washing

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If you’re planning on giving your home a quick transformation for the new year, a fresh coat of paint can do the job. And if you want to master how to paint a room like a pro, you’ll also need to avoid these common painting mistakes.

I’m always updating my home, and taking on a new DIY project. Over the years, I’ve wallpapered rooms, upcycled old, tired-looking furniture and of course, painted walls.  But despite writing about home decor for a living, I’ve made some rookie mistakes in the past that have cost me time, effort and money!

($15, Amazon), which are more durable.  

2. Consider safety  

Lady painting a wall with wrong footwear (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Just because you’re in the comfort of your own home, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take your safety seriously. And while I wouldn’t consider painting to be a high-risk job, there are still certain precautions to take. 

Most paints contain harmful chemicals, so ensure you always open a window, door or have adequate ventilation in the room — especially if you have children at home.

In addition, always wear appropriate clothing, or disposable coveralls like these Cleaing Pack of 3 SMS Disposable Paint Suit ($18, Amazon), to protect your skin/clothes from any splashes. If you need to use a sanding tool, it’s also advisable to wear protective eyewear, gloves and a mask so that you won’t breathe in dust. 

And finally, wear the right, protective footwear to prevent slipping or losing your balance — especially when climbing a step ladder. I’ve been guilty of wearing my slippers to go up a ladder in the past, which is a massive fail! Always treat any DIY/home project as if you’re on a building site — accidents can happen.

3. Prep the walls first before painting

Filling cracks in wall with putty knife (Image credit: Shutterstock)

I’ve been guilty of painting straight onto walls without the right preparation. As a result, any dents or cracks were visible, much to my dismay! But while prepping may seem like an arduous task, this makes all the difference to the overall results and finish. 

Check the condition of the walls, inspecting for cracks, holes or any dents. If these are minor, simply apply caulk to fill these in with a putty knife, and let it dry completely before any necessary sanding. If your walls are not in good condition however, you may need to hire a plasterer, to ensure it has a smooth finish. 

In addition, it’s always recommended to give walls a good clean first with a soapy water solution to get rid of dust, cobwebs and grime. You can either use a damp cloth/sponge, or a sugar soap spray can also be used to prepare walls. Follow this up by washing again with clean water to remove the cleaner residue, then wipe with a clean cloth.

By taking the time to do the prep work, this ensures you have a clean, smooth wall, makes painting easier and will actually save you more time in the long-run. 

4. Use masking tape to secure drop cloths  

Man applying masking tape for drop cloth (Image credit: Shutterstock)

We all know how important it is to protect your floor when you’re painting. However, if you just throw drop cloths down without properly securing them, these can move out of place and cause an accident. In addition, I’d often spend extra time covering areas of the floor again, where it had lifted.

The best way to secure drop cloths is to apply about two inches of masking tape to the quarter round or shoe molding along the edge of wall. Then spread the drop cloth out on the floor next to the wall before applying another layer of masking tape so that it covers both the cloth and trim. This way, it shouldn’t shift while you’re moving the step ladder, or generally walking around the area. 

5. Lining the paint tray before use 

Pouring paint into a lined tray (Image credit: Shutterstock)

One thing I dread after painting a room is the messy clean-up afterwards — especially if you need to reuse your tray soon after. However, a clever painting hack is to line the tray with a plastic sheet or trash bag so that every inch is covered, before pouring out your paint.

The idea is that, once you’ve finished painting, carefully lift out the sheet or bag and throw it out in the trash. This way, your paint tray remains spotless, and ready for the next paint job. Best of all, this is quick, hassle-free and will save you precious time. 

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Apache is functioning normally

We’re all aware that there are vast differences in what’s considered normal around the world, and most of us have even noticed that there are differences in normal between families, small towns, different schools, etc. But have you ever found yourself in the midst of your own country or even your family and wondered How is that just normal? Well, we’re with you. Whether it’s something as seemingly inconsequential as a particular gesture, or more dramatic such as customs surrounding celebrations, it’s pretty common to feel like the odd one out a some point. So stick with us; we’re examining some of the things people find normal that we just can’t get used to.  

1. Spitting Loogies

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user shared, “Spitting, especially loogies. I literally almost throw up when I see someone doing it.”

Ok, we’re with you on that one. We know everybody has their own preferences and we’re not here to stop you, but spitting really just baffles us.

2. Holding a Bag of Dog Waste

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One Redditor user said, “On colder days when my dad walks the dog, he’ll sometimes hold the dog [waste] bag in his hands to warm his hands.”

Another user commented, “This is deeply disturbing.”

Fortunately, it seems only that commenter’s dad thinks this is normal. Frankly, we’ve never heard of anyone else doing this and we don’t plan to make it any more widespread than it already is. That’s just uncomfortable and gross.

3. Writing With Chalk

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Perhaps not gross, but I am repulsed by holding chalk and writing on a chalkboard. The touch, the feel, the sound, everything,” posted by one Redditor.

Another user shared, “We just got new dishes a couple of months back and the bottom is the raw clay feeling. That terrible gritty sandpaper-like texture. I can hardly use the plates without shivering and getting weirded out.”

There are a lot of odd textures out there, and while they don’t bother a lot of people, when they do bother you it’s almost impossible to forget about.

4. Parents Monetizing Kids on YouTube

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user pointed out, “People monetizing their kids on YouTube.”

Another user replied, “This should be a top comment.”

To be fair, that’s definitely a gray area. But we definitely feel a lot of sympathy for those kids, having to grow up in the spotlight, and sometimes in really vulnerable and uncomfortable ways. We’ll say this much for sure: people’s kids should never have to be publicly uncomfortable just to help their parents make a buck. Providing for the family is the job of an adult, and kids aren’t responsible to help with expenses by performing.

5 When Someone Else Washes My Dishes

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user stated, “When someone else ‘washes’ my dishes for me and I drink from a ‘clean’ glass, and it smells of rotting food and I look at my sponge and it’s covered in food because someone thought that smearing food around my dishes with a sponge somehow made them clean you’re all fired I never want to see you again.”

Sanitation is no joke when you’re washing the dishes. Sponges are great, but you’ve got to keep them clean in order to really clean the dishes you’re washing. And if you’re washing dishes in somebody else’s home to show them you care, go the extra mile and make sure you wash the dishes they way that they like them washed.

6. Wearing Big Engagement Rings Without Cleaning Them

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Wearing those big-a- engagement rings and never properly cleaning them. Especially in a hospital, nobody should be wearing anything below the elbow for good hand hygiene. I can’t imagine how many germs live between all those diamonds that are now spreading to my patients. Just take it all off, leave them at home!” one online user stated.

Another user confirmed and replied, “Omg, so many patients just leave their rings on for years, and then the stones are filled with lotion, dead skin, and grease.”

Besides the important sanitary concerns, did you know your ring will sparkle so much more if you clean it regularly? Most jewelers will offer free cleanings for any rings or jewelry you’ve purchased through them, and otherwise the price is very low, often as cheap as five dollars to get your whole ring polished and looking good as new again.

7 the Sound of Chewing

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user posted, “The sound of people chewing,”

Another user responded, “Ugh, eating with mouth open …”

Honestly, that’s just good manners. There’s definitely an etiquette to chewing. If you’re alone in the privacy of your own home, then be considerate of anyone else around you while you’re eating.

8. Children With Snotty Faces

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Children with food on their face. And snot,” one user shared.

Another user stated, “As a parent, we find it gross too. We’re just tired of cleaning it 900 times a day.”

9. When Clothes Smell Musty

Image Credit: Shutterstock – Krakenimages.com

One Redditor posted, “Maybe not ‘normal’ but I am repulsed by the smell created by clothing not correctly drying. The scent is on clothing that sat in the washer machine too long. Or dish towels and bathroom towels that dried without being spread out. I smell it on people from down the aisle in stores. And don’t get me started on drying my hands in someone’s bathroom and finding out the smell is lingering on my hands now.” 

Granted, some people have this harder for others. For example, the southwest United States is much less humid than other parts of the country, and that makes drying clothes and towels much faster and easier. In other locations, it’s more challenging to get clothes and linens completely dry and it takes some effort not to smell musty.

10. Constantly Spitting

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user said, “Spitting. I feel physically ill when I witness someone hawking and spitting in public or see spit sitting on the pavement.”

Another user added, “My friend is always doing this. I’m less disgusted than I am confused. I’ve never felt the need to spit spontaneously, lol.”

While we’re here, could somebody tell us why they spit all the time? Is there a good reason for this? From the outside it seems like a pretty unnecessary habit, so please enlighten us.

11. Licking Fingers to Turn a Page

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Licking their fingers to turn a page. Turns my stomach!” one Redditor shared.

Another user added, “Or counting money. F- filthy.”

Ok, fair enough.. If you need to lick your fingers for any reason, please wash your hands afterwards. Keep the germs from spreading and be considerate of others.

12. Not Washing Hands Before a Meal

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One Commenter mentioned, “Not washing hands before a meal. You have been in filth, and you are going to touch your food with those hands? Yuk.”

Another replied, “Also, not washing your hands when cooking food. I can’t understand how people just start cooking food for other people without doing it.”

13. Not Rinsing the Soap Suds off Dishes

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user added, “Washing dishes in a tub of soapy water and not rinsing off the soap suds. Or not scrubbing the outsides of pots and pans as well. Makes me want to vomit. I’d rather not taste stale soap and bacteria in my cup of tea or food, thanks. I can always tell as well.“

Soap always leaves a residue, and yea, most of us can taste it. It’s such a strong flavor and it adds an unpleasant taste to anything you eat or drink from that dish. It seems Washing dishes is more of an art than maybe we first thought.

14. Coughing Without Covering

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Spitting, coughing without covering your mouth. I have multiple sclerosis. Get sick really easily,” one user added.

Another user agreed, “I work in a hospital. I still wear a mask the entire work day. I’ve been asked “why” over & over, told that I don’t have to do that anymore, so-called a sheep, & various other comments. My job is directly in patient’s bubbles. The mask does prevent being a direct hit from bodily fluids, helps with the unpleasant outdoors, & hides my facial expressions from exposure to those things.”

Ok, that’s a pretty fair assessment. If you’re working with people’s bodies and fluids, it only makes sense to be as protected as you can.

15. Not Washing Your Hands After Going to the Bathroom

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

A user commented, “Not washing your hands after going to the bathroom. Nasty.”

Another user shared, “I would hope everyone finds this nasty …”

What can we say; there’s a reason stores and restaurants have signs reminding employees to wash their hands. It’s both less common than we could wish, and much more gross than some people seem to think.

16. Employers Paying New Hires More Than Current Employees

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One user stated, “Employers paying new hires more than tenured employees. Having drastically different pay rates for people with similar credentials doing the same job.”

Another user added, “Not entirely the same, but my first job was at a McDonald’s. I was making, I think, like, 5.45 an hour? One of my friends at the time got hired on at 6/hr. I approached the manager about it, and he said, ‘It was a mistake, but I can’t increase your pay or decrease theirs. Also, who told you about it?’ He made clear in his tone he intended to punish the person that told me, and I didn’t say s-.”

17 Wearing Sneakers Without Socks

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Wearing sneakers without socks. Ugh! The sweat stinks,” one user shared.

Another user replied, “Agreed. But Most of the time you see that; they’re probably just wearing no-shows.”

We agree with both commenters; most of the time people are wearing no-show socks. And if they’re not wearing socks at all, that’s about to smell terrible. Even shoes you’ve only worn with socks tend to smell terrible after a while. But if you really have make that fashion choice, rest assured there are plenty of stinky-shoe remedies online to rescue you.

18. Childbirth

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

One Redditor stated, “Childbirth. We’re all here because of it, and it’s currently my day job to catch a baby or two per day, but [holy cow] is it like watching a woman’s [body] go through Vietnam each time.”

One user added, “Time for a game of ‘child-snatcher or midwife?’”

It’s true that watching childbirth can be an uncomfortable process, but birth is truly a normal part of life. Like the commenter said, without birth none of us would be here, so we have our mothers to thank for going through all that struggle for us.

19. Kissing Pets on the Mouth

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

“Kissing pets in their mouth,” shared one user.

Another user posted, “What everyone’s dad didn’t say, ‘I just saw that dog eating s- outside,’ every time this happens … “

No offense to the pet parents out there, but there’s definitely a lot of germs not only in cats’ and dogs’ mouths, but in human mouths. And transferring that many germs between humans and animals has never been a great idea. We get that it’s normal and a lot of people connect with their pets and show affection that way, but maybe consider some other manner of pet cuddling than kissing them.

20. Smacking Gum

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Another commenter shared, “Smacking gum. I hate it. And loud chewing/swallowing noises.”

Chewing gum seems to be one of those things people either love or hate; there’s no middle ground. But we totally understand how it can be annoying for those who are highly sensitive, especially to noise.

What do you think of the list shared above? Share your thoughts with us down in the comments!

Source: Reddit.

10 Actors Perfectly Cast for Their Character Roles

Photo Credit: Warner Bros.

Have you ever watched a movie or show and been completely lost in it because of how well an actor or actress became their character? Check out this article for a whole list of actors who were perfectly cast!

11 Vampire Movies That Will Make You Thirst for More

Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.

You know that feeling where you’re on a movie kick in a certain genre, but you seem to run out of good movies to watch? Well, if you’re down for a vampire movie or three, check out this article for the best ones out there!

10 Incredible Movies That People Rated 10 Out of 10

Photo Credit: Universal Studios.

It’s pretty hard to replicate the experience of watching your favorite movie for the first time, but we’ve put together a list of movies that people have rated at a perfect 10/10. Next time you need a good movie to watch, check this out!

10 Famous People Who Canceled Themselves With Their Own Stupidity

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We’ve all been there: you make a comment you haven’t thought through at all, and the whole room goes silent at what you’ve just said. But can you imagine doing that as a famous person—and getting canceled? Check out this list of celebrities who did just that!

13 Things You Shouldn’t Do When You’re in the US

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

Are you planning a trip to the US? Culture varies a lot between countries, even countries that share borders. So if you’re headed to the good old U. S. of A, here are a few pointers to make your travels go more smoothly!



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Source: financequickfix.com

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If you’ve ever wanted to live in a minimalist apartment, here’s your chance. New year, new home.

Have you looked at your closet, bookshelves and stacks of files, and thought, maybe there’s something to be said for a minimalist apartment? For many minimalists, it’s this defining moment that starts them on a journey in which less is more. Less clutter, less stuff and less relentless organizing often leads to more free time to enjoy the things that truly matter.

With spring cleaning a few short months away, now’s a perfect time to use these minimalist apartment tips to create a clutter-free environment. Less clutter, after all, means fewer things to clean.

Not only do you get a jumpstart on spring cleaning your apartment, Neuroscience News reports you’ll also enjoy the side benefits of reduced stress and anxiety. Sounds like a win-win!

Two things can sidetrack the best of intentions: perfectionism and procrastination. These tips will help you stay focused without feeling overwhelmed. And, as a brilliant, unknown author once said about perfectionism, “No one is perfect…that’s why pencils have erasers.” So, let’s get started with one room at a time.

Minimalist apartment tips for your bedroom

Peter Walsh, the international organizer and author of seven organizing and decluttering books, said, “Clutter isn’t just the stuff on the floor. It’s anything that gets between you and the life you want to be living.”

Keep that in mind as you go through the many items you’ve collected in your bedroom. And remember the lesson behind the story of the tortoise and the hare: Slow and steady wins the race. Take it room by room and one area at a time. When you’re down to that last area, possibly just in time for the big spring clean, you’ll feel a sense of renewal and freedom that’s hard to define until experienced.

The dreaded closet

Closets can quickly become storage central with clothes and shoes you never wear and boxes with who-knows-what in them. It’s time to change that.

  • Every item goes into a keep, donate or discard pile.
  • To help you decide, ask two questions:
    1. When was the last time I wore or used this? The 90/90 minimalism rule suggests you only keep items you’ve used or will use within a 90-day timeframe.
    2. Does it bring you joy or serve a purpose?
  • Now, while you have everything out of your closet, it’s a good time to vacuum and clean the baseboards. In fact, as you go through your home pre-spring cleaning, taking time to do the baseboards gives you a great jumpstart.
  • A natural cleaning solution for this sometimes hard-to-clean area is one part white vinegar to one part water plus several drops of your favorite essential oil, like lemon, lavender or pine. Note: If you have pets, these essential oils are considered toxic. Safer ones for your furry friends include cedarwood, frankincense and clary sage.

Nightstands and dresser

Dressers can be a go-to spot for objects that hold memories, which makes them one of the more challenging decluttering areas.

  • Start by taking everything off the top and placing it in one of your three piles. If something holds sentimental value, put it to the side.
  • Pick up each item that holds a memory and consider if you feel a sense of freedom by letting it go or a sense of loss. And remember, memories aren’t in things; they’re in you.
  • Sort through your drawers. Socks with holes? Discard. Shirts you’ll someday wear but never do? Donate.

Minimalist apartment tips for your kitchen

Stand back and take a look at your kitchen. Can you see the countertop? Now’s the perfect time to consider what kitchen gadgets you actually use.

Do you have an electric wok a well-intentioned relative gave you as a gift that you’ve yet to get out of the box? When deciding which items to donate, it’s helpful to consider that there’s someone out there who may really appreciate it!

  • Go through each drawer and cabinet one at a time with the same intention. Remove items, place them in one of three piles, clean the cabinet and make a specific spot for everything.
  • A mixture of two parts baking soda and one part water is great for cleaning spots on painted or laminated cupboards and drawers. Let it sit for a few minutes before removing it.
  • If you’re short on time, consider doing just one kitchen cabinet or drawer a day.
  • For the ultimate jumpstart on spring cleaning, consider deep cleaning your appliances one at a time. A good DIY mixture to remove grease is one part white vinegar and one part blue Dawn. This task may require your favorite upbeat playlist and some elbow grease.

Minimalist apartment tips for your bathroom

Pre-spring cleaning offers a great time to go through your bathroom’s often-ignored medicine cabinet and under the cabinet sink.

  • Check for expired products and items you haven’t used in the last three months. If throwing away old medicine, be sure to scratch any personal information off the label to protect your privacy, and throw the container and medicine away separately.
  • Go through each drawer and shelf. Are you finding makeup you haven’t used in who knows how long? The Mayo Clinic offers some good advice on when it’s time to say goodbye.
    • Mascara and liquid eyeliner: safe for three months.
    • Pencil eye and lip liners: safe for one year.
    • Water-based foundation: safe for one year.
    • Oil-based foundation: safe for 18 months.
    • Cream-based foundation and blushes: safe for at least six months.
    • Lipsticks and lip gloss: safe for six months to one year.

Minimalist apartment tips for your living room

Your living room should be a sanctuary from the world, a place to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy time with friends and family. Every item should speak to the heart of the matter or be so incredibly functional you can’t do without it.

  • Remember, fewer things to move means fewer things to clean. With that in mind, remove items from shelves (including bookshelves) and the tops of tables.
  • One by one, ask yourself, do you really need this item in your life, or is it simply taking up space?
  • Clean shelves and table tops.
  • If you need a space for magazines, books and games you’re not ready to part with, lift-top coffee tables provide a great storage area while reducing clutter.
  • While sorting through your living room, consider vacuuming out the window tracks and washing the windows to get an extra spring-cleaning jumpstart.

Jumpstart spring cleaning and create an intentional life

You’ll be amazed at how getting rid of stuff not only frees up your space but your mind as well. To keep things tidy until the spring cleaning session, ensure everything has a place to call home and finds its way back there after use.

The outcome? You’ll understand the sentiment behind less is more and find yourself living a more intentional life in your newly minimalist apartment.

Still looking for that clean slate? Browse our apartments and houses for rent here.

Source: rent.com

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LO Technology, Broker PPE Products; Training and Webinars This Week; 3.7% Unemployment

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LO Technology, Broker PPE Products; Training and Webinars This Week; 3.7% Unemployment

By:
Rob Chrisman

7 Hours, 19 Min ago

“What do you call James Bond having a bath? Bubble 07.” In different bond matters, mortgage rates will always be higher than Treasury rates, in part because of the prepayment risk in mortgages that doesn’t exist with Treasury bonds. With the drop in rates, sales management personnel at lenders are busy figuring out how best to remind the staff about EPO (early payoff) penalties levied by investors while at the same time working on ways to save money besides furloughing, cutting staff, outsourcing, and re-doing vendor contracts. The recent decline in rates and increase in applications is welcome: According to Curinos, November 2023 funded mortgage volume decreased 11 percent YoY and 10 percent MoM. In the Retail channel, funded volume was down 22 percent YoY and 10% MoM. The average 30-year conforming retail funded rate in November was 7.45 percent, 25bps higher than October and 85bps higher than the same month last year. (Curinos sources a statistically significant data set directly from lenders to produce these benchmark figures, and drills into this data further here.) Today’s podcast can be found here, and this week’s is sponsored by nCino, makers of the nCino Mortgage Suite for the modern mortgage lender. nCino Mortgage Suite’s three core products, nCino Mortgage, nCino Incentive Compensation, and nCino Mortgage Analytics, unite the people, systems, and stages of the mortgage process. Hear an Interview with nCino’s Ben Miller on incentive compensation data and origination cost reductions that are separating profitable from unprofitable companies in the mortgage industry.

Lender and Broker Products, Programs, and Services

Loan Vision exclusively serves the mortgage industry by providing software built by the mortgage industry for the mortgage industry. With Loan Vision, customers see improvements of 30%+ decrease in days to close the books, 20%+ reduction in accounting headcount, complete LOS to G/L automation, and improved reporting and visibility. Interested in learning how Loan Vision can help you run a more efficient and profitable company? Contact Carl Wooloff to schedule a call today.

When Encompass Lending Group set out to reimagine its borrower experience, it chose LiteSpeed by LenderLogix. “We understand every borrower is different. Our services are custom-tailored to every borrower, and we thought our technology should reflect that,” said Encompass Lending Group’s Paul Marsh, EVP of National Sales. Read more about their implementation here.

Seems like there is “AI” everything now. Washing machines, clothing, cookie dough? One place you should deploy AI is in helping your customers find their best opportunity. LoanCraft now offers its ViLO technology via an API (patent pending). ViLO is a virtual loan officer technology that asks your customers questions about their goals and needs, and provides offers along with tailored English-language recommendations. The API lets you easily incorporate this into your consumer facing technology, or LoanCraft will build your front end for you. Regents Financial is using ViLO, so you can see how it works here. Contact Jessica West at LoanCraft for more information.

In this market, hustle is everything. You can’t afford to waste a single deal, or a single minute. That’s why ReadyPrice has launched Shop, Lock, Deliver, an innovative platform designed to help independent mortgage brokers and their lenders save time and money. Now you can shop competitive loan offerings from multiple lenders, get rate lock guarantees in real time, receive underwriting findings, and deliver the borrower’s complete loan file to lenders, all on a single platform, at no cost to brokers. It’s already helping brokers around the country thrive and compete in the toughest market. Multiple lenders. One platform. Zero b.s. Come check us out today. ReadyPrice gives you the ability to manage your lenders, search loan product pricing across the wholesale channel, and deliver loans to the lender of your choice.

Events, Training, and Webinars

A good place for longer term conference planning is to start is here, and click on “events” for conferences in the future.

Today, December 8, is the next episode of The Mortgage Collaborative’s Rundown covering current events in the mortgage market for 30-45 minutes starting at noon PT, 3PM ET, in “The Rundown”. Listen to Rich Kuegler with Stewart Title!

Chief Sales Officer at Deephaven Tom Davis will join Rob Chrisman on a webinar you won’t want to miss. In today’s market, originators need Non-QM to fully serve borrowers and to stay competitive. Learning how to utilize and market Non-QM isn’t difficult when you partner with the right lender. Please find out how easy it is by joining the webinar on December 12th! Register now.

Tuesday, 12/12, is the next Mortgages with Millennials with Kristin Messerli and Robbie Chrisman. Tune in every Tuesday at 1PM ET to the weekly video show designed to empower mortgage professionals to tap into the millennial market. This show demystifies the psychology of first-time homebuyers and offers strategies to win more market share with a key segment of the market. Sign up for a weekly reminder with the link to join and a sneak peek into the next episode. Next week’s guest is Catalina Kaiyoorawongs, Founder and CEO of LoanSense.

Have you registered yet for LIRC23? Discover the newest developments in legal and regulatory compliance for residential lenders. Join California MBA at the Irvine Marriott Hotel on December 11 – 12 for the 2023 Legal Issues and Regulatory Compliance Conference. This is your opportunity to hear from some of the nation’s top industry experts and learn about the hottest topics. You’ll be informed and empowered, don’t miss out.

What are the forces that will shape the 2024 economy and real estate market? Find out at the Real Estate Forecast Summit: The Year Ahead on December 12, 1-2 p.m. ET. NAR’s Dr. Lawrence Yun and Dr. Jessica Lautz are teaming with expert economists and thought leaders to review 2023 and discuss their expectations for 2024. They will cover the residential and commercial markets, plus demographic and market outlook data. There is no cost to attend, but you must register in advance.

“As 2023 comes to a close, empower your financial strategy with insights tailored for lenders. Join CWDL for a webinar on Tuesday, December 12 as we recap the year in accounting and tax and identify what action you need to take before the year ends. Our mortgage banking experts will review tax legislation passed in 2023 and what’s coming for 2024, share tips to get year-end financials closed accurately and efficiently, discuss preparing for your audit, review HUD and GNMA reporting requirements, address going concern analysis, and more. Reach out to Kasey English to register for this free webinar, and emerge with actionable insights to take advantage of these last few weeks of 2023.”

Vince Furey, SVP of Sales for MeridianLink, has some valuable market insights and strategies that can help your credit union not only survive but also thrive in this changing landscape. Don’t miss the upcoming ACUMA Inside Track webinar on December 12th at 1 pm CST, where you can learn how to capture and serve this important market segment and take your mortgage loan program to new heights.

Wednesday the 13th, looking for more in-depth commentary on weekly mortgage news? Register here for “Mortgage Matters: The Weekly Roundup” presented by Lenders One. Every Wednesday at 2:00 PM EST/11:00 AM PT is a dive into a range of mortgage-related topics, including market trends, interest rate fluctuations, innovative mortgage products, and industry advancements. Listen to a unique mix of age perspective, expertise, and charisma to the screen, ensuring that the information is not only educational but also entertaining. Next week’s guest is.

Dec 13, at 12:00 PM PT, will be a webinar to learn about innovative approaches to recruiting loan officers in the mortgage industry. Heidi Iverson and NAMBA’s Tony Thompson will explore data-driven recruitment strategies with Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI), a powerful tool for Mortgage Lenders.

Join Curinos home equity experts Richard Martin, Ken Flaherty and Kinley Hicks on December 13th as they debut their new national home equity market forecast and discuss how home equity could impact growth initiatives and balance sheets in 2024. Register now.

Our very own MBA has some webinars, including California’s Corporate Climate Data Accountability Act, MBA on December 14.

For a deeper dive into Pennymac TPO’s new product and how to position it with your borrowers, contact your Account Executive, and register for their Power Your Business Webinar, “Home Equity Seconds Product Overview,” on December 14 at 10am PT/1 pm ET.

The Knowledge Coop’s new membership platform offers all state and federal Continuing Education courses in an engaging and exciting video format that you’re sure to actually enjoy. Want to give yourself a sharper competitive edge? They also offer in-depth training on specific topics like VA Loans and FHA within their Coop Academy. Get access to industry experts and connect with other mortgage professionals all in one space. Use Code Chrisman10 for 10 percent off your first year of membership here.

Join in for “Hot Topics” with the Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program. Free, Live, virtual training for all USDA lenders and real estate agents. Don’t pass up the opportunity to say YES to more potential clients. Embrace the GUS recommendation, Thursday, December 14, 2-3 PM ET.

National MI posted its upcoming December 2023 webinar sessions. December options include the following: Income Case Studies ​​​​​with Marianne Collins – December 12th at 1pm ET. 2024 Business Planning for Purchase Business with Bruce Lund – December 13th at 2pm ET. Maximize Your Relationships: The Art of Annual Mortgage Reviews with Rebecca Lorenz – December 14th at 1pm ET.

This month, catch up on the latest underwriting and processing trends at your convenience with Arch MI’s online videos and podcasts. Choose Arch MI’s wide range of course offerings that cover the essentials for mortgage professionals. On the 14th, the co-authors of HaMMR Digest, Arch Chief Economist Parker Ross, and Director of Real Estate Economics Leonidas Mourelatos, present their assessment of the market environment, where rates and home prices are heading, and the implications for mortgage professionals in the new year. Register for Arch MI Housing Update Webinar on December 14 at 1 p.m. ET.

Friday, December 15th, is next week’s episode of The Mortgage Collaborative’s Rundown covering current events in the mortgage market for 30-45 minutes starting at noon PT, 3PM ET, in “The Rundown”. Hear from MGIC’s Terry Aikin!

Capital Markets

As job markets loosen and employers are not as quick to hire, investors are betting on when central banks across the globe will begin rate cutting cycles. Yesterday’s private payrolls from ADP printed lower than analyst expectations ahead of today’s release of the November jobs report. Thoughts that the Fed is done tightening helped mortgage rates drop closer to 7 percent, the lowest level since August, according to this week’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey from Freddie Mac. 30-year fixed mortgage rates have fallen 76 basis points since the end of October.

Today brought the November payrolls report where forecasts didn’t see all that much variability from October. November nonfarm payrolls registered 199k versus 186k expectations. The unemployment rate came in at 3.7 percent when it was seen holding steady at 3.9 percent. Average hourly earnings were when the number was seen increasing 0.4 percent month-over-month and 4.1 percent year-over-year versus 0.2 percent and 4.1 percent previously. Later today brings preliminary December Michigan sentiment, which is expected to tick up modestly. We begin the day with Agency MBS prices and the 10-year yielding 4.25 after closing yesterday at 4.13 percent (the 2-year is up to 4.71) after the employment numbers.

Employment

“Freedom Mortgage is seeking the best Account Executives nationwide. We understand the best are not just product experts but, also relationship builders. We seek industry leaders. Freedom Mortgage Wholesale believes Account Executives are vital to our success. Freedom Mortgage has been creating success for 30 years. Our people and processes are time-tested giving us trusted stability, no matter market conditions. Our deep roots throughout the mortgage industry provide confidence for the future. Freedom Mortgage is 4EVER Wholesale. Join our strong group of Account Executives who average 15 years in industry and 10+ years at Freedom Mortgage. If you are the best and want to work with a financially stable company to build your future, contact us.”

Newrez Wholesale is thrilled to announce the appointment of Divisional Vice President John McElhone to the Inaugural Corporate Board of Directors for NAMB (National Association of Mortgage Brokers®). “For 50 years NAMB has been the leading voice for the mortgage industry, and I am proud of the organization for creating its corporate board of governors as it will increase NAMB’s impact on the industry,” said McElhone. “Thank you to NAMB for inviting me to join the board and I am eager to bring my decades of experience I’ve obtained in my professional career to each and every day.” Way to go, John! Learn more about the new corporate board.

“Are you a go-getter who embraces hustle and strives for growth? Are you passionate about helping others on the path to success? If you answered yes, we want you! Kind Lending is seeking knowledgeable Wholesale Account Executives with experience in the mortgage lending space. As one of the fastest growing mortgage lenders in the country, we’re building an upbeat and collaborative team that strives to put people first in everything we do, infusing happiness around every corner. Our people believe kindness matters and a client’s positive experience is everything. Join the #kindmovemovement and come grow your business with an expanded product offering and best in class operational experience! Contact: Delfino Aguilar, SVP TPO Production, 619.726.0377.”

JMAC Lending, an industry-leading TPO lender for more than 25 years, has hired Eric Yang as Executive Vice-President of TPO Sales. Formerly VP of TPO Sales at Pennymac, Yang will lead JMAC’s team of Account Executives for both wholesale and correspondent. “Eric’s business approach aligns with our company mission and values: trust, teamwork and integrity,” JMAC Lending’s President Christina Pham said. “We are excited to have Eric lead our growing sales team, where we will continue to provide excellent support to our lender partners, especially in this unique market environment.” “Eric can navigate complex market landscapes and deliver results,” Pham says. “He has a deep understanding of the industry, and we are confident that his expertise will elevate our sales operations.” Start lending with JMAC today! Click here join JMAC and sign up for marketing and rates, or contact sales. Let’s grow your business and fund more loans in 2024.

Thank you to Julie Cooper who reminded me that, in the Northwest, “State Departments of Commerce Housing Divisions or Housing Departments are hiring folks versed in mortgage, title, escrow and real estate. County and Municipal Departments of Community Development and non-profit housing developers in Washington State are hiring in record numbers, as well, developing affordable multifamily, single-family housing for ownership and rental. Julie observed, “I think one way forward for our industry is private/public partnership. These developments, acquisition and construction projects need mortgage companies to help with homeownership, especially those who can do community land trusts and every transaction needs a title insurance policy and escrow provider. Ultimately, we are all stakeholders in housing and it’s really cool to be part of these innovative programs.”

 Download our mobile app to get alerts for Rob Chrisman’s Commentary.

Source: mortgagenewsdaily.com

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As the seasons change and colder weather is upon us, our trusty heated blankets are our cherished companions for staying warm and cozy. However, when it comes time to refresh these seasonal staples, a bit of care is needed.

Unlike regular blankets, electric blankets require special attention to maintain their functionality and comfort. We’ll walk you through the steps to safely and effectively wash your heated blanket, ensuring it stays in peak condition for many more snuggle-worthy seasons.

When you buy through links in this article, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Materials needed to wash your electric blanket

Before you begin tackling the task of washing your electric blanket, gather these materials to successfully restore your blanket to its clean state.

  • Mild detergent: Choose a detergent that is gentle on fabrics and does not contain harsh chemicals.
  • Washing machine: Use a washing machine with a gentle or delicate cycle option to prevent damage.
  • Cold or lukewarm water: Avoid hot water to protect the fabric and heating elements.
  • Drying rack or clean surface: Air drying is the best method to ensure the continued softness of your blanket.
  • Manufacturer’s instructions: Refer to the care label or user manual for specific guidelines on washing your heated blanket. If you no longer have the printed instructions, check the manufacturers’ website.
  • Stain remover (optional): For pre-treating any visible stains before washing.

How to wash a heated blanket

Source: Amazon

By following these steps, you’ll return your cozy blanket to its original state; clean and stain-free. Your electric blanket will then be ready to provide warmth and comfort for many more seasons.

1. Read the manufacturer’s instructions

Before diving into the washing process, it’s crucial to consult the manufacturer’s care instructions. Heated blankets come in various styles, materials and technologies, and each may have specific washing guidelines.

Check the attached label or user manual for information on water temperature, detergent recommendations and any other considerations. Following these guidelines will help preserve the integrity of your heated blanket and prevent any accidental damage during the washing process.

2. Disconnect and remove electrical components

To ensure safety during the washing process, it’s essential to disconnect and remove any electrical components from your heated blanket. Unplug the blanket from the power source and detach the control cords and connectors, if possible.

Some heated blankets come with detachable controllers, while others may require you to carefully secure the electrical components before washing. It’s imperative to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disconnecting electrical parts to avoid any damage or safety hazards.

3. Pre-treat stains

Before tossing your heated blanket into the washing machine, take a moment to address any visible stains. Gently spot-treat stains with a mild detergent or a stain remover, following the product’s instructions.

Avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach, as these damage the fabric and affect the heating elements. Allow the pre-treated areas to sit for a few minutes to effectively remove stains before moving on to the next step.

4. Choose the right washing machine settings

While heated blankets can usually be washed in a machine, it’s important to select the appropriate settings. Use a gentle or delicate cycle with cold or warm water and avoid hot water as it compromises the integrity of the fabric and heating elements.

Opt for a mild detergent to avoid any chemical reactions that might affect the blanket’s performance. If your blanket is too large for your home washing machine, consider taking it to a laundromat with larger-capacity machines.

5. Wash with care

Place the detached heated blanket in the washing machine, ensuring it has enough space to move freely. Avoid overloading the machine which leads to uneven cleaning and potential damage. Start the selected washing cycle and let the machine do its magic. Once the cycle is complete, make sure to remove the blanket to prevent wrinkles and mildew.

6. Air dry or tumble dry on low

After washing, resist the urge to use high heat to speed up the drying process. Instead, opt for air-drying or tumble-drying on the lowest heat setting. Exposing your heated blanket to excessive heat during the drying process will damage the heating elements. Lay the blanket flat on a clean surface or use a drying rack to maintain its shape so it’s wrinkle-free

Embrace a cozy renaissance the right way

Source: Amazon

Cleaning your heated blanket is easier than it seems. With a bit of care and attention, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of your favorite seasonal staple for years to come. Remember, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and handle the blanket gently to maintain its quality and functionality. Happy washing!

Source: apartmentguide.com

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With more affordable housing prices than surrounding states, Nevada is attracting new residents every day. Those moving to Las Vegas have very different preferences when it comes to apartments. These are the best apartments in Las Vegas.

Photo source: Avion at Sunrise Mountain / Rent.

Right at the base of Sunrise Mountain on the northeast side of the Las Vegas metro area, Avion at Sunrise Mountain has the best view of the city you can get. Furthermore, it boasts not one, but two pools, a 24-hour fitness center and a business center.

Resident can choose from apartment plans with up to three bedrooms, with furnished units available for those that would like them.

Photo source: Trend! / Rent.

Living up to its name, Trend! is a contemporary apartment community with amenities galore—on-site dry cleaning, electric vehicle charging stations, a heated pool and water bottle and towel services are only a handful of the many.

These luxury apartments have one-, two- and three-bedroom plans to choose from and are in the mellow Silverado Ranch neighborhood.

Photo source: Tamarus Park at Heritage Square / Rent.

Tamarus Park at Heritage Square lies within walking distance of UNLV and only a few minutes away from the Strip by car. There are studio, one and two-bedroom units giving the perfect space for anyone at any stage of life, whether a student, young professional, or growing family.

The added benefits of a pool, hot tub and fitness center, not to mention on-site patrol make it a safe environment to live and relax without needing to leave the community.

Photo source: La Villa Estates / Rent.

La Villa Estates is in the coveted Summerlin neighborhood, with trendy boutiques and cafes and views of the mountains across the city.

There are one, two and three-bedroom options, along with access to a business center, hot tub, pool and even racquetball courts. Safety is a priority at La Villa Estates, with gated community access, controlled access to each building and on-site patrol.

Photo source: Wynn Palms / Rent.

On just the other side of the freeway from the Strip, you’ll find the Wynn Palms. Living here will put you within walking distance from many high-end restaurants, casinos and other entertainment options.

A business center, playground and pool come with these one-and two-bedroom apartments. There is also on-site patrol to give further privacy and protection to Wynn Palms residents.

Photo source: Maverick & Hidden Village / Rent.

Minutes away from downtown Las Vegas, Maverick & Hidden Village is comfortably settled within the Arts District and Orleans Square, putting great food and art right at your doorstep.

These one- and two- bedroom units allow for short-term rentals to accommodate any time period for which you might need an apartment. There’s also the option of renting a furnished apartment, so you only need to bring your clothes and personal items.

Photo source: 20 Fifty One / Rent.

Offering units with up to three bedrooms, 20 Fifty One is truly a family-friendly community. It includes a shared barbeque area with a children’s playground, a clubhouse for indoor gatherings and multiple safety measures put in place, including on-site patrol and controlled access to each building.

Not only does 20 Fifty One allow for up to two pets (dogs and/or cats), but it’s located near a pet park where residents can easily take their furry friends to get some fresh air and let out their energy. You will want to see this complex because it’s one of the best apartments in Las Vegas.

Photo source: Park at Spring Valley / Rent.

Park at Spring Valley is in the desirable Rancho Manor neighborhood, which is near the popular Fremont Street and connects directly to the central freeways of Las Vegas. It offers various layouts, ranging from large 3-bedroom layouts to smaller studio options.

Amenities include tennis courts and two pools, along with a private park for residents—all patrolled for safety.

Photo source: Buena Vida on Palms / Rent.

Located just outside of the main city action, Buena Vida on Palms is in a fairly quiet area, but still within close driving distance from downtown. Residents can choose layouts with one or two bedrooms and have a swimming pool and gated community access.

While Buena Vida on Palms may not have as many luxury amenities, the location paired with the price makes it a solid option for those wanting to live in a relaxed area without being too far from the city buzz.

Photo source: Summerhill Pointe / Rent.

Summerhill Point is in a convenient location right on Saraha Avenue, making it easy to get to other parts of the city when needed. It’s perfect for dog owners with its own gated dog run and no breed restrictions, so whatever type of dog you have is welcome! It’s one of the best apartments in Las Vegas.

These one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments have private patios and additional storage lockers. The property also boasts of three resort-style pools and two spas for taking it easy after a long day.

Photo source: Eagle Trace / Rent.

For those who like being in more secluded areas, Eagle Trace is as far from the city center as you can get, just outside of Nellis Air Force Base. Its one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are great for any individual or family accommodations.

Eagle Trace is a fitness fan’s paradise, with multiple swimming pools and hot tubs, along with basketball and tennis courts, all lighted for day and evening use.

Photo source: 2one5 / Rent.

2one5 apartments are luxurious and hi-tech. It offers more amenities than most apartments you’ll find, including smart home technology, a sunbathing pool, a fitness center with classes, a dog park with a washing area, electric vehicle charging stations—and the list goes on.

It offers floor plans with up to three bedrooms, all of which have high-end finishings and appliances.

Photo source: Town Villas / Rent.

Family-friendly Town Villas offers two- and three-bedroom floor plans and a safe community for residents. Gated access provides additional safety from the bustling streets of central Las Vegas.

The complex is near hiking and biking trails and a pet park. There’s also a business center for tenants to use and a playground for the younger kids to run around and have fun.

Photo source: Tiffany Place / Rent.

Offering plenty of amenities for an affordable price, Tiffany Place has tanning beds, indoor and outdoor pools, sports courts, an indoor fitness center and a car wash area.

It has one- to three-bedroom units with the option to have an additional garage with storage outside of the apartment for extra belongings.

Photo source: Sonoma Hills / Rent.

Sonoma Hills is in a fantastic location—while it’s not near the center of Las Vegas, it is close to plenty of stores and the base of the mountains and hiking trails. Its one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments have some units with extra storage space in case it’s needed.

Additional benefits are on-site patrol and a list of amenities, like tennis and basketball courts, a pool, a clubhouse and a fitness center.

Photo source: Capri / Rent.

The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments of Capri offer high-end living. Renovated interiors include a fireplace, stainless steel appliances and large closets. It also boasts a swimming pool, hot tub, tennis courts and a fitness center.

It’s close to McCarran International Airport for those with the travel bug, as well as shopping and plenty of great restaurants.

Photo source: Silver Stream / Rent.

On the edge of the quiet Spring Valley suburb, just east of the Strip is Silver Stream. Here you’ll find updated apartments with high-end stainless steel appliances, large balconies, and amenities such as a business center, pool and fitness studio.

Additionally, There are layouts containing up to three bedrooms and a patrolled parking lot, making it safe for all ages and perfect for all family sizes.

Photo source: Park Arms / Rent.

Within walking distance of the Strip and monorail, you’ll find spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at Park Arms. For such an exciting and convenient location, the price is far below the state average of $1,709—in fact, it’s less than half, starting at $720.

There’s also a pool and gated access to the complex, leaving it as a safe, relaxing community among the buzz of the Strip.

Photo source: Rosewood Park / Rent.

Rosewood Park is part of a quieter area and offers floorplans for studio, one-, two- and three-bedrooms, all of which have renovated interiors with vinyl flooring and resurfaced countertops.

Along with nearby parks, the complex contains its own basketball courts, pool, hot tub and fitness center. Plus, there’s extra storage on the property for those belongings that don’t fit into your apartment!

Photo source: The 211 / Rent.

The 211 is right at the center of all the city hustle and bustle! In one of the most convenient spots in the middle of downtown Las Vegas, it has a 24-hour gym on the property, an 800-square-foot hot tub and a rooftop patio with views of the city. Plus, you’re also getting a gated entry with controlled access to the building for extra safety.

There are one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at this exciting complex to accommodate everyone, whether you’re an individual living on your own or a family.

Photo source: Montecito Pointe / Rent.

On the furthest, northwestern corner of the city lie Montecito Pointe apartments, where safety is a top priority. While it’s already in a quiet, safe area, the additional benefits of a gated access and on-site patrol makes Montecito Point one of the safest complexes you’ll find.

Furthermore, these one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments have endless amenities and perks—extra storage space, a pool, fitness center, and access to trails for hiking and biking.

Not close to downtown or many shopping areas, but it’s right off the freeway, so you can quickly hop on and get anywhere in the city.

Photo source: Wyandotte / Rent.

Nestled on the outskirts of the Strip, Wyandotte has large, newly-renovated, affordable apartments with up to 4 bedrooms. For someone interested in the night life and the Arts District, this apartment complex is perfect. Plus, you have a business center, playground and pool at the ready.

Photo source: Viridian / Rent.

Being only minutes away from the Strip, Viridian is a surprisingly affordable apartment community close to all the action and shopping of Las Vegas. With being so close to the Strip, you’ll also get to enjoy the view of the cityscape right from your living room.

Choose between anything from a studio to three-bedroom layouts and enjoy a dip in the pool after playing on one of Viridian’s sports courts—all starting at $685 per unit.

Photo source: Cooper Creek / Rent.

While Copper Creek is further from downtown, it’s in a relatively new part of Las Vegas—much quieter and more mellow. Its oversized closets, high ceilings and other high-end finishings make these luxury apartments appealing to most.

There are additional perks to these one-,two- and three-bedroom apartments, such as a resort-style pool, spa and fitness center.

Photo source: San Michele / Rent.

Settled between up-and-coming North Las Vegas and trendy Summerlin, San Michele is northwest of the downtown area. Being in a quieter area, right by an elementary school, it boasts proximity to both the boutique shops. In Summerlin, there is also exciting nightlife of downtown.

It offers newly renovated one- and two-bedroom apartment layouts with a clubhouse, pool and children’s play area.

Check out the best apartments in Las Vegas

No matter what your preferences are, there are plenty of apartment options in Las Vegas. Whether you’re after luxury living or a great location near the lights of downtown, each apartment community has a unique combination of offerings for every taste. You can find apartments for rent in Las Vegas to match your preferences.

We looked at all available multifamily rental property inventory from January to June 2021 on Rent. to determine which properties with a Las Vegas mailing address are most viewed by organic internet searches. The information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein does not constitute financial advice, availability or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.

Source: rent.com

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Salt Lake City is a vibrant city that is growing by the minute. More and more people are flocking to the Salt Lake valley, but it’s no surprise. Everyone comes to the valley for a different reason and each person has unique housing needs. Whatever your housing requirements are, there are plenty of options for you. Here are the best apartments in Salt Lake City to get you started on your hunt!

The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments at Brickgate offer a combination of convenience and comfort.

A fitness center, hot tub and swimming pool make de-stressing and relaxing easy, not to mention the many nearby trails for hiking and biking. Each unit has a washer and dryer, extra storage and a renovated interior.

Located slightly further from the mountains, the Seasons at Pebble Creek has even better mountain views than other parts of the valley. These one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units have private patios, in-unit washers and dryers and new interiors.

On-site amenities include facility patrol, a pool, fitness center, business center and playground. It’s also near the freeway, giving quick access to everything else that Salt Lake City has to offer.

Cottonwood apartments are in a quaint, mellow area of the Salt Lake valley. The conveniences it offers include a neighborhood pet park, outdoor hiking trails and safety measures, such as on-site patrol and controlled access.

The functional interiors have vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets and in-unit washer and dryer connections. And community amenities include a hot tub, pool, fitness center and business center.

In the affluent Avenues neighborhood, you’ll find that the studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments of Avenue East are near beautifully preserved, historic homes and nearby mountains.

The many hiking, biking and running trails located just steps outside the property are attractive to anyone that enjoys the outdoors. Finally, like the other homes in the area, the apartments are well-maintained and have renovated interiors.

With a variety of one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans available, Liberty Commons is conveniently located in the suburbs, yet not far from the Salt Lake International Airport and downtown area.

Other conveniences are available, like direct-access garages with some apartments, an in-unit washer and dryer and extra storage.

Summerwood’s two-bedroom apartments are affordable, starting at $925, yet offer the comforts of a more expensive unit. In-unit washer and dryer connections, private balconies and oversized closets come with the apartments here, not to mention the proximity to shopping and entertainment.

Fitness options include an exercise center, tennis courts and racquetball courts. Additionally, there’s a hot tub, two outdoor pools and an indoor pool, giving plenty of room for swimming during all seasons.

In one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the valley, Liberty Village is in the center of Sugarhouse. Its studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments have granite countertops, nine-foot ceilings and all stainless steel appliances.

Liberty Village is a green community, complete with a green building certificate and on-site recycling. Also, the complex has controlled access entry and on-site patrol, providing peace of mind for residents.

A comfortable place for pets and people alike, Mountain Shadows is near a pet park in the suburbs. It has many amenities available, such as basketball courts, a business center, a fitness center and a pool.

Mountain Shadows has one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, which include on-site patrol for the complex and options for extra storage.

Located in the vibrant, coveted neighborhood of Sugarhouse, the Vue at Sugarhouse Crossing is one of the most desirable apartment complexes in the valley. Fitting with its name, the mountains are close by and the views from the apartments are stunning.

Apart from its ideal location near Sugarhouse Park, it offers access to boutiques, unique dining and amenities like a hot tub and fitness center. Each unit features hardwood floors, a dishwasher, stainless steel appliances, a kitchen island and ceiling fans.

Donna Manor’s one- and two-bedroom plans have a little bit of everything. It’s located near shopping and restaurants and apartments include balconies where you can enjoy the incredible Utah mountain views.

Apartments come updated with luxury touches, like two-toned paint, crown molding and tiled fireplaces. There are also solar panels to reduce the cost of utilities. Also, the community clubhouse, a hot tub and sauna are available for residents to relax and de-stress.

The one- and two-bedroom floor plans at Callaway offer comfort and variety, including beautiful golf course views, high-end stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, and various amenities.

Callaway has top-tier amenities available for residents, which include two dog parks and a dog washing facility, two fitness centers, two swimming pools, a clubhouse and sports courts.

Woodside at Holladay is close to the large Murray Park and only a short drive to the mountains, giving plenty of access to outdoor activities at all times throughout the year.

The interior layout and amenities shine through at Woodside, as additional storage is available, updated kitchens include newer dishwashers and islands and there are in-unit washer and dryer connections.

Offering one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with updated kitchens, large closets and extra storage, Cedar Breaks has many perks, including beautiful mountain views from across the Salt Lake valley.

It’s minutes away from both I-215 and I-15, making travel and commuting quick and convenient. Its amenities include a fitness center, basketball court, hot tub and pool.

Apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms at Maison’s Landing have high-end upgrades in each unit, including stainless steel appliances and in-unit washer and dryer options, as well as other conveniences like carports and garages.

Maison’s Landing has incredible amenities, like free bike checkouts, a gated pet area, a pool lounge with billiards and shuffleboard, sports courts and a pool.

Ultimately, Aspen Cove is in a quiet community north of downtown. It contains two- and three-bedroom units that have luxury features, like vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, large closets with organizers included.

There are also private patios and additional private storage, making it easier to hold outdoor gatherings and store extra belongings.

Thornhill Park is in the quieter suburbs east of downtown Salt Lake City. Its facilities include a clubhouse, business center, fitness center, hot tub, pool and racquetball courts. There’s also on-site patrol to keep the complex safe.

Here at Thornhill Park, there are floor plans that are one and two bedrooms. Plus, in-unit washers and dryers, patios, balconies and new interiors.

Minutes away from historic Wheeler Farm, Boulder Hollow lies close to walking trails and canyons for outdoor recreation. These large apartments have in-unit washer and dryer connections and controlled access for added safety.

Residents can choose from anything between one- to four-bedroom apartments and townhomes, which are perfect for everyone from individuals flying solo to families of all sizes.

Stonehenge’s spacious one- and two-bedroom apartment plans include large closets, a fireplace and in-unit washer and dryer hookups. Additionally, it’s also not too far from hiking, skiing and other outdoor recreation.

Furthermore, the facilities have a pool and hot tub, fitness center, recreation room and racquetball and tennis courts, so you have everything you need and more right outside your door.

Right in between downtown Salt Lake and the University of Utah campus is The New Broadmoor. This beautiful brick building is full of character and charm and contains one- and two-bedroom apartments, with short-term leases available if needed.

These renovated apartments are all about location and are within walking distance of many shops, cafes and other dining. Plus, we have to mention plenty of downtown entertainment.

What used to be an old bowling center, the Ritz Classic was converted into studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, but kept the large 90-foot bowling pin in the parking lot as a reminder of its history.

Along with updated interiors, these apartments are close to parks, shopping and dining, and the complex itself has plenty of amenities. Fire pits, a coffee bar, electric vehicle charging stations and even a yoga studio are a few of the things residents have access to.

Near downtown and within walking distance to shopping and entertainment, Park Place at City Centre has two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments.

Plus, it includes a variety of amenities, like a barbecue area, playground for kids, fitness center, hot tub and large clubhouse.

Just off of Foothill Drive, one of the best locations in the valley is Foothill Place. A short drive from downtown and right near the mouth of Parley’s Canyon, there really isn’t a more ideal spot to settle.

These one- and two-bedroom apartments are not only close to multiple ski resorts, but the complex has a hot tub, pool and fitness center.

First of all, you have the option of a one-, two- or three-bedroom floor plan at Overlook Point. Although it isn’t in the center of the city, it is conveniently located near a shopping center in the quiet suburbs.

If shopping isn’t enough, there are basketball and tennis courts, a clubhouse and a fitness center. Also, enjoy taking a dip in the pool!

Newly renovated with large garden tubs, oversized closets and hardwood floors, Cornell Street is one of the best apartments for the price.

Their studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments start at just $720 a month and would put you within only a few minutes of downtown Salt Lake.

Finally, Towers on Main is basically the best of everything. It offers a variety of floor plans —everything from studio to 3-bedrooms. It has stellar safety features, such as alarms, controlled building access, gated access to the premises and on-site patrol.

There are pet-specific amenities, including a private dog park, making it one of the best for pet owners. In addition to pet amenities, there’s a pool, fitness center, recreation room and media center.

Don’t delay your Salt Lake City apartment hunt

Because. so many people are moving to Salt Lake City, housing may become harder and harder to come by. So don’t wait to start looking for an apartment! Snag the perfect place for you before someone else does.

We looked at all available multifamily rental property inventory from January to June 2021 on Rent. to determine which properties with a Salt Lake City mailing address are most viewed by organic internet searches. The information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein does not constitute financial advice, availability or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.

Source: rent.com

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Everyday living gets smarter every year.

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In the digital age, the concept of home is being reimagined by the advent of smart technology, transforming everyday living spaces into hubs of convenience, comfort and entertainment. Never has this been so clear as when you take even a cursory tour of the HGTV Smart Home 2023. If you need further evidence of just how expansive this industry is becoming, a study by Grand View Research, Inc. determined that the home automation industry will reach a staggering $444.98 billion by 2030.

Smart home technology, once fodder for dystopian storylines on TV, has evolved into a widely accepted seamless integration of devices and systems that streamline tasks, enhance security and personalize our environment. From the moment you wake to the soft glow of a sunrise simulation to the reassuring click of a smart lock securing your home at night, these intelligent systems work collaboratively to simplify routines, conserve resources and provide peace of mind. Smart home devices not only respond to our immediate commands but also anticipate our needs, learn our preferences and adapt to our lifestyles, offering a bespoke living experience that was once the stuff of science fiction.

Image Source: HGTV

Noteworthy tech in the HGTV Smart Home 2023

Each year, HGTV builds a new, technologically advanced home in a different location within the United States. The contest is typically run as a sweepstakes, where viewers can enter for a chance to win the annual smart home. Entries are usually accepted online through the HGTV website or via mail. The main prize is, of course, the HGTV Smart Home itself, which includes the home, all of its furnishings and the latest home technology. In addition to the home, there are often other prizes, like cash awards or vehicles.

Coolest devices in the 2023 HGTV Smart Home

Laid out below are just a few of the most highly sought-after pieces of smart home tech in this year’s HGTV Smart Home 2023 and their less expensive counterparts.

GE Profile Kitchen hub

The GE Profile Kitchen Hub is a unique and high-tech kitchen appliance from General Electric. It’s designed to serve multiple functions and is geared towards making the kitchen experience more interactive and connected.

  • Interactive screen: The GE Profile Kitchen Hub features a large touchscreen display that can be used to access recipes, watch videos, control smart home devices and more.
  • Vent hood: The screen is built into a vent hood, allowing it to sit above your range or cooktop. This design not only provides essential ventilation but also offers a central view for following recipes or watching videos as you cook.
  • Cameras: The device includes front-facing and downward-facing cameras. The front-facing camera can be used for video calls, while the downward-facing camera is intended to capture your cooking, which can be useful for sharing your culinary adventures on social media or with family.
  • Integrated apps: The Kitchen Hub comes with a suite of applications designed for the kitchen. These can include recipe apps, music and video streaming services and other smart home integrations.
  • Connectivity: Being a smart device, the Kitchen Hub connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network. This allows it to pull up recipes, stream content and interact with other smart devices in your home.
  • U+ Connect: This is GE Appliances’ smart platform that allows various devices to connect and communicate. For example, if you have a GE oven, the Kitchen Hub can interact with it, setting temperatures, timers and more.

Not looking to shell out nearly $1,200 for this type of tech? Consider an Alexa. While not as advanced as the Kitchen Hub, it is still a solid virtual assistant option for the kitchen.

DAKboard Wall Display v2 Plus

DAKboard is a digital wall calendar that integrates with various online calendar services to display your events, tasks, weather and other custom information. The DAKboard Wall Display v2 Plus is one of their products, designed to be a versatile, visually appealing display for personal and professional environments.

  • Screen: The Wall Display v2 Plus includes a high-resolution screen designed to make texts and images clear and easy to read from a distance.
  • Customization: DAKboard is known for its highly customizable displays. Users can choose different layouts, fonts and color themes to match their preferences or interior design.
  • Connectivity: The device connects to Wi-Fi to sync with various online services like Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Microsoft Outlook and others.
  • Photo display: Besides showing calendar and weather information, DAKboard devices can cycle through personal photos or artwork, making them a dynamic alternative to traditional picture frames.
  • Integration: DAKboard devices support integration with various third-party services for weather, to-do lists, news and more.

While the Dakboard Wall Display v2 Plus will run you close to $500, the Skylight Calendar is a solid replacement for around to $200 less.

Image Source: Samsung

Samsung AirDresser Grand

The Samsung AirDresser is an in-home garment refreshing system, which uses air and steam to clean and deodorize clothing. It is part of a new category of home appliances intended to reduce the frequency of traditional washing and dry cleaning.

  • Jet air and air hangers: The system blasts air to loosen and remove dust from inside and outside your clothes.
  • Steam cleaning: It uses steam to sanitize clothing, removing bacteria, viruses and allergens.
  • Deodorization filter: The filter captures and reduces odors, leaving clothes smelling fresh.
  • Gentle drying: Clothes are dried at a low temperature to reduce the risk of shrinkage and heat damage.
  • Smart control: Integration with Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem to monitor and control the device remotely through a smartphone app.
  • Self-cleaning: An internal system helps to maintain the device by removing scale and residue.
  • Wrinkle care: The AirDresser can smooth out wrinkles without the need for ironing.
  • Capacity and design: The AirDresser Grand offers a larger capacity to accommodate more items of clothing and potentially an updated design or premium finish.

Not nearly as fancy as the $1,100 AirDresser Grand, a handheld steamer, like the Conair Turbo EstremeSteam is a great option for quick sanitization and keeping clothes wrinkle-free with ease.

SimpliSafe Wireless Home Security System

SimpliSafe is a company that offers a variety of home security products and services, with an emphasis on ease of installation and use. Their systems are known for being wireless and user-friendly. These systems are typically marketed toward homeowners and renters looking for a quick, easy and effective DIY security solution.

  • DIY installation: SimpliSafe systems are designed for easy setup without the need for professional installation. The devices can be placed on shelves or adhered to walls without drilling.
  • Variety of packages: SimpliSafe provides different equipment packages to suit various home sizes and security needs. You can start with a basic set and expand with additional sensors and accessories as needed.
  • Components: A typical SimpliSafe kit includes a base station, which is the central hub of the system, wireless door and window sensors, motion detectors and a keypad. Additional components might include glass break sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and panic buttons.
  • No contract monitoring: SimpliSafe offers optional professional monitoring services on a month-to-month basis, without the need for long-term contracts. This professional monitoring can dispatch emergency services in case of a break-in, fire or other incidents.
  • Smartphone control: SimpliSafe has an app that allows you to arm and disarm your system, receive alerts and monitor your home from anywhere.
  • Integration: SimpliSafe systems can integrate with smart home devices and platforms, like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for voice control and other smart home automation.
  • SimpliCam: They offer an indoor camera called SimpliCam, which can be used to keep an eye on your home while you’re away. It comes with features like motion alerts and the ability to stream live video.
  • Design: SimpliSafe sensors and devices have a discreet and modern design to blend in with home decor.
  • Battery and cellular backup: The system is equipped with battery backup to keep your home secure during a power outage, and the professional monitoring service includes cellular backup to maintain communication with the monitoring center if the Wi-Fi goes down.
  • Environmental protection: SimpliSafe also offers sensors that detect water leaks and freezing temperatures to help prevent environmental damage in your home.
  • Privacy protection: Features like camera shutters allow customers to control their privacy.

While the Simplisafe wireless home security system is great, it does come at a price, of about $320. If you’re looking to spend a little less, don’t fret, Amazon is full of more affordable DIY wireless security systems.

Moxie Showerhead and Wireless Speaker

The Moxie Showerhead and Wireless Speaker is a product by Kohler, known for combining the functionality of a showerhead with the entertainment feature of a wireless speaker.

  1. Showerhead: It’s designed to provide a full-coverage spray, offering a quality shower experience with good water pressure.
  2. Removable wireless speaker: The center of the showerhead houses a wireless speaker that can be easily detached and used independently. The speaker connects to devices via Bluetooth to play music, podcasts or other audio streams.
  3. Water-resistant: The speaker is designed to be water-resistant, which is essential for any electronic device used in a shower.
  4. Rechargeable battery: The speaker has a built-in rechargeable battery. When fully charged, it supports several hours of playtime.
  5. Magnetic docking: The speaker is held in place with magnets, which makes it simple to detach and reattach to the showerhead.
  6. Harman Kardon sound: Some versions of the Moxie speaker are engineered with sound by Harman Kardon, delivering a high-quality audio experience.
  7. Voice assistant compatibility: Depending on the model, the speaker can sometimes be compatible with voice assistants, which would allow you to control music and other functions with voice commands.
  8. Multiple colors and finishes: The Moxie showerhead may come in a variety of colors and finishes to match different bathroom decors.
  9. Installation: It’s designed to be easy to install, fitting onto a standard shower arm.

For those who enjoy listening to music or podcasts in the shower, the Moxie Showerhead and Wireless Speaker system brings convenience and a bit of luxury to the everyday routine. If you’re looking for the same luxury at a more affordable price, you’re in luck. There are plenty of showerhead speaker combos at all price points on Amazon.

Image Source: Kohler

Anthem Digital Shower Control

The Anthem Digital Shower Control is another Kohler product that provides a high level of personalization and precision for the showering experience. It is designed to provide a user-friendly interface to control various aspects of the shower.

  1. Digital interface: The Anthem Control includes a minimalist display with easy-to-read buttons.
  2. Customizable settings: Users can save their preferred shower settings, making it easy to start the shower with their personalized preferences at the touch of a button.
  3. Multiple outlet controls: The system can control multiple water outlets, allowing users to switch between them or use them simultaneously for a luxurious shower experience.
  4. Smart home integration: Advanced models feature integration with smart home systems, enabling control via voice commands or through smartphone apps.
  5. Easy installation: Even though it is a sophisticated system, companies like Kohler design these controls to be as easy to install as possible, sometimes compatible with existing plumbing.
  6. Safety features: Many digital showers include safety features like automatic shut-off after a certain period or if the water gets too hot, which can prevent scalding.
  7. Energy saving: Some models offer features that help conserve water and energy, aligning with eco-friendly practices.

If you’re after the type of precision temperature control that only a digital display like the Anthem Digital Shower Control can provide, consider the much more streamlined and affordable BLTFAUCER Digital Display. While it doesn’t provide as much customization as the Anthem model, it will allow you to achieve and monitor the exact shower temperature you want.

Elements Hexagon Starter Kit

The Elements Hexagon Starter Kit is a product by Nanoleaf, which is a company known for producing smart lighting solutions that are popular for their modular, geometric design and customizable lighting scenes. The Elements Hexagon Starter Kit is part of Nanoleaf’s Elements line, which focuses on combining smart lighting technology with decor.

  1. Hexagonal panels: These are the core of the product, designed to be attached to form patterns on your wall. They’re hexagon-shaped to allow for a variety of configurations.
  2. Wood look: Unlike the original Nanoleaf light panels, which have a very futuristic look, the Elements line has a more natural wood-like appearance, allowing them to blend into home decor more seamlessly when turned off.
  3. Customizable lighting: Users can customize the illumination of each panel to create scenes or set the ambiance. This can include warm to cool white light settings, designed to mimic natural elements like a fireplace or thunderstorm.
  4. Interactive control: The lights can be controlled via an app, where users can select or design scenes, schedule on/off times and adjust the brightness. They can also respond to touch or sound.
  5. Smart home integration: The kit is compatible with most smart home systems, allowing for voice control.
  6. Rhythm feature: With the rhythm feature, the panels can synchronize with music in real time, creating dynamic light shows in response to the audio they detect.
  7. Simple installation: The panels attach to the wall with adhesive strips, which are included in the starter kit, making for a relatively easy setup without needing to drill holes.
  8. Expandability: The starter kit includes a certain number of panels but can be expanded by purchasing additional expansion packs at any time.

The Elements Hexagon Starter Kit is a great system for incorporating upscale and entirely unique lighting into a space. That said, there are also a ton of customizable hexagon lighting solutions on Amazon for a range of prices.

Smart home. Seamless tech. Smiling faces.

The rise of smart home technology stands as a testament to human ingenuity and the quest for an enhanced quality of life. As we look to the future, the integration of these intelligent systems into our homes continues to evolve, bringing new levels of ease and enjoyment. These devices do more than just perform tasks — they create experiences, foster safe environments, and cultivate moments of joy and relaxation.

In a world where time is precious and personal happiness is paramount, the smart home is less about the gadgets and more about the freedom they afford us — the freedom to spend less time managing our homes and more time savoring the pleasures of life. As we embrace this era of connected living, we find that the true genius of smart home technology lies in its ability to fade into the background, creating a symphony of convenience.

Looking for your own place to add tech to? Whether you want to replicate the HGTV Smart Home 2023 or just add some DIY home automation, the future revolves around tech-forward homes. Check out our available apartments and houses for rent.

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

Some folks might think of Milwaukee as the quieter, cheaper city to live in that’s “close enough” to Chicago, but this city is so much more than a bedroom community. It’s also not just a brewery city for the rest of us.

Milwaukee has its quirks but she’s one of the nicest waterfront cities on Lake Michigan with loads of Milwaukee secrets and unique hot spots.

There are tons of Milwaukee facts you should know about this city if you want to think of yourself as a true local. Check ’em out.

Milwaukee facts you really ought to know if you want to call yourself a local

1. The first Milwaukee fact is all about winter sports, specifically ice skating. The “Slice of Ice” skating rink in Red Arrow Park downtown is larger than Times Square! The rink allows up to 100 skaters comfortably around the ice at one time.

2. Milwaukee goes by many nicknames. Some of the most well-known include The Mil, Miltown and Brew City. You might also hear mention of Mildoggy, Cream City, Ma-waukee or Milburb, too.

3. Brew City is home to the world’s only Harley Davison museum. Why? Well, a teenager who worked at the town’s bicycle factory (Meiselbach) got the itch for something “better” and built himself an engine, which he attached to a standard bicycle frame. That kid was William S. Harley and he joined forces with childhood friend, Arthur Davidson to create the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Milwaukee is where the motorcycle was born.

4. The Milwaukee Public Museum is home to the planet’s largest known dino skull – a T-rex skull, accompanied by a full-size replica of the beast’s body.

5. The same museum happens to have been around since 1892, though in a bit more modest form. The museum is home to over 4 million artifacts and specimens, too, making it a pretty impressive history museum for a smaller city like Milwaukee.

6. Cheeseheads might tell you Wisconsin and Milwaukee are all about the dairy and the football, but the town’s nickname of Cream City actually has nothing to do with the dairy industry. The nickname actually refers to the local clay. The area is rich in limestone and magnesium, resulting in beautiful bricks.

7. Milwaukee is known as the frozen custard capital of the world. The city has the largest gathering of frozen custard shops, selling that egg-yolk-based, rich, creamy version of “ice cream” so many of us love loading up with toppings and mix-ins. If you haven’t had custard concrete yet, you’re seriously missing out.

8. Milwaukee didn’t just give us the motorcycle, this magnificent city gave the world the QWERTY typewriter, the precursor to our contemporary computers and keyboards. The inventor, Christopher Latham Sholes, moved to Milwaukee to begin writing for a local paper and decided he needed a typewriting machine to keep up with the workload. So, now we have the typewriter.

9. Milwaukee’s art museum moves more than hearts and souls. It literally moves. Well, part of it does, anyway. The museum is one of the few in the world that has an intentionally moveable part. The wings of the “Calatrava” open in the morning to welcome visitors, then close up at night. It’s worth popping by for a watch, even if you don’t go inside.

10. Another creation birthed in Milwaukee is Carmex lip balm. In the 1930s, the creator, Wilfred Woelbing, whipped up his first batch on his home stove to relieve cold sore pain. Realizing he’d found a good thing, he started selling the product out of the trunk of his car. Eventually, he opened a facility for manufacturing it, and the lip balm is still being created right here in one of the Milwaukee suburbs.

11. What goes well with brewskies? A bowling alley, of course. And Milwaukee happens to have the oldest certified bowling alley in the U.S., located inside the Holler House on Lincoln Avenue. There are only two lanes, though, players score by hand and pinsetters still tend the lanes. You’ll have a pretty long wait to play, but if you’re into booze, you can sidle up to the bar and have a fabulous gab with the bartender. While there, you can check out another bizarre claim to fame: a collection of bras that hangs from the ceiling, started about 50 years ago by the beloved Marcy Skawronski, the late owner of the establishment.

12. How about this Milwaukee fact: There’s a lake under the city. The city, as some folks think, isn’t built on swampland, but over Lake Emily, located under the old Northwestern Mutual home office.

13. Cream City is the unfortunate location of the attempted assassination of former President Teddy Roosevelt, in 1916. Thankfully, his glasses cases and the manuscripts in his chest pocket saved his life. And, undaunted, the former president went on with his speech, despite having a bullet in him.

14. Milwaukee wasn’t always spelled the current way. It was “Milwaukie” in early records. The name itself comes from an Algonquin word, “millioke” which means “good,” “beautiful” and “pleasant land.”

15. The Bronze Fonz, a bronze statue of the character Arthur Fonzarelli from “Happy Days,” stands along the Milwaukee RiverWalk. The city’s proud of its most popular fictional character.

16. Another unofficial Milwaukee nickname is City of Festivals. The town knows how to party! With cultural events along the lake at the Henry Maier Festival Park and the incredible Summerfest, which has earned itself the “World’s Largest Music Festival.” As many as 900,000 folks show up to the amazing event every year. Yeah, approaching a million people at a single party!

17. Another invention to come out of Milwaukee is the answering machine. Joseph Zimmerman and George Danner created the first successful answering machine right in Milwaukee – and some of you reading this probably don’t even know what one of those is.

18. The Polar Plunge has been popular in Milwaukee on New Year’s Day since 1916. Folks strip down and jump into the freezing water of Lake Michigan. Some folks dress up in crazy costumes to up the insane factor for a little extra fun.

19. The city was pretty bummed when their baseball team The Braves moved south to Atlanta in 1966. But in 1969, the Seattle Pilots hit the bankruptcy wall and moved to Brew City to become the Milwaukee Brewers.

20. Located on the campus of Marquette University, there’s a tiny chapel named the St. Joan of Arc Chapel — and it’s older than America’s first official establishment by 300 years! The French village of Chasse built the tiny religious building and sent the ruins of the chapel to America after World War I where it was rebuilt in New York. The owners then gifted the chapel to Marquette University. The building was painstakingly transferred to the campus and installed. It’s the only medieval structure in the Western hemisphere that’s actively used for holding mass services.

21. Random Milwaukee fact: The city is home to the world’s largest collection of antique microphones. You can find them at an electronics store on East National Street — all 1,000+ of them! There are some pretty cool ones here, including one used during an expedition to Antarctica. There’s also an original telephone from Alexander Graham Bell, from 1876.

22. The Oriental Theatre of Milwaukee is a huge fan of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. In fact, the theatre has run the film every single month since January of 1978!

23. The American Family Field, where the Brewers play, has a retractable roof. It’s pretty cool to watch if you get the chance.

24. The walking path along the river downtown has a unique claim to fame: Its skywalk is the only one in the world that exists over boat traffic.

25. By the 1850s, Milwaukee was heavily inhabited by German immigrants and already boasted more than two dozen breweries. Some of them are still in business today, like Pabst, Miller and Schlitz.

26. And speaking of Pabst, in the Brewery District, located around the original site of the Pabst Brewery, is a vibrant community now with loads of Milwaukee apartments for rent here along with loads of nightlife.

27. In the early 1900s, Milwaukee ditched the idea of the two most popular political parties in the country and went with a third option: the Socialist Party. They voted in a Social mayor, Emil Seidel, then again twice more with other social mayors.

28. And speaking of mayors, Milwaukee has only had four mayors since 1960, including interim Mayer Marvin Pratt who only served for three months!

29. You’d think with all the breweries and beer in Beer City, Prohibition wouldn’t have been a thing. Well, you’d be wrong. The 1920s Prohibition laws nearly sank the city. The breweries, however, managed to find a way around this by serving up beer to their Catholic patrons eating fried fish on Fridays, as a means of “washing down” the fish fry. For those breweries wanting to abide by the laws, they served up soda, non-alcoholic beer, candy and even started snow plowing for survival.

30. The area surrounding Milwaukee was originally home to several Native American Nations, including the Menominee, Fox, Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Sauk and Potawatomi.

31. The first Europeans to come through the area were French Catholic Jesuit missionaries who aimed to minister to the Native Americans and the fur traders of the region.

32. The Basilica of St. Josaphat is in the Lincoln Village neighborhood in Milwaukee, and it’s modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The building boasts one of the largest copper domes in the world.

33. During the second half of the 19th century, Milwaukee became a hub of industry. Flour milling, iron founding and leather tanning were all major industries in the area, bringing prosperity to the city. For a time, Milwaukee was heavily involved in manufacturing automobiles, as well — including the Kissel Kar, the Ogden and the Nash — but that industry has become obsolete in the city now.

34. One of Milwaukee’s most interesting houses from the old days used to belong to Frederick Pabst, founder of Pabst Blue Ribbon. The Victorian-style mansion is on West Wisconsin Avenue and has 14 fireplaces, 10 bathrooms and a study filled with secret compartments.

All right, folks. We gave you the Milwaukee facts, but what have we missed? Leave your comments below!

Whether you’re a beer-drinking cheesehead or a transplant looking for some nightlife, weird museums and historical hotspots, these Milwaukee facts will get you headed in the right direction to sounding like a local in no time. Find your own place to live to enjoy the city now!

Source: rent.com

Apache is functioning normally

In the U.S., apartments are getting smaller and smaller, meaning you might need to downsize your new home. On average, studio rentals are about 530 square feet. Efficiency apartments sit on the smaller side of this spectrum.

Shrinking apartments are likely the result of rising costs per square foot for rentals, but we’re learning to adjust. Many now look for smaller apartments on purpose, ready to give up having a separate bedroom for the benefits of living a little smaller.

While many begin their petite apartment hunt looking for a studio, it’s best to not discount an efficiency apartment. Efficiencies are like studios, but not exactly the same. However, they may be the perfect choice for your budget. Here’s what you need to know about renting an efficiency.

What is an efficiency apartment?

An efficiency apartment consists of only two separate spaces. Efficiencies combine all your traditional living spaces, except for the bathroom, into one room. Your bedroom, living room and kitchen won’t have built-in partitions.

The only doors in an efficiency apartment are the one leading into your bathroom and the one going out of the unit completely. There are many benefits of an efficiency apartment:

Tiny but mighty

Yes, they’re small and compact, but they don’t have to lack luxury. For too long, people associated small apartment size with a living space that felt cheap or poorly maintained. Actually, efficiency apartments vary in quality like any other apartment size.

It’s more about how much you pay in rent that determines how nice a place is, not the number of square feet. In some cases, you can even get more amenities by renting an efficiency in a nicer building instead of a larger apartment somewhere else.

Easy to clean

Another perk of the size of an efficiency is how easy it is to clean. With minimal square footage and only one bathroom, you can have your apartment sparkling in no time. A pack of disinfectant wipes and a broom may even be enough to do the trick, allowing you to keep valuable storage space open for things other than cleaning supplies.

Budget-friendly

Efficiency apartments are also your most budget-friendly option, in more ways than one. They’ll cost you less, on average, in rent than any other sized apartment, but that’s not all.

Having a smaller apartment means lower utility bills. You’ll have fewer rooms to light, heat and cool. Living alone means you’ll use less water, too. On average, the price of utilities in an efficiency is between $100-$150 per month. You could pay that much heating a one-bedroom apartment in the dead of winter alone, not to mention the cost of your other utilities.

Living in an efficiency apartment can allow you to cut a little bit from all your monthly bills. This can add up to some significant savings over the course of a year.

Going solo

Because of the size and layout of an efficiency apartment, you’ll most likely be living alone. There’s really no way to accommodate a roommate. You could share with a significant other, but understand that you’ll have no personal space.

Efficiencies might even feel too cramped to share with a pet. When looking for an efficiency, it’s best to fly solo.

What do efficiency apartments look like?

While the specifics will vary, efficiency apartments look like one big room and a bathroom. The kitchen is often along a wall, galley-style to stay out of the way. You may or may not get a closet, but it’s up to you to create natural divisions in the space with your interior design.

Source: Rent./Post Centennial Park

Living with a kitchenette

In addition to cramming everything but the bathroom into a single room, you may lose a little when it comes to your kitchen. Efficiency apartments may have a kitchenette, instead. By definition, this is a smaller version of a kitchen.

You may not get a full-sized fridge, and don’t expect a dishwasher. With limited space, you can lose a few appliances common in bigger apartments. However, hand-washing dishes for one isn’t a big job, and portable dishwashers do exist.

What’s the difference between a studio and an efficiency?

There’s really not a square footage difference between a studio and an efficiency apartment. It’s all about the layout when differentiating. You’ll know right when you walk into a prospective apartment whether it’s a studio or not.

“Whether you prefer to call it a studio or efficiency apartment,” writes Devon Thorsby from U.S. News & World Report, “stay focused on the specifics of the space as you shop for apartments to ensure your definition of the word matches up with the leasing agent’s.”

Even if your definitions don’t agree, if you find everything but the bathroom in a single room, you’re in an efficiency. Studios have more separation. You might not have doors on everything, but you’ll see a natural division in spaces. Your kitchen won’t be in your living room. You may even have a nook to serve as a bedroom.

Where can I find an efficiency apartment?

You’ll find efficiencies primarily in cities where apartments tend to be smaller. New York and San Francisco are prime examples, but availability isn’t limited to those densely populated spots.

If you value location over size, an efficiency apartment in your ideal part of town is a worthy tradeoff. Why move into a large apartment in an outlying neighborhood if you don’t have to? You can spare yourself a long commute, and the sense of feeling distanced from where all the action is, by cutting back on your square footage requirements.

Efficiency listings should pop up in apartment buildings all over, whether you’re looking downtown or in the suburbs. Look for newer construction if you’re having trouble finding units for rent.

Find efficiency apartments today!

Apartment complexes everywhere are acknowledging the benefits of efficiency apartments. Not only are they smaller so more fit into a single building, but they’re attractive to renters looking for affordable options. See if there are any available units where you live.

Lesly Gregory has over 15 years of marketing experience, ranging from community management to blogging to creating marketing collateral for a variety of industries. A graduate of Boston University, Lesly holds a B.S. in Journalism. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, two young children, three cats and assorted fish.

Source: rent.com