Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Feb 9, 2012, 8:00 am
Lest you get TOO excited, this is a list of entirely PG ways for you to let off a little steam this winter: Throw a party, any party All you want to do is curl up under a blanket, we know, but you can only do that for so many hours before it gets a little pathetic. Beat the winter blues by...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Feb 8, 2012, 8:00 am
If you’re already having trouble sticking to that “eat healthier” New Year’s Resolution, perhaps it’s because you have lots of tempting things in your pantry that are foiling your best intentions. Because you know what they say about good intentions and white bread:  they pave the road to...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Feb 7, 2012, 8:00 am
Before you go calling us big, raging, angry blue-state liberals (not very politically correct of you, by the way), an Anti-Valentine’s Day Party can be for anyone. Happily married? Throw a party in honor of the fact that, once again, you just got chocolate. Happily married and a recipient of jewel...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Feb 6, 2012, 2:00 pm
It’s 2012, people, you know what the Mayans said. There’s never been a more appropriate time to use your paranoia to a good end, i.e. preparing for the worst so you can make the best of things. Fire Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. You might never need them, but if you do, you’ll...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Feb 5, 2012, 8:00 am

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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Feb 3, 2012, 8:00 am
A beer gift basket For the beer snobs among us, this will be most welcome, and not your typical gift. More surprising and possibly more weird, or more classy, depending your point of view:  a range of dessert wines. A weekend getaway for one That really mixes it up, doesn’t it—sep...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Feb 2, 2012, 8:00 am
They don’t call it cabin fever for nothing.  There you are, in your little cabin of an apartment, feverishly itching to do something new, and yet spring isn’t just around the corner, not yet! Well for you little OCD spring cleaners out there, why not relish this moment for all its grey and cold...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Feb 1, 2012, 8:00 am
By MyNewPlace Guest Blogger, Ron Leshnower – About.com’s Apartment Living Expert! 2012 is an election year and, as daily headlines remind us, the country is in the middle of a contentious primary season. If you’re sharing an apartment with another person, this is a time when you may discov...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Jan 31, 2012, 8:00 am
As January draws to an end, are you reflecting on all those resolutions you made a month ago?  How does it work when you your goals seem to conflict?  Specifically, what do you do when you’ve decided to get in shape AND spend more time at home or to spend less money?  We’ve put together some ...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Jan 30, 2012, 5:56 pm
As age-old rivalries go, dogs versus cats is paramount.  Like Superman and Lex, Caesar and Brutus, Dumbledore and Grindelwald (for some reason, no female rivalries come immediately to mind), cats and dogs duke it out on the symbolic stage every day, and they don’t even know it. So which furry fri...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Jan 26, 2012, 8:00 am
1.  Homemade Invitations start your party off on the right foot—personal, put-together, and fun. Using recycled paper, the unwritten-on half of old cards, or any other re-purposed materials will keep this part of your planning under budget. 2. Buy your decorations from a discount party store...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Jan 25, 2012, 8:00 am
So many of us dream of living in a castle, sliding down banisters and hiding all our worldly possessions in endless closets.  In reality, most of us live in slightly smaller situations, and if a person’s home is their castle, we live in rather cluttered ones.  To that end, we’ve put together s...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Jan 24, 2012, 8:00 am
You can own the most magnificent apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, but unless you sell it right, a prospective renter could just as easily rent the second most magnificent apartment on the Upper East Side, owned by your property manager nemesis, Dr. Strangerent. So how do you ensu...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Jan 23, 2012, 8:00 am
Although good credit comes in handy, it’s not the only factor that landlords use to decide whether or not to rent to you.  To understand how to beat a bad credit rap, you need to understand why landlords check credit in the first place:  they want to know if you will pay your rent in a timely fa...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Nov 2, 2011, 9:00 am
Until recently, Americans were on the move.  For decades, they left northern states and headed for the south and the sun.  A recent article in The New York Times describes how these trends are changing.  People are staying put, and American migration patterns have shifted as a direct result of ec...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Nov 1, 2011, 3:45 pm
We had a great turn out here for our Halloween party yesterday and we thought we’d share some of the highlights with our readers! We had a costume parade around both our offices: And some DELICIOUS baked TREATS! And finally, the winner of our Pet Halloween Contest, the one and only Lero...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Nov 1, 2011, 9:00 am
... Understanding your lease and paying your rent are two essential aspects of ... you may have for affording your rent, there are issues relating to ... to the following questions?: Is paying rent in cash always a bad idea? Is it better to pay rent by credit card or check? ... When and how...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 31, 2011, 9:00 am
There are many benefits to moving from the countryside or the suburbs to an apartment downtown. True, the cost of rent downtown may be a bit higher than prices seen just out of town but, in many cities, a place downtown could help save more money than it costs. Here are some of the potential benefit...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 28, 2011, 9:00 am
WHOO HOOOOOO.  That’s the sound of real Halloween excitement.  Not only does it mean throwing aside your personality for a night and donning a different facade altogether; not only does it mean stuffing yourself sick with candy; Halloween means a great excuse to do crafts!  Set aside your laund...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 27, 2011, 9:00 am
If you’re just moving into a new apartment complex, it’s the perfect time to make friends. In many apartment complexes, neighbors keep to themselves and may be hard to connect with them, but don’t give up!  Check out the following tips for making your new apartment into a new home! 1. Intro...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 26, 2011, 9:00 am
Many people don’t like to keep a budget. It’s time consuming, difficult to keep on top of and can be a source of stress when you can’t seem to make your income and expenses match up. And when you see that perfect apartment that has everything you want..your budget might not be at the forefront...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 25, 2011, 9:00 am
Gen Y-ers are moving out of the dorms (and out of their parents basements) and into apartments. This group, which comprises renters between the ages of 18 and 28, forms a large portion of the new apartment renters out there and there are tens of thousands more that enter the rental market each year....
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 24, 2011, 9:00 am
Welcome to our new little obsession:  treehouse living.  Not the stuff of playing pirates and hiding from mom and dad, these abodes are all grown up.  Treehouses offer great views, a peaceful atmosphere, and a bird’s eye view of, well, birds.  Not convinced they’re for you?  Check out the h...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 21, 2011, 9:00 am
Those of us who enjoy decorating live in fear of choosing a seemingly beautiful color, only to hate the hue for years before we can justify repainting the room.   Plan ahead!  Below are some strategies to help ensure you pick the Goldilocks of interior paint—not too warm, nor too cool, but juuu...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 20, 2011, 9:00 am
Here are some important things to remember:  although good credit is definitely useful as some landlords require credit checks, bad credit does NOT mean you won’t be able to find a place to rent.  There is not a magical minimum credit score that will open or close all doors.  Apartment landlord...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 19, 2011, 9:00 am
So, maybe you’ve noticed that we have a little crush on Etsy.  What can we say—really cute, handmade goods that make our apartments and lives a little prettier?  What’s not to like?  Newsflash:  your pets can go Etsy-crazy, too!  If you enjoy the more unique things in life but don’t hav...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 18, 2011, 9:00 am
If you’re just moving into your first apartment or if you’ve had your own place for a while and simply don’t have much to furnish it with, it may be time to go out and scrounge up some furniture. The bad news: good furniture can be VERY expensive and difficult to find. The better news: there a...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 17, 2011, 2:16 pm
Marketing is a tough but vital part of running a successful apartment complex – and not all property managers take advantage of the inexpensive (if not free) marketing tools out there. Here are ten quick tips to get you started marketing your apartment complex that can help save money and increase...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 14, 2011, 9:00 am
If you’ve just moved into a new apartment, throwing a housewarming party can be a great way to celebrate your move and get to know your neighbors. It also guarantees that your friends know how to find your new place! Follow these tips and you’re sure to have a great party! 1. Set a Date C...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 13, 2011, 9:00 am
Sometimes, life throws us a difficult housemate.  (For examples, see our earlier post.)   Someone who wakes us up in the middle of the night, eats all our food, or just cannot converse openly—someone who drives us crazy.  In many cases, such circumstances are an opportunity to grow, to practic...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 12, 2011, 9:00 am
Perhaps you’ve been avidly watching Facebook’s recent developments, or perhaps this is news – but either way brace yourselves: Facebook has already changed dramatically for developers and will soon do the same for user profiles and company fan pages. What’s up next? Facebook Timelines! As ...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 11, 2011, 1:21 pm
Autumn is here! With it comes shorter days, cooler weather and the promise of Thanksgiving and Halloween right around the corner. While many of us may decorate our apartments just for these holidays, decorating for fall is a great way to spruce up your apartment and make it more seasonally festive. ...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 10, 2011, 1:44 pm
There’s nothing worse than living next to noisy neighbors. They keep you up, disturb you with their loud music and dramatically increase your stress level. But what if you are the noisy neighbor? How can you tell and how can you make sure that you aren’t annoying your neighbors? 1. Watch th...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 7, 2011, 9:00 am
If you’ve started college, you’ve already met your new roommate.  Great!  You’re slowly but surely starting to learn how to deal with one kind of crazy.  We hate to break it to you, but it’s not over yet.  You can request a switch, you can wait til next year, but as long as you have a ro...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 5, 2011, 9:00 am
Sure, you clean up after parties or when things begin to look really dusty.  But is your apartment really clean?  There are all kinds of places that we never think to wipe down or de-grease.  The next time you’re doing a deep cleaning of your apartment, make sure you don’t miss these frequent...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 5, 2011, 9:00 am
By MyNewPlace Dlogger And Celebrity Living Expert, Leroy Brown Woof readers! It’s been a while since I’ve barked at you: I’ve been very busy chewing and strewing and wreaking havoc. But I’m back and ready to update you on September’s celebrity housing situation. In this issue: Family Man...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 4, 2011, 9:00 am
The job-creation plan that President Obama is pushing congress to pass may have some great ideas about how to help this country and its citizens climb out of the giant hole of debt we’ve all fallen into. It does not, however, address one of the biggest problems that the nation is currently facing:...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Oct 3, 2011, 9:00 am
By MyNewPlace Guest Blogger, About.com’s apartment living expert, Ron Leshnower! Expecting Trick-or-Treaters This Halloween? When people think of trick-or-treating, images of children walking from house to house in a suburban neighborhood most often come to mind. But many kids who live in apar...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 30, 2011, 9:00 am
Whether you’re traveling the world or to the outskirts of town, the flea market is a great place to pick up unique furniture and decorations for your apartment. These outdoor markets feature antiques, used goods, hand made art pieces and refurbished treasures. If you know how to shop for a bargain...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 29, 2011, 9:00 am
Traveling for business can be both rewarding and stressful. On the one hand, there’s plenty to see and do in a new location, but on the other, there’s a lot of new information to keep straight. One way to help manage the stress of traveling for work is setting up your apartment to be more accomm...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 28, 2011, 9:00 am
Bro: you’re out of college. It’s time to drop those corny Smashmouth posters and come to terms with how bad you are at Smash Bros because today we’re going over how to upgrade your apartment. Men’s magazines (I’m looking at you, Maxim) will try to tell you to drop a boatload of cash o...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 27, 2011, 9:00 am
One of the most important factors of decorating is controlling the light in a room. In an apartment, natural light, ambient light, task light and accent light should work together to make a room feel brighter. By selecting the appropriate light for a space or need, an apartment renter can make their...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 26, 2011, 2:03 pm
It’s that time of year!  The time when mornings are crisper and you begin to think about frost creeping over your windowpane.  (Unless you live in Texas, in which case you’re probably just ecstatic that it’s not 110 degrees out.)   With the temperature changing and the winter months quickl...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 23, 2011, 1:06 pm
Is renting a studio the right choice for you? Here’s a quick quiz you can take to find out. 1. How often do you like to go out? a) If I had it my way, I’d go out every day! b) I like to spend some of my evenings out with friends and some at home. c) I prefer to have friends come over ...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 22, 2011, 9:00 am
So, you practice yoga!  Or you’d like to start, but want to get into your own groove before shelling out for a studio.  Cultivating an at-home practice is a great way to connect with yourself, and get all the relaxing benefits of yoga without having to run out the door for a six p.m. class.  Be...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 21, 2011, 9:00 am
Two Birds, One Green Stone Once in a (VERY) great while, the interests of activists and businesspeople align.  One such miraculous alignment has emerged recently in the apartment industry:   increasing energy efficiency of buildings, to the mutual benefit of the planet and whoever is paying the...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 20, 2011, 9:09 am
Deciding to move in with a boyfriend or girlfriend is an important step in a relationship. Unfortunately, in times of economic hardship, the decision to move in together may have less to do with the present and future state of the relationship and more to do with the lure of saving money on rent. Th...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 19, 2011, 9:00 am
When I was young, I never understood why in Tommy Boy Chris Farley gets asked “Did you eat a lot of paint chips as a kid?”  Now, of course, I know it’s because in old houses, lead paint can poison inhabitants decades later, and cause brain damage in children.  The US government banned reside...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 16, 2011, 9:00 am
If you’re going on vacation, you can earn extra money while you’re away by subletting your apartment. Here’s how to do it: 1. Find out whether you’re allowed to sublet. Certain types of apartments may directly prohibit subletting or may only allow it with the permission of the apartment ...
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Matt D. posted an article on MyNewPlace Blog - Sep 15, 2011, 9:00 am
Apartment living is efficient:  a practical and pleasant way to make a home, in the short or long term.  But it can sometimes feel sterile.  Finding ways to connect with nature—within the realities of an urban lifestyle—poses a challenge for many apartment dwellers. As Americans show more and...
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