Price

The most important detail when searching is price point. You don’t want to get too far along in the decision-making process to realize an apartment home is out of your budget. To avoid this, check with our leasing team to make sure our apartment homes are in your price range.

Size

Finding the right sized apartment with enough square footage for your lifestyle is very important when moving to an apartment home. The number of square feet helps determine if your furniture will fit, if there’s enough room for your pets, or even if you can go for a smaller home. 

Floor Plan

Your perfect floor plan is out there! Your floor plan helps determine the type of kitchen, how many bedrooms, how many bathrooms, how big is the living space, if you have a balcony/patio and more. These details shape your next apartment home and help to make your space your own. Our apartment homes feature unique, spacious floor plans just for you.

Location

The location of your future home may be flexible but can be a very big decision. Your apartment home location determines your commute to work, restaurants, and shops. Location even effects your drive to friends and family. Ask our team about the perks of our convenient location today.

Amenities

Our apartment home community features extensive amenities for our residents. The amenities package in an apartment home is an added perk to living in a professionally managed community. You get the perks of our amenities along with the experience when you choose our community.

Should you need any help making your apartment home search easier, please feel free to contact our team any time to discuss whether our community is the best fit for you.

The post How to Find the Perfect Apartment Home for You appeared first on Mosaic at Levis Commons Blog.

Keep Your Dog at Home

We know you want to  bring your furry friend to the neighborhood party, but we suggest leaving your pets behind during the fireworks. While typically outdoor adventures would be a great time to pack up your companion, the 4^th of July can cause anxiety in your dog with the loud noises and unexpected sights. Take your animal off of the RSVP and leave them inside where they will be comfortable, and not tempted to escape during the excitement.

Block Outside Sights & Sounds

Once you have determined it would be best to leave your pets at home, create a calming environment for your furry friends. While you may not be able to control how your neighbors celebrate, you can ensure  your pets feel safe by closing the blinds to keep out unexpected sights. Next, turn on a distracting noise to keep your pets from being shocked when a firework goes off in proximity. Music or the TV make great background noise to keep on while you are out and lowers the chance of an unexpected sound terrifying your pets. If possible, keep your pet in an interior room without windows for maximum relaxation.

Monitor Your Guests’ Interactions with Your Dog

If you decide to stay home and find your furry friend hanging around with the grill fired up and friends surrounding you, be careful with food scraps. A few surprising toxic cookout foods for pets are onions, avocados, and grapes. Other toxic chemicals that can be harmful to our furry friends are found in insect repellent and sunscreen when sprayed too close.

Claim Your Furry Friend

In case of emergency or escape, it is always a safe practice to ensure your animal is wearing identification tags or has a microchip inserted. With the excitement, loud and unforeseen sounds, and unmonitored guests there are extra escape opportunities to watch out for. If you know your dog will be joining you for holiday excitement, remember to claim them as your own with proper identification.

We hope that your Independence Day is full of grilling out, community fun, and fireworks! Take care of your animals in your apartment home, and enjoy your holiday knowing your pet is safe and taken care of indoors.

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Games. Who says there has to be an age limit on pool games? Loads of fun can come from Marco Polo, synchronized swimming competitions, and Sharks and Minnows. This weekend, try a new pool game that can be fun for all ages called “Pool Tag Survivor.” Here you will have one person who is “it” and they will either call out “dolphin,” “froggy,” or “submarine.” The dolphin swims on top of the water, the froggy swims in the middle, and the submarine swims at the bottom of the pool. The person who is “it” closes their eyes and tries to tag others. When players get to the other end, they yell “survived” and if a player is tagged they are now “it.”

Exercise. Believe it or not, you can have fun and exercise at the same time. Grab a pool noodle and head to the water because our pool noodle exercises can be as effective as working out at the gym. An easy way to get your exercise started is to push and pull your noodle through chest-high water. If you are wanting to increase your heart rate march or run and alternate arms as you push and pull noodles. Don’t forget, just because you are not sweating doesn’t mean you don’t have to stay hydrated.

Drinks. You are going to need a nice refresher if you decide to suntan by the pool and a Sparkling Summer Limeade will do the trick to quench your thirst. This quick and easy mocktail takes less than ten minutes to make and is filled with fruit.

Ingredients:

· 1 cup blackberries or blueberries

· 1 cup kiwi fruit, peeled and diced

· 1 cup fresh diced pineapple

· 1 cup fresh diced mango

· 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced

· ¾ cup limeade concentrate, thawed

· 1 liter (4 cups) lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, chilled

Sweets. An after pool sweet treat is the best way to end your pool day for you and your kids. Our easy, two ingredient Pina Colada Popsicle will be the best cool-down from a day of fun in the sun.

Ingredients:

· 2 ½ cups of pineapple chunks (fresh or frozen), choose a ripe pineapple for sweetness

· 13.5 oz full-fat unsweetened coconut milk

· Shredded unsweetened coconut (optional)

Directions:

· Blend the pineapple chunks and coconut milk in a blender until smooth.

· Pour the substance into popsicle molds (option to sprinkle coconut shreds into popsicle molds before setting popsicle sticks).

· Freeze for 6 hours until popsicles are frozen solid (option to spread shredded coconut once served).

Do not let the blazing heat keep you inside on a summer day! Follow these steps to survive the summer at the pool.

The post How to Survive the Summer appeared first on Mosaic at Levis Commons Blog.

Make a list of daily tasks.

When working from home, it’s important to stay on task and hold yourself accountable. The beauty of flexibility means you can make your own schedule, but keeping that schedule is important to stay productive and produce quality work. By making a list, you can help keep track of progress toward your goals.

Get dressed.

Although a perk of working from home is the chance to wear pajamas, try getting dressed every day. People say that when you look good, you feel good! This helps set boundaries and will subconsciously motivate you to get started on your day.

Set aside workspace.

Working from bed or a couch may be comfortable, but they aren’t as likely to be productive workspaces. Try designating a desk or table for your work in order to keep work vs. relaxation separate. If you don’t have room for an office in your apartment home, clearing your counter or using your kitchen table can work just as well.

Get out of your apartment.

Whether it’s working from a coffee shop for the day, or simply running an errand, plan to leave your apartment at least once during your WFH (work from home) day. Working elsewhere helps add a little peer pressure to not be “that guy” who takes up valuable space near an outlet in the coffee shop. Or, consider going to your local library for a free, quiet space to work. If you are running an errand or run out to get lunch, this will motivate you to set small goals to accomplish before and after the time you leave, adding little reminders to stay on task.

Set clear office hours.

Sticking to regular office hours even when you aren’t in the office can help hold you accountable for a healthy work-life balance. This way, you are online when co-workers are working, and you are available when needed. Plus, setting a time to log off each day will help keep work and your personal life separate, even when you bring work home.

If you have the flexibility to work from your apartment home, we hope you found these five tips helpful. The key is to set goals, stay motivated and find your balance!

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Want to utilize your windowsill space? Try basic herbs like basil, rosemary, mint, ginger, cilantro, or parsley. If you have counter space in your kitchen, this is the perfect location for these little plants. Plus, when it’s time to harvest your goods, you don’t have to go far!

Have balcony or patio space? Try growing a plant that needs ample sunlight and a little more room like tomatoes or a dwarf fruit tree. You can get different kinds of dwarf trees like apple, lemon, or orange easily. These outdoor plants may need a little more care-taking, so be ready to take on a challenge.

Don’t have a great space for natural light in your apartment? Buy a mushroom growing kit online to get started. You don’t have to do much, and you can enjoy fresh mushrooms from your apartment home.

This spring we hope we can spark some ideas and that you can to grow some delicious fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs right at home. It’s easy and a great hobby to get started. Happy growing!

The post Ideas for Growing Food in Your Apartment Home appeared first on Mosaic at Levis Commons Blog.

These annual awards recognize properties with outstanding resident satisfaction as measured on ApartmentRatings.com. Approximately 5% of the total apartment communities listed on the site qualify for this award. Criteria for this accomplishment includes:

• 10+ total reviews
• 5+ reviews in 2018
• Overall recommended score of 70% or greater

Buckingham Companies' vision is to maintain an excellent reputation and integrity of our brand while delivering exceptional results. The properties who made this list exceed our vision on a daily basis!

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Many people do not get the recommended eight hours of sleep for a variety of reasons and the bedroom may be part of the issue. Sleep is vital for our bodies and there are several steps to take to ensure a bedroom is maximized for sleep. Use the following tips to update your apartment home bedroom or change your bedtime habits to enhance more restful sleep.

Don’t do work, watch TV, or eat a meal in bed. The bed should only be used for sleep and although a cozy bed can sound inviting, separating the way we think about our beds can help change our attitude toward sleep. If we only think of our bed as a vessel for sleep, we are more likely to feel relaxed around bedtime. Live in a studio apartment? Try breaking up your space so the bed doesn’t become the focal point of both the living and sleeping area. This way, daytime activities can be separated from nighttime.

Clean up clutter. The bedroom should be an organized haven from the chaos of life. Simple décor and proper storage can ensure a bedroom is a clean as possible and therefore more relaxing.

Save the electronics for the living room. The brightness of a screen is very stimulating and will keep people awake for much longer. This includes TVs and even alarm clocks. Though alarm clocks are helpful, the brightness can be distracting. If necessary, simply face the alarm clock away from the bed to avoid glancing at the time throughout the night.

Keep the bedroom dark. Blackout curtains are an easy fix and will keep out light from streetlamps and the rising sun in the morning. If curtains are too difficult, try using a sleep mask.

Keep the bedroom cool. Studies show sleeping in a cool room leads to better sleep. Try adjusting the thermostat to below 70 degrees or wear light pajamas.

Keep the bedroom quiet. Don’t fall asleep to TV or music because it adds the risk of being woken by an unsuspecting sound. Try setting a timer on the device so it doesn’t continue all night. If sound comes from neighbors or outside noises, try a sound machine or fan. The consistent sound is lulling and can drown out distracting sound.

By making simple adjustments to your apartment home bedroom, you can maximize your sleep for the better. We hope these tips can help lead to sound sleep and relaxation in your apartment home.

The post Tips for Maximizing Your Apartment Bedroom for Sleep appeared first on Mosaic at Levis Commons Blog.

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.

Trick or Treat! Halloween is a few days away and we know most people are in a panic to create a last-minute costume. No matter your level of creativity, we’ve made a list of a few easy costume ideas for all ages and even a few suggestions for pets. Read below for some creative (and easy) Halloween costume suggestions!

Costume: Gumball Machine

What you’ll need:

Multicolor pom poms

A black/white top

Red skirt/pants (the gumball machine)

Black felt (the 25-cent coin slot)

Glue gun and sticks

Steps: Hot glue the pom poms to the shirt to create the “gumball” portion. Use the felt to cut out and create the 25-cent slot. Glue the “money slot” on the red skirt/pants to create the “machine/stand” portion.

Costume: Harry Potter

What you’ll need:

Red and gold striped scarf

Black, round, glasses

Red face paint

Black robe

Steps: Draw a lightening bolt shaped scar on forehead. Throw on the robes, scarf, and glasses, and poof! You’re a Hogwarts legend.

Costume: Holy Guacamole

What you’ll need:

Green t-shirt

Printed photos of avocados

Angel wings

Halo

Steps: Glue printed photos of avocados to a green shirt. Add angel attire and now you’re the puniest person at the party.

Costume: Bunch of Grapes

What you’ll need:

Black t-shirt

Black pants

A pack of purple balloons

Tape or hot glue

Steps: Tape or glue inflated purple balloons to your neutral under clothes. For an added detail, wear a green beanie to create a grape stem.

The anti-costume: Error 404

Steps: Find a local t-shirt screen printer or draw on a t-shirt “Error 404 Costume Not Found.” This is a snarky and minimal effort costume for even the most last minute of decisions.

Owner/Pet costume: Vendor and Hotdog

What you’ll need:

Red apron

White shirt

Chef hat

Doggie hotdog costume

Owner/Pet costume: Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf

What you’ll need:

Red fabric/hood

A basket of goodies

If your pup’s ears aren’t ferocious enough, add large black fluffy ears to mimic a wolf.

We hope our suggestions sparked your imagination and that you can pull together an easy and creative Halloween costume. Have a safe and spooky Halloween!

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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. 

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