Generation Rent. The term has become more and more prominent throughout the real estate industry, and the reason is because the term can be applied to more and more of today’s twenty-something’s who are just not ready to settle down. We see it to some degree in communities all across the country – the younger generation seems to be sticking to renting instead of even considering purchasing a home of their own.

Taking a closer look at the circumstances, we’re able to understand why many young people are falling into the generation rent realm. For starters, the job market and economy is a huge factor in the inability to consider buying a home – more and more college graduates are unable to find a job that would grant them the freedom to put a down payment on a house.

Another huge factor is the mentality of young Americans today. The American dream is no longer the same as it used to be. Young adults are found dreaming less about a white picket fence around their pristine home for them and their family, and lean more towards an apartment with less long term commitment, less travel time to work, and a more flexible lifestyle.

And more importantly, renter cities are popping up all over the place. Instead of having to go into the major cities to find something worth your time to rent, people are now able to find apartment communities and cheap house rentals in most cities regardless of size. The option to rent is everywhere, and the younger generation is seizing the opportunity.

The real estate industry has a lot to say on the topic. But I agree with one Multifamily Executive article  which states “’The notion that the next generation won’t buy a home is not realistic, Nadji says. ‘At some point, rents will go up, and home prices will stay down, and [that] should compel home buying by 2014.’” This generation will eventually take a turn towards settling down, it just may be later than we’ve typically expected from previous generations. For now, apartment communities and landlords alike should enjoy the increase in rentals while it lasts!

Interested in getting your own apartment today? Check Out Some of Aspen’s Properties:

College Station Apartments

Jacksonville Apartments

Orlando Apartments

Austin Apartments

Carrboro Apartments

On Thursday, October 27^th, the fabulous Landing on 6^th apartment community will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 pm. This ceremony will be in honor of new management and new improvements that have been made to the property, along with the additions if incredible amenities. Since the property was purchased by Aspen Square Management in February, we have been working diligently to create an incredible, interactive, and comfortable community for our residents, and this Ribbon Ceremony is sure to be a hit!

Property managers will be serving light appetizers for guests, but that’s not nearly all! Tours will be made all day to showcase the landscape and the units, so you can get a first-hand look at all of the renovations, and on top of that, they will have a $300 move in special going on for one day only!

So please be sure to join the friendly and welcoming staff at The Landing on 6^th and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce on October 27^th at 4:30 for this amazing ceremony!

California seems to be the state with green living in mind, and the California Governor is inspiring even more awareness and action. A few short weeks ago, California passed a law which requires owners of multifamily housing with five or more apartments to provide recycling services to tenants. This will take effect in 2012, and based on the size of the community there must be recycling receptacles that have been reviewed and approved as meeting the correct standards. No longer will renters have to bring their recyclables across town to the nearest recycling station, or feel defeated enough to throw recyclables away. Though the availability of recycling stations isn’t always the problem – sometimes people just aren’t encouraged to recycle. Here are some great ways to promote your properties recycling stations and get residents into the habit of going green!

First, make sure recycling stations are visible, easy to access, and labeled properly. Sometimes properties will tuck their bins in a hidden area, and residents aren’t sure about the location, or if bins even exist on the property at all! If the residents can clearly see the bins, it’ll hopefully trigger a few more people to start separating their own trash.

Next, make sure you keep up the appearances of the station. No one wants to contribute to an overflowing bin, or put up with a terrible odor while separating plastics from glass! Make sure the area is clean and green, and keep up with new labels when necessary!

Be sure to promote recycling and green living to new residents, and include recycling information in  move in packets. Also, promote clean and green living via social media outlets, like your property’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Set an example! Have recycling bins in the office and have property managers and employees use them! The best way to lead is by example, and if your residents see you engaging in a green lifestyle and see how easy it is they will be more likely to follow suit.

Don’t let California get too ahead of the game! Just because it may not be a law in your state, make sure you’re promoting green living at all of your properties! Hopefully, other states will follow suit and use the great example that California is setting to their advantage.

Interested in an apartment in California? Be sure to check out our California apartments, as well as our other fantastic Aspen Square apartments Nationwide!

College Station Apartments

Jacksonville Apartments

Orlando Apartments

Austin Apartments

Carrboro Apartments

With the cooler Fall weather sweeping through those northern states, the fear of winter is already starting to hit. If you have distaste for frost-covered ground and shoveling snow, you might find yourself dreaming of a down south getaway to escape the impending cold. This week’s Community Spotlight takes a look at an up-and-coming relaxation hot spot that is still a pretty hidden gem – Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The gorgeous white sand and sparkling, warm waters will make anyone feel relaxed! Gulf Shores is located right on the Gulf Coast and has incredible beaches, golf courses, shopping, and more. With the vacation atmosphere you’ve been looking for, Gulf Shores is the perfect place to go to for resort style relaxation at a much more practical cost. Here’s a look at some of the must-see spots in Gulf Shores, AL.

Gulf State Park – For the person who wants nothing more than to relax on a beach day. This peaceful place is not crowded and has tons of room to spread out, so bring the whole family! Be sure to visit the pavilion and snack bar as well. Or if you are looking for more action out of your day, check out the nearby Lake Shelby Recreation Area and pay a small fee for waterskiing, boating, and more!

Kiva Dunes Golf Course – Rated the #1 Golf Course in Alabama, this incredible place offers a village of its own to those who play. With amazing accommodations to go along with this phenomenal, winding course, you can even get golf lessons, shop, dine, relax on Keva Beach, and more! You’ll never want to leave Kiva Dunes once you enter!

Gulf Shores Museum – This museum is set in a quaint cottage and offers constantly changing, engaging exhibits. Learn more about Gulf Shores at this free to the public museum.

Historic Fort Morgan – Active during 4 wars in its time, this massive fort now features an active living history program that interprets all the military periods and holds an annual event commemorating the Battle of Mobile Bay. With an incredible background and breath taking architecture, you won’t want to miss out on this bit of history.

Gulf Shores is definitely the hidden gem of the south. If you’re looking to take advantage of the sunshine and sandy beaches, check out our Gulf Shores apartments  today!

With rough weather hitting us over on the East Coast in abundance lately, the thought of renters insurance has been on the mind of many tenants throughout many different states. With the potential damages that properties will sustain at a seemingly higher risk these days, the concern of your personal property is becoming more and more valid. Renters insurance, although pretty readily available, is not as commonly known about and taken advantage of as other types of insurance. So here are some need-to-know facts about renters insurance so you can start deciding if you want to jump on the bandwagon and start protecting your property!

First off, you should be aware of what renters insurance covers. This will vary state by state, and by policy. Renter’s insurance policies take into consideration what you are at “high risk” for based on your location, and the coverage and plan stems from there. Of course, if you aren’t located in Tornado Alley you can still get coverage for tornados, just be sure you consider what is necessary versus the cost.

Make sure you figure out what you’re property manager or landlord has included in the terms of the lease. “A "tenant homeowner policy" or renter’s policy covers personal belongings that  may be damaged from the storm by wind. Damage from flooding may be covered under some renters policies, although most require separate policies be purchased from the NFIP. Damage unrelated to your personal possessions, such as part of the apartment’s structure like walls and floors, is covered under the policy of the building owner.” – Surveying The Damage: What Is Covered By Insurance?

Learn all the ins and outs of the policy you choose, just like any insurance plan. Be aware of the rates and the deductibles, and be sure you can afford the policy. “Often times properties have been able to reduce the costs of property insurance coverage by raising deductibles. In addition, mandatory liability coverage has been seen to reduce claims and losses at properties and this improved loss ratio has also led to lower insurance costs. Some carriers may also offer a substantial discount on premiums when a property implements a mandatory program.” – Benefits of a Mandatory Renters Insurance Program

Think a renter’s insurance policy is right for you? Get in touch with a few local insurance agencies and explore your options before making any decisions. You can never ask too many questions when it comes to finding the policy and insurance company that’s right for you. Learn from our tips and find the prefect renters insurance so you can be prepared for anything!

Interested in getting your own apartment today? Check Out Some of Aspen’s Properties:

College Station Apartments

Jacksonville Apartments

Orlando Apartments

Austin Apartments

Carrboro Apartments

Apartment Talk wanted to share some sun with our readers, as this week’s Community Spotlight is Largo, Florida. Largo is located in Pinellas County along the Gulf Coast of West Central Florida, surrounded by gorgeous beaches, luxurious resorts, and incredible landscape.

This vibrant community has a lot to offer both visitors and residents alike. From amazing sights and attractions to incredible real estate and job opportunity, Largo has whatever you may be looking for.

City Highlights:

Florida Botanical Gardens – Come be surrounded by vibrant colors and incredible smells that you’ve never experienced before! The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo promotes  environmentally friendly living while showcasing amazing flowers for anyone looking for a serene and scenic place to relax.

Pinellas Trail – The Pinellas Trail is a recreational trail along the abandoned railroad corridor for jogging, walking, skating or biking. Simple but gorgeous, this scenic trail is a great way to spend a day in need of some fresh air and sunshine.

Lowry Park Zoo – Not actually in Largo, but more than worth the short drive! Lowry Park Zoo have been rated the #1 zoo in the US by Parents Magazine and any visitor can see why. With a huge variety of animals and attractions as well as events and educational camps, you’re never going to want to leave your new furry friends at Lowry Park!

Largo Central Railroad – With about 1.2 miles of main line track, the Largo Central Railroad offers fun and exciting train rides through Largo Central Park. If you’re looking for a unique way to experience the park, this is definitely the way to go!

With something for everyone, Largo has plenty of attractions for the active traveler, as well as relaxing beaches and parks for someone who just wants to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Interested in staying long term? Check out our Largo Apartments for some of the best rentals in the area!

This week’s Community Spotlight brings us to the west coast. Apartment Talk wanted to feature a community that has something for everyone, but isn’t as well known as some of the more prominent cities in the area, which is why we chose La Quinta, California.

La Quinta is located in Coachella Valley, between Indian Wells and Indio. Nicknamed ‘The Gem of The Desert”, La Quinta brings together all the aspects of California resort style life all in one place. With bike trails, parks and mountains that will take your breath away, La Quinta holds onto its natural beauty and charm while still providing an incredible getaway for tourists, and a serene home for residents.

City Highlights:

 SilverRock Resort- An Arnold Palmer Classic Course ad the current site of the Bob Hope Classic, this challenging golf course is sure to test your skills. Sprawling over 200 acres of gorgeous landscape, this course is incredibly popular among golfing tourists. After your golf game, be sure to check it out along with its incredible clubhouse, practice center, stores, hotels, convention center, and more! 

Bear Creek Trail- Offering incredible views in every direction, on a clear day you can see most of Coackell Valley. Get away from the busy city below you and hike up this easy to follow trail. Although it gets a bit strenuous is you try to follow it through to the end, its great for the more experienced hiker. Take a break form lunch and take your time enjoying the gorgeous landscape. Don’t forget to take water with you!

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountains- breathtakingly picturesque, these incredible mountains are national monuments, with trails for every hikers skill level. Enjoy the scenery, the wildlife, and the view!

La Quinta Museum – With incredible new exhibits constantly being featured, the La Quinta Museum offers visitors a wealth of knowledge and a whole lot of fun at an affordable price. Also, be sure to check out their featured concerts and speakers!

  So whether you’re in town for a vacation or relocating permanently to La Quinta, be sure to check out these city highlights for an incredible time in this gorgeous city, and check out our La Quinta Apartments for incredible living in the area!

We all know someone who though they were an all star tenant throughout the entirety of their lease, but still didn’t get their security deposit back upon moving out. Rather than blaming the ‘perfectionist’ property manager or claiming it was in that condition when you moved it, why not follow these simple tips to ensure that you get your security deposit back without a struggle.

-Read the lease carefully

Pay attention to what damages you will have to pay for, what condition you are responsible for keeping the apartment in, etc. Make sure you know the landlords particular policy on damages very thoroughly.

-Take your initial walk-through seriously

When walking through the apartment for the first time, pay attention to every flaw that currently exists in the unit. Take your time filling out the checklist provided, or if there is not one provided, make a list denoting what problems existed upon your moving in. Also take pictures to document any leaks, stains, chipped tiles, etc.

-Maintain

Address any developing problems as soon as they develop, to maintain the condition of the apartment. Any damages from normal wear and tear should be reported to the property manager or landlord as soon as they occur, so they can be fixed.

-Clean up after yourself

Clean up any pet messes right away, get to stains before they set, and fix any damages caused by you or guests. Don’t let small problems go for to long, because they will just get worse.

-Pay for smaller repairs on your own

Broken blinds? Replace them yourself. If getting your security deposit back is greater than the cost of a simple repair, make the effort and fix the damage, and get your money back.

-Monitor your move out

Moving out can cause more damage that you may not notice. Pay attention to nicks and dings in the walls from moving furniture, scrapes on the floor, etc.

-Do a thorough final walk-through

Compare the current condition to the condition in your initial photographs. Once satisfied, walk through with the landlord or property manager and see if they have and discrepancies or  problems with the condition, and do this prior to moving out fully, so that you can fix any problems the landlord might find. Document (preferably on paper) that you and your landlord did this walkthrough, the problems that they found, and what you did to fix them.

-Follow up

If you still have not received your deposit back, follow up (politely) with the landlord or property manager, and go over any reasoning they may have for not giving your deposit back, or for keeping a portion of the deposit. Keep an eye out for anything that redundant, or for anything that you already fixed and the landlord already approved. If you’ve documented enough up to this point, any discrepancies should be resolved smoothly enough.

Follow these tips throughout the terms of your lease and you’re more than likely to get your security deposit back when you move out!

So often magazines writers, whether in print or online, compile lists of the top places to live for various reasons and standards. While each list is valid in its own right, we believe that the standards and information used for determining these are not always for everyone, so Aspen Square would like to start recognizing some notable communities that have a lot to offer potential residents. This week, we would like to acknowledge Rosenberg, Texas.

Texas is a state filled with variety and flavor, from booming, youthful cities such as Austin, to vast, quiet towns where everyone knows each others names. While each has its own ups and downs, if you’re looking for a city that has both the hustle and bustle with the small town atmosphere, Rosenberg is the perfect blend.

Rosenberg, TX is a city as rich in charm as it is in culture. The charm stems from the cities deep connection to its historical background and its incredibly convenient location, just a short drive to Houston and other major cities, but far enough away to offer the peace and quiet we all desire.

City Highlights:

-Historic Downtown District – from boutiques and antique shops to spas, restaurants, and more, you’ll always be surprised by what you find upon traveling through this district. And be sure to check out the official calendar of events for downtown Rosenberg, because there is almost always something fun and exciting going on, weather permitting of course!

-Rosenberg Railroad Museum – Built by the community for the community, this project took many  years and the efforts of the entire town to pull off, but once it all came together, the final product was more than worth it. Open since 2002, this museum shows the incredible historic journey of Rosenberg and Fort Bend County detailing the ins and outs of the great rails.

-Cast Theatrical Company – The best place to get your theater fix! A small and intimate theater filled with incredible talent, amazing shows, and we crafted stories. All of this and easy on your wallet, these shows are a must see.

So if you’re looking to relocate to a city with the perfect blend of city action and peace when you need it, give Rosenberg Texas a try! And be sure to check out our apartments in Rosenberg!

When searching though the internet with a specific goal in mind, the whole process can seem so overwhelming. With an ever expanding amount of web pages and information, it can sometimes be extremely difficult to find the information you’re looking for. That’s why aggregators were created, to gather similar information for you and narrow the amount of places you have to look. In real estate, we have ILS’s or MLS’s (Internet Listing Services or Multiple Listing Services) which are sites that post housing options gathered from several different sources. These third party sources often bring in better prospects than other advertising source because they offer exactly what the prospect is looking for, and they can compare it to other options all in one page rather than visiting 50 different sites.

While it’s hard to keep up with every single site that claims to provide you with amazing prospects, it is definitely important to list your communities on as many of the top ILS’s as possible. (View a list of the most popular real estate third party sites compiled by Inman here!) While doing so can seem like a daunting, horrendous task, I promise it will be worth it. Here are some best practices to go by when adding your property to an ILS.

1. Choose You MLS Wisely

There are an uncountable number of sites that claim to offer the most exposure to the best prospects at unbeatable prices, but don’t be fooled. Research an MLS before you sign up with them! This is so important. Be aware of the attention that page gets, the audience and demographic that page caters too, and the relevance to your property. Also, be aware of your budget here. Make sure that you’ll get a proper return and that it’s worth what you are paying. Do a Search Engine Analysis and see what pages come up in searches relevant to you and your property and your competitors - these prominent sites are ones you should definitely be a part of.

2. Know Your Layout

Be aware of what information goes where and what people will be looking at first. This is especially relevant with pictures. Choose your best to be in the most prominent spot. Be aware of thumbnails – does the site allow for pictures to enlarge or do they stay small? Be aware of what looks best.

3. Less Is NOT More

More is more! The prospect wants to have all your information readily available to them. Don’t try and lure them to your site with “more information can be found at such-and-such page!” Give them all the information they could be looking for, and be sure your contact information is prominent.

4. Stay Current

If there isn’t an auto updating system available, be sure to keep track of which sites you are listed on, and keep each listing current, with the most up to day prices, floorplans, availability, and contact information.

5. Use The Tools Given To You

If there is a flash feature on the MLS that you don’t have on your site, use it to its fullest! Be aware of any auto-updating features as well, as this will lighten the amount of updates you have to do in the future.

Monitor your MLS’s closely and make sure they are giving you the best traffic to your property, and if not, feel free to cut ties with that site and try another! Formulate a Cost Benefit Analysis to make sire the amount of leases you are getting through that MLS  is worth what you are paying, or switch to an MLS that offers a Pay Per Lease plan. It is very important to monitor leases to ensure you are getting the best return for your investment. Just be sure to follow Aspen Square’s MLS Best Practices and you should see great results!

Interested in getting your own apartment today? Check Out Some of Aspen’s Properties:

College Station Apartments

Jacksonville Apartments

Orlando Apartments

Austin Apartments

Carrboro Apartments