10 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN LOOKING FOR AN APARTMENT

Even in the best of situations, moving is inherently stressful. There are simply too many factors to consider for it to not be at least somewhat complicated. Searching for a new place is one of the most important elements, and it can be hard to know if you’re getting the right place for the right price. 

Like any purchase, there are many questions you should ask before committing, but with an apartment, it’s even more vital to know what you want and what matters to you, as it’s the place you’ll come home to every single day. To help, we’ve created our top ten questions you should be ready to find the answers to along your apartment hunting journey.

1. How Do I Pay Rent? 

This question comes with other questions under one umbrella. You should aim to find out not only how to pay rent, but what happens if you miss the due date. What are the late fees like? Does your complex take a check, or do they require a credit card or bank account info? 

Furthermore, many apartments have certain fees that come with moving in, so you’ll want to make sure that you know about these before signing on the dotted line. Be polite but confident when discussing this with your leasing agent, and don’t be afraid write everything down to compare notes when you get home.

2. What is the Apartment Guest Policy? 

We get it; you have a busy life! With as many family, friends, loved ones, etc. as you know, it’s important that wherever you move in is comfortable with visitors. Even if you’re more of a hermit, it’s a good idea to find out the guest policy. 

If you’ve got people from out of town coming to visit or stay with you, or you foresee that situation in advance, be sure and learn what the apartment’s policy on guests is like. Obviously you aren’t typically allowed to have someone live with you full-time without their name on the lease, but where is the balance between a full-time guest and someone coming to hang out on the weekends? Find out before you move in read more...

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A Student Living Guide to Affordable Apartments in Norman

Students want to find the most affordable housing possible. Can we blame them? With tuition, facility fees and books, things can get expensive really quickly. Most colleges and universities require freshmen to live on campus. But, by the end of that first year, many find themselves searching for cheaper living arrangements elsewhere.

In addition to cost, other common reasons students choose to venture off campus include noise, limited space, strict rules, non-negotiable meal plans and roommate problems. Sigh no more, though. In this quick guide, we’ll show you where to find affordable apartments in Norman and help you prepare for any expenses during the transition.

Where to Find Affordable Apartments in Norman

With resources like Apartments.com, Zillow and Trulia at your fingertips, you can explore just about any area and its living options. You’ll first narrow your search by geographic location, budget and number of bedrooms.

However, finding the right apartment goes beyond the price tag. Sometimes the cheapest apartments don’t offer the best quality, while the most expensive apartments might be limited in space.
To help jumpstart your hunt, Northstar has five apartment communities in Norman that strike the perfect balance of quality and affordability. Each is strategically placed in an area of Norman that makes commuting easy for its residents.

For example, if you have a tight schedule but would love to run home in-between classes, Alameda Pointe is only eight minutes away from campus. Or, if you only have school 2-3 days out of the week and prefer quiet places to study, The Landing on 9 is a great option.

Another aspect you want to consider during your search is amenities. The majority of our apartments feature saltwater swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds and more. Click here to explore what each of our five Norman properties has to offer.

8 Expenses to Consider With Apartments

Once you’ve narrowed your choices down to 2-3 apartments, it’s time to start scheduling tours. As you speak with leasing managers and begin learning more about the properties, you’ll want to take your other living expenses into consideration when weighing the total cost.
Here are some additional expenses to think about:

1. Deposit

Landlords and leasing companies usually require a deposit in the case of potential damage to the apartment. During your tour, ask if the deposit is refundable and inquire about the factors that typically cause residents to lose it.

2. Renter’s Insurance

Some leasing companies require renter’s insurance while others don’t. Ask the leasing agent if it’s required and if they offer a resident discount. Typically, this will cost anywhere between $5 to $10 extra a month depending on the policy. If the apartment doesn’t require renter’s insurance, don’t shrug it off just yet. Depending on your belongings and how valuable they are, it might be wise to insure them just in case.

3. Washer and Dryer

The majority of apartments won’t come with washers and dryers in the unit. However, some do and others might have laundry facilities on premise. Ask the leasing agent if they have them in the apartments, and if not, if they have their own laundry facilities

4. Pets

If you have a pet, there will most likely be an extra deposit or monthly fee to let them stay in the apartment. Ask if pets are allowed, what the added cost would be, and if the apartment has special areas for pets to run around and play.

5. Uncovered Utilities

During your tour, ask if any utilities are included in the rent amount such as trash/sewer, water, gas, electric, cable or other services. If they are, score!

6. Subleasing

If you find yourself in the situation where you need to move, it’s good to know your apartment’s protocol. Ask the agent what the rules and costs are for breaking the lease, how it would affect your rental history and if they would allow you to sublease to another student.

Ready to Start Apartment Hunting?

Rent and utilities will often equal 30 to 50 percent of your monthly income. As a whole, aim for 30 percent but remember that safety trumps affordability. Financial aid can cover some of these costs, but not all of them. If you plan to live off-campus, you can’t afford to overlook any possibilities to save on housing.

Having a roommate or two can help cut the cost of rent, utilities, internet and food significantly. It can also boost your credit standing or lack of references when applying for apartments.

To keep yourself from being financially stressed, use a budgeting app like Mint to track how you’re spending your income. Identify your reoccurring expenses, arrange by priority and sync up due dates with your phone. Being proactive is the best way to make adjustments along the way and save more money in the long-term.

Have a Question About an Apartment We Mentioned?

If you’re ready to start apartment hunting, our team at Northstar Properties is here to help. Reach out to us today at any of our five Norman apartments and we’ll be happy to schedule a personal tour for you!

The Landing on 9 // 405-364-4862                Alameda Pointe // 405-701-3622
Savannah Ridge // 405-360-7887                   Savannah Square // 405-321-0002

Savannah Harbor // 405-321-0002

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8 Topics to Consider Before Choosing a Roommate

8 Topics to Consider Before Choosing a Roommate

Choosing a roommate is never an easy task. Since they’ll be sharing a part of your life with you, it’s important to ensure your living styles complement each other. Here’s a list of the 8 most important topics to discuss when searching for a roommate.

 

Cleaning When discussing cleanliness with potential roommates, it’s important to be honest. If you only wash dishes once the sink is full, let them know. If you Lysol the countertops three times a day, let them know. Neither habit is better or worse, there just needs to be a discussion on how to balance these habits before moving in. If there are major differences, it’s okay to move on and look for a roommate that cleans similar to you.

 

Sleep People use their home for sleeping more than anything else. If your sleeping schedule is opposite that of your roommate, you may run into trouble. If a roommate can’t sleep through the smallest noise, that may limit what the other roommate can do in their own home. Make it a point to discuss common sleeping habits — like needing a window open or sound machine to fall asleep. Though these may seem like small considerations, but it’s best to talk things out now.

 

Guests and Significant Others Sharing a home with another person also means sharing your home with their guests. Maybe both of you are party animals or maybe one of you considers “ a few friends over for tea” a party? To figure out those similarities and differences, take initiative and ask. Additionally, consider guests who may be visiting more frequently, like a significant other, and how you feel about that. Make your preferences known and be aware of theirs before signing the lease.

 

Environmental Impacts How someone feels about the environment doesn’t seem like a big deal, but these opinions can affect a roommate dynamic. Ask your potential roommate about their environmental consciousness because it can affect how you both handle tasks like taking out the trash, running the AC, or even cooking. Though it may seem like a personal opinion, asking about their preferences is the only way to ensure they align with yours.

 

Past Roommates If your potential roommate had issues in the past, you may find this information beneficial. Some problems may have been caused by the other person, but they’re probably not blame-free in every issue with past roommates. Find out what aspects makes them difficult to live with. If those quirks are balanced or matched by yours, you may have a good fit. If not, don’t be afraid to part ways — keeping things civil.

 

Schedules Daily schedules can make or break a happy living situation. If roommate schedules are too similar, there may not be enough alone time. On the other end of the spectrum, schedules that differ too much may cause distance and negative feelings. Schedules may affect other things such as guests visiting, cleaning, and sleeping habits. Before taking the plunge in living together, discuss how much time you’ll be spending at home, work, out of the house, and check if your schedules correlate well.

 

Pets Pets are another roommate you have to care for entirely. Most leases outline pet restrictions, but it’s important to establish your own. If your potential roommate can’t say no to that cute furball on the roadside, but you don’t want to pay the pet deposit, you shouldn’t be roommates. Allergies and guests with pets should be also be addressed in the conversation.

 

Habits/Hobbies This is a broad topic to discuss with a potential roommate because you don’t know what hobbies they may have. And maybe, their hobby is a deal breaker you hadn’t considered. Talk with them about your quirks or odd interests, asking (without judgment) about theirs. This topic can address core values that may differ between you two, which could be valuable to know before moving in with someone.

 

Finding the perfect roommate is a difficult but not an impossible process. For more information on our multiple or single bedroom properties, please contact our team at 405-310-6450.

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5 Things a Dog Can Do to Make Apartment Living Easy

5 Things a Dog Can Do to Make Apartment Living Easy

As a dog, you have very few responsibilities. Being a dog in an apartment can be a bit more challenging, though — even in pet-friendly apartments. There isn’t as much room to play, which you love doing. Your human may have a smaller closet with fewer shoes, which you love chewing up. However, dog life in an apartment can be wonderful as long as your human is happy.

Here are five things you can do to make your human happier and take care of what truly matters, YOU.

Make sure you get some time outside.

The hardest part about being a dog in an apartment is usually space. There just isn’t room for you to run around and play as much as you want. To keep this from affecting you, make sure to ask your human to go out regularly. Some pet-friendly apartments even offer amenities like dog parks. In fact, encouraging your human to take you out consistently for a walk or run helps keep your energy in check. Since the furniture always seems to be so chewable, using up energy outside is a great way to keep your human happy.

Have your own space in the apartment.

Your human may allow you on the couch and in their bed from time to time, but it’s important to designate an area for yourself. This is useful when you get in trouble and your human needs some space to cool off. It is also useful for you to have a place to relax and keep your toys. Most of the time when your human is exhausted or stressed, they want you to be there with them. But, similarly, they need some alone time while you might also need some space to call your own.

Use the restroom on schedule.

The number one way to keep your human happy is not using the floor or carpet as a restroom. I get it! They haven’t been home in a while, you drank too much water after your morning walk, and you really have to go. Accidents happen. But, if you designate using the restroom consistently when your human takes you out (see tip 1) then everyone in the apartment stays happy. The tricky part is getting your human to stick to that time schedule. You may still need to ask to go out from time to time, but your human should be patient with this.

Be open to training.

Training is a tough one because sometimes your human just doesn’t make sense. They seem to always make the weirdest requests. Like hand shaking? Oh well, you still get a treat at the end of training so it’s well worth it. Not only that, but other humans will be so impressed with you and your human if you are trained well. This really helps in apartments because a well-trained dog will always make an apartment owner feel better about letting you live there. At pet-friendly apartments, there are usually dog treats offered at the front desk and you can show off your training for snacks.

Comfort and love your human.

The best way to keep your human happy when you live in an apartment is to continuously love and comfort them. Life as a human is hard, but they loved you so much that it is worth the extra trouble. Don’t forget to snuggle them at night, greet them right when they walk in the door, and always make them feel good. I’m sure they would do the same for you.

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What Do You Look for When Apartment Shopping?

What Do You Look for When Apartment Shopping?

Apartment hunting can be tough – deciding what type of amenities you want to access, determining the ideal location of your complex in relation to the rest of your everyday obligations, and choosing whether to sign with an all-bills-paid lease or to choose to pay your own monthly bills.

There is a mile long list of things to consider when searching for your new home. The NorthStar OKC team has broken down some of the factors we think are important in determining where you should live.

1. Amenities

The amenities that are included in your monthly fee are important when you are comparing different complexes and leases. Is it important for you to have laundry facilities in your unit, or is a community laundry complex all that you need? Would you and your kids like to have access to a swimming pool, tennis court, or volleyball court? Do you have a pet and are looking for a pet-friendly facility?

Each of the NorthStar OKC properties offers different amenities including a clubhouse, saltwater pools, tennis and volleyball courts, balconies and pet-friendly units.

2. Bill-Pay

The idea of “all bills paid” lease and not having to worry about varying monthly utility expenses might sound grand, but does the benefit of not worrying outweigh the potential limitations that come with having complete control over your utilities?

Here at NorthStar OKC, we allow you to take the reigns on your utilities. We do not choose the temperature of your unit nor do we decide when the heater is turned on for the winter – all of those decisions are up to you.

3. Location

The location of a complex is a huge factor in deciding whether it’d be a place you’d be willing to live and commute from. Will you have a long commute during OKC rush hour traffic or will you find a home just a few minutes from your office? Our OKC complexes provide easy access to the city and are centrally located throughout the metroplex.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking for luxurious or recreational amenities, utility control or easy access to the city, NorthStar Properties is the place for you!

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Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

As many of you know, Northstar Properties prides itself on its amazing team. Each of our employees is passionate about what they do, working hard each day to provide an amazing living experience for residents. We thought we would take this moment to thank them and introduce you to some of the team members!

 

Meet Courtney Arnold

Courtney has been working with Northstar Properties for almost nine years. Hailing from Kentucky, she accumulated 15 years experience in the multi-family housing industry. 

Her favorite aspects of the job are meeting new people and facing new challenges each day. Some of Courtney’s hobbies include working in the yard and playing with her children. She’s looking forward to autumn because of the leaves changing color.

 

Meet Lindsay Bowen

Lindsay has been on the Northstar team for 10 years. She grew up in Midwest City and now calls Edmond home. Lindsay is a CAM Designate, and her favorite part of the position is having the opportunity to meet new customers and prospects every day in the apartment industry. 

Some of Lindsay’s favorite hobbies include reading, movies, and 

spending time with family.

Day of Caring

We have a soft spot for the community, which is why we take part in so many philanthropic fundraisers, drives, and events. We had the opportunity to participate in the United Way Day of Caring this past month and had a fantastic time. 

We helped Noble Schools with painting, yard work, and landscaping, creating a wonderful learning environment for its students.

What drives you? We’d love for you to share what you’re passionate about in the comments below!

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Attention College Students!

Now that the semester has come to a close we invite you to give our properties a look. We have properties located in the best hot spots of Norman, Oklahoma City, Edmond, and Tulsa. What does that mean for you? Whether you attend UCO, OU, OCU or TU, we’re sure to have a perfect place for you to settle in for the summer and spend the remainder of your college experience (as long as your college experience isn’t comparable to Animal House).
Norman residents, Need storage by chance?
One of the best perks about theVillage of Cambridge in Norman, is that with this property, you have the opportunity to rent storage units conveniently located near the property. This storage space is fantastic for stashing away possessions that don’t really belong in the house.

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Winter Safety Tips: Round Two

North Star Property Management | Apartments in Norman

Winter Safety Tips: Round Two

Continuing the guidelines we provided in our last blog, we have additional tips for staying safe throughout the winter season. What number did we end on? Four?

Cinco
Ice, ice, baby. Keep in mind, that beyond the common areas of resident traffic, we do not clear ice and snow from our properties. What does that mean for you? Free stuff! Don’t get ahead of yourselves, though. There’s no money or food involved. Since we do not clear ice and snow from our walkways, we are offering free ice melt for you to take care of any areas you see fit. You can pick up some ice melt at the office, or the mailbox kiosks. 

Number Six
Frozen pipes? Sorry, Elsa. We’re not letting that go. If you have a faucet that’s running slow or not running at all, then you may likely have a frozen pipe. We’re not saying you should run for your life or anything. However, this is can definitely be labeled as an emergency situation. If you notice any of these signs in your apartment, please contact customer service immediately. 

Seventh Heaven
Alas, we have arrived at our last tip for staying safe this winter. Keep in mind that you are responsible for reporting maintenance issues that you see in your unit. These include, but are not limited to heat lamp and furnace malfunctions. As your lease mentions, damages to your unit that result from lack of taking precautions will be the responsibility of the resident. That includes taking care of gas and electric services in the name of the lease holder

Northstar Properties holds no insurable interest in the resident’s belongings, and as always, recommends that the resident secures their own insurance to themselves and their property.

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Zombie-Proof Your Apartment

Whether your obsessed with the Walking Dead or just a little paranoid of a zombie outbreak, make sure your apartment is ready! In the case of a zombie apocalypse, you won’t have access to electricity, phone or other amenities. Lucky for you, we’ve dug up some pretty spiffy knowledge for you to enjoy this spooky season.

Know Your Zombie

Let’s be honest, not all of your encounters are going to be with a cute zombie from “Warm Bodies.” In the case you run into something a little more… well, terrifying. We’ve broken it down into three categories: basic walkers, runners, and stalkers. Basics are a low threat and usually pretty slow. Watch out though, these travel in packs! Runners are a bit more tactful, you won’t be able to outrun them. Fortify your apartment and wait it out, you’ll thank us later. As for stalkers, these are the biggest threat. They can scale buildings, which means apartments will become giant zombie vending machines. 

Your Defense Starts at the Door

It’s all about the materials. Did you know that you have multiple options? For example, while a MDF door may repel 3 zombies at a time, a solid door repels 7. If you’re really getting down to business, we suggest investing in a steel door that repels 14 or more. You may have a strong day, but some zombies are pretty dexterous. It only takes one zombie to break through a lock. We recommend a deadbolt or bar lock for maximum safety.

Next Step: The Windows

Your best bet is finding an apartment with tempered glass; often used in car windows, underwater equipment or bulletproofing. The reason behind it is that it breaks into cubes instead of shattering. If you don’t have this option, there are other things you can also do to ensure your safety. Consider iron bars in the case of broken glass. They’ll keep 4-5 zombies at bay while you make a quick escape. Blackout curtains are also a must-have. Not because of zombies, but for potential raiders who may take your supplies!

Safeguard Your Stockpile

When you don’t have the luxury of making a quick trip to the grocery store, be sure your pacing yourself with the food supplies you do have. To maintain current weight, men need to intake 2,000 to 3,000 and women need 1,600-2,400. Speaking of food, it’s wise to have the essentials on hand. Peanut butter is high and protein and doesn’t need to be refrigerated. Whole grain crackers and dried fruit are also great options that will last you a long while. Canned soups, chills and vegetables are the best you can find. So buy plenty and often because they’ll last for years! 

Prepare for the Worst

If the apocalypse lasts a little longer than expected, you’ll find yourself running out of the essentials. There’s no need to worry though, we have a few tips to help you increase your stockpile supplies. If you’ve got a balcony on your apartment, secure it and start a garden! Set up rainwater collection buckets to draw from when your water finally goes out. It’s also worth investing in a good tool like a sledge-hammer. Not only handy in defense situations, but to break through walls into neighboring hallways without risking zombie-infested corridors! 

Battle the Undead

Find yourself in a sticky situation? If you must face a zombie head on, be sure you know its vulnerabilities. First, the head: 100% effective. Torso? Not so much, we suggest aiming elsewhere. Arms and legs are a safe bet. Especially the legs, slow down those monsters if anything! There are plenty of things lying around your apartment to fight off zombies. Baseball bats, pots and pans, fire extinguishers, kitchen knives and household tools are all useful in the spur of the moment. To defend yourself, grab a cooking board or cookie sheet to use as a shield!

Plot your Escape Route

If any of you have every seen a zombie movie, you know that rooftop helicopter rescues are the best thing since sliced bread. Make sure you know the escape to the rooftop when the time comes!

About Author:

Formed in 2004 at the request of the investors (Edmond Carlson, Pat Cooney, and Sal Di Mercurio) to protect and safeguard their investments. The company is focused on delivering a high rate of return while preserving and enhancing the long term value of multi-family real estate investments.www.northstar-ok.com