We are thrilled to be named one of ApartmentRatings.com 's Top 250 Communities Nationwide for July, 2020. This list is generated by Satisfacts & Apartment Ratings using verified resident reviews left on ApartmentRatings.com for a rolling 1-year period based on renter ratings and management response. We're grateful to our residents and our hardworking team for giving us this honor.
Read more
Whether you just moved into a new apartment or townhome or have been in the same place for a little while, deciding what to do with an extra bedroom can be tough. In every scenario though, try to think of it as a luxury. You have the freedom to create a little area based on your tastes and needs. The list is endless, but here are a few ideas of what you could do with your empty space. Guest Room This one is probably the most obvious choice, but choosing to create the extra space into a guest bedroom could be the most helpful to you. If you have company that comes to visit a lot and you do not want to keep putting them on the pullout couch in the living room, this use of the extra space could be helpful and comfy. Home Office If you work from home frequently or like to do some work on the weekends, this idea could be very productive for you. It allows you to move into a different area of your apartment and have a place that you can focus. It can give a change of scenery, especially if you do not like to work in your bedroom or living room. Yoga and Meditation Room Need a quiet, calm place that allows your mind to reset? A yoga or mediation room could be the use for you. Having a tranquil area with simple décor where you can completely relax could allow you to get away from the stresses of work and life for just a little bit. Reading Room or Library If you find yourself becoming a bit of a book collector, a library or reading room could be the room you are looking for. A little reading nook could allow you to put in a bookshelf to store your books, as well as provide the space for the perfect reading chair. Art Room An art room could be the perfect place for your creative juices to flow. Creating an art room out of the extra space allows you to have a safe area to practice what you love and keep the actual pieces of art secure and out of the main rooms of your apartment. Home Gym A workout room could also be an obvious choice of how to use your extra space. Depending on how big the space is, you could put a machine or two in it and a couple of weights . Making it the perfect area for you to stay active when you do not feel like leaving your home. Recreation Room A recreation room could range from anywhere between a game room to a movie room. The room could fit a foosball table or have a designated area to do puzzles or play board games. If you do not enjoy games or puzzles, perhaps a movie room could be for you. Throw a bean bag or two into it and hang some dimmer lights and you could have the coziest corner to binge-watch those Netflix sessions.
Read more
With summer upon us, getting outside is something that most of us enjoy to release some energy. It is always a nice feeling being refreshed after doing something active, but if the walk around the neighborhood is not cutting it, going on a hike might! Here are six, easy to moderate hiking trails around the Sykesville and Eldersburg area that will get you out of the house and hitting the trails. Piney Run Lake Trail This is the shortest trail of the bunch at 1.1 miles, but also is the closest to Piney Ridge Apartments & Townhomes . This relaxing loop is perfect for people of all ages and includes a beautiful view of a lake! Difficulty Level: Easy Sykesville Linear Trail This is the second closest trail to Piney Ridge and is 1.9 miles long. It parallels a portion of the Patapsco River and offers fitness stations along it. Difficulty Level: Easy Freedom Park Loop This 1.9-mile loop is located in Patapsco Valley State Park : North McKeldin Area and offers a paved path that is perfect for strollers, bikes, and scooters. Difficulty Level: Easy Liberty Reservoir Trail This is a 2.9-mile back trail that is right on the Liberty Reservoir . You can walk along part of the lake and is perfect for all skill levels. Difficulty Level: Easy Morgan Run Natural Environmental Area Trails This 3.4-mile trail is accessible all year-round and is used for many other activities, such as birdwatching and fishing. It also has many equestrian trails available so be on the lookout for horses if you visit! Difficulty Level: Easy South Branch Patapsco River Trail Rounding out our list is the longest of the trails at 4.8 miles. If you are looking to bump up the difficulty level, this trail is used a lot for trail running and nature trips. It also has great views of the South Patapsco River! Difficulty Level: Moderate
Read more
When determining whether you should rent or buy , it important to remember what will be most beneficial to you. Whether it is finances or lifestyle, what you value the most will ultimately lead to the best decision. Becoming a homeowner does have its perks, but here are the top 10 reasons why renting could be a better fit for you. Flexibility If you are not sure about where you want to be or how long you want to be there, renting allows the freedom to relocate and not stay in one place long term. If your job has you moving around a lot, it offers the flexibility of having to move out easily and quickly. Also, since leases usually run on a year-to-year or month-to-month basis, upsizing or downsizing when needed are relatively simple endeavors. Budget There are only two big payments when it comes to renting: rent and utilities. In some cases, landlords even cover utilities, but only having those two payments allows renters to budget their money for other bills or put it into savings. Maintenance One of the most convenient parts about renting is not having to deal with the maintenance of the property. Whether it is a leaky sink or a broken washer, the landlord is responsible for fixing all problems at no cost while also saving you lots of time and frustration. Amenities Whether it is a playground, pool, or being pet friendly, these are just some of the amenities that may be included with your rent with an apartment or rental townhome. Having these perks readily available can save renters a substantial amount of money. No property taxes or HOA dues Homeowners get hit with annual property tax and monthly Homeowners Association (HOA) dues. When renting, it is the landlord’s responsibility to pay those fees which can lead to reducing a tenant’s monthly budget even more. Different investment opportunities Any type of investment is a big one whether it is starting a business and putting money into a retirement fund. Renting a property, instead of buying one, can open up other possibilities for saving and investing. Social life Rental properties provide a great opportunity for social get-togethers since there are so many people in one place. With the common areas in the community and the different events that management organizes, living in a rental property can be an enjoyable and relaxing way to meet new people and try something new. Mortgage-free There are a lot of costs when it comes to buying a house and the biggest of these costs is a mortgage . Some people may be able to pay for a house outright, but it can cause others to go into serious debt. By renting a property, you can forgo this debt and just pay a deposit instead. If you do buy a house and the mortgage payment is not fulfilled, then you must pay the rest before you move. Lower insurance Renters insurance is much more affordable when you compare it to homeowners' insurance. Renters pay much less and there are additional benefits, such as additional living expenses if a disaster strikes and personal liability coverage. Referral Bonuses A nice little perk that can happen every now and then is a referral bonus. The landlord or property management company will give a cash bonus or discount on rent for referring new tenants. Need help deciding which is the best financial decision for you? Click here to view a rent vs. buy calculator that can help you sort out your options.
Read more
When living in an apartment with your furry friend, there are lots of things to consider to ensure that you and they are as comfortable as possible. Pet-friendly apartment communities should not only allow pets but make sure it is a pleasant place for them too. We can help you find a pet-friendly community perfect for you and your cat or dog. Guideline Check One of the first things to check for in a pet-friendly community is their guidelines. Not all complexes have the same rules and landlords have different expectations. Some have weight and breed restrictions , while others have fees or deposits to cover any costs if accidents occur. A landlord also might want to have an introduction with your pet to see how they behave. Amenities to Look For There are certain amenities that dog-friendly apartments have to improve the lives of dogs and their owners alike. A large green space or patch of grass nearby is essential. A dog park is ideal, but a nice area to walk is great, too. Most apartments that allow dogs will have ample green space and have pet cleanup stations for convenience. For cats , try to consider a place that they can jump on or lay on while you are not home. It also may be important to know whether they like carpet or hardwood so you can take the necessary steps to protect your floor. Good Neighbor Relationships Making sure your pet is on its best behavior will most likely lead to you having a good relationship with your neighbors. One way to do this is to introduce your pet to them. The more they know your pet, the less likely they are to complain if a situation arises. Another way is to keep the noise level down as much as possible. Easy ways to reduce noise is to buy toys without loud squeakers and keep calm past 10 p.m. Try to walk dogs, frequently, throughout the day, too. Since outside grassy areas are always communal, always remember to pick up after your pet. The Ultimate Do’s and Don’ts Do train your pet well- the key to a pet’s good behavior is good training. Most pets, especially cats and dogs, should have some basic training and behave moderately well in social situations. Don’t sneak in pets- This is the biggest no-no of them all. Although, it might be a tempting thought, sneaking in your lovable companion could cost you your apartment. It is better to be upfront about and look for communities that welcome them. Do look for apartments that want pets- While some apartment properties are pet-friendly, others are just pet-tolerant . Look for a place where you and your pet can live happily and comfortably.
Read more
The Internet of Things is taking over and giving us ways to interact with our home that were never before possible. Automated tasks, custom lighting, easy-install security systems, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems are just a few examples of how the latest technology can transform your home. We’ve selected a few of our favorite items that can help you upgrade your living space here. Amazon Echo “Alexa, pay my rent” is just one of the ways you can interact with using your Amazon Echo (our Resident Portal is tied into Alexa for hands-free account management). Amazon Echo also helps you tie into other smart devices and control them from one easy-to-use hub, can answer questions that pop up, and acts as a virtual assistant by scheduling reminders or creating shopping lists. There are a variety of Echo products available ranging in price from $39.99-$199.99 (at the time of this posting). Check out the options here . Samsung SmartThings Wifi Smart Plug If you want to upgrade to smart devices, but already have items in your home that you love and are working great, you can turn them into smart devices by plugging them into the Samsung SmartThings WiFi Smart Plug . Control your lights using this plug along with Alexa, Google, or Bixby. By connecting to your devices through the SmartThings app, you can monitor energy usage, set routines for devices and appliances to turn on and off. WiFi is required for this item to work. Ring Doorbell Pro Easily installed, the Ring Doorbell acts as both a doorbell and a surveillance camera to your home. This motion-activated camera will notify you when someone approaches your doorstep and will even allow you to speak to the visitor through the built-in speaker system without opening your door. Ring can easily connect with your Alexa or IFTTT accounts. Four interchangeable faceplates allow you to easily match the décor of your exterior. SimpliSafe Home Security This is a DIY home security system that takes just minutes to install and get running. There is no long-term contract to sign for monitoring service, and it’s easy to move the system if and when you decide to move. The system protects against fires, floods, intruders, medical emergencies, and more. This system is apartment-friendly as there is no drilling or connection to a landline required. Phillips Hue Lighting Do more than turn your lights off and on. With Philips Hue lighting , you can control the intensity and color of the lights in your home and set automated lighting routines. The system is compatible with Apple Home Kit, Alexa, Google, and other apps and devices. A variety of kits and devices are available ranging from standard lightbulbs to festive light strips. iRobot Braava Jet Robot vacuum cleaners have been around for a while and are a great option for keeping your floors clean throughout the day. But, did you know there are now robotic mops? The iRobot Braava Jet sweeps and mops hard floors throughout your apartment and will detect and skip carpeting when it encounters it. It doesn’t get much simpler than that! Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed Getting good, quality sleep has never been more important. Keep yourself healthy with the Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed , which tracks your sleep using a series of biometric sensors and movement data all while giving you the classic custom comfort of a Sleep Number mattress. The bed adjusts based on your movements to keep you comfortable and in an optimal sleep zone. Connect your bed to the Sleep Number app on your mobile device to view insights and learn how to improve your sleep.
Read more
