We understand moving is stressful no matter how much you prepare. Whether you’re moving across the hall or across the country, there are many steps you should take before packing all your valuables in boxes. As experts in the art of a smooth move, read on for our top tips when it comes to moving.

First, there are many factors to consider when moving. Do you need a moving truck? Are you moving into a smaller space? A bigger space? How far are you moving? These are just a few of the factors to consider when making arrangements. Depending on your situation, you’ll need to adjust your game plan.

Before you move, purge anything you haven’t used within the past year. Moving truck space is valuable because it’s finite. If you can’t fit something, you either need a bigger truck or it’s not worth bringing. Plan to donate or trash several items in the weeks before your move. Getting rid of a few items is a win-win situation: the more you decide you don’t need, the less you have to move.

Once you have consolidated your belongings down to the essentials, you can begin packing. Our tip: pack room-by-room. For example, if you pack your dining room materials together, you’re more likely to have a smooth transition and not misplace items along the way. When you get to your new space, you’ll know everything “dining” is together. This way, if you don’t have time to unpack everything immediately, you can easily prioritize what to unpack first.

For belongings that can fit in a box, we suggest purchasing cardboard moving boxes. Using boxes you already own can be tempting, but often aren’t as sturdy and are difficult to carry. Moving boxes are great for stacking and can uniformly fit in a moving truck or car. Be sure to label every box on the top and at least one side so you can easily spot your organized boxes every time. Also, use smaller boxes for heavier items. When you put heavy items in large boxes, it can be tempting to fill the box to the point where it becomes too heavy to carry.

Aside from packing, there are a few steps you will need to take to make sure your bills and other utilities are covered during the move. Try scheduling your disconnect times so you are strategically covered in both homes with as little overlap as possible. Sometimes your apartment home management will take care of this for you, but you should always double check. You should also change your permanent address before you move so you continue to get any outstanding bills at the correct location.

Want a pain-free moving experience? Try using a professional moving company! If you’re looking for suggestions, contact our leasing center and we can provide assistance. We hope this has been a helpful guide and we wish all our residents (past, present and future) a successful move!

The post Our Moving Tips appeared first on Mosaic at Levis Commons Blog.

Financial

The biggest benefit of renting instead of owning is the financial aspect of renting. The fact is that rent is generally cheaper than a mortgage. In addition to an overall lower monthly payment, upkeep and utilities are lower due to less square footage.

Maintenance

When renting, maintenance is taken care of, making this a financial benefit and a timesaver. No worrying about watering the lawn or shoveling snow and no stress over a clogged sink or broken air conditioner. Fixing these items in an apartment is easy, because it’s someone else’s problem!

Community

A sense of community is an underrated benefit to apartment living and being steps away from neighbors can provide an excellent atmosphere for creating life-long connections. Some complexes even regularly host resident events to encourage community engagement.

Amenities

Unlike houses, apartment complexes are often built with amenities on-site such as clubhouses, pools, and fitness centers. Some apartment communities offer discounts to local gyms, shops, and restaurants as an added resident perks program.

Size and Style

Apartment units are built for convenience. Often, apartments are spacious but not overly large. They are built to be functional while the personal touches and décor are in your hands.

Short-term

When looking for short-term living options, renting is by far the superior option. Buying a house is a much longer time commitment and is a major life decision. Whether you are working on your credit score, saving up funds, or slowly preparing for the responsibility of owning a home, an apartment is the best option in the meantime.

Savings

Renting is the perfect time to invest in a long-term future. While spending less on your living arrangements, this is an ideal time to save extra earnings.

Lower Responsibility

Homeownership comes with stresses and responsibilities that you can avoid entirely if you rent. Homeowners must deal with up-keep, unexpected damages and replacements far more than a renter would.

Accessibility

One of the major perks of apartment home living is the convenient proximity to everything you need. Apartments are much more likely to be located in communities that offer shopping, restaurants, art galleries, parks and more as opposed to a house that is tucked away in a neighborhood.

Convenience, cost, and safety are just a few of the unbeatable perks of choosing to rent an apartment home instead of owning a house. When considering the options, we hope that you can find a place you are proud to call home. 

The post Benefits of Renting vs. Buying appeared first on Mosaic at Levis Commons Blog.

Holly Kerns – Property Manager

Holly has a son, Jack (11), and daughter, Macy (9). She’s usually the one taking all of the pictures but does love Snapchat and selfies! She loves her Wheaten Terrier, Daisy, flamingos, painting, decorating and hanging out at the pool.

Walt Kuebler – Maintenance Supervisor

In Walt’s free time, he is an avid fisherman and loves to camp – in any kind of weather. He enjoys cooking, and if you are lucky, you might get to try some of his famous salmon dip!

Stacey Cress – Assistant Property Manager

Stacey has professionally taught horseback riding lessons for eight years. She likes to read, and her favorite authors are James Patterson and Nora Roberts. This time of year, you can find her enjoying a campfire!

Ashley Martin – Leasing Consultant

Ashley loves to golf, even though she’s awful at it. Her seven-year-old daughter is her best friend. Ashley is terribly afraid of heights (thankfully Mosaic isn’t a high-rise!), and she’s the biggest Beastie Boys fan you'll ever meet!

Jason Gildemeister – Maintenance Technician

Jason enjoys watching football, especially the Dallas Cowboys. His favorite activities outdoors include kayaking and fishing. He loves to catch a movie, but mostly stays busy with the kid’s activities!

Rex – Resident Director

Rex is our onsite “resident director,” who enjoys the outdoors and staying active. He likes bike riding, dancing and spending time with his dog, Spike.

The post Meet the Team appeared first on Mosaic at Levis Commons Blog.