Signing your first lease, or a new one at a different apartment can be very exciting, but is also a big commitment. There are many factors you might not immediately think of that if not considered, might come back to haunt you later after you’ve signed on the dotted line. Use this checklist before you make this big decision to ensure the best experience possible in your new home.
Location – The location of your prospective apartment is one of the most important factors to consider. You should make sure that the apartment is conveniently located to where you work, to schools if you have kids, to grocery stores, etc. Not only that, but confirm that the neighborhood compliments your lifestyle.
Inspect – A big risk you run if your apartment is not inspected property before signing a lease is unforeseen problems that arise after you move in. When viewing the apartment, there are a few major things to check for quality and functionality. Make sure to turn on all the faucets, including the shower, to check for water quality and pressure. Confirm with your leasing agent the process of repairs if needed so you know what to expect in that scenario. Scan all appliances, walls, closets, etc. for any flaws or damage prior to moving in, and make sure to notate everything down on your Move-In Checklist and return it to your leasing agent.
Ask Questions – Because deciding to lease an apartment is a big decision, you should get all of your questions answered, no matter how minor they may seem. For example, check with your prospective apartment’s pet policy, as some have weight or breed restrictions. Confirm what utilities are included or not included in the monthly rent so that you can budget accordingly. Make sure you understand the community rules regarding guests and noise restrictions. In addition, double check the terms of renewal and date range of your lease.
If you’re moving to one of 1st Lake Properties’ excellent New Orleans area apartments and are coming with a lot of equipment in tow, there are great, convenient storage options available to keep all of your possessions safe and sound when not in use. 1st Lake manages two self-storage locations in Kenner and Metairie for quick and safe access to personal storage.
Our self-storage in Kenner is located at 1225 27th Street off of Veterans Blvd., just minutes away from downtown New Orleans and extremely close to the 1st Lake Properties apartments in Kenner. This storage site offers individual storage units ranging from 60 (5 x 12 feet) to 200 (10 x 20 feet) square feet to accommodate different sizes of space required. This Kenner self-storage complex offers on site management, month to month leases, wheeled carts for loading and unloading and is a gated facility with 24 hour access.
Our convenient Metairie self-storage location is on 3919 Ford Street between Cleary and Clearview, just one block north from I-10. This storage location is located nearby 1st Lake Properties’ apartments in Metairie, Kenner and River Ridge. This storage facility offers individual units ranging from 200 (10 x 20 feet) to 250 (10 x 25 feet) square feet and is easily accessible with their ground floor drive up units. This location accommodates its customers with month to month leases and 24 hour access.
For more information about our convenient self-storage options, call 1-888-701-3172.
Do you have noisy neighbors, renovations or construction near your apartment? That unwanted sound can be quite the nuisance. However, there are great, easy solutions for preventing noise pollution in your home.
Insulate – Insulating your apartment will help create a sound barrier to aid in blocking out outside noise. This can be done by hanging curtains, laying down floor rugs, adding art or tapestry to your walls and other fun decorating projects. Insulating your apartment will not only keep the noise out, but will also encourage you to vamp up your apartment’s interior design.
Noise machines – White noise can do wonders for drowning out distracting noise. Any device that creates a buzzing noise, even the air conditioner, can help, but a machine built just for that purpose is ideal. You can go as basic as the White Noise smartphone app which is particularly helpful for going to sleep or more advanced with something like the Marpac sound conditioner.
Headphones and earplugs – If you have a home office where you work during the day, loud noises can be particularly detrimental to your daily operations. Noise cancelling headphones are very helpful for work from home residents, not to mention on planes and public transportation. Similarly, soft earplugs like Mack’s Pillow Soft Earplugs will fit snugly and do the trick, especially when it’s time to get some sleep.
Looking for a great new apartment in the New Orleans area? Check out what apartments are currently available today! 1st Lake Properties offers accommodating floor plans at all of our apartment locations that provide privacy for a peaceful living environment.
A little dust here and there might not seem like that big of a deal, and some of us admittedly go longer than we should without giving our apartment a good dusting, but a little dust can cause a lot of damage in the long run. Not only can dust be unsightly and cause allergies in humans, but can be very bad for household electronics as well.
Most common associations with the destruction of digital and electronic devices are liquid and over heating, but dust is also among the most harmful. Dust in fact in a lot of cases is the cause of excessive heat, as it can clog filtration in computers, cable boxes, and a number of other devices.
So what can you do about all this dust? Dust unfortunately is a fact a life and is unavoidable, but there are ways to control the situation and prevent dust from building up.
Laptops and desktop computers are maybe the most susceptible machines to accumulating dust. At least once a year, use compressed air to remove dust from the back or side vents and then wipe down the surface with a microfiber cloth. Make sure to dust both the fan and the vent.
Televisions also attract a lot of dust. Many large TVs will have a fan on the back, just like a computer, to keep it from overheating. Check the fan every six months or so for dust and use compressed air to remove any as needed. In addition, routinely wipe down the screen with a cloth to remove surface dust.
Keyboards on computers will become sticky if too much dust or residue accumulates underneath. To prevent that from happening, unplug the keyboard and blow on it routinely. If there is excess dirt and dust to remove, use an air compressor and then finish the job by wiping it down with a paper towel and hand disinfectant.
Looking for a great New Orleans area apartment? Check out the available apartments from 1st Lake Properties!
It’s fall and that means a whole new flavor profile to enjoy! Fall foods are delicious, rustic and comforting. Our favorites include butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, apples, pears, sweet potatoes and of course, pumpkin! Not only are they used for decoration, but they are delicious to eat as well. This recipe for Roasted Pumpkin Soup from Martha Stewart Living is savory, soothing and healthy! Not to mention, it’s easy to make and it can be stored for several other meals over the course of a week.
2 3/4 pounds sugar pumpkin or butternut squash, halved and seeded
1 onion, peeled and quartered through the stem
2 shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, caps wiped clean
1 garlic clove, peeled
1/2 cup olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
5 cups homemade or store-bought low-sodium vegetable stock
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut pumpkin into 2-inch pieces. Combine pumpkin, onion, mushrooms, and garlic on a rimmed baking sheet. Add oil and 2 teaspoons salt; toss to coat, then spread in a single layer. Roast until pumpkin is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, about 30 minutes, rotating pan and tossing vegetables halfway through. Let cool, then remove skins.
Transfer vegetables to a medium saucepan; heat over medium. Pour in 2 cups stock; puree with an immersion blender until smooth. With the blender running, slowly add remaining 3 cups stock, and puree until smooth. Bring soup just to a simmer. Remove from heat, and season with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
Prep: 5 minutes / Total Time: 40 minutes / Servings: 4
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
