賃貸の費用、パート1

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親元を離れ、初めて賃貸住宅を探していますか。自分の場所を借りるのは独立と大人の責任への大きな一歩です。 夜遅くまでパーティしたり、新しい家具を買ったりと浮かれて一番大きくて豪華なアパートを借りようとしていませんか。ちょっと待ってください。 賃貸契約に判子を押す前に、まず自分の財政状態を見直してください。

まず、貴方の賃貸料金はあなたの収入の30%までが最高限度であるべきです。 もし払えないなら、借りられません。また1ヵ月後、賃貸料金だけが支払いではありません。 自分の場所を持つことで、そのほかの費用も考慮しなくてはなりません。 水道、ガス、電気などの光熱費もあなたの毎月の家計費に含まなくてはなりません。 またなくてはならない、その他の「贅沢品」、電話、インターネット、ケーブル、サテライトTVなども費用に追加しないとなりません。 もしあなたの賃貸住宅がマンションまたは特殊なアパートの場合、、セキュリティ、管理費、ごみ処理費用などのサービス料金も毎月の管理費として払わなくてはなりません。

Surviving A Disaster

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Temporary housing is almost always built after the occurrence of a natural disaster. Various architects of the times propose several kinds of temporary shelters that included prefabs, geodesic kits, inflatables, sprayed polyurethane igloos and those made of cardboard tubes and plastic beer crates. Often times, these temporary solutions to shelter needs were rejected by the end users because these did not suit local situations. After the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, 1999 earthquake in Turkey, after hurricane Floyd, tsunami in Sri Lanka survivors were brought to communal shelters which did not click because in an emergency, people typically need the support of their own families. Most of them stayed with surviving family and relatives, some shared living space in the buildings that were left standing and many left the city.

Vacation Rental Properties – Part 2


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You must absolutely have an information kit which you can give both current and prospective clients because it is quite difficult trying to remember everything you said to different people. Handing out an official information kit especially to clients will make you look like a professional in this business. Be sure to include in your kit all the relevant information such as:

  • booking instructions – how to go about it and who to talk to
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  • accurate directions and a map to the property
  • concise write up of your booking conditions like the amount of deposit, balance payments, refunds/cancellation policy and others
  • recommended sight seeing spots and instructions how to get there
  • laundry and cleaning policy
  • arrival and departure procedure

Because you prepared and gathered answers to most frequently asked questions by guests, you are in a position to respond to all iquiries in an organized manner.

  • Be a troubleshooter. Come up with resolutions to the most common concerns of your clients.
  • When prospective customers get in touch with you about your rentals, it means they are interested to make a confirmed booking. Chances are, your potential customer is shopping around for the best rental deals.The vacation rentals business is highly competitive on the internet so, make it a point to reply to all inquiries within the next 24 hours or you run the risk of losing clients.

The Cost of Renting, Part 1

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If you’re a first-timer who just flew the nest, renting your own place is a pretty big step toward independence and the responsibilities of adulthood. With thoughts of late-night parties and new furniture to buy, you may be tempted to choose the biggest and nicest place you find. Wait! Before you sign that lease, pause and take stock of your finances.

First, your rent should always be at most 30% of your net salary. You can’t keep it, if you can’t afford it, and rent isn’t the only thing you’ll be shelling out in the months to come. You should also consider all the other expenses that comes with having your own place. Utilities like water, gas and electricity, which you should include in your monthly household expenses. You also need to consider other “luxuries” you can’t do without, such as a phone, internet, cable or satellite TV, which will add to your expenses. If you’re planning to stay in a place that has monthly association dues, such as a condo or a serviced apartment, you will also have to pay additional for such services as security, administration fees & disposal fees.

Apartment Hotel 101


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An Apartment Hotel is a type of accommodation, described as “a serviced apartment complex that uses a hotel style booking system”. It is similar to renting an apartment, but with no fixed contracts and occupants can ‘check-out’ whenever they wish.Apartment hotels are flexible types of accommodation; instead of the rigid format of a hotel room an apartment hotel complex usually offers a complete fully fitted apartment. These complexes are usually custom built, and similar to a hotel complex containing a varied amount of apartments. The length of stay in these apartment hotels is very varied with anywhere from a few days to months or even years. Prices tend to be cheaper than hotels. Apartment hotels were first created in holiday destinations as accommodation for families that needed to ‘live’ in an apartment rather than ’stay’ as they would in a hotel. The apartments would provide a ‘holiday home’ but generally be serviced. Later on these apartments evolved to be complete homes, allowing occupants to do everything they would at home, such as cleaning, washing and cooking.

The Top 10 Organizers of Apartment Space (Part 1 of 2)

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The Top 10 Organizers of Apartment Space (Part 1 of 2)

1.Wall shelves great for maximizing vertical space. Use your wall space from the floor to the ceiling.
2.Door storage there is a variety to choose from: whether shelves or racks, don’t hesitate to hook space savers at the back of your doors.
3.Trunks Trunks are big and they’re spacious inside: perfect for storing linen or old books and toys. You don’t have to worry about the space it occupies for it can double as a coffee table or as a mini bench.
4.Ottomans are very much like trunks, only the other way around. They’re initially made for seating or as foot rests but they do have space inside that can hold stuff as well.
5.Under-the-Bed storage go for the clear plastic ones that are especially made to be put beneath the bed. Store bed sheets, seasonal clothing and apparel and even tools that you don’t use often.

to be continued

Condominium Owners Association?

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Many of us are all craving for independent living as well as sufficient privacy. Hence, there is a noticeable number of people purchasing a condominium or apartment unit in many different places. However, there is more to just getting oneself a place to call his own. Is it surprising that there is also such a thing as homeowners association in building residence?

One does not just own a part of the whole – all unit owners are actually co-owners of the whole building and the land it stands on. With this, there is a need to form a board of directors that shall administer and maintain the whole property. This is a given because condominium or apartment living is a cooperative venture which requires a set of rules and conditions that shall motivate each owner to respect the rights of one another and also for all of them to have a hassle-free maintenance. Everyone will be required to cooperate with all of the little things such as prompt payment collection, care for facilities and the like. In short, owning a condo unit or an apartment door is independence under a set of reasonable laws.

(For further reading: http://condolawyers.com/articles/carefree.htm)

Hollywood Temp Housing

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Hollywood is seen as one of the richer places in America. However, even in one of the affluent places, there are poor people. That’s why the local government’s doing something about it.

The Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency approved a revitalization plan last Thursday to help finance a series of commercial and residential projects adding more low-income housing in the area.

Low-income projects planned over the next five years include the $7-million Villas at Gower, which will offer 70 “very low-income housing units” along with supportive services for homeless families and what the CRA calls “transitional youths.”

Source

Options for Temp housing

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If you’re alone or you’re with your family and you’re looking for temporary housing on the go, then there are three possible options for you:

  • Regular Hotels: If you’re just going to be out for a week or so, then a hotel would be a good place to go to. They offer a lot of full service amenities like housekeeping, etc. The problem with staying ina hotel is that it’s expensive .
  • Extended Stay Hotels: If it’s going to be more than a week, then this is probably a better alternative. It has a home-like environment that caters to everyone. It also offers full kitchens and on-site laundry facilities. No lease signing, no utitlites to establish, and the studio is fully furnished.
  • Rental homes & Apartments:
    For those who need to stay out for a month or so, this would be the ultimate option. However, leases needs to be signed, utilities should be arranged, telephone & cable bills need to be paid. Expensive in the long run.
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    Make Your Temp House Personal

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    So you’re far away from home, and living in a company sponsored temp house, what do you do in the meantime? Adjusting to the new town and people will take some time. People are more relaxed if they aren’t pressured to sell their homes or move all their things.

    In order to make your temp house a bit more personal, you can try the following:

  • Bring framed pictures of your family and friends to put around in different rooms.
  • If you have items that are particularly special to you, like a painting or vase, bring them too!
  • If possible, bring in a favorite lounge chair, blanket or something comforting.
  • Have your favorite scent around, like potpourri or perfume.
  • Don’t forget your stereo and CD player or Playstation for additional entertainment.
  • Buy a few things that reflect your style and can eventually be put in your new home – maybe candles or a floral wreath.
  • Since you’ll have a kitchen available, cook some familiar food! Tomato soup and grilled cheese or fresh baked cookies can do wonders for the soul. Going out to restaurants all the time can keep you from feeling at home and in a normal routine.
  • If your family is with you, continue traditions of movie night or walks in the park.
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