A stylish duplex loft with 14-foot ceilings and oversized windows in West Chelsea has recently landed on the market. And it has some star power to add to its appeal.
The New York City apartment — set in the former industrial-turned-luxury-condo Loft 25 building at 420 West 25th Street — was once owned by veteran actor Matthew Modine, and served as his home for close to five years.
Renowned for his versatile career, which spans iconic films and TV shows such as Full Metal Jacket, Birdy, and a captivating portrayal of Dr. Martin Brenner in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Stranger Things, Modine also made an appearance in this summer’s blockbuster Christopher Nolan-directed movie, Oppenheimer.
In 2008, Modine acquired his stylish urban retreat, a 2-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom apartment with an exquisite private terrace. Set within the meticulously converted building that echoes the artistic spirit of Chelsea, the abode served as a tranquil haven for the actor during his time in the city.
Related: 10 Real-life Stranger Things houses & how much they’re worth
He then brought it to market in late 2012 and capitalized on his star power to attract buyers. How, you might ask?
Well, the movie and TV star narrated (and made a brief appearance) in the property’s video listing, going over some of the most notable features of his NYC abode. And it did the trick, as Modine sold the place in early 2013 for $2,175,000.
Now, 10 years after its former celebrity owner parted ways with the West Chelsea condo, the 1,668-square-foot unit is back on the market. The property is listed for $2.5 million with Jed Lewin, Esq. and Monica Park, both with The Agency.
Set in a converted industrial loft building in the heart of Chelsea’s vibrant Gallery District, the stylish unit has 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths and 1 half bath, and an open-concept living area accented by a ventless Carrara marble fireplace.
Fully renovated — with no expenses spared — the duplex loft features an impressive gourmet kitchen fitted with top-of-the-line appliances (Miele, Sub-Zero, Wolf), flowing Calacatta marble countertops, and ample storage.
Both bedrooms are generously sized, offering peaceful retreats with en-suite bathrooms adorned with exquisite Waterworks fixtures, according to the listing.
Tall, 14-foot ceilings and oversized windows that flood the space with natural southern light add to the loft’s appeal, as does the charming outdoor space, where we find a secluded retreat equipped with a full-sized grill.
Future owners and residents also get to enjoy all the perks that come with living in the Loft 25 building, and to immerse themselves in the West Chelsea art scene, with galleries and cultural venues just steps away.
A full-service luxury doorman condo, the building has a full-time staff, a live-in super, and a whole range of upscale amenities, including a gym, screening room, zen garden, and a 5,000-square-foot roof deck complete with gas grills, an outdoor shower, and panoramic views.
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The terms ‘warm minimalism’ and ‘quiet luxury’ have equally dominated design discussions in recent months but for a good reason. Both these aesthetics are timeless enough to transcend fleeting trends – and they’re versatile enough to work in every style of home, not least Pamela Anderson’s.
The model-turned-actress, best known for Baywatch, shared a look inside her white living room – exhibiting soft white painted walls, indulgent marble furniture, and brassy gold finishes (all of which tap into the quiet luxury trend).
color trends long into the future. Just like ‘quiet luxury’, ‘warm minimalism’ reminds us that neutrals are by no means boring and can, instead, serve as an enduring backdrop to more daring pieces – much like Pamela’s artwork.
‘We’re seeing the return of minimalism, but in a more sophisticated and homelier manner than we’ve seen previously,’ Anne explains in the discussion of this ‘design trend.’ ‘Warm wood tones and natural textures will become a feature of themselves without compromising the simplicity and cleanliness of minimalist styles.’
Anne Haimes
The Interior Concierge, a personal home shopping service that helps you find the perfect home decor and accessories for your home.
When it comes to decorating with art, Bren Petrunick, the creative founder of Simply White Interiors, also encourages us to follow Pamela’s lead.
‘A heavily furnished room with lots of patterns and colors doesn’t need an abundance of wall art to tie the design together. On the contrary, a more minimalistic furniture layout lends itself to featuring large prints on walls,’ he says.
‘As a general rule, every wall does not need to be covered. Often, the best design is completed in stages, with time dedicated to taking in each new layer and letting your eye wander as it discovers blank pockets that need attention or areas of concentration that should be more evenly dispersed.’
From the art to the furniture, we’re entirely inspired. And we’re buying our way into Pamela’s white living room with these inspired buys below.
Famous for its beautiful beaches, lively atmosphere and, as of late, bustling real estate activity, Tampa is clearly a city on the rise. If you’re considering making a move to or investing in the Sunshine State, the Tampa housing market should definitely be on your radar. From median home prices skyrocketing to environmental concerns, there’s much to discuss. Let’s dive into the somewhat murky waters of the Tampa housing market, shall we?
Critical trends in the Tampa housing market
Tampa is becoming a magnet for homebuyers and investors alike. As the city’s popularity continues its upward trajectory, several key trends in the housing market have emerged, shaping the future of Tampa real estate.
Soaring home values and quick sales
Let’s talk turkey, and by that we mean pricing. The median sale price of a home in Tampa has soared to a jaw-dropping $460,000. To give that some context, that’s a 21.1% hike from just a year ago. But it’s not just the overall price; the price per square foot is also showing a robust upward trend. Currently, it sits at $285, up 9.6% year-over-year.
What about how fast homes are selling in the Tampa housing market? Let’s put it this way: if Tampa homes were marathon runners, they’d be close to setting world records. On average, a home in Tampa will receive about three offers and take around 20 days to sell. That’s a touch slower than the 18-day average from last year, but by no means sluggish.
Current inventory in Tampa’s real estate market
In August 2023, the Tampa housing market saw the sale of 609 homes. This might seem like a busy month, but it’s slightly down from 626 homes sold in August of the previous year. Whether this slight drop is an anomaly or a signal of things slowing down is yet to be seen. We’ll keep you updated on the Tampa housing supply as time passes.
Migration trends to and from the Tampa area
From beach bums to young professionals fresh out of college to newly minted retirees looking to lay down roots one last time, people are making their way to Tampa in droves. And with good reason.
The appeal of the Tampa housing market
The Tampa housing market isn’t just pulling Floridians; it’s drawing interest from other metro areas as well. Specifically, house hunters from New York, Washington and Chicago are paying special attention to Tampa. This accounts for 2% of total homebuyer interest, and given the size of the national market, that’s significant.
Staying local vs. moving out
While Tampa is attracting outsiders, many residents are choosing to stay put. From June to August 2023, 69% of Tampa homebuyers were looking to stay within the Tampa metropolitan area. However, the wanderlust still exists for a good chunk (31%) of the population, who are exploring greener pastures in Sarasota, FL, Orlando and even Asheville.
Tampa real estate market risks
Like all housing markets, Tampa’s comes with its fair share of risks. While Florida may be known for year-round stellar weather, coastal winds, heavy rains and heat damage are always on the table in The Sunshine State.
Environmental concerns
Life’s a beach until you have to consider natural hazards, right? The Tampa housing market isn’t exempt from environmental risks. According to data from the First Street Foundation:
Flood: A whopping 43% of properties have extreme flood risks over the next 30 years.
Fire: Only about 15% of properties are at wildfire risk.
Wind: Hold on to your hats; 100% of properties in Tampa are at risk for severe wind events.
Heat: Almost every property — 99% — faces an extreme heat risk.
Transportation compared to national average
When considering a move, commute and accessibility are vital. In terms of walkability, Tampa has room for improvement, scoring 50 out of 100. Public transport isn’t Tampa’s strong suit either, with a score of 31. However, if you’re a cycling enthusiast, rejoice! Tampa scores a 55 in bikeability.
Concluding thoughts on the Tampa housing market
The Tampa housing market is a blend of rapid growth, diverse buyer interest and environmental risks. Prices are soaring, and homes are selling fast. It’s a market that demands swift decision-making, but also due diligence, especially when it comes to natural hazards.
From local residents switching neighborhoods to out-of-staters seeking sunnier days, Tampa’s allure is undeniable. Whether you’re a buyer, a seller or an investor, understanding these complexities will stand you in good stead in navigating the ever-changing Tampa housing market.
Tampa rental market
Switching gears, let’s examine another vital aspect of the Tampa housing market, rentals. With the surge in home prices, many people are instead settling down in apartments, albeit at increasing costs. The Tampa rental market has seen its own set of fluctuations:
The average rent for apartments in Tampa oscillates between $1,667 and $1,910, depending on the number of bedrooms you need.
Rental price ranges
If you’re wondering about the range of price in rents, here’s how it looks:
Less than $1,000: Around 5% of apartments fall within this bracket.
$1,001-$1,500: About 10% of apartments lie here.
$1,501-$2,100: This is where 32% of apartments are priced.
Above $2,100: A surprisingly large proportion, 53%, fall in this high-rent category.
Neighborhood trends in the Tampa rental market
Different neighborhoods, naturally, command varying rents. While Northwest Tampa saw a dramatic 49% increase in average studio rents to $1,875, areas like Channel District, Harbour Island and Southeast Tampa have seen decreases, ranging from 4% to 5%. On the more affordable end, North Tampa, Terrace Park and Lowry Park North offer one-bedroom apartments for around $1,250 to $1,295 on average.
For those seeking luxury, the Hyde Park Historic District and Harbour Island top the list, with one-bedroom apartments renting on average for more than $2,600. Popular neighborhoods like South Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights offer one-bedroom apartments for averages of $1,500 and $1,300, respectively.
How Tampa rent compares to other cities
For a broader perspective, let’s compare Tampa to other nearby cities. In Tarpon Springs, a studio will cost you around $2,100. Saint Petersburg has seen a 7% increase in one-bedroom rentals, now at $1,954. Sarasota, on the other hand, has seen a 3% decrease in rental prices, now at an average of $1,600 for a one-bedroom apartment.
Final thoughts on the Tampa rental market
Whether you’re buying or renting, the Tampa housing market is a hotbed of activity, with tons of opportunities and challenges. Rising rents reflect the growing demand and low supply, much like the situation in the home-buying market. Neighborhoods offer a range of options, from the affordable to the luxurious, each with its own set of pros and cons.
In summary, understanding the intricacies of the buying and rental markets in Tampa is essential for making an informed decision. After all, whether you’re settling down permanently or just passing through, the Tampa housing market has something for everyone, at every price point.
So, come for the sunshine, stay for the lifestyle — just make sure you’re well-prepared for the financial journey that lies ahead. Your dream place in Tampa is just a few clicks away.
Rent prices are based on an average from Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory as of July 2023.
Other demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Minutes from Boston, in the coveted Country Club section of Brookline, Massachusetts, a remarkable architectural gem has landed on the market with a hefty price tag.
The sprawling Grand Georgian Revival Estate set at 333 Lee Street, priced at a whopping $28 million, is a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and a historic legacy that stretches back to its designer, William Truman Aldrich. Patrice Clunan with Coldwell Banker Realty holds the listing.
Originally built with double-brick construction in 1928, the stately mansion that anchors the estate has 16,233 square feet of living space — with a total of 23 rooms, 10 of which are bedrooms.
And despite its impressive size, it’s not the only structure on the property, with a one-bedroom brick and slate carriage house (with its own private garden) adding some extra square footage.
Designed by the esteemed architect William Truman Aldrich (who was also the brother-in-law of John D. Rockefeller) the property bears the hallmark of Aldrich’s training at MIT and École Des Beaux Arts in Paris. The architect’s impressive portfolio includes projects such as the country estate of Henry Cabot Lodge in Beverly, MA and significant contributions to the Rhode Island School of Design.
His work, including this Brookline, Massachusetts home, often exemplified the Georgian Revival style, characterized by 17th-century details, carved stone, and elegant French doors crowned with segmental arches. A steep roofline and tall chimneys underline the home’s substantial yet refined nature.
The main residence spans a staggering 16,233 square feet across 23 rooms, featuring 10 bedrooms, 7 full bathrooms, 3 half bathrooms, and a total of 9 fireplaces.
As you step into the grand foyer, you’re greeted by quarter-sawn oak parquetry floors with a starburst motif. The library, adorned with hand-carved oak paneling and a French-inspired fireplace, exudes timeless elegance. Sunlight bathes the living room, where French boiserie-style paneling and intricate crown molding steal the show.
The kitchen showcases a custom-designed Molteni stove imported from France, typically found in the world’s finest restaurants, and Sub-Zero refrigerators. An informal dining area opens onto the garden, leading to a spacious family room with a green marble fireplace.
The second and third floors house the home’s private quarters, including seven family and guest bedrooms, along with an impressive primary suite.
Descend to the lower level, where a recreation room, meditation room, gym, office, wine cellar, and full bath with a sauna await. From the meditation room, a sixty-foot underground art gallery passageway leads to the pool pavilion.
And we can’t quite decide what’s more impressive: the 60-foot art gallery passageway, or the 6,839-square-foot pool pavilion it leads to.
Spanning 6,839 square feet, the pool pavilion offers an unexpected surprise — an indoor Olympic-length pool, complete with a gourmet kitchen, dining area, hot tub, steam room, and sauna for eight. Trompe l’oeil detailing and a massive outdoor terrace surrounding a round fountain add to its allure.
The property also includes a one-bedroom brick-and-slate carriage house with a private garden.
Set within a gated 3.2-acre estate, this property boasts beautifully manicured park-like grounds, an apple orchard, terraces, and a canopy of mature trees, a secluded oasis that seamlessly blends traditional aesthetics with modern comforts, making it ideal for both family living and grand entertaining.
Located steps from Brookline’s renowned Country Club, and about five minutes away from Tom Brady’s former Boston-area home, 333 Lee Street presents an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. With its sought-after location, rich architectural heritage, and modern amenities, it stands as a testament to timeless luxury and impeccable craftsmanship.
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A balcony is one of the most challenging and underutilized areas of a rental home or apartment. These spaces, enjoyed in versatile ways ranging from morning cups of coffee to outdoor meditation sessions, have tricky sizing and spacing. Fortunately, we’ve gotten expert insight for some refreshing small balcony ideas that we can bet you haven’t heard before.
Despite the size of your balcony, even if it’s on the cozy side, there are hacks to make these outdoor havens feel larger, elevated and inviting. By implementing clever design ideas and thoughtful decor choices, you can transform your balcony into a delightful extension of your living space.
8 pointers for petite balconies
While most decor choices feel in our control, smaller balconies feel limiting and more difficult to design. However, with a dash of creativity and these tips, you’ll unlock the true potential of your outdoor oasis so you can better use it to relax, entertain or dine outdoors whenever weather allows.
1. Choose space-saving furniture
Foldable and stackable furniture is your friend. Furnishings like bistro sets and compact tables and chairs are designed with small spaces in mind, meaning they’ll take up less room than traditional furniture.
2. Add vertical greenery
Vertical garden solutions brighten up spaces of any size while assisting the space in feeling taller. Hanging potted plants, installing wall-mounted planters, investing in a stacked planter or finding a vertical garden kit are all innovative ways to exercise your green thumb and enrich your smaller balcony.
3. Choose accent flooring
Small rugs, floor mats and even turf installs are creative ways to decorate your small balcony. Weatherproof rugs and floormats can help create sections of your balcony, resulting in a more inviting atmosphere and the illusion that the space is larger than it is.
Turf is a newer, unique way to add functionality to your balcony. Whether you have pets that love to lounge on your balcony or simply want to create a cozy, outdoor vibe, turf is the way to go. With no real upkeep (other than potential pet messes), turf is sure to elevate the vibe of your small balcony while helping visitors connect with nature.
4. Use bright colors and patterns
Creating visual intrigue and integrating your personal style into a space distracts visitors from its size. Colored furnishings and patterned decor pillows are simple ways to incorporate pops of color and personal style to make your balcony really feel like it’s an extension of your home.
5. Create a cozy corner
Maybe it’s counterintuitive, but sometimes the easiest way to make a room, like your balcony, feel larger is to make it feel cozier. When you spend more time in a space, you’re able to get a better feel for the layout therefore understanding how to utilize every square inch. Creating a cozy corner on your balcony makes the space feel inviting, shifting the feel from “small” to intimate.
Crafting a cozy corner is as easy as adding plush furniture, cozy blankets and soft pillows. To take your cozy corner to the next level, incorporate some aromatherapy, speakers and an outdoor heater or fan.
6. Incorporate lighting
Lighting is powerful when looking for ways to elevate and make your smaller balcony feel luxurious. Think string lights, lanterns and LED candles placed carefully to bring warmth and comfort to your outdoor haven.
7. Utilize railings
Source: Amazon
The railing on a balcony is an underutilized space, especially when it comes to decorating small balconies. This is a great spot to add barstool seating and a balcony bar, which creates an entertaining space where it’s lacking. Not to mention, it creates a serene spot to sip your morning coffee and watch the sunrise.
8. Decorate with mirrors and wall decor
Mirrors and wall decor are typically hacks used indoors to make a space feel larger. However, this trick can be utilized outside as well to make a small balcony feel more personalized and larger in size.
When strategically placed, mirrors reflect natural light and the surrounding scenery, creating the illusion of a more expansive outdoor area. Similarly, carefully chosen wall decor adds character to your balcony and draws the eye, diverting attention from its limited dimensions.
Beautify your balcony, despite its small size
A balcony is considered a luxury amenity by most, offering a serene outdoor extension of your home. Between the decorating and potential entertaining opportunities, it’s tricky determining how to make the most of your petite patio so that it blends functionality and beauty. With these hacks, your small balcony will transform from a compact space to a cozy oasis. Take a look at our available apartments for rent here to find your perfect spot with a balcony.
Inside: Looking for the best travel essentials? Look no further! This guide has everything you need to pack for a trip.
There’s no feeling quite like the thrill of embarking on a new adventure, and with these top-notch travel essentials, your journey is set to be an absolute blast!
These travel essentials play a crucial role in not just enhancing your travel experience but also in keeping your trip organized, efficient, and absolutely “funner”!
Prepare to soar into hassle-free travel filled with joy, convenience, and unforgettable moments.
Many of my readers diligently save for their vacation and sometimes forget the small details like – travel essentials.
Traveling can transform from a stressful ordeal into an exciting escapade when armed with these must-haves that smart travelers swear by.
So, buckle up for an exhilarating journey ahead, knowing you’re perfectly prepared to take on the world. Let the adventures begin!
What are Travel Essentials?
Getting back to travel? Isn’t it just lovely!
Well, travel essentials are your new best friend! Waves of seasoned globetrotters have prepared this special guide for your benefit.
These items qualify as essentials because they streamline the packing process, afford comfort while traveling, and add a dash of fun to your adventures.
Also, there are so many cool gadgets available now that make traveling seamless.
What things are essential for Travelling?
Before you head off on the trip of your dreams, pack the right travel essentials to maximize your fun!
Meds: Don’t forget your prescriptions and common medicines for allergies or pain. Remember, health first!
Travel Insurance: Give yourself peace of mind by buying travel insurance – especially if you are traveling internationally.
Travel Credit Card: Credit cards are a simple way to pay when traveling. Make sure you have no foreign transaction fees!
Document Copies: Keep digital copies of essential documents to minimize panic and ensure quick verification in case of loss. And share this with someone in case you lose your phone!
Joyous journeys come from well-prepared travelers!
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
What are 3 items to take on vacation?
Embrace the exhilarating aura of preparing for your much-awaited vacation!
Tuning into your needs and wants as a traveler, three crucial items stand out as top priority:
Anti-Theft Bag: This is an ideal travel companion – it comes with built-in security features that keep your belongings secure, reducing the risk of theft during your travels. With advancements in fashion, you can now find stylish options with exceptional functionality, making them perfect for vacations where style and security are priorities.
eReader: like the Kindle Paperwhite, makes the perfect vacation companion as it combines the portability and weightlessness of a single book while providing the capacity to store thousands of novels for entertainment. Moreover, its adjustable light settings and long battery life facilitate reading during transit, whether it’s mid-flight or at night, without disturbing others – a luxury traditional books can’t offer.
Tech Organizer Case: ensures all essential tech accessories like cables, adapters, and devices are neatly organized and easily accessible. This not only eliminates the hassle of rummaging through your bag for a tangled cord but also helps to maximize the efficient use of space within the bag.
Remember, the key is to pack smart and embrace savvy travel essentials that optimize comfort and convenience!
Best Travel Essentials Everyone Wants
Planning for a trip often entails the excitement-charged task of selecting the right essentials to pack.
This section highlights the best travel essentials that everyone craves, from the appropriate attire to tech gadgets, that go a long way in enhancing convenience during your journey.
These items, carefully curated by experienced travelers, promise to make every trip, whether short or long, a hassle-free experience.
1. Apple AirTags
Get ready for your next adventure with a travel essential that’s as smart as it is useful – the Apple AirTag.
This tiny gadget can make your trips stress-free by preventing the harrowing instances of lost luggage.
As a modern-day traveler, you’ll love the security it brings to your journeys. Simply sync the AirTag with your ‘Find My map’ and place it in your luggage to keep track of your belongings from point A to point B.
Lost luggage is increasingly common, but with an Apple AirTag, you’re covered.
Don’t forget these handy AirTag holders!
2. Travel Backpack
A travel backpack is your next must-have travel essential!
It’s an easy and convenient way to keep all your essentials – think wallet, phone, keys, passport – in one place, and with some even featuring a built-in USB port, you’ll never run out of battery on the move.
Its versatility and functionality, such as several compartments for organization and a separate section for shoes, are just unbeatable. Seriously, these travel backpacks are way cooler than your backpack from high school!
3. Luggage Scale
Traveling soon? Don’t even think about neglecting the trusty luggage scale!
This small but mighty tool, loved by frequent travelers like us, is your ticket to a stress-free journey.
With this compact gadget, say goodbye to dreaded overweight baggage fees.
Pack it in your carry-on for on-the-go convenience and weigh it with precision every time. One of my best gifts ever!
4. Anti-Theft Bag
An Anti-Theft Bag offers peace of mind when traveling, with built-in safety features deterring theft. These bags aren’t just secure but also fashionable, which is perfect!
The locking zippers act as a deterrent against potential theft as they add an additional barrier of protection.
Moreover, the incorporation of RFID blocking technology in these bags ensures your valuable information stays protected. This technology prevents identity theft by safeguarding any object with an RFID chip, such as passports issued after 2006 and credit/debit cards, from being read through your bag.
While traditionally, anti-theft bags have been seen as lacking in style, new versions of these bags are coming up in several fashionable options. As stated, they are now available in various colors like navy, charcoal, merlot, and blush apart from the usual black.
5. Underwater Action Camera
As a travel essentials superstar, the Underwater Action Camera ensures you never miss capturing a thrilling aquatic adventure. Turning ordinary snapshots into extraordinary keepsakes, this camera becomes a must-have for wanderlust souls.
Remarkably sealed, this camera captures stunning photos even from underwater.
Perfect for beachy holidays, and even more beneficial for snorkelers and swimmers.
Get for a tech-free vacation!
Pro tip: Master using this camera during daylight for better results.
6. Bluetooth Earbud Transmitter – Perfect to Use Your Airpods Pro
Head off on your next adventure armed with the Twelve South Bluetooth Audio Transmitter. This coveted travel essential turns your flight into a personal cinema!
Its superb features include high-quality sound transmission, pairing capabilities with airplane TVs, and functioning as a headphone splitter.
Ideal for tech-savvy travelers and those who love using their own headphones.
7. External Portable Charger
Don’t forget your portable charger – it’s a true travel hero! Imagine never running out of battery while navigating unfamiliar territories or capturing memorable moments.
This external power bank ensures your devices always stay juiced up.
Lightweight and compact size
Fast-charging capability
Can charge multiple devices at once.
Expert tip: Choose a charger that can power your device type at least 4x from zero battery.
8. Lightweight Luggage
Investing in lightweight luggage helps travelers avoid excessive baggage fees.
This is what we did over ten years ago and I can truly say we have saved thousands of dollars.
Look for luggage that weighs less than ten pounds. With most airlines capping luggage weight between 40-50 pounds that gives you 30-40 pounds of your stuff that you can pack.
While it is an upfront investment in new luggage, you will significantly reduce the risk of incurring additional fees.
9. Travel Wallet
This is something I picked up right before my last flight (teal of course)! I loved it because it was lightweight and compact size for easy carrying. Even in my yoga pant pocket!
Heald exactly what I needed with organized compartments for ID, cash, and credit cards
Sleek design that suits any style
RFID protection to keep your information safe
Travel wallets are perfect for minimalist travelers who love simplicity and security.
Learn how much cash can you fly with. It is more than your travel wallet!
10. Passport Holder
A passport holder: the travel essential you never knew you needed.
It’s the perfect companion for safeguarding your most priceless travel accessory – your passport.
Super convenient, passport holders come equipped with slots for important IDs, boarding passes, and even stashed currency.
The RFiD-blocking feature ensures your personal details remain secure from potential scams.
If you are traveling internationally, then this is something you want to seriously consider.
11. Tech Organizer Case
It’s a must-have to neatly stash all your tech essentials. Never be frazzled by tangled cords or lost chargers again.
The Tech Organizer Case, like the top pick FYY Electronic Organizer, is your ultimate travel buddy ensuring a clutter-free trip.
Ample space for multiple chargers, durable, and easy-to-use zippered compartments.
Be the organized traveler everyone envies!
12. Portable Door Lock
You mustn’t miss out on the Portable Door Lock when packing your travel essentials! This compact lock adds top-notch security and peace of mind to your trips.
Portable door locks are hot on the list of travel essentials because of their simplicity – easy to use, install, and pack in your luggage.
Best for solo travelers and Airbnb guests, this device prevents unexpected entrance even with a key.
Pro tip: Always test the lock right after installation for foolproof safety.
13. Carry-On Rolling Luggage
With precise packing, it is feasible to fit everything you need into this one carry-on, thereby ensuring a seamless travel experience.
Picking the best carry-on rolling luggage for your needs requires careful consideration. Rolling luggage with 4-wheels can be ideal as it takes the weight off your wrist and can be rolled effortlessly by your side.
Spacious enough to accommodate all your travel essentials like laptop, shoes, etc.
Opt for brands that offer a good warranty to ensure the durability of your luggage.
If your travel involves different types of terrain or switching from airports to cobblestones, you might want to consider a wheeled backpack which can be rolled or carried as needed. Lastly, always ensure that your chosen luggage is lightweight, versatile, and
These suitcases not only provide convenience due to their mobility but also allow the freedom to avoid checked luggage.
14. Toiletry Bag
Toiletry bags have become an essential part of smart packing for travel.
Hanging toiletry bags, like the Bagsmart option, represent a game changer, contributing significantly to an organized, convenient, and hassle-free travel experience.
Pick one that has the ability to accommodate a week’s worth of travel-size toiletries.
15. Travel Duffel Bag
Whether it’s a long adventure or a weekend getaway, a travel duffel bag is incredibly useful.
It holds your essentials—clothes, tech gadgets, toiletry bag, keys, phone—safely and conveniently.
Remember the thrill of keeping all your belongings organized? You get that with the multiple compartments.
Also, let’s not forget about that separate section for shoe storage—talk about clutch!
Best feature? Some come with a built-in USB port to ensure your devices are always charged.
Expert tip: Look for a bag that’s airline-compliant, lightweight, and durable.
16. Travel Pillow
Ready for your next adventure? Don’t forget your travel pillow – it’s your key to ultimate comfort!
Many popular Travel Pillows offer tailor-made support for your head and neck, especially on those long-haul flights. It’s lightweight and packs easily, meaning less hassle for you.
Best for those who value a peaceful in-flight snooze, this game-changing essential comes with a memory-foam wall offering unmatched comfort.
Pro Tip: Pair it with the EverSnug travel blanket, It doesn’t just keep you cozy but doubles as a compact cushion too! Now, that’s travel made comfy and convenient!
17. Sunglasses Case
Off to a sun-soaked adventure, you need a nifty sunglasses case! It’s a must-have to safeguard your shades from damage while in transit.
Perfect for those eyeing to pack multiple pairs of sunglasses, you’d love this.
Expert tip – Choose a case that securely holds your glasses snugly, ensuring no damage takes place during the journey.
18. Contact Lens Case Kit
After my last late night flight, I was determined to find a better system for my contact. Enter the Contact Lens Case Kit.
Perfect for maintaining your vision care away from home, this kit boasts a mirror, mini solution bottle for your contacts, lens case, tweezer, and remover tool.
You can also get a contact lens and glasses case combo travel kit!
This handy, compact kit is an asset to anyone wearing contacts. Not only will it make your travel simpler, but it’s also affordable, priced under $10.
19. Reusable Water Bottle
Set off on your travels with the ultimate companion, a reusable water bottle!
Refill at any airport water fountain and save on plastic and expenditure – a savvy choice for our planet and wallet!
Plus this is a frugal green item with less plastic waste and sustainable hydration.
Expert Tip: Pack Liquid IV or Nuun tabs to make your drink a fun experience!
20. Packing Cubes
Say goodbye to disorganized luggage with packing cubes—your best travel buddy!
They’re a lifesaver for the frequent flyer seeking an organized and hassle-free travel experience. Especially those traveling with kids!
With features like shoe sleeves and compressibility, they’re ideal for chronic over-packers or shared-luggage travelers. I cannot say how helpful packing cubes are for trips!
21. Luggage Straps
Luggage straps are a travel essential you shouldn’t overlook! These handy accessories offer added security and ease for every traveler.
Designed with durability and convenience in mind, luggage straps, such as the TSA-approved luggage nylon straps, keep your checked bags secure during long flights. You’ll also love their visibility feature – bright neon colors that make your suitcase easily identifiable!
Ideal for people frequently on the go, they’ve garnered solid endorsements from seasoned travelers.
22. Travel Pill Box
Say goodbye to loose pills and experience medication portability at its finest with the Travel Pill Box – a real game changer for travel essentials!
The sheer convenience it offers makes it a must-have for every traveler.
The Travel Pill Box keeps your medications organized with multiple compartments that can be labeled as you wish.
Ideal for people on the go, it eliminates the need for bulky pill boxes and plastic bags.
Expert Tip: Allocate distinct sections for different medications and times of the day to ensure regularity even when your travel schedule is unpredictable.
23. Universal Travel Adapter
This top-quality adapter is a jet-setter’s delight, ensuring you’re always powered up on your globe-trotting adventures.
A travel adapter is a useful device that allows travelers to use their electronic devices in countries where different plug standards are used. It provides a hassle-free way to keep electronic devices like laptops, phones, or cameras powered up, vital for staying connected and entertained during international travels.
With its functionality in over 150 countries and capacity to charge six devices simultaneously, it’s perfect for the tech-savvy traveler.
Remember, it’s not a voltage converter, so ensure your devices are dual-voltage. If not, pack an adapter that converts voltage.
24. TSA Approved Luggage Lock
Secure your luggage with the TSA Approved Luggage Lock, an absolute must-have for every savvy traveler.
With this lock, enjoy peace of mind on your journeys, assured your luggage is safe and no one has been through your stuff!
Featuring easy-to-read dials, an inspection indicator, and a durable zinc alloy design, it’s perfect for frequent flyers and security-conscious travelers.
Expert Tip – Always lock your suitcase when unattended to deter theft. And carry an extra in case yours is lost.
25. TSA Approved Travel Bottles
These TSA Approved Travel Bottles are magnificent game-changers for any frequent flier.
They’re precisely designed, with an easy dispensing mechanism, and leak-proof tops, plus conform to TSA size limits.
A supreme choice for savvy travelers, they’re reusable, eco-friendly, and wallet-friendly.
26. Luggage Cup Holder
The Luggage Cup Holder is about to be your new jet-setting best friend. (In fact, I’m buying this for my son for Christmas.)
This genius accessory deftly holds your coffee or water bottle, freeing you up to maneuver through busy airports effortlessly.
Even better, it features a handy pouch for storing essentials like ID’s or credit cards.
Juggle less and travel more, with this brilliant travel necessity!
27. Compression Socks
Long-haul flights call for compression socks! They increase blood flow while reducing swelling and the risk of blood clotting which may occur due to prolonged periods of sitting, such as during long flights.
Thankfully, they are way more stylish than the traditional hospital-issued white compression socks. This has caused their popularity to soar, providing pressure from the ankle upwards, making them essential for flights.
These socks provide graduated compression especially high at the ankles and reduce upwards towards the knee, facilitating increased blood flow.
Moreover, they are not only meant for those with medical conditions, but also beneficial for travelers, athletes, and those who stand for long hours at work. They enhance overall leg health by minimizing swelling, fatigue, and discomfort, thus improving the quality of your daily activities and sleep.
28. Cruise Luggage Tags
Get ready to sail in style and convenience with one indispensable travel essential – cruise luggage tags.
It’s that little gadget you never knew you needed until you’ve used one and seen its magic.
Here’s why: These tags make your bags unmistakable, reducing the risk of losing them amidst a sea of sameness. It’s a godsend for frequent cruisers as your company-issued tags won’t fall off.
Go for brightly-colored, durable tags. A simple trick, but could save you from a world of lost luggage stress.
29. Laundry soap sheets
One of the best ways to pack less is to run a quick load of luggage on your trip. So, these laundry soap sheets come in handy! We also pack two dryer balls as well.
Ready to pack for your next adventure? Don’t forget laundry soap sheets, a travel game-changer! –
They’re lightweight and occupy minimal space. This is great when packing a minimalist capsule wardrobe.
No time to find a laundromat? Then, use SinkSuds which can be used anywhere!
30. Security Cameras at Home
Securing your home with surveillance cameras while traveling is a crucial precaution.
The peace of mind offered by a vigilant “electronic eye” is incomparable. These cameras capture real-time footage, aiding in deterring burglaries and providing evidence if needed. Perfect for frequent travelers, it assures your abode’s safety from afar.
When we travel, we install one inside our house with an instant notification on our phones. As motion is detected, a siren noise goes off, which I’m sure would terrify any intruder!
Expert tip: Opt for cameras with remote-access features, so you’re always a glance away from your home.
What are the five most important items you need for these vacations?
Setting off for your much-anticipated vacation?
Here are the top five must-have travel essentials for an easy-going and memorable adventure.
Travel Planner and Journal: This bundle is essential for planning your trip and keeping track of your daily activities. The planner helps organize your itinerary, while the journal provides a wonderful means to record memories and experiences from your trip.
Multipurpose Clothing: Items like versatile shoes or pants that are ideal for multiple activities such as hiking and sightseeing are crucial to pack. Such items can save you space in your baggage, simplify your travel outfits, and cover a variety of travel occasions or activities.
All-in-One Travel Bag: A multipurpose bag, like a fanny pack or backpack, is an important versatile travel essential. This item keeps your essentials within easy reach, aids organization, and can adapt to a variety of travel situations.
Personal Care Essentials: Depending on your destination and planned activities, personal care items may include sunblock, moisturizer, or insect repellant. They ensure you are prepared for the environmental conditions you may face and can greatly enhance your overall comfort and well-being during your travels.
Travel Luggage: This trendy luggage piece thrills travelers with its durability and sleek design. Make sure your suitcases are lightweight!
Remember, a well-prepared traveler is a happy traveler. Aim for comfort, protection, and convenience!
Which Essentials for Travelling are your Next Purchase?
Ready to embark on your next adventure?
Don’t let unexpected situations curb your enthusiasm – it all starts with being prepared.
Remember, travel isn’t just about the destination but the journey, and the journey includes packing well!
With these travel essentials ideas, you can load up your bags with high-quality travel gear, ensuring comfort and stress-free experiences during your trip and beyond. Many of which are actually Amazon travel must haves.
Investing in essentials now will not just save you money down the line, but also help avoid irritating travel hitches.
Whether it’s tangle-free cords, smart luggage, or convenient packing tools – each item on our list has earned its spot by proving its worth on countless journeys for me.
So, next time you’re planning a trip, remember to refer back to this list. Good preparation equals to great journeys!
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
New York City is a packed metropolis with many hidden nooks and crannies and surprises. As you can imagine, New York secrets abound, and to compile them all would probably take multiple volumes. Sufficed to say, the Big Apple is a fascinating place and is always one of the best cities ever!
We’ve compiled some New York secrets and quirky facts for you below.
33 New York secrets and facts from the mundane to the really weird
1. The Lenape tribe originally inhabited the area now known as New York City. They called the area Manna-hata, roughly translating to a place where you find wood for bows (and arrows).
2. When the Dutch founded a trading post in 1625 on the south part of what is now Manhattan Island, they named it New Amsterdam, after the capital city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
3. The name Wall Street refers to a wooden wall originally used to protect “New Amsterdam” from Native Americans and the British.
4. The British then conquered the Dutch in a fight for New Amsterdam (well, the Dutch surrendered before bloodshed). New York became the town’s name after British monarch King Charles II gave the land to his brother James Stuart, Duke of York.
5. The influence of the Dutch still lives on in New York, however. They named Brooklyn and Harlem after Dutch towns. Both neighborhoods offer some great apartments for rent in N.Y.C.
6. Did you know SoHo was New York’s red light district before becoming an artist enclave?
7. SoHo has several hidden restaurants or secretive eateries, such as the exclusive après ski fondue chalet hidden inside Café Select located behind the kitchen through a door labeled “No entry, employees only.”
8. If you like pirates, well, pirates like New York! Captain William Kidd a.k.a. Captain Kidd was a Scottish-born pirate (1654–1701) who spent part of his life in New York City. He actually buried treasure (later recovered) on Gardiner’s Island, which is off of Long Island.
9. It’s not so much a New York secret itself as what secrets it might contain: The Morbid Anatomy Library (which had a previous incarnation as the Morbid Anatomy Museum) is a fascinating research library and creepy collection in Brooklyn that houses all sorts of rare books, prints and photographs, art and other “ephemera” that relate to medicine, anatomy and death. It’s free and open to the public.
10. Some swear that there’s a reason why New York bagels are so much better than those made just about anywhere else. The secret? It’s not in the recipe. It’s in the N.Y.C. water, delivered virtually unfiltered from the New York Catskill Mountains and has a unique proportion of calcium and magnesium, which makes N.Y. bagels soft and chewy on the inside and delightfully crispy on the outside.
11. Underneath the world-famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel are secret train tracks built in the 1930s to shuttle President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in order to keep his polio disease a secret from the public.
12. If there’s ever another Night at the Museum movie based in New York, we can imagine they might use the World War I fighter plane found on the roof of 77 Water Street in the Financial District. Sure, the astroturf runway isn’t real and there’s probably no gas in it, but this British Sopwith Camel fighter plane arrived in 1969 as a publicity stunt to keep watch over Manhattan.
13. There’s a gorgeous Frank Lloyd Wright house on Staten Island called the Crimson Beech, but we won’t share the address for the reasons of privacy. (You can probably find photos of the architectural gem by searching online, of course.)
14. Yes, that’s a submerged, rusting yellow submarine sitting in Coney Island Creek off of Brooklyn. It’s a homemade submarine named Quester I, and made of salvaged metal by shipyard worker Jerry Bianco. His intent was to search the wreckage of the SS Andrea Doria but made a wreck himself when the submarine keeled over to the side and partially sank post-launch.
15. The SS Andrea Doria did not sink in Coney Island Creek, by the way, but was on its way from Genoa to New York when the MS Stockholm hit it and it sank. The death toll on the Andrea Doria from the collision was 46, but the sunken ship itself is still claiming victims as it’s now called “The Mt. Everest of Wreck Diving.” Some believe the shipwreck is cursed, as almost 20 divers have perished trying to explore the wreckage. Thus, one can wonder, was Jerry Bianco and his ill-fated yellow submarine also cursed? Or, did this Brooklyn submarine failure save him from a possibly worse fate had he reached the Andrea Doria?
16. Five large pieces of the Berlin Wall have lived on in N.Y.C., although one large segment was apparently put in storage. Artist Peter Max carved another to put on display at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum but returned it to the owner many years ago to the original owner.
17. Rockefeller Center is actually home to several secret gardens that live upon its various roofs, some with lovely reflecting pools.
18. Speaking of New York gardens, one of the smallest gardens in the city is actually an overgrown alleyway with a few benches called Septuagesimo Uno, located on the Upper West Side. At a mere two-fifths of an acre, this teeny park gives the term “pocket park” a run for its money.
19. There are six other parks in N.Y.C. that are smaller than Septuagesimo Uno, but most are not very usable: the smallest being McNally Plaza, basically an iron fence surrounding a solemn stone marker honoring the veterans of World War I.
20. Some people call the Tabernacle Prayer Church in Queens “N.Y.C.’s Best Kept Secret.” Why? The beautiful church building, outrageously ornate in a good way, was a lavish movie theater that opened in 1929. The historic landmark now offers regular church services with rousing gospel music.
21. While we don’t recommend it, many urban explorers have illegally gone to the abandoned 13-acre North Brother Island located in the East River out of the fascination of the ruins there. A hospital located on the island where people who were sick with contagious diseases, such as tuberculosis, smallpox, yellow fever, typhus and typhoid fever, quarantined. The island is now a bird sanctuary.
22. If you thought Typhoid Mary was just a legend, no, she actually lived on North Brother Island in quarantine starting in 1908 for more than 20 years. She infected 53 people with typhoid fever despite being asymptomatic. (She was a cook and kept on cooking for the public despite being told to stop by health authorities.)
23. North Brother Island was also the location of the biggest loss of life in the city until 9/11. In 1903, a steamboat named General Slocum was on its way to Long Island for an annual church picnic. Fire bloomed in one of the machine rooms, and allegedly a 12-year-old boy tried to warn the captain but he brushed it off. When the boat sank, it was on the banks of North Brother Island, and more than 1,000 people died.
24. Perhaps due to this event, the patients who died on the island haunt North Brother Island and sometimes residents hear screams from the hospital ruins and see ghosts on the island’s shores from Manhattan.
25. Many consider the most haunted place in N.Y.C. the aptly named “House of Death” located in Greenwich Village. Built in 1856, This modest-looking brownstone apparently houses the ghost of Mark Twain, although he himself only lived there for a little more than a year. At the House of Death, Mark Twain allegedly saw a piece of wood kindling move on its own so he shot it and it dripped blood — though Twain himself said this must have been from a rat moving the wood.
26. Jan Bryant Bartell was a writer and actress who lived in Mark Twain’s spooky house starting in 1957 and wrote about her unsettling paranormal experiences there in the book “Spindrift.” She eventually died under mysterious circumstances in 1973. Later, one of the most disturbing events at the House of Death was when a father murdered his own six-year-old after a cocaine binge back in 1987.
27. Radio City Music Hall is haunted, as many theaters in N.Y.C. are, but that’s not its best secret. There’s actually a secret apartment in Radio City Music Hall, created for theater impresario (producer) Samuel “Roxy” Rothafel (1882-1936). This beautiful art deco apartment with 20-foot-high ceilings entertained luminaries, such as Olivia de Havilland and Alfred Hitchcock. Abandoned for a while after Roxy’s death, it now rents for private luxury events.
28. If you really want to live in style, check out the most expensive apartment in New York City, costing $192,000 per year.
29. Are there really “mole people” living underneath the streets of N.Y.C.? Yes, and many of them say they prefer to live there where no one bothers them with taxes or rent. Stories of underground cannibalism, alligators and elaborate secret passages ala Beauty and the Beast are greatly exaggerated New York secrets, however.
30. Speaking of secret passages, there’s a fake brownstone in Brooklyn Heights that hides a subway ventilator. It’s also said to host a secret passageway to the 4/5 trains below.
31. This isn’t the only fake rowhome in N.Y.C. A Con Edison substation located in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx has a façade that consists of beautiful, almost-too-pristine-looking townhomes.
32. Wondering why there are black squirrels in N.Y.C.? It’s due to a recessive gene that tends to come out in more isolated squirrel populations, which can happen on urban islands. Black fur may also keep the squirrels warmer.
33. Frank Sinatra’s iconic “New York, New York” was originally sung by Liza Minelli in the 1977 movie “New York, New York.” If you haven’t heard her sing it yet, drop what you are doing and prepare to be wowed.
Experience “The City” for yourself with a New York apartment
We’ve shared some fun New York City secrets. To learn real New York City secrets, you’ll need to live there. While rent is definitely more expensive in N.Y.C. than your average town, you can still find many great apartments for rent in New York.
Working from home has emerged as a common option for some employees as many companies have adopted the hybrid model and new work from home trends have evolved.
A dedicated workplace is becoming more of a priority for employees, especially those who live with roommates or other family members in an apartment. An extra bedroom or a nook is now an essential feature when people consider moving to or renting a new apartment.
While some employees have returned to the office, other people work for companies that allow a hybrid schedule and only require going to the office two to three days a week. Creating an office atmosphere is critical, especially for people who work with teams or spend many hours of the day on phone calls or video meetings. Sitting at the dining table or in a corner of the living room is no longer a conducive work situation for some people who want a dedicated space.
Here are six work-from-home trends that renters are seeking for 2022.
1. Extra bedroom-nook
“Renters will continue to prioritize functional remote workspaces,” said Ericka Rios, co-founder and director of leasing for Downtown Apartment Company, a Chicago-based brokerage that matches renters with approximately 16,000 apartments in more than 200 properties across the Windy City.
Rios also expects renters to seek work from home-friendly floor plans offering bonus rooms or pocket office nooks.
“Working from home has become a permanent part of the landscape with Chicago renters and they are changing their living situations to accommodate it,” she said. “While some workers have gone back to the office, many are still working from home some or all of the time and need a more functional space for their home office. Many have upgraded to a larger living space with an additional room dedicated to a home office, while others are moving to buildings that offer a more traditional co-working space. The common thread is that nearly everyone has prioritized finding a functional WFH situation within their apartment community.”
Maria Abbe, a public relations executive who lives in Florida, said she recently moved into a two-bedroom apartment to have additional space.
“I wanted extra space, ample lighting and an open kitchen/living room so I don’t feel like I’m holed up in one room all day,” she said. “The palm trees help, too.”
2. Storage areas
Having enough storage in an apartment or in another part of the building is important to many people who prefer to spend their time outside and want to safely stash their sports or exercise equipment, such as a bicycle.
“Storage space in the common areas is critical these days,” said Teresa DeVos, executive vice president of operations at RKW Residential, a Charlotte, NC-based, third-party, multifamily management firm that oversees more than 30,000 apartments throughout the southeast region.
“How that space is designed and delivered depends on the demographics and geographic area the community is located in,” she said.
Secure storage located in a nearby location is a consideration
A community in a walkable, urban neighborhood requires significant space for bike storage. Renters working from home want to get their bikes out of the apartment and in a secure space.
“One of our communities located on the water has many kayaking enthusiasts as residents, so we had to allocate space for kayak storage,” DeVos said. Working from inside an apartment all day makes getting fresh air and exercise that much more important.”
3. Adequate natural light/more windows
When you spend all day working from home, having enough natural light emerges as a priority. Some people thrive in work environments with a lot of sunlight and are more productive.
“Natural light or a big window to place your workstation is vital for the workday when you live in New York City,” said Raj Nijjer, CMO of Refersion, a company that helps online shops track sales driven by promoters, influencers and affiliates. He prefers anything green or trees outside and likes having the ability to take a short walk on quiet streets for breaks or phone calls.
“Natural light is very beneficial to wellness, especially for those who work from home,” said Linda Kozloski, creative design director at Lendlease, an Australian-based integrated real estate and investment group.
The broad windows at Cascade, a 503-unit luxury apartment tower that recently opened in Chicago’s Lakeshore East neighborhood, and Porte, a 586-unit development in Chicago’s West Loop that opened during the pandemic, not only let in the “ample daylight that residents desire, they offer views of the skyline and nearby parks, allowing residents to take mini breaks as they work, moving their eyes from their screen to the view,” she said.
“The most common request we are getting from renters about working from home is having the ability to carve out a little area of the apartment as a space to work comfortably and with plenty of natural light or LED lighting,” DeVos said.
“We have taken the step of staging our model apartments to incorporate such spaces so prospective renters can visualize what working from home would look like,” she said.
Large windows help with productivity
Freda Moon, a travel editor at SFGate, said having a view like a big window overlooking a park and a location with restaurants and bars nearby with a lot of activity becomes more important. “I don’t want to feel cooped up,” she said.
Large windows with natural light and “a view of the city to feel like I was in a real office which helps with productivity,” said Justine D’Addio, a publicist for startups, who works from home in downtown San Francisco. “Having a larger than average balcony is great for work breaks and overlooking whatever ‘hustle & bustle’ is left here,” she said.
4. Noise control
Being able to manage the amount of noise from inside the apartment and from within the building is critical for people who need less noise to complete projects. WFH employees find this to be a necessity, especially if they’re living with a partner, children or roommates.
“There has always been high demand for sturdy, well-built communities, but now that more of our residents are working from home, they appreciate that our projects are designed to high acoustical standards,” Kozloski said. “The double-glazed glass in the façades of Porte and Cascade act as a noise-mitigation measure, ensuring that most external sounds are not detectable.”
Other people want a quiet respite from street noise or have no desire to hear their neighbors walking around their apartments. Michael Dehls, an IT professional living in Rutherford, NJ, said, “I think the ability to manage noise is extremely important, especially for couples. ”
His previous apartment had no doors between rooms, which made it tough when both he and his wife had to take conference calls simultaneously. Their new apartment has doors in most of the rooms.
“Being able to limit the amount of noise she heard from her neighbors was essential,” said Liz Froment, a Boston resident, who moved during the pandemic.
“A huge one for me was limiting neighbor noise,” she said. “I went from being surrounded on all sides to a top floor corner unit sharing only one small wall.”
5. Meeting or co-working room
Being able to work in a meeting room in the apartment’s lobby or having a silent booth for taking phone calls is a necessity. Others need a break from their roommates or family members.
“Building amenities like co-working areas with meeting rooms, private booths or dedicated Zoom rooms will be in high demand during the year ahead,” Rios said.
“Renters also want the ability to create such environments throughout the community, whether it is individual ‘phone booth’ private spaces to make calls and have virtual meetings or co-working areas for small groups to get projects done,” DeVos said. “If we can incorporate small workspaces into rooftops, especially in cities with great views, we make sure to do so.”
Change of scenery needed for WFH employees
“The amenity arms race has always included meeting spaces that allow residents a change of scenery so they can get work done outside of their unit,” Kozloski said. “Since the start of the pandemic, some buildings also offer work pods that are designed for one person to do head-down work.”
“At Cascade (which is 50 percent occupied) there have been nearly 600 reservations for the two reservable conference rooms since launching reservations on Oct. 1,” she said. “These spaces are open 24 hours a day and the most popular reservation time is between 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Cascade also added Stockwell vending machines, coffee service and a Print with Me printer in this same space as the reservable study areas as a convenience for those that work from home.”
“A top consideration for renters is how an apartment building provides working from home options,” said Jon Schneider, senior vice president for Fifield Cos., a Chicago-based boutique real estate developer that owns multifamily buildings in multiple markets, including two properties that opened during the pandemic in Chicago.
Their buildings are primarily located in or near city centers, which offers easy access for those who have returned to the office, but “estimates show about 50 to 60 percent of its residents are still working from home,” he said.
“We anticipate the flexibility to work from both an office and from home will continue to be a factor for the long term,” Schneider said. “Data suggests eight out of 10 renters expect to be working from home at least part of the time now and in the future,” he said.
Demand for co-working suites is rising
“Residents at their building in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago like having access to a full co-working suite with individual booths providing separation with a sense of openness, small offices offering a less distracting, more private space for phone calls and focused work and a more traditional conference room with a large table and wall-mounted monitor for group meetings or space to spread out,” Schneider said.
“Having this common space allows residents the flexibility to lease whatever floor plan best fits their budget and lifestyle because they know work-from-home space is covered,” he said. “The co-working spaces in our buildings like Logan Apartments and Westerly are consistently utilized and some residents even bring an entire computer set-up with monitors and PCs down to the co-working space on a daily basis. In terms of COVID protocols, we follow whatever the local government guidelines are for masks and social distancing.”
6. Outdoor space
Having access to outdoor space at the apartment complex, such as a balcony with adequate room for a table and chairs, a small garden and/or a dog park, is what some renters prefer.
Some renters find that having a dog park is just as important as having enough light or an extra room.
A dog park is what made the difference in choosing the last apartment for Angela Tague, a marketing writer and journalist who lives in Sioux City, IA.
“It was great for my dog to exercise and meet other dogs and got me outside more,” she said. “Win. Win.”
Access to outdoor areas is a priority
The Downtown Apartment Company in Chicago said 75 percent of its rental clients now want access to private outdoor space and they’re willing to pay a premium for it. Units with balconies tend to rent at 30 cents to 40 cents more per square foot. Rios also said that the No. 1 location for a balcony is off the bedroom, which can be hard to find as most units feature a balcony off of the living area.
“Another interesting insight is that balconies are leveling the playing field a bit between older Class A buildings and newer Class A+ buildings with tons of high-end amenity space, but no private balconies, ” Rios said.
“Balconies allow renters to work outside in temperate weather,” she said. “I’ve heard from the Porte leasing team that balcony units were the first to go because people wanted that second location to work from home.”
“Both Cascade and Porte have generous outdoor amenity decks that include, among other things, plenty of lounge furniture where renters can sit with a laptop to get work done. In addition, Cascade has a 32nd-floor lounge space overlooking Navy Pier that includes an adjacent study room for those who want great views and a quiet space.”
Work from home trends will continue
Many work-from-home trends will continue in 2022 as renters seek new living quarters. Some will continue their hybrid work models, while others will spend more time in the office.
Employees prefer to have a defined workspace, whether it’s another room or areas dedicated to relaxation or exercise, such as a balcony, small green space or a dog park. They want to spend time outdoors and away from their screens.
Homebuilders don’t have the luxury of outwaiting the market, or waiting for the Fed to slash rates, or whatever, they must build and sell homes, that’s their business, no matter what the conditions in the market.
And the market is struggling with 7%-plus 30-year fixed mortgage rates and sky-high prices, after a ridiculous free-money spike during the pandemic. Sales of existing homes have plunged by about 25% from the same period in 2018 and 2019, and by about 32% from the same period in 2021, because buyers have pulled back, and the people with 3% mortgages have left the housing market altogether, not putting their homes on the market and not buying homes either, not even looking at homes.
That plunge in sales might be OK with potential home sellers, thinking that this too shall pass, but it’s not OK with homebuilders, and they’ve been adjusting to this market by cutting prices, building at lower price points, buying down mortgage rates, and offering incentives, such as free upgrades.
The latter two – buying down mortgage rates and piling on incentives – don’t show up in the prices of the homes they sell. So the pricing data that we have from the Census Bureau about sales of new single-family houses do not include the costs of mortgage-rate buydowns and incentives.
With mortgage rate buydowns, the homebuilder subsidizes the mortgage payment.
The duration of the buydown can be for a few years, which effectively turns it into a teaser rate that can cause problems when the rate jumps to normal.
Or the rate-buydown can be for the entire term of the mortgage (“permanent”).
The big homebuilders have mortgage-lender subsidiaries that originate the mortgage for their customers and then sell the mortgage to Government Sponsored Enterprises, such as Fannie Mae, which will securitize the mortgages into MBS. For example, the mortgage-lender subsidiary of D.R. Horton is DHI Mortgage Company.
Having their own mortgage lender makes rate buydowns a lot simpler for homebuilders. This is similar to the “captive” auto lenders, such as Ford Credit offering 0% 36-month financing for F-150 XLTs at the moment.
The costs of the mortgage-rate buy-downs can be big, because the home prices are big, and buydowns effectively lower the sales price of the home.
But the costs of buydowns don’t show up in the national median price of new houses sold. The numbers only show the contract prices. July’s median price (green) and the three-month-moving average of the median price (red) of signed contracts dropped by roughly 12% from the peak in late 2022, according to Census Bureau data. Now figure in the cost of rate buydowns, and the prices would have dropped a lot lower:
Concerning the mortgage-rate buydowns, John Burns Research and Consulting, which among other things regularly surveys homebuilders, came out with an interesting note about mortgage-rate buydowns by homebuilders in Florida, based on its regular surveys of homebuilders, phone calls, community visits, etc., plus this time, to supplement the data: “our survey team visited 13 home builders, three land brokers, and a regional developer in Jacksonville and Orlando.”
John Burns chose Jacksonville and Orlando because they’re “more rate sensitive than other Florida markets that attract a higher percentage of retirees who pay all cash and don’t need rate buydowns.”
In a prior note, John Burns said that 5.5% seems to be the “magic number” that makes home sales happen for homebuilders. This is what the survey found:
“Permanent buydown: Buying the 30-year fixed mortgage rate down permanently to 5.25% to 5.75% is making a positive difference in allowing home buyers to qualify for the home purchase.”
“Sub 5%: Builders will even buy the current rate down to 4.75% to 4.99% for inventory homes they want to sell quickly.
“Prepaying for even lower rates: Using a forward commitment, a builder’s mortgage company can originate FHA (Federal Housing Administration) or conforming mortgages at a below-market rate. Often, these buckets of money must be used within 60–90 days, so they work best when builders have nearly completed inventory.
“Temporary buydowns: A couple of Florida builders are using 2-1 temporary rate buydowns (a mortgage rate that is -2% lower in year one and -1% lower in year two) as part of a flex-cash program, allowing buyers to spend the dollars on closing costs, design center options, or a longer rate buydown. A move-up builder sees buyers accepting current elevated rates and planning to refinance when rates drop.
“Managing cancelation risk: One builder requires a 20% down payment from buyers receiving a 30-year rate buydown.
“Good to be big: Smaller production builders may struggle to compete for sales due to limited access or high costs of capital that curb their ability to provide inventory homes and rate buydowns.”
What about profit margins and appraisal issues?
“Builders did not express concerns regarding their margins, even though 30-year rate buydowns are expensive,” John Burns said.
“We have not heard of appraisal issues that could potentially stem from the heavy incentives offered but are monitoring for potential risk,” John Burns said.
And they’re hidden from the national house price data.
In the auto industry, rate buydowns are in lieu of cash incentives, such as rebates or dealer cash, and the customer chooses: either 0% financing or the cash incentives. The cash incentives translate into an explicit lower selling price that the customer sees in the sales contract and that then becomes part of the national data, such as the Average Transaction Price, new vehicle CPI, etc., and ultimately it percolates through to used vehicle values.
John Burns did not say, and I’m not aware of a similar pricing transparency among homebuilders where customers could choose, for example: on a $500,000 house, either a 5% 30-year fixed rate mortgage or, say a $50,000 discount on a deal funded with a 7.3% mortgage.
But the effective price difference due to the rate-buydown doesn’t show up in the numbers. And we don’t know just how far the effective prices of new houses have dropped; and appraisers – according to John Burns – have not yet caught on to it either.
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Outside of buying a home, purchasing a vehicle can be one of your most costly expenses. Early this year, as the cost of new cars reached new heights, many drivers held off on signing on the dotted line.
But the industry is finally shifting as vehicle inventory stabilizes and manufacturers offer more incentives. Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader, says it’s good news for those looking to buy. Consider how the industry’s current state might make this fall season a fine time to finance a new set of wheels.
New vehicle prices are holding steady
The average price Americans paid for a new vehicle in August was almost flat compared to one year ago, according to data from Kelley Blue Book (KBB). It now stands at $48,451, an increase of less than $50 from last year. Growing vehicle inventory and incentives helped make prices more accessible.
Even more remarkably, new vehicle transaction costs are down 2.4 percent compared to January, which KBB called “the most significant decrease in the past decade.” But despite prices’ downward trend, high interest rates have made many hesitant to set out to the dealership. These rates offset any wins that a lower price tag carries.
“The other costs associated with buying a new car specifically are higher,” Moody says.
According to recent Bankrate data, new car buyers getting a 60-month car loan received an average interest rate of 7.51 percent in late September. Without a down payment, a rate like this can mean a monthly payment of up to $970 for the average new car.
Interestingly, though, higher interest rates have positively impacted the bottom line for car buyers, Moody explains.
“In a way, they’re playing to the consumer’s benefit because ultimately you have to pay what you have to pay, but it is helping the prices stay steady because the dealers and the people who are pricing these know they can’t just keep raising the price,” he proposes.
Dealerships know the challenges shoppers face and aim to avoid pricing out entire populations before arriving at the dealership. With this in mind, many dealers have adjusted by upping dealer incentives.
Increase in dealer incentives
A dealer incentive is a perk offered to buyers by the dealership. These can be cash rebates, lower rates or vehicle upgrades. Last year, incentives were low due to supply chain issues. With demand high and supply low, dealers had little reason to offer generous incentives.
But these buyer perks jumped for the eleventh consecutive month in August, KBB found. The average incentive package was 4.9 percent of the entire price, up 2.3 percent at the same time last year. But still, these incentives remain historically low.
For context, incentives back in August 2020 averaged 10.8 percent of the average transaction price (ATP). However, some vehicle sectors offer incentive rates close to pre-pandemic levels. Of the sectors with the highest incentives, the high-end luxury segment provided the most for its buyers, reaching 10.1 percent of ATP.
Vans, small and midsize pickup trucks and high-performance cars held the lowest available incentives in August.
A high down payment also helps to offset the price
Another way to save money on your monthly payment is to put down a large down payment — ideally, at least 20 percent. Calculate how much more money down can save you.
Available vehicle inventory has grown
The pandemic resulted in supply chain issues across industries, including the automotive sector.
That meant fewer new vehicles were produced, resulting in higher prices. Even those who could afford higher-priced vehicles could not find their desired car.
But there has finally been a shift in the market. Data from Cox Automotive in early September, ahead of the ongoing United Auto Workers strike, reported 2.06 million in total inventory, which has not happened since April 2021.
“There’s tons of supply versus, say, a year or so ago, when we were talking about not much inventory in terms of new cars, especially,” explains Moody. But now, he says, “There’s an abundant supply.”
On top of overall inventory growth, a larger variety of vehicle types has also positively shifted the market. The EV sector, for example, had vehicle availability above the industry average in early September, according to KBB. The sector boasted incentives averaging 8.1 percent of ATP.
Moody explains that an increase in electric car models leads to increased competition, which is favorable even for those not looking to drive green.
“That’s the story that I think people miss about electric cars. Everyone gets all hung up on, ‘Well, I don’t want to drive an electric car, and why are they forcing us,’” Moody quips.
But more choices mean more competition across automakers and thus more consumer benefits, Moody concludes.
Not all vehicles cost the same
For example, purchasing a compact car will save you additional money over a larger truck. Check out Bankrate’s best-value cars before shopping for the best deals.
How to save for future vehicle purchases
Although vehicle prices have remained steady, and the increase in inventory bodes well, prices are still very high. And growing inflation and moves made by the Federal Reserve will make financing your vehicle more expensive.
Consider the following tips to get the best deal on your next auto loan purchase.
Buy electric. While EVs tend to carry a higher initial cost, they can cost less throughout ownership. On top of this, August data showed a continued decline in electric vehicle prices, driven by Tesla’s price cuts.
Consider shopping with a credit union. With high interest rates, it is wise to compare multiple lender options. Check out credit unions, as they often offer lower rates than dealerships and online lenders.
Improve your credit. The stronger your credit score is, the more competitive your rates will be. Before applying for a loan, try improving your credit to secure the best rate.
Apply for loan preapproval. While not all lenders offer this perk, loan preapproval will give you a firm idea of the expected cost and leverage for negotiation.
Outside of these tips, Moody has straightforward advice for those who might purchase a car this year: “Just don’t overextend yourself.”
While purchasing a flashy luxury vehicle can be tempting, it is not worth the risk if it pushes your budget over the edge. Take the time to calculate the true cost of ownership, including any additional costs, and consider how your terms will impact your monthly payments.
Moody says a successful purchase requires three things. Buyers should be realistic about the price, look for the most attractive incentives and have a strong credit score.
With those in mind, Moody thinks drivers “can find a good deal and can potentially be paying less from here on out going forward.”