beside glistening pools or even spa-style features like saunas, don’t forget about the rest of the outdoor area.
Finding excellent gardens in Tampa will make your next apartment that much better, and to get you started on your search, we’ve curated some of the best apartment courtyards and gardens in the city.
Source: Rent. / Bell Channelside
With lime green chairs blending into the surrounding greenery, the courtyard at Bell Channelside is a sweet spot to relax for a bit. Settle in under the pergola or get comfy on the couches, either way, you’re surrounded by lush grass and vibrant vegetation. Additional courtyards on the property include a space with an outdoor fireplace and patio furniture as well as a grilling area complete with two gas grills and a picnic area.
Living in the Channel District is like being in a small city in and of itself. Take time along the waterfront and grab a bite, go for a walk or just enjoy the view. There’s plenty to do in this fun area, from visiting the Florida Aquarium to watching the Tampa Bay Lightning take the ice. This area is a hot spot for locals and tourists alike and a great place to call home
Source: Rent. / Tempo at Encore
Serving double-duty, the courtyard at Tempo at Encore is also the community’s outdoor theater. Set into the wall beside the mailboxes, you’ll find a giant screen and big speakers, making it easy to lay out a blanket and catch a movie under the stars. During the day, two tables and chairs keep this space usable, and the close-clipped lawn is always a good spot to kick back and enjoy Tampa’s unrivaled weather.
A relatively small neighborhood, South Nebraska only takes up a few city blocks, but its central location puts this community in an excellent spot. Less than a mile from Downtown, you’re close to all the best Tampa has to offer, from restaurants to shops to entertainment and more. If an urban lifestyle is what you’re looking for, this little slice of the city is definitely for you.
Source: Rent. / Camden Westchase Park
A quaint community garden is a perfect space to claim a plot and watch something grow at Camden Westchase Park. Multiple rows of large, raised beds means there’s room for everyone to customize a plot with the herbs and veggies of your choosing. This kind of low-maintenance gardening is great for apartment dwellers: You get big results with minimal effort.
Outdoor spaces abound in this Tampa community. Residents can enjoy the dog park, outdoor terrace and playground. There’s also an outdoor retreat where you’ll find the grills and picnic area. The pool is also an impressive space with cabanas and plenty of umbrellas. Across the board, there’s no shortage of shade as well, meaning a comfortable escape from the Florida sun is never too far away.
Source: Rent. / Camden Preserve
It may not count as a courtyard or a garden, but this space in the center of Camden Preserve is something to behold. While the pond, and its fountain, take center stage, the surrounding tall trees, flowers and greenery make an impact too. This is one of the best views to have from your balcony, but also a great place for a walk after a long day on the clock.
You’ll find Camden Preserve in Sun Bay South, the heart of Tampa. Just a short distance from Downtown, living here also puts you close to popular spots like the Tampa Bay Riverwalk. This is a focal point within the city, with 2.6 miles of pedestrian trail and attractions to enjoy, along the Hillsborough River.
Source: Rent. / Camden Visconti
Gardens, even if they’re not full of flowers, are an ideal place to take a break. At Camden Visconti, you can indulge this sentiment thanks to the unique on-site hammock garden. Follow the path, around the big center tree, and settle into a restful spot among the plants. There’s also cornhole in this area for those who find a friendly game equally relaxing.
This garden is only one of the fabulous outdoor amenities within Camden Visconti. There are separate spaces for the beach volleyball court, tennis court and pool area. You also have a nice pond to look out onto from most of these areas, so you never feel like you’re trapped in the city.
Source: Rent. / Tuscany Pointe
The outdoor area surrounding Tuscany Pointe is more like an on-site park than it is anything else. The tall trees, clipped grass and tiny pond all come together to create a space that’s serene and beautiful.
If you want green spaces to extend beyond your home, you’ve come to the right place. Northwest Tampa is a neighborhood that’s covered in parks. Start along the leafy trails of Al Lopez Park. Move on to Cypress Point Park for a little greenery mixed with sandy beaches and the ocean. At Lowry Park, you’ll get wild animals over native trees.
Source: Rent. / Park Pointe Apartments
The courtyard at Park Pointe Apartments is quintessential Florida. This large lawn is the perfect divide between buildings, creating a green space that’s usable and comfortable. Make this area your go-to place for some frisbee or any other outdoor activities you enjoy with friends, family and neighbors.
Utilizing the outdoor space to the fullest, this Tampa community also has an outdoor fitness park, an excellent pool area and a state-of-the-art grilling space. There’s also a playground for when the kids need something more than having a catch on the grass to keep themselves occupied.
Source: Rent. / Mirela North
Giving you a small tropical garden on the way to the pool, Mirela North does an excellent job when it comes to landscaping. You’ll find flowers, trees and bushes intentionally placed to add pops of color and brightness. This welcoming space has a nice, large lawn and plenty of palm trees to enhance the tropical vibes.
Leaving Mirela North behind and getting deeper into the Temple Crest neighborhood, you’ll discover this chill area that sits right on the Hillsborough River. Its perfect location also keeps it close to Downtown, which means there’s no shortage of activities from fishing to hitting up the nightlife. This area boasts two parks and a nearby golf course to make it easy to stay outside and have fun under that shining Florida sun.
Source: Rent. / Innovo Living Hyde Park
Although it’s more of a thoroughfare than a garden, the landscaping makes it feel lush and rich. This small piece of Innovo Living Hyde Park is full of greenery and pops of color, showing off the diversity of plant life that thrives in Florida. An umbrella-covered picnic table makes it easy to sit and enjoy this little oasis, whether you’ve come to have an outdoor meal, or just want to sit and take in the view.
Situated close to the University of Tampa and downtown, the historic neighborhood of Hyde Park North is a great place to live. It’s close to the city’s business and cultural arts districts and is an easy drive to the beach. Highly walkable as well, living here puts you close to quaint shops and trendy restaurants.
Source: Rent. / WestShore Apartments
Within the bricked courtyard of Westshore Apartments, you’ll find a little island of greenery. A traditional fountain sits in the center, giving off the soothing sounds of trickling water. Hardscape and tropical greenery come together in the rest of this spot to round it out perfectly.
Encompassing everything you could want in a neighborhood, Westshore Palms puts you within a five-minute walk not only to plenty of restaurants but to excellent shopping at Westshore Plaza. The pristine beaches aren’t too far away either, giving you all the best of Tampa from right outside your door.
Grab an apartment with one of the best gardens in Tampa
Green space in Tampa isn’t hard to come by, but when you can find the best example of it right in your own backyard, you’ve won the apartment lottery. Make sure, as you hunt for the best Tampa apartment, you keep in mind what’s going on outside beyond the pool and the other fancy amenities.
By Peter AndersonLeave a Comment – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited April 28, 2009.
But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9
Often wealth once you have it can be less of a blessing than you thought it would be, especially when you get it through less than positive means.
There is a story on HigherPraise.com of a family who, when they won the lottery, found that money can have a lot of negative consequences:
When the McGugarts of New York won the Irish Sweepstakes, they were happy. Pop was a steamfitter. Johnny, twenty-six, loaded crates on docks. Tim was going to night school. Pop split the million with his sons. They all said the money wouldn’t change their plans. A year later, the million wasn’t gone; it was bent. The boys weren’t speaking to Pop, or each other. Johnny was chasing expensive race horses; Tim was catching up with expensive girls. Mom accused Pop of hiding his poke from her. Within two years, all of them were in court for nonpayment of income taxes. “It’s the Devil’s own money,” Mom said. Both boys were studying hard to become alcoholics.
If God has blessed you with great wealth, keep in mind that it is only temporary, and that everything we have is God’s to begin with. If the money becomes all consuming, and you feel like you would do anything to keep it, remember 1st Timothy 6:10:
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.
Remember what’s important – faith in Jesus Christ and the salvation he gave us when he died on the cross. Everything else is but dust in the wind.
Last week I discussed how I’m surviving living in our unfinished renovation: trying to find places to organize amidst the chaos. Well, one of my best opportunities to do that was with my pantry. First off, I’m still in shock that I actually have a pantry. Nothing has ever made me feel more adult – not having the baby, buying the house…nope. It’s this massive space to organize canned goods that makes me feel like I just might finally have my sh** together. Jury’s still out.
But back to the design! So I have this large room – think of a giant shoe box, but with 10ft ceilings. I wanted the space to be highly functional and serve multiple purposes. Not only is it my primary storage for all food-stuffs, but I also wanted to create additional prep and work space for things like our coffee maker and kitchen tools we use less often like my KitchenAid mixer and my juicer (sadly. I keep swearing I’m going to start using it again!). To say I’m happy with the final result is a major understatement. But I won’t pretend to take all the credit for the final result. I called in the big guns for this job including California Closets to design the storage and Neat Method to help me get myself organized.
But let’s go back to the very beginning. Here’s where there room started out. This goes a whole year+ back to when our walls were still open.
You can kind of make out the frame of the pantry in the middle of the pic.
To make sure this space both worked perfectly and looked amazing I worked with designer Paige Gordon at the Bay Area California Closets to help devise the ultimate storage solution. It was not the easiest of tasks given the relatively narrow space, crazy ceiling height and the massive (original) window at the end of the room. Sadly, all that gorgeous molding actually limited some of our design options as we only had four inches of space along one wall.
To accommodate that, Paige designed a double stack of floor to ceiling shelving on the left hand wall as you enter the doorway. It left a little space between the shelves and the window (how we used it, I’ll get to in a minute). I also wanted to include wine storage because it’s real purdy (and it is how all mothers of toddlers survive). The x-shaped wine boxes Paige designed offer the maximum amount of space and look like a wine cellar. It’s also up off the floor to stay away from tiny fingers. Love.
On the right-hand wall we added closed storage for some of the less pretty things, a section of baskets for things like fruit, potatoes and linens as well counter space that runs wall to wall. Happy dance! A bit of open shelving at a lower height is perfect for things like art & crafts supplies for my kiddo. All the shelving heights are adjustable to accommodate changing storage needs. With this design, the room is fully utilized and maximized. All of the California Closets cabinetry is in white finish with a slight faux wood grain. Like I said about our laundry room, when I think of utilitarian spaces I think white and bright and I’m so happy with the result. But let’s get back to the fun part – the after!
I also wanted to put in open shelving as it’s my favorite thing ever. I turned to a carpenter to create shelves for the space above the California Closet cabinetry. I wanted to use natural wood to warm up the room and match some open shelving that will also go in the kitchen. I’m so thrilled with the result.
When it came to getting my organization game together as it pertains to everything that was actually going into this room, I turned to Neat Method. They are an amazing service staffed with professional organizers that will come to your house, inventory everything you already have, help you figure what else you should have and then devise a plan about how to store it not only effectively (aka easily accessible, easy to see, easy to keep track of what you need), but also to make your organization beautiful. Added bonus: they don’t just tell you how to to it. If you need, they’ll actually do it for you. Hello crazed, overworked, overbooked mom savior from heaven! I mean, just look at my shelves.
This is proof positive that everything looks better decanted. Packaging will just make your eyes cross. I love the uniformity and zen quality of everything being in the same type of container. We may have gone a bit glass jar crazy, but I love it. And each jar is labeled. I went with white written directly on the jar for a more subtle look. Cooking instruction for whatever is inside each jar is simply tucked inside at the back. (The label can be changed with a just a bit of rubbing alcohol). Baskets on the upper shelves contain more random things, cleaning supplies that need to stay out of a toddler’s reach and the stuff I use really infrequently. All organized and labeled of course.
The great thing about a pantry like this, as Lisa Ruff my Neat Method guru explained to me, is that everything is visible. When things are hidden you forget about them and don’t use them. This leads to things going bad and a lot of waste. Now I know what is at my fingertips at all times. All my food stuffs are organized into sections. Nuts, grains, pastas, baking, snacks, canned fruits or veggies. It’s made grocery shopping so much more efficient because now I know exactly what I need and I can avoid the annoyance of being in the middle of a recipe and not having a necessary ingredient.
Now I also have space for paper goods and my ever-growing collection of pitchers and vases. It is so amazing to finally have places for all that stuff to go!
One of my favorite moments in the room is right as you walk in the door. Just to your left I hung picture rail shelves to display my collection of cookbooks. It’s so fun to get to see the covers because that’s why you buy a cookbook half the time anyway, am I right? While I started with three shelves, my collection is so big I’m thinking I’m going to have to add a couple more above. Thank goodness for step ladders!
So there you have it. While the rest of my house looks like we moved in yesterday (not nearly 5 months ago), my pantry is currently my little happy place. I may just go and stand in there from time to time. No judgements.
Oh and if you are in need of some organization help, right now you can get a FREE consultation from the Neat Method. Just mention Apartment 34 when you contact them (which you can do right here).
For the rest of the updates about our remodel CLICK HERE or to read about the history of our historic San Francisco Victorian CLICK HERE
original photography for apartment 34 by michelle drewes
Hard money is used by many investors as a short-term solution to fund real estate deals. Hard money can be used to fund fix and flips or buy rental properties until long-term financing can be put in place. I fix and flip homes as well as invest in long-term rentals, but personally, do not use hard money. When you use hard money it is usually more expensive than traditional financing and I have other short-term financing in place. Hard money is still a great option for many investors, but I will also discuss other short-term financing options. There is also a way to use hard money or private money to buy rentals with no money down using a conventional loan refinance.
What is a hard money loan?
Hard money is a type of financing used to finance properties for a very short-term like 6 months or a year. Hard money-lenders use different terms than a traditional bank. The first thing you will notice when you finance with hard money lenders is they charge a very high-interest rate. Most hard money-lenders are charging 10 to 16 percent and points for their money. Points are a percentage of the total loan and can add costs quickly when a hard money-lender is charging 2, 3 or even 4 points on a loan. Hard money loans are typically used for fix and flips because they usually have a one year term.
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Why would investors use hard money to finance a rental property?
The advantage of a hard money-lender is they may loan the entire amount of money you will need to complete a deal. Most hard money lenders base the amount of the loan on the after repaired value or ARV. You may hear they will loan 65 or 70 percent of ARV; that is not the purchase price, that is how much the house will be worth once you fix up the home. With a hard money loan, a rental property could be financed with much less money down.
How can a hard money loan be refinanced on a rental property with no money down?
Here is an example of how one hard money-lender structures a deal. You buy a home for $60,000, the ARV is $130,000 and the lender says they will go up to 70 percent ARV on the property. The hard money-lender will loan up to $91,000 on the house based on the ARV. The hard money-lender will need bids or estimates for repairs, and they will pay out the money for the repairs like a construction loan. They will pay 25% of the repairs needed at closing, and the other payment will come in 25 percent increments as the repairs are completed. The lender won’t charge you any interest or points until you sell the home and then you pay them one large payment for the loan principal, interest and points. This particular hard money-lender charges 15% interest and 4 points, but they will reduce the points paid after you do a few deals with them.
The cost to do this deal with a hard money-lender can add up very quickly. On this deal, the interest will cost you $6,825, and the points will cost you $3,640 if you use the money for 6 months. There are also hard money-lenders that will charge lower interest and points but will want a split of your profits. I don’t use hard money-lenders myself, because of how much they charge, but for investors who have no other options it can work out well. Hard money-lenders can help you secure a property below market value when you do not have other options.
Where can you find hard money-lenders?
There are many hard money-lenders out there. Many only lend in specific states, while some lend nationwide. The best way to find a hard money-lender is to search for one in your state on any search engine. If you want a few companies to talk to, I have listed some hard money-lenders below.
Lima Capital Hard Money
Fund that Flip
Can you refinance a private money loan on a rental with no money down?
Private money is money that comes from a private person. The person loaning the money is not a bank, mortgage company, hard money-lender or portfolio lender, they are just a person. Regular people will lend money on real estate because interest rates on other secured investments are really, really low now. Have you looked at what the rate is on a CD? For a five-year CD, the average is less than 1 percent! You can’t even come close to keeping up with inflation with that rate. Many wealthy people are looking for a higher yield investment that is still secured. Loaning on real estate may be the perfect answer for them to increase returns and create great opportunities for investors. A private money loan can be used in the same way a hard money loan is used.
How do you find private money for a rental property?
The biggest problem with private money is finding the person to lend you private money! There are many websites that claim to have private money lenders they can connect you with for a small fee. In my experience, those websites take your money and connect you with a hard money-lender at best. A real private money-lender wants to lend their money to someone they know and trust. They don’t want to lend money to a complete stranger who may or may not be trustworthy and do not have a clue what they are doing. I am still trying to find a source for good private lenders, but I think I am limited to one option; people I know. I use private money from many sources who want a better return on their money.
How to buy a rental property with no money down using hard money
It is possible to buy a rental property with no money down using hard money. If you were to finance with a hard money loan and finance repairs as well, you can refinance the hard money loan with no seasoning period according to Fannie guidelines. Fannie guidelines do not allow a cash-out refinance without a seasoning period, but the home has a higher loan than the original purchase price because the repairs were financed. You can get a long-term loan to replace the hard money loan without waiting a year like you would with a cash-out refinance.
For example, if you buy a home for $100,000 with hard-money loaning 100 percent of the purchase price and financing $35,000 in repairs. The total loan is now $135,000, you fix up the home and refinance using a Fannie loan, which will loan up to 75 percent of the new appraised value. If the appraisal comes in at $185,000 then you could finance up to $138,750, but Fannie guidelines will not allow a cash-out refinance. You would be able to refinance the full $135,000 that was loaned to you by the hard-money lender. This technique can be rather expensive because you have to pay the higher interest rate on the hard-money loan, the initial points and then the refinance costs with Fannie Mae. However, you just bought a long-term rental and fixed it up with almost no out-of-pocket costs!
Using traditional banks to finance short-term loans on rental properties
There are some banks who do short-term loans for investors. They are very hard to find and usually, you must have a great relationship with the bank. We use a portfolio lender to finance many of our short-term investments. They charge around 5.25 percent interest and 1.5 points on our loans. They will only give us 75 percent loan to value on our original purchase price and can complete the loan in two weeks. In the past, banks would finance 100 percent loan to value and fund us the same day. I am afraid those days are gone forever.
Traditional banks can offer another short-term option in the form of lines of credit. Most banks will want collateral in the form of real estate to issue a line of credit. If you have a house with equity in it, you should be able to get a line of credit from your bank. My bank charges a 5 percent interest rate and will go up to 90 percent loan to value on my personal residence or 80 percent on an investment property.
Conclusion
I use a mix of traditional banks, lines of credit and private money to fund my deals. I am lucky that I have private money available and cash to complete a lot of deals. I will usually get the bank loan for 75 percent of the purchase price, use private money for the rest of the down payment and my own money for repairs. Don’t be afraid to finance real estate with hard money if that is your only option.
I am a big believer in making big goals and one of my goals is to purchase 100 rental properties by 2023. I have been a real estate agent and investor for more than 15 years, and I love the income my rental properties provide. Buying 100 rental properties will allow me to retire with more than enough money to reach my current dreams and goals. I do not want to buy 100 properties quickly without concern for the returns or risk. It takes a lot of money, time, and effort to buy 100 properties in the right way. I only buy houses that are well below market value and have great cash flow.
I first wrote this article in 2013, but have tried to update it frequently. I now have 20 rentals that make me over $10,000 a month after expenses. I am way behind on my goal, but many things happened that I could not have predicted like our housing market going crazy. I have bought commercial properties in the last few years instead of residential because they have been better money makers in my market.
Why I made a more challenging goal
In 2010, my original goal was to buy 30 rental properties in ten years. I based that goal on what I thought I could realistically achieve when I started buying rentals. A couple of years ago, I realized my goal was too easy because I knew I could buy 30 houses in ten years. I had given myself no room for improvement in my investing strategies or real estate business! At the start of 2013, I reworked all my goals including my rental property purchase schedule. My new goal was to buy 100 rental properties by January 2023 because it challenged me and would make me work hard. I had no idea when I first made this goal how I could buy 100 rental properties, but that is why we make big goals; to challenge us to do more and to change the way we do things.
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Why real estate?
I want to buy 100 rental properties because of the income and freedom that 100 houses will give me. I make over 15 percent cash on cash returns on my rentals because I purchase them below market value with great rent to value ratios. If I can buy 100 rental properties with the current cash flow requirements I have, I will make a lot of money. According to my calculations, I will be making over $900,000 a year in cash flow, have at least 60 houses paid off, and have over 11 million in equity in my rental properties. Those figures are not adjusted for inflation and assume no appreciation or rent increases. That kind of income should allow me to afford whatever my family and I want and allow us to do whatever we like. We only live once and I want to get everything that I can out of life.
The first part of this article discusses the philosophy behind buying 100 rental properties, why it is important to have big goals, and why it is important to think big. The second half of the article discusses the numbers and a detailed purchase schedule.
Is it possible to purchase 100 rental properties?
To be completely honest, I do not know how I am going to buy 100 rental properties by January 2023. I do not make nearly enough money to buy 9 or 10 houses a year. I have barely been able to buy three houses a year. I bought my first rental property in December 2010, and I started my rental property purchase goal on that day. I should have had three by December 2011, six by December 2012, and nine by December 2013. I started out very slow buying only one rental in my first year. I have picked up speed and as of March 2016, I own 16 rentals, still behind where I had hoped to be. That does not mean I will not reach my goal. The reason I have not purchased as many rentals lately is they are much harder to find in our market. Our prices have increased significantly making it harder to cash flow. I have been buying many more fix and flips since I cannot find rentals.
Why do I think I can purchase 100 rental properties by January 2023 if I am so far away? After reading and listening to books on how to become wealthy I started reworking my life goals. A couple of ideas are repeated in books and audio tapes beginning with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Think and Grow Rich was published in the early 20th century after Napoleon Hill followed Andrew Carnegie for decades. Carnegie was one of the richest men in the history of the world and wanted someone to study rich people in the world and write a book about how and why they became rich. Because Carnegie was one of the richest people in the world, he was able to grant Hill access to most of the world’s wealthiest people. Think and Grow Rich is now known as one of the first self-help books, and many of its basic ideas are still taught today by the world’s most famous life coaches and teachers.
How will my attitude affect my success?
Being positive is a theme that is repeated in every self-help book and audio recording I have ever listened too. I am a strong believer that our attitude has a huge influence on our success in life. The books range from slightly crazy to extremely scientific reasons for how being positive can greatly affect the success we have in our lives. You may have heard of the law of attraction, which states that the universe will return to us whatever we put out. If we are positive and happy, we will get positive and happy things back. If we are negative and sad, negative and sad things will come our way. I am a very logical and scientific person and was not sold on this idea right away. I had to know why this would happen. How could being positive magically bring positive things into our lives?
I started doing research on the brain and on how the law of attraction theory worked. I found out that it is not all magic, there are scientific reasons why the law of attraction works. It is based on the subconscious part of our brain and on how it operates our bodies. We know that our conscious mind is only a fraction of what our brain is responsible for. Our subconscious mind is constantly working to keep us alive by telling our heart, lungs, muscles and the rest of our bodies what to do. Most of our movements and actions are performed by our subconscious, not our conscious mind. We do not have to think about walking, talking, driving, writing, or even most of our daily tasks. By doing those things repeatedly, we have programmed our minds on how to do them.
Tying this back into the positive thinking idea, if we are always thinking positively, our subconscious will think positively, too. If our subconscious thinks we are happy all the time, it will do what it can to make us happy. Why do we care what our subconscious thinks? It is much smarter than our conscious mind. The subconscious is responsible for handling millions of tasks at once, while our conscious mind can only handle a handful of ideas at once. If we let our subconscious know what we want it will help guide our lives and help us to get what we want. Whether it is love, happiness, money, or material items our subconscious has much more power than we think. The theory also states that you must think about what you want, not what you do not want because our subconscious cannot tell the difference. If you are constantly thinking about not having money, then your subconscious will do its best to make that come true as well. If you are constantly thinking of not getting sick, our subconscious will do its best to get you sick. Think of being healthy, think of being rich, and think of the good things, not the negatives.
Why such a big goal?
Almost every self-help book will tell you goals are extremely important. Without goals, we have no direction, no path, and no idea of what we really want in life. There are varying ideas of how our goals should be constructed. Some say we just need broad wide-open goals such as being as happy as possible all the time to make whatever is best for you to come to you. Others say to be as specific and detailed as possible with your goals, break your goals into smaller goals, and then have a period for when those goals will be accomplished. Eventually, you will have a detailed blueprint for how you will get to where you need to go.
Some people say you need realistic goals and others say you need outrageous goals. As you have probably guessed, I like outrageous goals! The reason I like outrageous goals is that they are challenging! If I know that I can reach a goal and if I know exactly how to reach it, where is the motivation for me to push myself? I want goals that make me think and reach for new ideas and systems. I have no idea what opportunities or challenges will face me in the future, so why should I limit my future goals to what I can do now? I may have a huge increase in income or find a new system that allows me to buy houses cheaper. I have such a lofty goal because I have no idea what could happen.
Who will I need help from?
Many of the self-help books also talk about how we all need friends, co-workers, or acquaintances to help us reach our potential. Some use the term mastermind to describe groups of like-minded people who meet to help each other succeed by offering advice and motivation. The idea is that the more people to brainstorm ideas, questions, problems, etc. the better the chance a great idea or solution to a problem will come about. I do not have a mastermind group (this has since changed), but I have recruited my best friend to work with me and learn the real estate business. He was a top-level manager in the corporate world and left his six-figure salary behind to learn real estate from me. I benefit by having a new mind to bounce ideas off and have more help in the office. He benefits by getting out of the corporate grind and learning how to be truly wealthy. He also has a flexible schedule and he is not stuck behind a desk all day.
Why focus is so important
The self-help teachers also say how important it is to focus on one task or goal. All the greats had something in their mind that they really wanted. They did not let anything stop them until they got what they wanted or died trying. I have always thought of myself as being able to multitask, a jack-of-all-trades type of person. So far, it had worked out well, but I know I can do better. I know there are things I can improve in my business to make it run better and make more money. I have always thought that I knew everything about finding good deals in real estate. After starting this blog, I have realized that there is a whole world I have been missing in direct marketing to off-market properties. Instead of trying to manage five different sources of income myself, I need to delegate less important tasks to my staff and focus on the real moneymakers. If I can focus intently on a couple different areas of my work instead of just skimming over 50, I know I can improve my numbers significantly.
Why visualizing the goal being achieved is important
Many great athletes will tell you how important visualization is to succeed in sports. Great golfers visualize exactly how their shot will look before they hit it. Basketball players repeatedly visualize hitting the game-winning shot. The wealth teachers are all huge supporters of visualization. They say visualization will give your subconscious a clear picture of what you want and then your subconscious will do its best to make it happen. If you want to change your life, start visualizing how it should be every day. Better yet, go see, touch, and smell the things you want. Test-drive the car you always wanted, look at your dream home, or immerse yourself with the things you want and your subconscious will get to work. I wrote a ten-year dream story on exactly how I wanted my life to be. I described a beautiful house and in three months, I bought that house. I was not even planning to move and in no way thought I could afford a house like the one I have now, but it became a reality.
Using all I have learned to reach my goals
Based on the ideas I have just discussed, I think I have a good chance of reaching 100 rental properties. I still do not know exactly how it will happen, but I know it will or I will find a better and more challenging goal. I have to train my subconscious to help me reach my goal. I have to be positive all the time. I have to think about my goals constantly and break it down into manageable pieces. I must have help and I have to focus more intently on my important goals. I also have to visualize myself already achieving my goals and having everything I want. Even if not all of this makes me rich, worst-case scenario, I am a positive, determined, focused person who knows exactly what he wants.
Breaking down big goals makes them more realistic
I have broken down other goals in my life, but I have yet to break down a goal this big! I am going to work through the goal while writing the blog and see where I end up in 9.5 years. I wanted to write this article to help convince myself that it is possible to buy 100 properties. The first part of this article was all about my mindset. Now, let us get down to the numbers. Here is a year-by-year breakdown of how I plan to purchase 100 rental properties.
Year one
With my current income, I can purchase three rental properties a year and I have purchased that many in the last three years. I should be able to do a cash-out refinance on at least one rental property in 2014 and get enough money to buy another property. I am also counting on my new attitude and work ideas to create enough extra income to purchase one more rental property. I also just acquired a HELOC on my personal residence for $60,000. I think that will allow me to purchase one more rental. New goal for 2014 is to purchase six long-term rentals.
I will have 15 houses with about $9,400 in monthly cash flow. That is $112,800 a year all going toward paying off mortgages on my properties. I will have paid off one house at the beginning of 2014 and will pay off one and a half more in 2014.
Year two
In 2015, with income and savings, I should be able to purchase four properties. I should be able to do another cash-out refinance and buy another rental property as well. I also believe my continuous improvements will allow more increases in income, through either listing or flipping houses. The increased income will allow me to add another rental and HELOC another as well. I am hoping the addition of my friend beginning to work with me will bring in more income from his real estate activities, which will allow another purchase. My goal for 2015 is to purchase nine rentals.
I will have 24 houses with about $15,200 in monthly cash flow. That is $182,400 a year all going toward paying off mortgages. I will pay off the other half of one property and two more rentals in year two and will have four properties paid off.
Year three
I believe I will increase my income and savings enough to be able to buy five rentals. I will have 24 rentals and I should be able to refinance at least two of those properties. That will allow two more purchases and the HELOC should add the flexibility to add another rental. I am still planning to add to my income every year with increased business. This year I see a big jump in income with my friend being around for his third year and our new marketing and listing techniques taking off. I see three more rental properties being purchased from new income. My goal for 2016 is to purchase 11 rentals.
I will have 35 houses with about with about $22,200 in monthly cash flow. That is $266,400 a year all going to pay off mortgages. I will pay off four and a half more properties for a total of eight and a half properties paid off.
Year four
From my current income, I will be able to buy eight rental properties. I will continue to refinance two properties a year, which will allow at least two more purchases. I am also going to use the HELOC to buy another, and I am still planning to increase my income. I am going to stay conservative and assume enough income to buy one more property this year. My goal for 2017 is to purchase 12 rental properties.
I will have 47 rental properties at this point with about $31,400 in monthly cash flow. That makes $376,800 a year all going to mortgage payoff! I will pay off the half of a mortgage left over from 2016 and five more properties in 2017, making 14 properties paid off.
Year five
From my current income, I will be able to purchase nine rental properties. I will refinance two more properties and use the proceeds to buy two more rentals. I may not have enough money in the HELOC this year so I will not count on that, but I will count on my income increasing enough to purchase one more rental. My goal for 2018 is to purchase 12 rental properties. Note: To buy this many properties I will need about $300,000 in cash for repairs and down payments.
I will have 59 rental properties with a monthly cash flow of $41,000. That makes $492,000 a year all going to mortgage payoff. I will pay off seven and a half more properties in 2018 making 21.5 properties paid off.
Year six
From my current income, I will be able to purchase ten rental properties. I will refinance two more properties and use those proceeds to buy three more rentals. With inflation and appreciation, I should be able to refinance the properties for more money than in previous years. I will not use increased income to buy another property. If my income increases, I will use it for fun stuff such as vacations or cars! My goal for 2019 is to buy 13 rental properties.
I will have 72 rental properties with a monthly cash flow of $51,600. That is $619,200 going toward mortgage payoff. I will pay off the half mortgage from 2018 and nine more properties in 2019 making 31 properties paid off.
Year seven
From my current income, I will be able to buy ten rental properties. I will refinance two more properties and use that money to buy three more rentals. I will not count on any more raises in income since I do not need it at this point. My goal for 2020 is to purchase 13 rental properties.
I will have 85 rental properties with a monthly cash flow of $63,400. That is $760,800 a year going towards mortgage payoff. I will pay off 11 more properties in 2020 making 42 properties paid off.
Year eight
From my current income, I will be able to buy ten rental properties. I will refinance two more properties again and purchase three more rentals with that money. My goal for 2021 is to purchase 13 rental properties.
I will have 98 rental properties with a monthly cash flow of 75,600. I will have $907,200 a year going towards mortgage payoff. I will pay off 14 more properties in 2021 making 56 houses paid off.
Year nine
I only need to buy two more properties to reach my goal! I made it ahead of schedule and when I started writing this article, I was not sure how I would be able to reach 100 properties by 2023. I do not need to refinance any properties at this point and I can start using my income any way I want or I could retire!
I will have 100 rental properties with a monthly income of $82,400. I will have $988,800 a year going to whatever I want it to go to at this point. I can stop paying down mortgages if I want to or I could keep buying properties if I get bored. I came really close to the figures I estimated before writing this article. Falling just short of one million in income from my rental properties (which was more than I thought) and just shy of 60 properties paid off.
Assumptions in my plan to purchase 100 rental properties
You may be wondering how I came up with my figures. To be honest I used very basic figures to make things easy on myself.
I assumed $600 in monthly cash flow per property. I am making between $500 and $700 per property now.
I assumed each mortgage that I paid off would increase monthly cash flow by $400.
I do not assume any inflation because that would cause the numbers to be much more difficult to figure!
I assume my portfolio lender will continue to lend on as many properties as I want. I will have 43 houses financed at one time and then those will start to decrease as I pay them off.
I assume I can continue to do cash-out refinances with my portfolio lenders.
I assume interest rates will not increase significantly.
I assume rental rates will not go up.
Additional benefits of rental properties that my income projections did not account for
Rental properties have great tax advantages, which I discuss here. Every rental property can be depreciated, which will save me thousands in taxes each year. I assume my rental properties will not appreciate, but they have already seen huge appreciation in the last two years, increasing my net worth by $600,000. I assume rents will not increase, but my rents have increased as well over the last couple of years. I rented my first rental property for $1,050 a month in 2011 and it now rents for $1,300 a month. I will most likely be better off than my projections indicate if I can buy 100 rental properties.
Potential roadblocks
These are many assumptions and one or more of them may not work out as I plan. However, other factors may help me do even better than I planned or balance out any roadblocks I run into.
New ways to find properties: I am going to start direct marketing to off-market owners. This should allow me to buy properties even further below market, and I may even find a few owners who will finance down payments. I recently realized I could use my IRA to buy properties!
Private money: One of my goals is to find new sources of private money that will allow me to finance more repairs and down payments. This would allow me to put less money into properties and buy them faster.
New income sources: I have no idea what the future holds as far as opportunities and money. I may find a gold mine that will allow me to buy properties for cash and not have to worry about financing at all!
I assume I will not do anything with the houses I pay off free and clear, but if needed to I could easily get a line of credit or refinance one of these houses to bring in enough money to buy a few new properties.
What will I do in 2023 if I reach my goal?
I have many things I would love to do if I did not have to work. Here is a list of a few of the things I would love to do with one million dollars a year coming in and no job!
Start a pizza restaurant
Start a car dealership
Travel the world with my family
Donate time and money to those less fortunate
Play in the World Series of Poker
Attend a Super Bowl
Play golf all over the world
Buy a Lamborghini Diablo (done!)
Buy a beach house
Help teach others about real estate (doing my best now)
I have a much longer goal list than what is above and I hope to do many of these things before 2023. I know I will have time, money, and the freedom to do these things at that time.
Conclusion
I plan to purchase 100 rental properties by January 2023, but I realize that may not happen. If something better comes along to change my plan, I am ready to embrace fully any new opportunities.
Update on my plan 2014
I have already changed focus slightly in 2014 to fix and flipping over buying long-term rentals. I have done this for two reasons:
There have been more fix and flip opportunities than rental opportunities in my market.
The money from flipping will help me buy more rentals; rentals take a great deal of cash.
It seemed crazy to think I could increase my income enough to buy this many properties when I first made this goal in 2013. However now that it is late 2014, I can easily see myself making more than enough money to buy 100 rental properties and have plenty of money left over to do other fun activities. At some point, I may decide it is better to buy larger multifamily buildings than single-family homes, but for now, I see more opportunity in the single-family market in my area than multifamily.
Update on my plan 2016
The market has gotten even crazier in Colorado. Houses I was buying for $100,000 are now at least $160,000 or more. The rents have not increased nearly as much as house values have increased. It is very hard to find rentals and I have stopped buying them in Colorado. I have started to look at other states including Florida for a new market.
I also stopped paying off my mortgages early. I decided my money was better used to buy as many homes as I could. It has paid off buying 16 rentals in the last five years since our market has gone up so much. I have invested about $300,000 in buying my houses and my equity is close to $1.5 million. I have even decided to sell some of my rentals and re-invest that capital into more properties in another market.
I wrote this goal out in 2013 and updated it in 2014, and it is now 2016. I think goals are vitally important to achieving what you want in life. Will I reach this goal? I do not know. If I don’t reach it, will I be a failure? No! I am already way ahead of where I would have been without this goal. That is the point of goals, to motivate you to go farther than you think you can.
Update on my plan 2018
Right now it is the middle of 2018 and I have not come close to where I should be with my goal. Am I disappointed? No. Many things have happened that are out of my control; good and bad. The biggest challenge I have faced is the housing market in Colorado. Prices have almost tripled since I made this goal. Some of the rentals I bought for less than $100,000 7 years ago are worth close to or more than $300,000 today. I can no longer cash flow on residential rental properties in my market. I have thought about buying rentals in Florida, but in the end, decided to buy commercial properties here. I even bought a 68,000 square foot strip mall this year. I am buying rentals worth a lot of money, but not as many as my plan called for. Sometimes we have to change our plans based on changes in our lives or markets.
I have also focussed more on flips because I can make money with those in my market. I flipped 26 houses last year!
A lot of cities are more than happy to welcome newcomers into the fold, but Ames does it better than anywhere else.
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a new city to call home. What’s the job market like? How about the schools, cost of living and proximity to family?
There’s one intangible that’s extremely important and often overlooked during the decision-making process, and that’s how welcoming the city is to newcomers, especially foreign and domestic immigrants. Nobody wants to wind up somewhere they’re not really wanted and appreciated for their talents, after all.
A lot of cities have come a long way in making all types of people feel wanted and included. Some cities have programs in place (via the government or otherwise) specifically to help with immigrant well-being. For example, the Philadelphia non-profit The Welcoming Center has an Intercultural Wellness Program which teaches immigrants how to navigate their new surroundings and find solutions to common problems. Although less daunting than moving into a foreign land with totally different languages and customs, it’s also important for people who migrate from other areas of the country to select a city that can make them feel at home and valued.
Aim for opportunity in Ames
It’s no longer necessary to fly blind during the decision-making process since the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative crunched the numbers and ranked U.S. cities on how welcoming they are to new residents. At the top of the list of most welcoming cities is the metro of Ames, Iowa, which is a little bit north of Des Moines and smaller than any other metro in the top 10 — with a population of only 126,000. Here are some of the ways that Ames stands out from the pack.
Ames is a well-known safe haven
There are so many conflicts going on right now, causing people to flee their beloved homeland. The Ames metro area has welcomed many immigrants from Honduras, Ukraine, South Sudan and other countries in recent years as they exit war-torn and otherwise dangerous situations in hopes of finding prosperity and peace.
At 7 percent, the immigration rate in Ames, Iowa, is higher than in many other cities, likely due to the area’s reputation for happily taking on people who need a friendly face, a warm bed and plenty of professional opportunities.
Some of this is likely due to the fact that Ames is home to Iowa State University, which has excellent programs in engineering, agriculture and many other areas of study. The Bush study noted that college towns and other “knowledge-centric” cities tend to be the most welcoming, so Ames’s spot at the top of the list makes perfect sense.
Opportunities abound in Ames
Ames boasts a very high opportunity score of 27.5 when compared with other cities. This means that Ames offers a better quality of life than the areas where the immigrants and migrants are coming from.
This is all great news, considering many newcomers are looking for their luck to change for the better. For a frame of reference, the Orlando metro area only has a score of 8.7, and Jacksonville’s is even lower at 5.8.
Other reasons people are moving to Iowa
In austere economic times, many people are looking for cities where the dollar stretches as far as possible. This makes moving to the Hawkeye State appealing, as the cost of living in Iowa is well below the national average.
As a college town, Ames is especially affordable, with a cost of living 19.7 percent below the national average. The average one-bedroom apartment rents out for $805 per month, and a two-bedroom unit is only slightly more at $872.
Ames, Iowa, is also growing by leaps and bounds, which translates into tons of job and educational opportunities. Since immigrants are known entrepreneurs, often opening their own businesses and thus adding to the area’s economic stability, this growth only adds to the area’s appeal. There are also many opportunities to kick back and enjoy life, thanks to booming arts, entertainment, retail and dining scenes near the university.
Great apartments to rent in Ames
Most college towns have more than enough apartments available for rent, and Ames is no exception. Brick Towne Ames is an attractive – you guessed it – brick apartment community with a pool, clubhouse and other amenities.
Prairie West is one option that gives would-be renters a choice between regular and upgraded units, or people who long for high-end housing might opt for a unit in Campus Flats.
Ames is clearly a friendly place
Ames, Iowa, is just over there in the Midwest quietly excelling at everything, but especially at being welcoming. This benefits immigrants, migrants and residents of the area in more ways than you’d at first imagine.
Looking for a place to live in this welcoming university city? Start here!
With modern and bohemian trends being so prominent in the design industry these days, it has been refreshing seeing some of our favorite lines bringing back the traditional aesthetic.
Kate Spade New York’s new fall home collection has done this impeccably. The collection mixes glamorous materials with traditional patterns keeping things looking classic without being too stuffy. There is also still an air of whimsy which is the Kate Spade trademark. We especially love the new collection’s classic black, white and gold pieces that promise to keep your home timeless regardless of the rest of the design trends du jour that are continually circulating.
We love the look in spaces that feature classic design details like crown molding, parquet floors or wainscoting. But a traditional piece can also add that traditional style if your home is lacking those timeless bones.
We’ve gathered our favorite pieces to help you achieve the new traditional look in your home. A classic stripe, a stately couch and a few fun accessories like a glamorous table lamp or marble-topped coffee table will add the extra touch of personality that a room needs to feel special.
Dickinson Large Pendant / Downing Sofa / Double Stripe Pillow / Keaton Bouquet Table Lamp / Duncan Side Table / Syrie Coffee Table / Norwhich Chair / Color Block Throw / Daisy Plate
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This post is in partnership with Kate Spade New York. All thoughts and opinions are 100% our own. Thanks for supporting posts that have kept Apartment 34’s doors open.