We never tire of looking at magnificent midcentury modern homes—and we’re not alone. They’ve been favored on architectural popularity lists for well over 75 years!
Midcentury modern design began in the mid-1940s, right after World War II. Soldiers were coming home, starting families, and setting off the baby boom—and they needed new homes quickly and inexpensively.
The experimental technologies and materials—steel, aluminum, tempered glass, stucco, and plywood—developed during the war and beyond were quickly applied to residential structures to meet the needs of the growing U.S. population.
The style had staying power—and spread across the U.S. You might think the epicenter of the midcentury modern movement would be in swanky Palm Springs, CA, where the design was energetically embraced. Or perhaps in the Midwest, where architectural icon Frank Lloyd Wright helped originate the movement.
But a simple search on Realtor.com® reveals that original midcentury modern homes can be found throughout the country.
The prices are as varied as the locations. We found prime and well-preserved examples ranging from $2.6 million to $249,500.
If open floor plans, floor-to-ceiling windows, sleek spaces, and a cool-cat vibe are on your list of must-haves, take a look.
Price: $1,995,000 Handsome in Hollywood: Brimming with original features, this 1960-built home is nestled in the hills of Beachwood Canyon, close to the Hollywood sign and the Lake Hollywood Reservoir. Celebrity-filled hiking trails await right outside the door.
This one is a three-bedroom, two-bath, 1,502-square-foot beauty with walls of glass, transom and picture windows, sliding glass doors, and balconies.
Original features include glass-block walls, a concrete-block fireplace, beamed ceilings, and brick planters. This hillside home is already pending sale.
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Price: $2,600,000 Pretty and petite: Beautifully restored and located in the popular Sun Terrace neighborhood, this two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,338-square-foot home proves that good things really do come in small packages.
Every square inch of this “atomic ranch” has been stylishly renovated. For example, custom floors were poured to match the original terrazzo. We’re also crazy about those primary-colored floor tiles.
Other exquisitely updated features include a sparkling kitchen with high-end appliances, and a high-impact roof and windows. The house is further equipped with smart technology.
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Price: $535,000 Boise beauty: Built in 1961, the two-story home has been updated with modern features like a state-of-the-art kitchen.
The three-bedroom, two-bath abode, with 2,028 square feet of interior space, has been updated from floor to ceiling. Plus, the home’s 9,583-square-foot lot includes a hot tub, storage shed, and chicken coop.
The home is located in a quiet neighborhood near downtown Boise, so there are plenty of shops and restaurants nearby. It’s also close to the interstate and the airport, just in case you ever need to get away from this pretty little piece of paradise.
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Price: $335,000 Kansas cocoon: If you’re the type who likes to keep the neighbors guessing—this could be the time capsule for you! All the big windows are in the back, and that 1966-era, stone-front exterior allows for plenty of privacy.
The interior space measures 1,949 square feet, and there are three bedrooms and two baths. Downstairs, you’ll find a playroom and storage area, a two-car garage, and an additional storage shed.
The listing indicates that “lots of possibilities await,” so it may need a little work.
The 0.42-acre lot is located on a cul-de-sac, not far from Garden City shopping. The nearest big city is Wichita. You’d have all the advantages of small-town living while enjoying a big-time, sophisticated home.
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Price: $1,900,000 Old yet new: While the architecture was inspired by seminal home designers Frank Lloyd Wright and Richard Neutra, this spacious home has had all of its mechanical systems updated. It’s a miraculous feat of blending midcentury modern style with 21st-century convenience.
This five-bedroom, seven-bath, 6,716-square-foot home sits on a 2.7-acre hilltop lot. It features sweeping views of the the surrounding countryside via floor-to-ceiling windows. Its finer features include all walls with cross-bracing to hold firm in a storm, exterior fir wood siding, and marble walls and chimneys.
Built in 1960, and fabulously maintained and updated, the property comes with additional living quarters that could be used as a short-term rental, according to the listing.
And there’s more good news: Most of the midcentury modern furniture can stay in the home, for the right price.
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Price: $1,725,000 Perfection in Princeton: This immaculately restored and updated home features a garage that has been converted into a light-filled office space. The property also comes with a beautiful apartment with a separate driveway and patio.
The five-bedroom, 4.5-bath dwelling sits on a leafy, 3-acre lot close to downtown Princeton. Originally built in 1955, it has period features like an open floor plan, beamed ceilings, large expanses of glass windows and doors, and a fireplace.
Bonus: Your kids can walk to an excellent school via a footpath from the backyard.
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Price: $249,500 Well-rounded: The least expensive home on our list, this circular brick house has four bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and tons of style.
That sturdy construction could be responsible for its holding strong since it was built in 1964, since hurricanes have been known to pummel the region. Residents stay toasty and safe in its curvaceous sunken living room with a full masonry fireplace. The open kitchen with a spacious dining nook is another of the 3,046-square-foot residence’s highlights.
Louisiana might not be the first place you’d think to look for such a Space Age abode, yet here it sits, right in the middle of Louisiana’s fifth largest city. The low price and retro style attracted a buyer, and the property is now pending sale.
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Price: $2,200,000 Unquestionably unique: This midcentury modern design will absolutely take your breath away with its soaring ceilings, redwood-and-stone finishes, and towering windows overlooking picturesque Margaret’s Falls.
Built in 1961 by award-winning architect John Michael, who was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, it has six bedrooms and five baths in a roomy 5,453 square feet of space. The fenced, hilltop lot is spacious as well, measuring almost 5 acres of landscaping near the house, as well as private woods.
Highlights include a stacked-stone, double-sided fireplace, original stone floors, and clever built-ins.
Elvira Rincon never loved the small apartment that sits between Sunset Boulevard and Dodger Stadium. Even 30 years ago, shortly after she arrived from a small town in Queretaro, Mexico, and moved in with her husband and five children, the one-bedroom unit built in the 1920s felt cramped.
But over the decades she made it a home, planting a sprawling container garden of flowers, fruits and medicinal herbs to cure her family of stomach pains and colds. Her husband poured concrete to make a small patio in the courtyard, where they hosted birthday parties nearly every month. At $495 a month the rent-controlled apartment allowed Rincon, her children and now grandchildren to build a life in the heart of Los Angeles.
That made it easy for Rincon, 59, to dismiss the first buyout offer. A developer who bought the complex and a neighboring one last year proposed paying her and her neighbors $22,000 to leave. She did the math and figured the money would be gone in about one year in a county where the median rent for a one-bedroom is $1,600.
The second offer to Rincon and her neighbors came in February: $55,000. It was more money than she and her husband, who works in a local nursery, could ever save on their own — and still not enough to stay in her neighborhood for long.
Soon after, the ownerssent workersto tear apart a storage shed she’d had for years and haul it away, along with a barbecue and many of her plants, saying they were health and safety violations. Rincon saw it as harassment meant to pressure her to go so the landlord could jack up the rent.
Like so many others, she and her family had one shaky foothold keeping them in a rental market that was otherwise soaring out of reach, and they felt that people with more power than them were trying to shake them off of it.
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The company says it was simply making changes requested by its insurance company and that it is listening to the concerns of residents, not trying to force them out.
Even so, Rincon and her neighbors are on edge, unsure what to expect next and asking themselves whether they still have a place in L.A.
“There are times when I feel desperate,” she said. “I get frustrated. And I tell my husband, ‘Let’s just go. Let’s just go.’ ”
In a city faced with a housing and homelessness crisis, where many renters pay more than half their income to live in overcrowded, aging homes, tenants like Rincon have what many others long for: low-cost housing.
Though city and state officials are desperate to create more of it, developers are simultaneously reducing affordable units by buying out longtime rent-controlled tenants with cash-for-keys offers and renovating old buildings into pricey new apartments or condos. Many residents quietly accept the offers and leave. Others try to hold out, knowing that taking the money probably means leaving their communities or facing rent that’s double, triple or more what they currently pay. Sometimes, tenants say, that leads to harassment or pressure campaigns.
The city has adopted policies meant to protect tenants of rent-controlled buildings from being forced to accept buyout offers or being evicted for not accepting.
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In some cases, landlords are required to offer to tenants a base amount for relocation — which ranges from about $12,000 to $23,000 for long-term renters. At times, owners offer more than that. But for tenants with very little income or credit, the money may not go very far once the sky-high rent of their next apartment is factored in.
City leaders have passed rules against harassment. But advocates say the rules lack enforcement, and plenty of tenants say harassment happens anywaywith little recourse.
Rincon arrived in Echo Park in the mid-1990s, fleeing a severe recession in Mexico that left her family’s farm deeply in debt.
Her first home in the U.S. was in the same apartment complex where she lives now, just across the common area, in a unit she shared with her brother-in-law, Pedro Villegas, her husband and others. Three decades later, Villegas still lives in that apartment, paying monthly rent similar to Rincon’s, whose monthly payments have increased twice over the years to $640.
Despite language barriers, Rincon became close with her neighbors, who include an 80-year-old retiree, a nursing student, her mom and brother, and a Cambodian refugee.Their kids often served as translators.
They’ve watched out for each other’s children and grandchildren, fed each other’s pets and shared lemongrass and guavas from their gardens. Though Rincon doesn’t care for the loquat tree that grows in a corner of the property, she keeps watering it because her neighbors love the fruit.
“We’re more like a community. We have been for years,” said Virginia Watson, 80. “We all know each other. We talk. We watch out for each other. It’s very unusual for L.A. because in other places I’ve lived everybody’s kind of anonymous, in their own little cubicle.”
Once Watson retired and began living on a fixed income, she was able to stay in her home because the rent was manageable. The same was true for Rincon and her family when she injured her back and stopped working.
Villegas’ four children have lived their entire lives in the complex, roaming the hills of Elysian Park and riding their bikes to Echo Park. He works at a laundromat on Sunset Boulevard, a short walk away. His youngest is now a junior at Ramon C. Cortines school downtown.
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Like Rincon, heknew the $55,000 offer wouldn’t last long in his community.
“The cost of rent is just too difficult,” he said. “The money doesn’t go far.”
Watson lives in a studio apartment adjacent to Rincon’s. She’s been there for 20 years, lives on Social Security and a small retirement income and pays $529 a month. When she’s looked online for other studios in the neighborhood, the most affordable cost isnearly $1,500 a month, an amount that she said would take about three-quarters of her income.
She might have considered the offer to leave if it was affordable to move in the city, she said.
But “rent is really, really high in L.A. I don’t know how you would manage for any length of time,” she said.
On Nov. 8, a few months afterWatson, Rincon and their neighbors decided not to take the initial $22,000 offer to leave, the property owners, Lilac Development LLC, served Watson with a three-day notice to pay or leave, saying she had not paid her rent for the month, though she says it was paid.
Watson reported the incident to the housing department, which investigated and found the notice in violation of city code for failing to provide proper information under COVID-era tenant protections, according to public records.
One month earlier, the owners served another resident with a three-day notice to pay or vacate the property, saying they owed $86.
In that case, the housing department found a “potential violation of the Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance,” records show.
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In both cases, housing officials wrote letters to the owners, explaining the law.
Watson and her neighbors see this and other actions, including the workers who went to the complex twice in March, tore down Rincon’s shed and hauled away her plants, as a pattern of harassment meant to pushthem out of their homes.
“I wake up after dreaming that I’m in a battle with landlords, big companies,” Watson said.
Recently, she packed up many of her belongings, assuming she would soon be out of a home, and she has kept them that way.
“I don’t unpack them because I don’t know how long I’m gonna be able to be here,” Watson said.
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Rory Anglin and his girlfriend, Jenna Loredo, are the newest residents of the two complexes, having moved in four years ago. They pay $1,236 a month for their one-bedroom, which Anglin sees as “the last of the good rents in L.A.”
When he told his mom in Mississippi about the $22,000 offer to leave, she was stunned at the amount.
“In Mississippi, that does sound like a lot,” Anglin said. In L.A. it most certainly does not.
Even so, Anglin said they were willing to consider taking a buyout until they felt a harassment campaign against his neighbors had begun.
“The end game for me is ‘leave us alone,’ ” Anglin said. “If we decide we want to move, we’ll move. But before we do, I gotta make sure all this stuff stops. It has to stop.”
If there’s a silver lining, Anglin said, it’s that the neighbors have become even closer in the last few months, forming a tenants’ association and strategizing together to push back against any harassment.
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Sara Rose, a property manager for Lilac Development LLC, told The Times that although the company initially offered cash for keys in order to “try to get tenants paying market value,” the company was no longer pursuing that strategy and would focus on “making the property habitable for current tenants.”
The company is not trying to evict anyone, Rose said.
“It’s not something we would take further action on if it wasn’t appropriate to do so,” she said.
Rose also said Lilac Development sent workers to haul away Rincon’s shed, barbecue and plants after its insurance company “advised there was certain work that needed to be done” to get the property insured.
They plan to inspect each property to figure out what needs to be fixed. In April, a city housing inspector found several conditions affecting the “health and safety of the occupants” in Rincon’s building and issued an order to fix the problems, which include damaged plumbing, fences and paint, by May 11.
Residents say there is a long list of problems beyond what that inspection revealed: leaking ceilings, mold, broken heaters and damagedflooring.
“I think based on the feedback we’ve received so far there’s no interest from the residents” in cash for keys, Rose said. “If they are interested and they approach us, it would be something we’d be willing to discuss. We don’t want to continue reaching out on something they’ve made clear they’re not interested in.”
Rincon said the first she heard about the change in plans was from The Times.
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For a long time now, she and her neighbors have felt as if they were in a state of limbo, waiting for an eviction notice or the return of workers tasked with hauling away more of their things. Like Villegas, she has seriously considered returning to Mexico, but her husband tells her they could never leave their children and grandchildren.
There was some relief hearing that the company would focus on making their home more livable rather than on getting them to leave. But she was also skeptical.
It’s official, there’s a new sheriff in town and his name is Glenn Sanford, founder of eXp Holdings and CEO of eXp Realty. The firm moved from number three to number one by transaction sides in the 2023 RealTrends 500 rankings, based on 2022 data.
Compass, headed by CEO Robert Reffkin, took the top spot this year by sales volume. A big initiative for Compass this year is to reinforce the importance of culture and encourage agents to go into the office, which is already a requirement at headquarters in New York City. “There’s an energy when agents get together in person,” Reffkin said.
As for eXp, in a recent interview, Sanford acknowledged that his firm wasn’t immune to the challenges of the current market. However, he said that they were in a position to “weather the market.”
After more than 20 years with the Anywhere Advisors entity of Anywhere Real Estate and the HomeServices of America entity of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices consistently being number one or two in both categories on the RealTrends 500, eXp Realty and Compass rose to these positions and displaced the old guard in less than 10 years.
What this shows is that there is not one path to growth. “Their paths to such growth were very different in some ways and the same in others. Compass used its capital and a focus on high-producing agents and teams in high-end markets to achieve its results. eXp used a mixture of its own equity, revenue sharing and the virtual nature of its business to gain its position. Access to and use of capital, therefore, was key for both organizations,” said Steve Murray, partner of RTC Consulting.
It is noteworthy that eXp was the only one of the top four firms to grow both its closed transactions and its sales volume in 2022 when sales of existing homes were down significantly. Compass, for its part, declined at a slower rate than the two other giants of the industry. One thing remains true for these firms and all others in the residential brokerage business: Recruiting and retaining agents and teams remains the core driver of growth.
The full list of 2023 RealTrends 500 brokerage firms was released on March 24 and announced in The Wall Street Journal the same day.
Standing at the front of Danielle Rago and Darren Hochberg’s home in Larchmont Village, where a concrete sidewalk welcomes you, the ordinary path becomes something extraordinary as it takes you on a journey from the street, through the house, to where the sidewalk ends — at an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in the backyard.
As nearly 3–year-old Oliver Hochberg races down the smooth path toward the enclosed backyard and ADU, it’s as though he is personifying Shel Silverstein’s beloved poem that promises magic “for the children, they mark, and the children, they know the place where the sidewalk ends.”
But it wasn’t always this way.
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“Calling all handy families, investors, and developers!” read the listing for the crumbling three-bedroom, two-bathroom home just a few blocks from Larchmont Boulevard.
Those words were followed by a bonus sales pitch: “There is also a detached structure that would make a perfect creative space, playroom, or mother-in-law suite. Bring your contractor and your imagination and create the space that you have been dreaming about.”
The listing caught the attention of Rago and Hochberg, who had been dreaming of buying a home in the popular neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets, quaint single-family homes and easy access to Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles.
With the number of ADU permits issued in California skyrocketing as thousands of homeowners add ADUs to their single-family lots, it’s not surprising the listing would emphasize the possibility of converting the garage into an ADU.
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It certainly appealed to Rago, who has a background in architecture and is the co-founder of This by That, an agency that represents progressive architects. “I like that it needed a lot of love,” says the 39-year-old. “I was excited by the prospect of creating an unexpected family compound that would complement the other homes on the street.”
Eight years ago the family — which now includes 3-month-old Julian as well as Oliver — purchased a rundown Spanish home in the Fairfax District. After renovating the home, however, they found themselves weary of bustling Melrose Boulevard and were contemplating their next big project. “We were itching to move to Larchmont Village because we were thinking about starting a family,” says Rago, citing the neighborhood’s small-town vibe.
They loved the neighborhood but, like so many couples in Los Angeles, could not afford the homes that were available. “Everything was so expensive,” Rago says with a sigh. “We had to buy a home that needed a lot of TLC.”
Using the profits from the sale of their remodeled Fairfax District home, the couple purchased the bungalow in 2019 and reached out to designers Claus Benjamin Freyinger and Andrew Holder of the Los Angeles Design Group (LADG) to help them rethink the entire property.
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Having worked with them professionally, Rago felt the designers had the right mindset to help them create an experimental compound that would accommodate not just their family but their extended families for years to come. (The couple paid for the firm’s design services and received no discounts in exchange for Rago’s professional work for the company.)
From Day One, the couple knew they wanted to convert the garage into an ADU, not to bring in extra income to help pay the mortgage but rather as a way to take full advantage of the site.
The problem with ADUs, says Freyinger as he motions to the ADU on view through the living room’s dramatic pivoting window, is “they don’t always address the entire parcel of land.” Or worse, they sit vacant.
“We wanted to preserve the use of the whole site,” he continues. “This home and ADU are very ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’: Not too big. Not too small.” In other words: just right.
Gone are the days of congregating around a hearth or a fireplace, Freyinger says. Today’s homes are about creating welcoming spaces where people can connect with one another. So the designers added additions to the front and back of the dwelling and cut the house into four quadrants divided by two running sidewalks, west to east and north to south. Three small bedrooms are at the front of the house, while the larger communal spaces are at the rear of the house.
Today, the 1,426-square-foot nondescript house has morphed into a 1,950-square-foot contemporary home. The kitchen, considered the household’s nucleus, soars into double-height OSB-paneled volumes. Overlapping, wedge-shaped roofs extend to provide shade over outdoor living areas, and a sunny living room overlooks the 4-foot-deep pool and ADU.
The 620-square-foot ADU, which shrewdly includes a storage-lined breezeway that can accommodate the family’s sports equipment, toys, strollers and storage bins, cost $315,150 and includes one bedroom and a bathroom.
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In an inventive move, for outdoor entertaining the designers installed a kitchenette at the front of the ADU so that it faces the yard. When the folding glass door is open, the kitchen becomes a part of the outdoor area, which “really brings the ADU to life,” says Hochberg, who is 39 and works in finance.
On the other side of the kitchenette, facing the living room, there is a built-in desk that can be opened or closed, depending on the couple’s work-from-home needs.
Due to supply chain issues during the pandemic, Rago says they were forced to “make interesting decisions that brought a new dimension to the house.” In the kitchen of the main house, for example, they installed textured plaster ceilings when plywood was scarce. Likewise, the cabinets are composed of conventional whitewashed OSB panels with a pickled finish.
To save money in the ADU, they added simple concrete floors and purchased a folding glass door from Brea-based Win-Dor at a fraction of the cost of higher-end products like Fleetwood or NanaWall. The kitchenette features inexpensive OSB panels and porcelain countertops instead of quartz or granite. “We stepped it down a notch in the ADU,” Rago says, “but it still reads consistently with the main house.”
The couple, who met in the Poconos as 8-year-olds, view the ADU as an extension of the house. They occupy it regularly while working from home or hosting family.
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“I want to spend as much time at home with the kids as I can while they are little,” Rago says.
Rago and Hochberg’s compound is all about being together and the joy that dwells at the end of the sidewalk. It provides an indoor-outdoor experience where their kids can roam free in a drought-tolerant garden filled with sages, California poppies and grevillea, and they can spend time with the ones they love.
“We wanted a space for our family, who are all on the East Coast, so that they can come to visit us and our kids,” Rago says. “I wanted them to be able to stay for a week or two and feel like they are in their own home and not looking into our space and vice versa. Now, we can’t get rid of them,” she jokes.
The ADU may serve as an extension of the main house, but it also demonstrates, through its use of conventional materials and experimental architecture, that it’s possible to “chip away at the identification of the single-family home,” with its “conservative notions of architecture and the family,” says LADG co-principal Andrew Holder.
Perhaps most impressive is the designers’ ability to create something new while maintaining the small-town feel of the neighborhood. From the street, the geometric façade stands out, but it doesn’t overwhelm. And at the end of the sidewalk? Magic.
Have you landed a new job opportunity on the other side of the country? Maybe you find yourself scrambling to find an apartment on a tight turnaround.
Finding an apartment isn’t easy, and conducting a long distance apartment search has many more difficulties. Here are some things you need to know to cut down on the stress of making a long distance search.
Research the area and building thoroughly
Finding an apartment that might work is just the beginning. Apartment Guide makes the early part of seeking an apartment much simpler and more efficient. Finding the right price range, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, and proximity to certain neighborhoods is the easier first step.
Think about how much you don’t know when moving to an apartment in a different part of town. Now that you’re not even in the same general area, you don’t even know the things you don’t know.
Here are some of the next steps you’ll need to take:
Research the building, landlord, and management company: Google is your best friend for this part of the process. Check the Better Business Bureau, and anywhere you find reviews of apartment buildings (our listings have reviews for exactly that reason). Keep an eye out for the trends in reviews. One person’s experience can be an anomaly, but if several people are reporting the same issue, it’s something you need to seriously consider.
Find travel times to important destinations: How long will it take to drive to your job, your kids’ school, the nearest gas station, or the grocery store? Can you walk to any of these places instead of driving? While a long drive might not be a deal breaker on its own, it can have a negative effect on your quality of life.
Find the right timing for your search: Some places have different schedules for renting, such as heavy tourist areas and college towns. If you’re looking at the wrong time, you might not be able to find anything, or apartments won’t be available until much closer to the move in date.
Visit in person or find someone local
It’s always best if you can go out ahead of time to check out the apartment and the area around it in person. If you can’t, this is where it’s especially useful to know someone in the area. Reach out to your social networks. You might not know anyone who lives where you’re looking, but perhaps you have a friend who does. They can fill in the gaps about what areas you should look at, and start to answer the questions you don’t even know to ask. A local contact can check out the apartment and neighborhood for you and even send you photos and video.
If you’re relocating for a new job, ask your employer for help. It’s likely that they will have someone in HR or their relocation department who can provide helpful resources on finding a place to live. They can also put you in touch with local employees and other workers who have relocated from out of town.
Be ready to act
If you are able to make an in-person trip, it’s likely that your time will be extremely limited. You can’t afford to miss out on the right place should you happen upon it. Be prepared to sign a lease immediately. This means coming equipped with all the necessary documentation, including:
Driver’s license, passport or state-issued ID
A utility bill with your current address
Social security card
Checkbook (in case you need to put down a deposit)
Bank statements (in paper or electronic form)
A letter from your employer or recent pay stub
Take a virtual tour
With every passing day, emerging technologies offer new and more efficient ways of doing what previously seemed impossible. Searching for a place to live in a far away location is no exception. Video tours are a growing way to see more of where you’re going to be moving. An increasing number of owners of apartments and rental properties are offering high definition photos, video walkthroughs, 360-degree imagery and in some cases VR apartment tours that you can take from your laptop or smartphone.
Search on ApartmentGuide.com and look for links to slideshow, video or tour in the top right corner of any property page. See the image below for reference.
Lean on the leasing agent
If you can’t get yourself or someone you know out to look at the apartment, you’re not out of luck. In addition to virtual tours, request to set up a video call with the leasing agent. They can walk you through the apartment to give you a better idea of the looks and layout. Never hesitate to ask them other questions, either. Their job is to help current and prospective renters, so take advantage of that.
Be cautious about anything suspicious
When you’re moving to another city, you’re in a difficult and busy situation. It’s easy to miss something. Not everyone is unscrupulous, but you have to remember that you’re vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Be cautious about anything you don’t understand or that looks suspicious. Always ask those questions, and don’t sign something that makes you uncomfortable.
Use this helpful apartment hunting checklist or consider creating your own.
Look for a sublet or short term lease
While shorter-term leases tend to be more expensive, that flexibility can be worth paying for. This gets you somewhere to live in the area for a short time. During that time, learn what you really need to know, and make a more informed decision a few months later. Subletting can give you the same opportunity for less money, at the cost of a little added complexity.
Need more help with your search? Online Apartment Search TipsTips for Researching Neighborhoods Online
Funko toy executive Brian Mariotti has once again listed his spectacular Coronado, CA, mansion—at a lower price this time around.
In March 2022, the sprawling spread made its market debut at $39 million but was reduced to $32 million earlier this year. After a brief hiatus, the property was relisted at $29,995,000 for what will hopefully be a charmed third time.
Mariotti purchased the Spanish-style estate in the beach town off the coast of San Diego in 2017 for $12.2 million. Over the next four years, the toy maker carefully and thoughtfully transformed the 1925-era home into a luxury playground.
The majestic 15,067-square-foot “Coronado Castle” now boasts such lavish delights as a full-service spa, putting green, and a “secret garden.”
So considering the millions poured into the pretty palace, the price cut could be considered a real deal.
“After buying the original house, they purchased the land next door for $6 million and adjoined the properties,” says listing agent Jason Oppenheim, of The Oppenheim Group and Netflix’s “Selling Sunset.”
Another $12 million was spent during the remodel, he adds.
Aerial view
Just 100 feet from the beach, the historical landmark boasts one of the largest lots in Coronado.
“It’s very much like an oasis to have that much land and just be steps from the ocean,” Oppenheim says. “You really don’t get this amount of land in Coronado.”
The home was designed for a luxurious lifestyle, offering abundant state-of-the-art amenities.
A dramatic foyer features a spiral staircase and hand-hewn beams, a nod to the home’s history. The palatial interior boasts everything from opulent tile and ornate ironwork to custom light fixtures.
The home was originally designed in the Mission Revival style by Richard Requa for Michigan furniture manufacturer W.A. Gunn, who is said to have had an affinity for timeless beauty.
Mariotti’s renovation painstakingly preserved the property’s heritage.
“I have walked through a lot of remodels over the years, but I can’t say that I have ever seen a more authentic remodel than this,” Oppenheim notes. “They imported items from Europe that are 200 to 300 years old. The tile around the pool is over 300 years old. There are a couple of beams that are original that they matched by handcarving the beams. The details are just extraordinary.”
An elegant dining room has a hand-painted, coffered ceiling. Just beyond, arched steel glass doors open to the pool deck.
The massive kitchen is designed with a marble island, La Cornue range and rotisserie, double Sub-Zero fridge, Miele steam oven, coffee station, and wet bar.
A lavish lower level is thoughtfully arranged for entertaining, with its golf simulator, media room, and bar. But the area’s crown jewel is its 25-seat, “Star Wars”-themed movie theater.
“The movie theater is one of the largest theaters I have ever seen in a home,” Oppenheim notes.
There’s also a fitness center, spa and dry sauna, massage table, and ice bath.
And the magnificent grounds really wow with a fire-pit lounge, full outdoor kitchen, and pool.
Oppenheim believes the property could be a vacation home for a buyer who lives in Los Angeles or Orange County.
“I think it will be someone who appreciates the real craftsmanship of the design,” he predicts, of the future owners. “I hope they are able to recognize just how timeless and authentic it is. It’s a rare person who will actually understand the thousands of decisions and thousands of hours spent creating the design of the home. It’s a home that will still look good in 100 years, that you will never need to remodel.”
It’s common knowledge that the pilot episode of any given TV show is just a warm-up round. To know what you’re getting into, and decide if you really want to watch it, you have to give most shows 2-3 episodes. But some shows just have a really strong pilot, and you know from the beginning that the show is going to be good. Today, let’s talk about the top 20 TV shows with the strongest first episodes. Do you have one in mind? Check out this list and see if it’s here!
1. Chernobyl
Chernobyl is a 2019 series based on the historical 1986 Chernobyl tragedy and the subsequent cleanup activities. Some people say the drama series had one of the strongest first episodes.
One person said, “Still watch that series a couple of times a year, it’s amazing.”
Another person replied, “It was brilliant but scarred for life after it. Couldn’t do that to myself again.”
One commenter added, “Same team made The Last of Us pilot, which is also quite good.”
2. Six Feet Under
The HBO television series Six Feet Under was highly praised by critics for its writing and acting, and was consistently popular among viewers, resulting in high ratings. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest television shows ever made. Also, the last episode of the series has been called one of the best endings to a TV show ever.
One person said, “I love this show. Still recommend it for anyone asking for a solid series to watch.”
Another added, “I recommend it to people all the time too. I’ll Have to watch it again someday. So good.”
3. Fargo
Fargo is a 2014 black comedy crime series with four seasons and 41 episodes. The series is incredibly well-curated, with each episode just getting better.
One person commented, “Yeah! I came to say this one, it has the best first episode I’ve ever seen.”
Another commenter replied, “First and second season both had excellent opening episodes.”
Another user added, “Came here to say this too! I was immediately hooked.”
4. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan (AOT) is a Japanese manga series illustrated by Hajime Isayama. The apocalyptic series follows the story of Eren Yeager, along with his other friends to exterminate the man-eating giants in the post-apocalyptic world.
One person shared, “Yes. Immediately sets the tone and gives you the first wave of questions you want answered.”
“I remember watching it and being immediately hooked,” someone replied.
“The first two episodes triggered my depression really hard and I had to stop. Then I couldn’t get it out of my head and went back to it like a week later. Now it’s one of my favorite shows ever,” another Redditor added.
5. Lost
Lost is a 2004 science fiction drama that follows a group of survivors who manage to survive a plane crash on a deserted island in the tropical Pacific while aboard Oceanic Airlines Flight 815.
One person stated, “My answer too—ridiculously strong opening. Hard to imagine now but it was one of the first ‘mystery box’ series’ and still maintained strong character focus. That whole first season was incredibly good.”
Another commenter added, “As someone who quit watching Lost half way through, the pilot was one of the most riveting things I’ve ever seen.”
6. Hannibal
Hannibal is a psychological horror-thriller television series that aired from 2013 to 2015, starring Mads Mikkelsen as the titular character, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. The series is based on the characters and elements from the classic novels ‘Red Dragon’ and ‘Hannibal’ by Thomas Harris.
One user said, “Hannibal sets up the tone for the whole show quite well.”
Another Redditor replied, “The first season of Hannibal is one of my favorite TV seasons ever and that first episode is flawless.”
One commenter added, “Love the show so much! Mads Mikkelson and Hugh Dancy are fantastic! I never would’ve thought I’d like another Hannibal Lecter after Anthony Hopkins, but I dare say that Mads is right up there with him. If not better.”
7. The West Wing
“Came here to say this. The entire show was a masterpiece for me, even after Sorkin left. Easily my most rewatched series,” One Redditor shared.
“26 Emmy awards. It’s a comical number when you consider how many legendary TV shows only got 1 or 2 awards. I remember when John Spencer, Bradley Whitford and Richard Schiff were all nominees for best-supporting actor against each other, and you just had to laugh at how much better it was than other shows,” another added.
“My favorite of all time. Have viewed S1-S7 at least three times, maybe four. I never get sick of it. Glad to know others are obsessed with it. Succession is the only other show that has come close to me wanting to absorb eps multiple times,” one commenter replied.
8. Westworld
One user commented, “I watched the first episode of Westworld and then immediately made a group of friends watch it. It hooked me hard. It is a shame the later seasons couldn’t (to me) hold on to the same magic as that first season.”
Another person replied, “The performances in Westworld were incredible. Especially when they were troubleshooting Peter Abernathy, that scene was masterful.”
A third commenter added, “Westworld S1 was absolute perfection. One of the best first seasons of a show ever. So sad its trajectory went the way it did.”
9. Ozark
Ozark is a crime drama television series that premiered on Netflix in 2017. The series stars Jason Bateman as Marty Byrde, a financial planner who relocates his family from the Chicago suburbs to the Ozarks in Missouri to launder money for a drug cartel.
“Ozark’s first episode was pretty chill and then whoa,” one user stated.
“This is my answer too. It’s a good show, but far and away the best episode of the series was the pilot. One of my favorite hours of television,” the second person replied.
10. Derry Girls
The show is known for its witty and irreverent humor, as well as its poignant exploration of the impact of political conflict on everyday life in Northern Ireland. It has been praised for its diverse and relatable characters, as well as its portrayal of female friendship and adolescent angst.
“Most sitcom first episodes (seasons too?) have to do so much table setting that they’re not funny. This first episode established the settings, and characters, and was funny too,” one person stated.
“Yup, wife and I just started and we were in love with it from the first episode. It’s great when you find a new show that doesn’t require time to ‘get into it, it gets better’ etc.,” another commented.
11. Sherlock
One person stated, “It started well, but they tried to get too clever. The last series was unwatchable.”
Another user added, “Not fair as this show is on another level. Each episode is an entire cinematic experience. Masterpiece.”
One commenter said, “Yeah I liked the slow-mo matrix-style wedding photos, really added to the experience.”
12. The Americans
The Americans has been praised for its complex characters, compelling storytelling, and meticulous attention to detail in its portrayal of historical events and espionage tactics. It has won several awards, including Emmys for its lead actors and for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.
One person shared, “YES! Also has one of the saddest series finales ever. I cannot listen to With or Without you anymore.”
The second person replied, “It sets up everything perfectly. I remember finishing it the first time and being confused that I’d only watched a single episode. It felt longer, but in a good way. The finale is also amazing, along with pretty much every moment in between.”
13. Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction television series that initially aired from 2004 to 2009. The show is a reimagining of the original 1978 series and is set in a distant star system where humans and their robot creations, the Cylons, are in a state of war.
One user shared, “That opening scene had me soooooo hooked.”
Another Redditor replied, “Oh, so good. And the finale was great too. (And like most of the in-between bits).”
14. Designated Survivor
Designated Survivor was initially praised for its compelling premise and strong performances, particularly from Sutherland. However, the show received mixed reviews over the course of its three seasons, with some critics and fans feeling that it lost its way in later seasons.
“Also had the best episode of the series,” one person commented.
“I’m so hooked on this show right now!” another person replied.
15. The Good Place
“This is especially striking because sitcoms are notorious for having ‘meh’ pilots at best, even the ones that become classics. Sitcoms always seem to take time to get the characters well together and for the writing to align with their characters’ energy. But The Good Place was straight hysterical right out of the gate!” one person said.
“Can’t believe I had to scroll this far to find this. You watch the first episode, you’re probably going to watch all of them,” another user stated.
“Yup, I was about to comment this because I didn’t think anyone would. I don’t really like sitcoms, but this show is amazing,” a third commenter added.
16. The Walking Dead
One person commented, “[The] Walking Dead season 1 was so damn good.”
Another commenter replied, “I agree. That first episode hooked me. I was actually frightened and squirming in my seat as I got through the scene in/under the tank. What an adrenaline rush. After that, seeing NO progress in a resolution for years…other than to try to escape another disaster of their own making. I eventually gave up on the show.”
One user added, “This is actually the first to come to my mind as well. Such a great start.”
17. Dexter
The series explores Dexter’s personal struggle with his dark impulses and his attempts to balance his ‘normal’ life as a brother, friend, and father with his secret life as a killer. Over the course of the series, Dexter becomes involved in a number of complex and dangerous situations, including his interactions with other serial killers, the police department’s investigations into his activities, and his attempts to maintain his cover while pursuing his targets.
“Loved season 1 & 2,” one person commented.
“There is so much packed in to the first episode in the best way,” added another.
18. Jericho
Jericho is a post-apocalyptic drama television series that aired from 2006 to 2008. The show is set in the small town of Jericho, Kansas, after a nuclear attack on several major US cities. As the survivors struggle to rebuild their lives and society in the wake of the disaster, they face various challenges, including food and water shortages, disease outbreaks, and conflicts with neighboring towns and militias.
One person said, “That first episode was dynamite. Hands down. But unfortunately when they were forced to bring it back for season two, with a much reduced budget (just to pacify the fans), it showed. Was not the same quality show as season one.”
19. Mr. Robot
One person said, “That first episode legit dropped my jaw. It’s one of the all time greats.”
Another user commented, “I’m just watching Mr Robot for the first time now. About halfway through season 3. It’s really good, but they play a little too hard in the ‘unreliable narrator’ trope.”
One Redditor added, “Agreed! Haven’t been that immediately hooked by the opening 10 minutes in a while.”
20. Fringe
Fringe is a science-fiction television series that aired from 2008 to 2013. The show follows a team of FBI agents and scientists investigating mysterious and unexplained phenomena, including parallel universes, advanced technology, and supernatural events.
“I agree with you. Fringe was a terrific show,” one person stated.
“Very underrated and I rarely see it even mentioned anywhere,” the second person replied.
Source: Reddit.
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Where will you work out when you move to Tampa? How about in your own apartment community!
Having a fitness center in your apartment community can lead to all sorts of lifestyle perks. You won’t have to sacrifice your workout and you’ll have access to one of the best gyms in Tampa.
Here are some of the best apartment gyms in Tampa that will help you reach your fitness goals.
Source: Rent. / Olympus Harbour Island
Funky windows and colorful accents give the sleek workout space at Olympus Harbour Island a fresh look. Open 24 hours, you’ll find both cardio and strength machines in the main area, with a separate spin studio that offers fitness classes on demand. The gym also contains a CrossFit box and punching bags.
Located on an island in Southeast Tampa, there are plenty of taverns and restaurants in this quiet and walkable area. A trolley connects the island to the mainland. Olympus Harbour Island also provides its own recreation with an impressive pool area with a lot of lounge chairs, a giant chess set and cabanas.
Source: Rent. / Azula North
In Temple Crest, a more established community on the northeast side of Tampa, you’ll find the bright green-and-turquoise-accented gym at Azula North. This multi-sectioned fitness center has a row of cardio machines that wrap around the entire space. A CrossFit box and strength training equipment are toward the back. A separate yoga studio space has a massive mirror and soothing art.
Azula North also provides residents with a resort-style pool, planned social events, lake views and more.
Source: Rent. / AVE Tampa Riverwalk
The two-story gym at AVE Tampa Riverwalk has plenty of windows that extend all the way up. A smoke-free community in Northeast Tampa, the fitness center also has a Zen Yoga Room. Within the main section, a row of cardio machines face out, and an astroturf section with CrossFit boxes sits beside all the strength training equipment.
When it’s time to relax, the pool at AVE Tampa Riverwalk sits on a palm-tree-lined courtyard with a nice lounge area. There’s even a pet spa to pamper your furry friend.
Source: Rent. / Bell Channelside
Within the very urban and walkable neighborhood of the Channel District, you’ll find the amenity-laden community of Bell Channelside. There’s a pet spa and bark park, furnished guest suits, a 24-hour java bar and lounge and tranquil courtyards, just to name a few special features.
The fitness center at Bell Channelside consists of two rooms. The first contains all the strength training machines and equipment, while the second is full of cardio machines, a small kitchenette and a spin studio. Bright and colorful, with pops of orange and red, the fitness area totals 2,700 square feet.
Source: Rent. / Cortland Bayport
With free group classes and lighted tennis courts, Cortland Bayport is so much more than a basic place to live. The fitness center itself is nice and bright with funky mirrors and hints of burnt orange on the equipment. The community also has an on-site resident market, resort-style pools, a waterfront boardwalk and a community dock with boat slips.
Located in Town N County Alliance, this area is right off Old Tampa Bay, slightly apart from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Source: Rent. / The Pointe on Westshore
Fresh towels and funky, modernistic lighting greet you at the fitness center at The Pointe on Westshore. There are also two rows of cardio machines, free weights, a CrossFit box and more in this fitness-on-demand facility.
A Southwest Tampa gem, The Pointe on Westshore also features two heated pools, a car wash, a pet spa and lounges. Sandwiched between Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay, the surrounding area provides a ton of water views and beachfront access.
Source: Rent. / The Oasis at Highwoods Preserve
A little ways from the city center, the quiet and suburban neighborhood of West Meadows sits to the northeast. Here, you’ll find The Oasis at Highwoods Preserve with a theater room, two dog parks, a saltwater pool and a game room with arcade games and billiards.
The gym doesn’t disappoint either. It’s open 24 hours and is a large, bright space with great lighting and nice windows. Equipment-wise, the gym provides a colorful and extensive assortment of all kinds of workout machinery.
Source: Rent. / Mezzo of Tampa Palms
An impressive space, with a nice assortment of equipment of all kinds, the fitness center at Mezzo of Tampa Palms is nicely stocked. Accented by wood panels, the main area contains cardio and strength machines. A glass entryway leads into the fitness studio with spin bikes and CrossFit boxes. Fitness-on-demand classes are available here too. There are also tennis and racquetball courts on the property.
Known for its golf courses and green spaces, you’ll find Mezzo of Tampa Palms in New Tampa. Specifically, this area is home to the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Reserve with hiking trails and picnic spots, and the New Tampa Nature Park with a zip line and climbing wall.
Source: Rent. / Arbor Walk
Also in the neighborhood of Temple Crest, Arbor Walk is a green community with a resort-style pool, sundeck, bark park and cyber cafe with WiFi.
The gym is a bright and open space with a variety of machines wrapping around two walls of windows. Cardio and strength machines sit together, with a separate space for free weights and a CrossFit box.
Source: Rent. / Camden Bay
Surrounded by a 1,000-acre nature preserve, Camden Bay is an impressive place to live. Also in Town N County Alliance, the community provides private boat ramps with direct channel access to Tampa Bay. There’s also separate boat parking when you’re not going out on the water.
Camden Bay has lighted tennis courts and a fitness center that’s open 24 hours with neat rows of equipment. A cool space with wood paneling on the ceiling and faux greenery on the walls, the gym has a separate yoga studio complete with large mirrors.
Grab an apartment workout at one of the best gyms in Tampa
There are certain things Tampa locals all know to be true, one of which is that where you live matters. You want your home to be located near a beach and have fun places to go. You also want your home to offer you conveniences, like access to a gym.
There are plenty of Tampa apartments that can fulfill all your needs, and all you’ve got to do is start looking. Good luck!
Featured image source: Rent. / AVE Tampa Riverwalk
When my husband and I got married nine years ago, we had an audacious dream of paying cash for our first home. At that time, it was very much a far-off dream — we were just trying to survive the rigors and expenses of law school without going in debt. That alone was a seemingly gigantic feat.
But after three years of law school, my husband did graduate without debt, passed the bar, and we started planning for the future. Since we’d been renting for almost four years, my husband had a good job, and our second baby was on the way, pretty much everyone expected that buying a house would be in our immediate future.
I mean, after all, isn’t buying a house the responsible thing for a young couple to do? Well, maybe — or maybe not. We didn’t have much money in savings, and we weren’t sure how long we would be living in the town we were in, so we chose to go against conventional wisdom and continued renting.
Setting a Goal
Within the next six months, my husband lost his job, we relocated to another city so he could find work, I had some significant health problems in my pregnancy which resulted in numerous hospital and doctor’s bills, and we had our second baby. Needless to say, we were incredibly thankful that we hadn’t taken out a mortgage and then had to deal with the headache of trying to sell a house at the last minute — especially since the housing market was poor in our area.
It was around this time that we were first introduced to Dave Ramsey. While we didn’t have any debt and had always lived on a strict budget, going through his Financial Peace University Class fired us up to set big financial goals and work hard to accomplish them.
One of the big goals we decided to aim for was paying cash for our first home. We crunched a bunch of numbers and realized that, if we continued to live simply and frugally and worked hard to bring in extra money through side jobs, we could save enough over the course of five years to pay cash for a starter home.
It felt like a mammoth goal and we weren’t sure if we could do it, but we decided to go for it anyway. We figured that, even if we didn’t make our goal in five years, we’d at least be a lot closer to it than if we didn’t try at all! Plus, from our calculations, we’d be in a lot better position to wait to buy — even if it took seven years to save up enough for a house — than if we were to go ahead and get 15-year mortgage and pay it off early.
We knew that we could buy a decent starter home in the area where we were planning to move for around $100,000 to $110,000, so we divided $100,000 by 60 (since there are sixty months in five years) and set a goal to save $1700 every month. Because we didn’t have any debt or school loans, and because we lived simply and frugally, we were able to live on significantly less than we were making, thus freeing up a good chunk of money to put towards our house savings each month.
Gazelle-Like Intensity
Once we set this goal and I blogged about it publicly, we were incredibly motivated to work as hard as we could and delay every purchase we could in order to put as much as possible into our house savings fund. We used coupons, ate a lot of meatless meals, shopped at thrift stores, cooked from scratch, brown bagged it, continued to use our old and worn-down furniture, didn’t replace anything that wasn’t an absolute necessity, limited our going out to eat, only had one car, stayed home a lot, used gift cards from Swagbucks to buy any non-necessities, bought eye glasses from Zenni optical, learned to be content with what we had, and continued to live on a strict written budget.
Meanwhile, we also looked for ways to increase our income. I blogged, wrote ebooks, and took on freelance writing jobs. My husband did contract work, started his own law firm, and helped me running the blogging business.
That first year, we didn’t always make our monthly savings goals. We had some unexpected medical bills and car problems that ate up a portion of our savings. But we kept plugging away, throwing whatever extra we could squeeze out of our income toward savings.
The few years of long hours and hard work we’d put into blogging started to really pay big dividends and by the second year, we were meeting and exceeding our monthly savings goals every single month. As our house savings fund increased, we began to get so excited that we kind of went overboard and worked long, long hours in order to meet our savings goal even faster. I wouldn’t recommend putting in such long hours, missing so many social events, or sleeping so little, but the effort paid off because, at the end of two and a half years, we paid 100% down on our first home!
Even though I wish we had given ourselves a little more breathing room and margin while saving, it was thrilling, fulfilling, and exciting to achieve this goal — in half the time we had initially planned. And we are thankful we chose to take a counter-cultural route and pay cash for our house. Not having a mortgage payment has freed us to continue to save aggressively toward other goals, increase our spending in areas that really matter to us, and give generously to needs in our community and around the world.
Get ready to unlock a treasure trove of invaluable insights and expert advice that will revolutionize your vacation rental property. In this Redfin article, we dive deep into the world of vacation rentals, revealing powerful strategies to make your property shine and leave guests in awe. From savvy investments that boost your property’s allure to crafting an unforgettable resort-like experience, forging strategic partnerships, and crafting personalized guest interactions, we’ll equip you with the knowledge to exceed expectations and achieve unrivaled success in the fiercely competitive world of vacation rentals.
Whether you own a vacation rental property in the enchanting city of Orlando, FL, or the picturesque town of San Marcos, CA, this comprehensive resource is tailored to elevate your rental business to new heights. Here are 18 transformational secrets to maximize guest satisfaction, earn rave reviews, and propel your property to the one of the most sought after homes in the area.
1. Make your rental stand out
“To maintain a five-star rental property, you’ll want to go above and beyond tenant expectations. Our data shows that including a washer and dryer, upgrading to newer appliances, and providing freshly painted walls in neutral tones will not only make your rental stand out, but also make the process of finding great tenants faster,” recommends Doorstead. “Moreover, by ensuring access to a responsive property manager, you can guarantee that all aspects of the home are well taken care of, truly enhancing the tenant experience.”
2. Pretend your vacation rental is a five-star resort
“The most important thing to remember about managing a vacation rental is that this is the hospitality business, not the landlord and tenant business,” shares Todd Ortscheid, Co-Owner of Revolution Rental Management. “You have to think of what you’re offering more like a hotel or resort than a traditional rental property. This means cleanliness, fast response time, desirable amenities, and a well-maintained property. The more you think of your property as a five-star resort, the better off you’ll be.”
3. Consider creating strategic partnerships
“We recommend partnering with a company that specializes in exclusive vacation rental portfolios. If your property is a top-tier, five-star rental, it’s essential to align it with a company whose branding and services cater to the discerning needs of luxury clientele,” recommends Gary Doss, Co-Owner of SoCal Vacations. “Larger companies that offer a broad range of properties may not be able to meet the high expectations and unique demands of this premium market segment.”
4. Personalize communication
“To ensure a successful guest experience, effective communication plays a pivotal role. It is crucial to make your guests feel genuinely welcomed, leaving a lasting impression. One way to achieve this is by remembering their return and incorporating delightful surprises. Consider offering their favorite snacks accompanied by a bottle of wine, arranging fresh flowers, and providing a personalized welcome message upon their arrival,” recommends Ellie Paget, CEO of HomeSlice Stays.
“Prompt responsiveness is of utmost importance when it comes to addressing guest requests or concerns. Aim to respond to them in a timely manner, never exceeding a 15-minute timeframe. This level of attentiveness demonstrates your commitment to their satisfaction and enhances their overall experience.
By prioritizing personalized communication, you can create an exceptional guest experience that fosters satisfaction and builds positive relationships.”
5. Decorate with style
“When it comes to guest experience and satisfaction, décor has the potential to make a significant difference in how guests perceive your rental property. To ensure an exceptional experience, it is crucial to infuse your property with chic and stylish decor, incorporating appealing color schemes and well-curated furnishings,” recommends Ellie Paget.
“To achieve a truly unique and captivating aesthetic, consider leveraging the expertise of our dedicated team. They can assist you in designing your home, helping you create an environment that not only catches the attention of potential guests through eye-catching marketing images but also provides a one-of-a-kind experience during their stay.
By investing in stylish decor and enlisting professional guidance, you can elevate your rental property’s overall appeal, command top dollar, and leave a lasting impression on your guests.”
6. Make sure you have security and safety measures
“To prioritize the safety and security of your guests, it is important to emphasize on security and safety measures. Install reliable locks, smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers. Provide clear instructions on emergency procedures and ensure your guests feel secure throughout their stay. A focus on safety gives guests peace of mind and contributes to their overall satisfaction,” recommends Damir Dumo from Chalet.
“Smart locks with rotating access keys for each guest are must-haves nowadays. We use a smart home automation system that can be remotely managed for all of our homes.”
7. Leverage guest’s reviews
“Pay attention to guest feedback and reviews,” says Damir Dumo. “Actively seek feedback from your guests and use it to improve your property and services. Address any concerns promptly and implement suggestions that align with your goals. By consistently evolving based on guest feedback, you’ll maintain a high level of guest satisfaction and enhance your reputation as a top-notch rental property.
Ask for a five-star review on the day the guest checks out. If it wasn’t a five-star experience, ask the guest to give feedback directly to you.”
8. Discover your secret formula to winning a rave review
“We’ve found that rave reviews are the secret to creating successful, five-star rental properties,” says ALL IN. “This begins with maintaining excellent communication with our owners, guests, and community management teams. Maintaining a meticulous standard of cleaning, offering modern amenities, and assuring attention to every detail are non-negotiables that must always be upheld as a standard.
We invite the input of our guests and respond promptly to their questions, needs, and feedback. Creating memorable experiences keeps them wanting to share their experience with others.”
9. Elevate your guest’s stay with tailored upsells
“When catering to today’s travelers, it’s important to go beyond providing accommodation and focus on creating memorable experiences. Enhance your guests’ stay by offering exciting upsells and activities that align with your property’s location,” says Kennedy Williams from Mount.
“For instance, if you’re near a beach, consider providing e-bikes, or if you’re situated by a lake, offer kayaks. By incorporating these quality add-ons and upsells, you eliminate the guesswork and reduce trip planning stress for your guests, ensuring your property is a memorable stay for all the right reasons.”
10. Elevate your guest experience through realistic promises and delightful surprises
“The top-performing property managers consistently prioritize the basics of a well-maintained property, comfortable beds, and clean linens to create a memorable guest experience. They also excel in attentive guest communication, providing timely and personalized responses that make guests feel valued and supported,” mentions Hostaway.
“They’re also careful in setting realistic expectations by promoting property highlights without overpromising, along with adding delightful touches like unique decor, outdoor games, or welcome gifts, further enhancing the guest experience.”
11. Thoughtfully prepare your guest’s needs before they arrive
“Take the time to think about your guest experience from their perspective,” recommends Floorspace. “By anticipating their requests, you can provide the amenities, information, and special touches that will make their stay seamless and memorable, while also reducing the amount of communication required.
It’s also helpful to keep in mind the benefits of providing a positive guest experience, which can’t really be overstated. Not only will you garner more five-star reviews, but you’ll also increase your chances of repeat and direct bookings.”
12. Set a competitive pricing strategy
“One thing that often gets overlooked is pricing strategy. You can have high occupancy throughout the year, but if your pricing is not competitive, you will not reach your highest earning potential,” recommends Humberto Pacheco, CEO of Naya Homes. “You will need to research similar listings in your area and take into account factors such as location, size, amenities, and seasonal demand.”
13. Automate communication
“Automating communication in a natural tone through templates or automated messages streamlines your interactions with guests while maintaining a personalized touch,” suggests Alex Withorn from Thorn Point Vacation Rentals. “This approach allows you to experiment with different messaging strategies, refine your communication based on guest responses, and deliver consistently excellent customer service without guests realizing it’s not manual correspondence.
Investing effort in repeat business can significantly contribute to ensuring another great review. By fostering strong relationships with guests and providing exceptional experiences, you increase the likelihood of them returning, resulting in positive reviews from satisfied repeat guests.”
14. Harness the power of preemptive reviews
“When you give guests a five-star review, specifically letting them know before they leave their own review can encourage reciprocity and forgiveness. By expressing gratitude and acknowledging their positive experience, you create a positive feedback loop that encourages guests to leave similarly favorable reviews,” says Alex Withorn from Thorn Point Vacation Rentals
“Being upfront about expectations and educating guests about the review process is crucial for ensuring positive reviews. Transparent communication sets the stage for mutual understanding and helps guests provide feedback that aligns with their expectations, leading to more favorable reviews.”
15. Ensure your guests have a streamlined experience checking in and checking out
“Being in the cleaning industry for so long, I found that attention to detail, open communication, consistency, and streamlined processes leads to a five-star rental experience,” says Celestial Cleaning Service. “Every little thing counts, from beginning to end. The way your entrance is presented with wine and chocolates and a personalized letter, to the ease of checking out. Ensuring all staff members associated with delivering a five-star experience is up to date with your standards in delivering a great experience is key.”
16. Create a cleaning schedule
“To ensure a consistently high standard of cleanliness and maintenance in your vacation rental, it is important to establish a comprehensive cleaning schedule. This schedule should encompass tasks that need to be performed daily, weekly, quarterly, and seasonally,” recommends Jacqueline Barbosa from Morfin Cleaning Services.
“Examples of such tasks include carpet cleaning, window washing, and high dusting. Consider small details such as re-caulking, checking batteries, lightbulbs, filters, and even painting the unit if necessary. It is crucial to use quality products and professional cleaning services to ensure that every area, including appliances and windows, receives proper care.
Attention to detail is key when managing a rental property. In platforms like Airbnb, linens and bedding should be in excellent condition, and all appliances must work properly. Guests should have access to all necessary amenities such as toilet paper and soap, and a complete set of cooking utensils should be provided. It is important to regularly inspect these details and replace anything that is worn or damaged.”
17. Conduct inspections
“To maintain a high-quality vacation rental, it is important to regularly inspect, maintain, and upgrade the unit, including appliances and amenities,” says Jacqueline. “Providing a comprehensive guide for guests, which includes information on internet access, streaming services, local attractions, and useful tips, enhances their experience.
“Essential amenities and toiletries such as toilet paper, soap, and dish soap should be provided and regularly restocked after every visitor. Maintaining open communication with guests, checking in upon arrival, and seeking their feedback throughout their stay are key to providing excellent customer service and ensuring a positive guest experience.”
18. Provide uninterrupted guest service anytime, anywhere
“Providing a smooth and memorable guest experience is essential to maintaining a five-star rental. This involves communicating promptly with guests (no matter what time of the day or night), solving guest problems in a timely manner, and giving guests the tools to create the vacation of their dreams,” shares Sam Ripley from LocalVR.
19. Provide perfectly maintained appliances, ample storage space, and an inviting ambiance for your guests
“When it comes to keeping a five-star rental property, I recommend that all appliances and technology be well maintained and in excellent working condition,” suggests Norma Reyen, Professional Organizer and Owner of Simply Fresh Interiors. “I also recommend making sure that there is enough storage space, such as drawers, cabinetry, shelving, and hanging options. Having an appropriate amount of storage allows for a clean and decluttered space that all guests can enjoy. Lastly, maintaining a fresh-smelling home with good lighting and an airy ambiance will make your rental home memorable.”
20. Monitor booking requests
“Be communicative and professional, but warm and friendly. Don’t allow anyone to book without maintaining a standard; for example, guests must have previous and recent positive five-star reviews,” recommends Michael Skomina, from Host Easy BnB. “Liaise with your cleaners and laundry service, as they are the crux of the business and the most important asset to your success. Follow up and inspect after cleans; if necessary, guide and provide feedback in positive ways to help your services provide the best possible standard that you desire.”