And some things about Atlanta that could use some help. Um, Marta?! There are so many great things about the city and well, some things that aren’t. Watch these ladies battle it out.
Property Management Blog
Bad Credit? You are not alone.
System - Monday, March 9, 2015
According to this interesting article by Business Insider, 1 in every 5 Americans struggle with a poor credit rating. That is 20% of the country and a national epidemic! Now is a good a time as any to tackle the beast....fixing your credit. It may seem like a black hole of despair and dealing with creditors and the credit bureau can be a nightmare. However, there might be a little light at the end of the tunnel. New legislation has passed making credit bureaus more responsible for their reports and there are new breaks for people with medical debt! Check out this video on the topic.
Decorating a rental home
System - Wednesday, March 4, 2015
There are many advantages to renting a home vs buying a home these days (see this article), but one drawback for some people is the inability to customize your house to make it feel like home. Here are some tips for rentalfriendly decorating.
Rugs
Rugs can really add pop and color to any room. You can cover that carpet you aren’t so crazy about or that weird vinyl floor in the kitchen or bath. Like The Dude says, it can really tie the room together. Best thing? If you decide to move, you can take it with you.
Shower head
Replacing that boring shower head with a nice handheld shower sprayer is actually very easy to do and can really brighten your everyday routine! Be sure to keep the old shower head that way when you move, you can keep your new one!
Accent wall paint
Adding color to just a wall or two is a great way to add color and style to your home without the cost and time of painting the whole home. Plus, it is cheaper and easier! Choose a light to medium color that way it will be easier to paint it back to the original color if you move out. Make sure to check out your lease agreement or ask your landlord to avoid any fees upon moveout.
Accent walls (paintfree!)
Get a large canvas and paint it a bold color or make a cool abstract design to add color and character to your home. Another option is to get a large wallsized piece of fabric in a cool design and hang it on the wall. Its kind of like a wall tapestry, but not so stuffy (or as expensive). Try it behind the couch in the living room or behind the bed. It’s also great for kids to add some personality to their bedrooms.
Curtains
Curtains can really change the way a room looks and adds so much style for not a lot of money and of course, very portable.
Paint some furniture
You can pick up some cool cheap furniture at goodwill, thrift store, craigslist or even off the street if you feel adventurous. Just be wary of upholstered items as they can harbor unwanted  creepies like bedbugs and pet odors. Once you find a gem, grab some bright fun paint at a local hardware store and get all DIY.
Art
Hang pictures and art to make your home personal and spice up boring white walls.
Lamps
Adding new lighting to a home can change the whole vibe of the space. That drab booblight fixture will be less noticeable if the light source is from a few cool lamps instead. Vintage and thrift store are great places to get great deals on lamps. If you are handy or have an electrician friend, you could even change out the light fixture to really add some drama to the room. Just be sure to keep the old one and replace it upon moveout.
Spring is Coming!
System - Saturday, February 28, 2015
Everyone knows about spring cleaning, right? The weather is getting warmer and you are ready to get out of winter hibernation and energize your life. We at The Housing group love the feeling a clean organized home and spring is a great time to declutter and revamp your home. Having your have your home clean and organized can make you feel invigorated and ready to take on life’s many other challenges.
Clean your house fast!
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaningorganizing/fakeacleanhouse#slide9
31 lowcost organizing tips
http://www.realsimple.com/homeorganizing/organizing/smarthomeorganizingideas
Carbon Monoxide Safety
System - Monday, February 9, 2015
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body. It is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels.It can be emitted by combustion sources such as unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, furnaces, woodstoves, gas stoves, fireplaces and water heaters, automobile exhaust from attached garages, and tobacco smoke.
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning
● headache ● dizziness ● weakness ● confusion ● fatigue
How Do I Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
- Make sure chimneys, fireplaces and other areas are annually inspected and cleaned by a certified technician.
- Do not use ovens or gas ranges to heat your home.
- Never leave a lawn mower or car running in an enclosed space.
- Have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home. If the alarm goes off, check that it is the carbon monoxide monitor and check for poisoning symptoms. Clear out of area immediately if someone is experiencing symptoms and seek medical attention.
- If safe, thoroughly ventilate your home and call your gas company provider to report a leak.
Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows. Turn off combustion appliances and leave the house. Go to an emergency room. Be sure to tell the physician that you suspect CO poisoning.
Heat Pump or Gas Furnace?
System - Thursday, January 29, 2015
Heat Pump or Gas Furnace?
The south is a great place to live and one reason is our nice climate! Our winters are very mild and freezing temperatures are typically rare and do not last more than a few days. Because of this, many homes operate on a heat pump which is ideal for this type of climate. However, on those rare few days of cold weather, a heat pump may seem a bit lacking. In the long run, the system is very effective and efficient. Here are some pros and cons of a heat pump and a gas furnace...you be the judge.
Heat Pumpspros+cons
Heat Pump systems operate on electricity and are ideal for homes in moderate climates. The
pros and cons of this type of system include:
*Efficiency. Most electric heat pumps are significantly more energy efficient when compared to a gas operated furnace.
*Operating cost. In most areas, electricity rates are lower than natural gas, meaning that a heat pump system will cost less to operate than a gas fired furnace.
*Quietness. Hot air heat pumps do not make as much noise as a furnace.
*Effectiveness. In periods of extremely cold weather, a heat pump is not as effective at heating a home.
Gas Furnacepros+cons
Gas fired furnaces have been used for decades to warm homes. The advantages and
disadvantages of this type of home heating equipment include:
*Lifespan. A gas fired furnace usually has a longer lifespan than a heat pump.
*Less maintenance. Since a gas operated furnace is only used for a few months out of each year, the maintenance requirements are less than those for a heat pump.
*Dependability. A gas fired furnace has fewer mechanical parts than a heat pump, meaning fewer things that can break down or malfunction.
*Warmth. When cold weather strikes, a gas furnace will keep your home very warm.
How To Keep your pipes from freezing
System - Wednesday, January 14, 2015
We have some cold weather coming up and we want to make sure all our tenants stay warm and dry! Pipes can freeze and burst causing flooding and damage to the home and your belongings so here are some tips to keep those pipes running smoothly!
How To Keep your pipes from freezing
- Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
- Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you're leaving the house for an extended period of time.
- Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate.
- Identify the location of the main water valve and the valve on your water heater. (Learning the location of these valves may come in handy during an emergency.)
- Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape. This can prevent freezing, especially for interior pipes that run along outside walls.
- Close all windows near water pipes; cover or close openair vents. Freezing temperatures combined with wind drafts can cause pipes to freeze more frequently.
- Heat your basement and consider weather sealing your windows.
- If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, shut off water supply valves to your washing machine.
Here is a handy video about how to locate and shut off your main water supply in the event of a water leak emergency.