Our Blog
Our Blog
All about Houston apartment life, our blog is an ongoing series of informational posts and resources with a variety of topics from Houston apartment news, tips and trends, decorating and lifestyle, to popular events and happenings around Houston, Texas and beyond.
All about Houston apartment life, our blog is an ongoing series of informational posts and resources with a variety of topics from Houston apartment news, tips and trends, decorating and lifestyle, to popular events and happenings around Houston, Texas and beyond.
How to Pack - Moving Tips From Make A Space Blog
How to Pack - Moving Tips From Make A Space Blog
February 16, 2019
How To Pack Picture Frames For Moving And Storage: 8 Easy Steps [Instructographic] Helpful tools, tips, and instructions for your next move. Contact Aptexpert.com to assist you with your rental and relocation, Free. Whether you're looking for an apartment in Houston, a townhome or luxury hi-rise, we have got you covered.
Houston's Infamous Event - Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
Houston's Infamous Event - Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
March 2019
Click on the link for the rodeo lineup! If you've never been to the HLSR, it's a must! 🎫 If you missed it this year, don't worry, catch it in 2020, every year it's one of the biggest attractions of Houston! Whether it's for fun or to support the basis of it which is educational scholarships, school art, livestock and more! The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, also called RodeoHouston, is the largest livestock exhibitions and rodeo in the world. It includes one of the richest regular-season professional rodeo events. It has been held at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, since 2003. It was previously held in the Astrodome and considered to be the city's "signature event"! It's packed full of everything and anything you can imagine from wild food trends like "Fried Oreos" 😋 to the championship rodeo and livestock participants to headliner entertainment. It's the one Houston event you should attend at least once. You can also get involved and support the HLSR by becoming a member for a small fee of $50 annually or $500 for a Lifetime membership which allows opportunities to volunteer as a committee member. I was a member for many years and having the opportunity to be a part of it was an experience that I'll always cherish.
Hold On To Your Hats - Kroger's Autonomous Car Fleet Heads to Houston For A New Grocery Delivery Service
Hold On To Your Hats - Kroger's Autonomous Car Fleet Heads to Houston For A New Grocery Delivery Service
March 14, 2019
Two Houston Kroger locations will provide the service to four ZIP codes — 10306 South Post Oak Road, servicing 77401 and 77096, and 5150 Buffalo Speedway, servicing 77005 and 77025. Sounds like a good place to start, can't wait to see how this works and hopefully will expand to other areas of the city like the burbs! Busy professionals need this service, I know I do! Click on the image to see more about the new service!
Find out if your Houston area neighborhood made the 2019 list of safest cities in Texas by clicking through the photo link!
Find out if your Houston area neighborhood made the 2019 list of safest cities in Texas by clicking through the photo link!
April 3, 2019
A few of Houston's most revered neighborhoods made it! From the burbs to the inner loop, through all the traffic, road construction. . . three Houston area suburbs beat out 7,635 other cities to make it into the top ten! Click on the image to see more about the top safest cities from the Houston Chronicle article published in January 2019. Call Kathy Curtis today to find your apartment, 281-414-5258 Let's make your apartment search a fun, fast and easy task, no more navigating the maze of apps and online sites, I'll do the research for you, Free!
Decorating Ideas You Can Steal Right Now for Small Spaces
Decorating Ideas You Can Steal Right Now for Small Spaces
April 6, 2019
Better Homes and Gardens offers some great tips to show off your decorating style with minimal expense, simple ways to organize a small storage space in the bathroom, layering and rug placement, wall art placement without breaking rental rules, or damaging walls and embracing open storage. Level up your apartment life whether it's a studio or a small apartment, you can make it all about you. Check out their slideshow by clicking the picture link. Happy decorating!
Hourly Wage Needed To Rent In Every State - Published April 2018
Hourly Wage Needed To Rent In Every State - Published April 2018
April 11, 2019
Originally Published April 26, 2018, By Houston Chronicle from Business Insider
Click the picture link for the slideshow on all states and a larger version of the map of the US. Since this article was published a year ago, rents have changed slightly by state but not much in Houston, Texas. The "average apartment rental" in Houston as of 2019 is $1027 for 883 sq ft according to our apartment listing database. Please note* this is a citywide average! The trend of rental increase is clearly most evident in Downtown, Montrose, and River Oaks where the average rent rose 4.3 percent year over year to $1,817. Across the metropolitan area, effective rent is up 1.5 percent with an average rental price of $1,088 in 2019 - Houston, Texas. As an apartment locator researching different areas of Houston daily, I see $1300 and up even for a studio or small 1 bedroom in these sought after urban core areas. In closing, Houston rental rates vary widely by location, age of the property, size of the unit and lease term. Call 281-414-5258 to find your Houston apartment, Free service!
Here's How Many Schools Per Houston-Area Ranked Among The Best in 2019
Here's How Many Schools Per Houston-Area Ranked Among The Best in 2019
The Houston Business Journal, May 17, 2019
Here's how many schools per Houston-area district ranked among the top 17,000-plus on the 2019 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools Rankings list:
Houston ISD: 44
Fort Bend ISD: 11
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD: 10
Aldine ISD: 8
Katy ISD: 8
YES Prep Public Schools: 8
Clear Creek ISD: 7
Harmony Schools: 6
Humble ISD: 6
Alief ISD: 5
Spring Branch ISD: 5
Pasadena ISD: 5
KIPP Houston: 4
Spring ISD: 4
Klein ISD: 4
Texas College Preparatory Academies: 2
Galena Park ISD: 2
Raul Yzaguirre School For Success: 1
Houston Gateway Academy: 1
Southwest School: 1
Sheldon ISD: 1
Global Learning Village: 1
Houston Heights High School: 1
The Pro-Vision Academy: 1
Apartment Specials
Apartment Specials
Important Facts/Tips To Narrow Your Apartment Search
Price - If you compare the total rental price over the course of the lease term, for example, one apartment community may have a higher monthly rent but if they're offering a free rent special of 1 or 2 months free, that can lower the total price significantly over a 12 to 15 month lease term. Not all properties will allow you to prorate the free rent special, but you can do it yourself, call me and I'll explain.
Laundry facilities - You know you’ll be spending time doing laundry, so you might favor the complex that provides you with a washer and dryer in the apartment, over those which provide shared laundry facilities on site. If one apartment comes with a connection and another comes with a washer and dryer already installed, you might factor in the cost of renting or buying new units before you make your decision. Washer/dryer rental can run $40 to $50 monthly.
Lease Length or Terms
Lease Length or Terms
Lease Terms - Keep in mind that specials offered rarely apply to anything less than a 12 month or 13 month lease term. While 6 month leases are still offered at many apartment communities, it will almost increase rental rate. Short term leases, 3 to 5 months for example are not always offered. Additionally a short term lease can significantly increase the rate and factor in majority of management companies use dynamic pricing software to set rental prices.
I'll help you find the best properties to suit your needs however if it's a short term lease you need, it may be a corporate style apartment. Corporate rentals include rent, furniture, utility allowances, cable, internet, and housewares, maid service is an additional fee but they come at a premium rental price as they're set up as move -in ready. They are slightly less than extended stay hotels and offer lifestyle amenities and conveniences that a typical hotel may not including being pet friendly.
Apartment Utilities
Apartment Utilities
Water, sewer, trash, gas, and pest control are additional fees paid separately by the renter. There are only a handful of properties that don't charge these fees additionally - the vast majority do. There are some properties that charge a community or amenity fee and some charge for parking, gate cards, and gym keys.
All bills paid or utilities included apartments - there are a handful of apartments available in various areas throughout Houston. They are older built communities with interior and amenity upgrades and are at a higher price. Contact me for more information. There are some all bills paid properties in Clear Lake and Spring Branch, near the Galleria in uptown Houston and a few other neighborhoods.
Area or Location
Area or Location
Location, Location, Location - One apartment may be closer to work, ensuring a shorter commute. Another may be within walking distance of a grocery store, and shopping. Still another may be close to school, public transportation, a dog park or even a favorite pub or restaurant to meet up with your friends and colleagues. It's always a good idea to put in the apartment’s address into Google Maps to measure the time to travel to important daily destinations. My free apartment search package comes with maps, directions, amenities and all the detailed information you'll need to be able to decide which property is the right one for you. Please visit our Areas page to see the different areas and locations AptExpert.com covers, we can help you with all Houston neighborhoods and beyond!
Call today 281-414-5258 Click to call button coming soon!
Our Blog
Our Blog
A Guide to Houston's Parks
A Guide to Houston's Parks
October 14, 2017
A Guide to Houston's Parks shared from the Houston Chronicle
There's never a lack of attractions or outdoor activities for the Houston, Texas metroplex. Check out the guide to Houston's parks at the link above.
Credit Score Hurdle Harder To Clear For Apartment Renters
Credit Score Hurdle Harder To Clear For Apartment Renters
December 12, 2017
Credit Score Hurdle Harder To Clear For Apartment Renters
By Jared Schenke (See Houston Business Journal December 12, 2017 Article for reference)
If you're looking for an apartment to rent in the Clear Lake City, League City, Webster, or Greater Houston area, contact Kathy Curtis today via AptExpert.com Credit plays a significant role in your apartment rental application approval however I may be able to help you find apartments that can work with a credit issue on a case by case basis.
If You're Using An App for Services Such as Dog Walkers or Caregivers For Your Pets
If You're Using An App for Services Such as Dog Walkers or Caregivers For Your Pets
Texas Monthly Article - We Need To Be Aware!
January 30, 2019 A Houston Couple's Dog Died After They Hired A Dog Walker On An App
We all lead busy lives with work, parenting, volunteering, and it's difficult to find reliable, trustworthy services to help. My intent in sharing this story is not to bash any particular app or service but, at the very least, we can be more aware! Many services are offered via apps, as in this case, the point is do your research if you can.
Click on the image for the story provided by Texas Monthly.
Houston Attractions, Parks and Recreation
Houston Attractions, Parks and Recreation
Discovery Green launches $12 million renovation
By Molly Glentzer Updated 1:44 pm CST, Thursday, February 7, 2019
Houston has many attractions including Discovery Green! Officials have begun work on some impressive upgrades from playground to lighting, expected completion is about 7 months. Check it out by clicking on the image.
Top Reasons To Rent A Houston Apartment
Top Reasons To Rent A Houston Apartment
The Top Reasons to rent an apartment versus buying a home or renting a house:
1) Flexibility and Less Risk- it's less costly and much easier to buy out of an apartment lease, and you don't have to sell your house first; no minimum 10% property tax or insurance increases year over year; less of a problem if you need to move due to job transfer or move quickly for a variety of reasons from health to family emergency.
2) More Bang For Your Buck- You can enjoy custom interior finishes and features for a fraction of the cost that come with a home purchase from granite countertops and kitchen islands to tray ceilings and crown molding, wood style flooring, contemporary fixtures or a built in computer niche to wine refrigerators at select properties. Views - you can have a million dollar view for the price of an apartment even if it's from the rooftop pool! Communities inside the loop or in Uptown Houston can offer stunning citviews or select suburban properties located on the lake can offer serene lakes and waterviews.
3) Location, location, location - skip that traffic! Your apartment could be close enough to work that you can walk or have a short trip, or have access to Metro or Lite Rail and skip driving to work all together! Some new luxury communities offer bicycle storage, loaner bicycles, even bike repair techs. Popular dining and hot entertainment venues can be minutes from your apartment; say goodbye to gym membership fees with state of the art fitness facilities for a better and healthier you;
4) Lifestyle - apartment life is social! Make new friends or entertain and impress your old friends with amenities such as rooftop social lounges, cozy firepits, billiards and arcade game rooms, sports rooms and resort style pools; feel less guilty about having to leave your pet home all day when you can shuffle over to the bark park where you both can extend your social life. The amenities vary by property but most offer a clubrom and swimming pool at the very least.
5) Save money - less money upfront for renting with lower deposits than renting a home and no huge down payment; save money on apartment rent specials; select Houston apartments offer from 1 month free to other incentives, deals and discounts!
6) Enjoy your days off! No mowing grass, doing plumbing repairs or performing preventative maintenance that comes with home ownership! There's no way around it, you either have to pay someone to do it or do it yourself.
Our Blog
Our Blog
See the best Elementary Schools throughout Greater Houston in 2017 in this article from Houston Business Journals
See the best Elementary Schools throughout Greater Houston in 2017 in this article from Houston Business Journals
March 15, 2017
See the top performing Elementary Schools throughout Greater Houston - this list includes Conroe - Montgomery County, Fort Bend County, and Harris County. Click on the image to see the slideshow!
Looking for an apartment for your family with great schools for your children? Call Kathy Curtis or visit the website at AptExpert.com to get started! Free apartment Locator Service for the entire greater Houston area!
Our Blog
Our Blog
An ongoing series of informational entries
An ongoing series of informational entries
Hot & Trending Areas in Houston for Apartment Search - Downtown Houston, Montrose, River Oaks, EADO
Hot & Trending Areas in Houston for Apartment Search - Downtown Houston, Montrose, River Oaks, EADO
Kathy Curtis - AptExpert.com shared : Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 3:21 PM
The biggest draw of the downtown Houston area is proximity to jobs. Houston is America’s fourth largest city, and sprawls in every direction. Dozens of large companies, including Chevron and Shell, are located downtown, and living nearby eliminates an exasperating commute on the city’s frequently crowded highways. This being said, there’s a healthy contingent of people moving downtown for the lifestyle who work in employment clusters elsewhere, with the knowledge that their commute will be in the opposite direction of most others’ and therefore a whole lot quicker.
Anticipated Amenities at these Washington Corridor and Midtown Houston Area Apartments!
Anticipated Amenities at these Washington Corridor and Midtown Houston Area Apartments!
Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 5:16 PM
New Luxury Apartments - California Style Mid Rises with two levels community parking garage.
- Nest Smart Thermostats
- Built-in speakers/sound system with select
- Soft-close drawers
- Top floor Penthouses w/wine chiller & wine rack
- Upgraded stainless-steel appliances
- Vegas resort-style pool w/cabanas & TVs,a sun-shelf and outdoor grills
- Fitness center & separate yoga and spin room with Matrix equipment, on-demand workout systems and Peloton stationary bikes just like SoulCycle Houston
Houston Apartment Rents Are Down, But Not For Everyone!
Houston Apartment Rents Are Down, But Not For Everyone!
Katherine Feser - shared by Kathy Curtis, AptExpert.com: Posted on Sunday, September 25, 2016 4:31 PM
Houston apartment rents are down, but not for everyone
ByKatherine Feser
Updated 11:59 am, Thursday, September 22, 2016
The glut of new apartments is dragging down average rents in Houston, with rent in August falling the most in six years, a new report showed.
Not everyone is getting relief, however, as renters in suburban markets with concentrations of older complexes saw the highest rent increases, Axiometrics reported.
Houston Neighborhoods Where Rents Rose and Fell the Most in 2016
Houston Neighborhoods Where Rents Rose and Fell the Most in 2016
Paul Takahashi, Houston Business Journal Shared by AptExpert.com : Posted on Saturday, December 03, 2016 1:37 PM
Nov 28, 2016
Houston apartment rents have largely stagnated amid aglut of new projects opening during the oil slump.
The average apartment rent across the Bayou City inched up just 1.3 percent year over year to $981 per month (average), according toTranswestern’s2016 Houston Trendlines report.
Apartment developers and operators areoffering between two and three months of free rentto entice renters to live in new Class A luxury apartment projects, which were planned when oil prices were above $100 a barrel and Houston was creating more than 100,000 new jobs a year.
Apartment Search Tips - Before You Begin Your Search
Apartment Search Tips - Before You Begin Your Search
Kathy Curtis - AptExpert.com: Posted on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 3:05 PM
Apartment Search Tips– Think about what you want before you start your search and it will be a much easier task.
• What can you afford, what do you want to spend on apartment rent monthly - take into consideration electricity, trash, water, pet rent is an additional fee?
( Most apartment communities require your income to equal 3 times the monthly rent, pre-tax/gross )
• What lease term are you able to sign? ( Best price and possible special almost always offered with a 12+ month lease term )
High Rents, it's a bird, it's a plane. . .nope, it's just economics!
High Rents, it's a bird, it's a plane. . .nope, it's just economics!
Kathy Curtis, AptExpert.com : Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 6:05 PM
In today’s apartment rental market, most renters will agree - good apartments are hard to find in the Houston and surrounding areas. Oh, there are plenty of good apartments to be found, but this definition pertains to good and low priced apartments! You know what I mean, what rents were just a few years ago! Rents today are considerably higher than just a few years ago! There are many reasons for this - demand increased, limited availability at the time. So, for the homeowners that lost their homes to foreclosure or were forced into a quick sale due to being upside down or a lost job, damaged their credit, most turned to renting apartments.
Houston Rental Growth Highest In Suburbs – But Not By Much
Houston Rental Growth Highest In Suburbs – But Not By Much
Shared by Kathy Curtis, Texas Apartment Locators AptExpert.com : Posted on Monday, June 12, 2017 10:23 AM
Interesting read shared from Houston Public Media regarding Houston's Apartment Rental Growth In Suburbs - study released by Rent Café.
Study shows rental households in suburban Houston grew by 13 percent from 2011 to 2015 and average rate is $10 savings - not sure I agree with that!
Shared by AptExpert.com
Contact Kathy Curtis, Texas Apartment Locators for your next apartment search via AptExpert.com
All Those Free Rent Specials Could Be Coming To An End!
All Those Free Rent Specials Could Be Coming To An End!
Shared from Houston Chronicle by AptExpert.com : Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2017 4:05 PM
If an apartment search is in your immediate future - don't wait, contact Kathy Curtis,AptExpert.com Texas Apartment Locators to take advantage of some great specials that appear to be going away in the not too distant future!
Shared From the Houston Chronicle July 18, 2017
All those free-rent specials landlords have been using to lure tenants to their brand-new buildings might not be around for long.
The explosion of multifamily construction that turned Houston into a renters' market has fallen off dramatically and experts are predicting the generous concessions could cease in 2018 as the market methodically absorbs the tens of thousands of units developers have built in recent years.
Did you know when leasing an apartment in Houston there are fees to apply, background and rental history checks, additional fees for water, trash and other fees required?
Did you know when leasing an apartment in Houston there are fees to apply, background and rental history checks, additional fees for water, trash and other fees required?
There are fees to apply for an apartment, and every occupant over the age of 18 must also have a background check!
“One Time Fees”
(These fees may be required to be in the form of a money order, cashier’s check, or personal check, unless credit card/online payments are accepted upfront, and prior to occupancy).
Examples of Fees:
Application Fee per adult, may be higher for married couple
$50
(Non-refundable fee paid by each applicant for verification of information).
There may also be what's considered or known as an Admin fee - these fees range in amount, can be from zero to $300. higher if risk fee is associated with administration fee. May or may not be refundable if application is denied, varies by property.
Security Deposit
Deposits also range from zero and higher, varies by property, overall credit, rental and other history. The security deposit may or may not be refundable if applicant is denied, customarily is refundable at the end of your lease term provided you've met the requirements of the lease agreement. There are apartment communities that use a deposit referred to as a Sure Deposit - a deposit that also acts as a bond and is not refundable. The benefits of a sure deposit is that it can be considerably lower than a traditional security deposit depending on overall application results.
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