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‘What Renters Want’ with Jessica Fiur: Spreading the Love to Your Residents on Valentine’s Day
It’s Valentine’s Day again. And—like Halloween—whether you look forward to it every year, or not, at least you get candy, am I right? Anyway, there are many things you can do to show your residents some love on this day (and, no, I’m not sorry for the pun. If ever there was a day to be cheesy, it’s Valentine’s Day). Have candy at the front desk. Cheap way to buy your residents’ affection? Sure. Effective? Definitely. Just don’t put out a bowl of those “classic” conversation hearts—not only is it a little “germy” to reach into a bowl for unwrapped…
‘What Renters Want’ with Jessica Fiur: The 9 Best Apartments on TV
Finding a new apartment is stressful. And you always have to make concessions—maybe you give up space for convenience, or you take a walk-up for because it’s less money. But you know what isn’t stressful? Watching TV. And television is filled with awesome—though, admittedly, not always realistic—apartments. Let’s take a look at the 9 best apartments on TV. Monica and Rachel’s apartment on Friends. This beautiful Manhattan apartment was above the coffee shop where Rachel worked and all their friends hung out, and was across the hall from some of their best friends. And it was a two bedroom. Bonus, the…
‘What Renters Want’ with Jessica Fiur: Top 10 Things You’ll Never Hear a Renter Say
In honor of David Letterman’s 30 years in late night, here is a Top 10 list of things you’ll never hear a renter say: 10. “I’d love an avocado refrigerator.” Today’s renters want a modern kitchen with stainless steel appliances. No one wants to live in an apartment that hasn’t been updated since the ’70s. 9. “No rush changing my lightbulb; I know you have more pressing matters to attend to.” No matter how minor a resident’s request is to you, to him it’s the most important thing in the world. Don’t be vague about when something will be fixed;…
‘Gimme Shelter’ with Daniel Gehman: Solar Decathlon Heads West
I did a double take when I picked up my local newspaper last Saturday and saw a headline and thumbnail image proclaiming the Solar Decathlon was going to have a change of venue, from the nation’s capital to “the OC.” “Not that Solar Decathlon,” I thought, but there, in the picture, was a glimpse of the Sci-Arc/Cal Tech house from last year’s event, standing out because of its overstuffed and tufted exterior that really gives it the flavor of a hip piece of lounge furniture. So I read on to find that former Irvine Mayor Beth Krom, who is now…
‘What Renters Want’ with Jessica Fiur: 7 Things Renters in Their 70s and Beyond Want in an Apartment (And 1 Bonus)
Whether they’re seniors looking for housing or they’re looking for “seniors housing,” renters in their 70s and beyond have specific wants and needs on their apartment wish lists. And, boy, they’re not shy about letting you know it. Don’t let their age fool you: renters in their 70s and beyond want all the bells and whistles of an apartment that people first looking for apartment want (except, maybe a kegerator. Though, who are we to judge if they do?). 7 Things Renters in Their 70s and Beyond Want in an Apartment (And 1 Bonus) Near Culture. Museums, theater and the…
‘Editor’s Notebook’ with Diana Mosher: JetBlue Thinks Outside the Box
If you ever get stuck at Pittsburgh International Airport, count on having a pretty good time. The restaurants are nothing out of the ordinary, but the retail experience is extensive with brands not found at other airports. Gap, Godiva, Nine West, Rite Aid and Brooks Brothers are just a few retailers in the extensive Air Mall. If you’re not in the mood for shopping, how about a manicure, massage or haircut? In its own effort to stand apart and build customer loyalty, JetBlue’s ultra-cool Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York—designed by Rockwell Group with Gensler—now features…
‘What Renters Want’ with Jessica Fiur: 9 Things Renters in Their 50s and 60s Want in an Apartment
Because of the mortgage crisis, many people in their 50s and 60s, who would once be proud homeowners, are renting. And some empty nesters feel that their house is just too big for them now (and when they tried to turn your old bedroom into a jacuzzi room, they flooded the second floor), so they want to downsize to an apartment. So what are renters in their 50s and 60s looking for in an apartment? 9 Things Renters in Their 50s and 60s Want in an Apartment Luxury. After years of work and probably cleaning up after the kids, they’ve…
‘Gimme Shelter’ with Daniel Gehman: An Apartment Bubble? Seriously?
Recently I’ve heard murmuring from a couple different quarters that there could be a bubble forming in the rental housing sector. It has been suggested that in some markets, development talent and money started to flow into multi-family projects about a year after the economy crashed because it needed somewhere to go. Consequently, lots of new apartments were constructed (or are in the process of being entitled, designed, and constructed), leading to too much supply, which was having a flattening effect on rent growth. Furthermore, fears were expressed that since renting, in some markets, was now more expensive than buying,…
‘Gimme Shelter’ with Daniel Gehman: Net Zero? Really?
There was recently an article in my local paper about new “net zero energy” houses being constructed in Orange County, Calif. The headline on the piece referenced the homes being “nearly ready for electric cars.” A conversation with the developer (Herb Gardner of City Ventures) ensued, in which some of the nuances of home charging for electric cars was explored. Now that I am a driver of an electric car (thanks, Nissan, I finally got my Leaf and I love it!), I was intrigued. I’ve been following the emergence of the viable electric car for some time, looking forward to…
‘What Renters Want’ with Jessica Fiur: 9 Things Renters in Their Late 30s to 40s Want in an Apartment
Renters in their late 30s to 40s are like a fine wine: If they’re not housed correctly, their moods will turn to vinegar. These renters want what they want. They likely have careers, families, responsibilities… In short, they’re adults, and would like to live as such, thankyouverymuch. 9 Things Renters in Their Late 30s to 40s Want in an Apartment Near work or transportation. Renters in their late 30s to 40s have probably spent more of their lives working than not working. So time not at work–with their families, friends, or alone with the latest issue of People and a…