Auston Woods Apartment Homes Blog

Many people are told when they are younger that renting is only for college graduates or people who cannot afford to buy.  Many parents hammer these ideas into their children and tell them that renting is equivalent to throwing money away every month.  Fortunately, today people are beginning to finally think for themselves and challenge these ideas.  Here are 4 reasons to pat yourself on the back for deciding to rent an apartment in Charlotte, NC home at an HHHunt Community!
 
1.  Renting can save money

At the very minimum you’ll be shelling out PITI for your home. That is:

1. Principal
2. Interest
3. Tax
4. Insurance

The PITI doesn’t include property maintenance like maintaining the yard, paint, plumbing, repairs, decorating, etc… When you rent an apartment in Charlotte at an HHHunt community, the monthly payment is almost always quite a bit less than the PITI in your area and there are no maintenance expenses!

2. Homeowners’ tax deductions are overstated

According to research quoted by MSN, “… half of homeowners don’t get a break, because even with mortgage interest and property taxes, their total deductions do not exceed the standard federal tax deduction ($11,900 for couples and $5,450 for singles)”.

For these folks, it’s like spending $100 to save $20. They’re better off saving the difference and investing it.   Even if there is a “break” on your taxes, you typically had to spend more than you would have spent to rent to get back that $20 for every $100 spent in interest payments.

3. Renting gives you flexibility

For the up and coming young professional, you’re better off renting and saving for a few years than to buy a small condo. Who knows how fast you will outgrow it?  When you own a home, you can’t always sell it when you need to sell it at the price you want to sell it for in order to accept a new employment opportunity.  If you have owned a home and don’t want the constant maintenance responsibility, renting gives you the opportunity to enjoy your weekends instead of completing that “to do” list.

4.  Our superb service teams!

Most apartment communities offer 24 hour emergency maintenance and technicians who are skilled in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical.  At an HHHunt Community, our service teams take great pride in offering prompt and professional service to you.  Whether you need a light bulb changed or a new compressor for your AC unit, we are there to take care of you as fast and efficient as possible.  We are always a phone call or email away and most service requests are performed on the same day or within 24 hours!

There was a time, not so long ago, when college graduates dreamed of a mortgage. Remember when “cocooning” was all the rage?

With an uncertain economy, the rise of social networks that redefine “community,” and more people moving to take jobs where they can find them, renting rules the Millenial generation. The new dream is a no-frills apartment in one of the new “destination living” communities, lush with multiple swimming pools, state-of-the-art fitness centers, volleyball courts and all kinds of apartment amenities.

For the first time since owning has lost its luster for the young. Since 2008, the percentage of young people who think that owning a home “is always better than renting” has fallen.

Renting an apartment in Charlotte  has acquired a sort of cool respectability. Empty nesters got the same religion a couple of decades ago, when they began cashing out of their high-maintenance houses.
 
Some of the forces driving the change are cultural. “People are getting married so much later,” says Lucy Crow Billingsly, a Dallas builder. “They travel light longer.”

“It’s sort of urban and sort of suburban at the same time,” says Keri Walsh, a 28-year-old teacher who’s lived in a one-bedroom with her beagle for four years.

The young also gravitate to renting because mortgages are hard to come by and foreclosures blemish the landscape. No one wants to get stuck with a house or condo they can’t sell when there’s a job offer 2,000 miles away. Walsh says she thought of buying a townhouse condo, but then looked at the resale numbers. “There’s no stigma to renting anymore, and there’s just so much to keep you interested and busy in an apartment community” she says.

For more information on a one, two or three bedroom apartment in Roanoke, contact Pebble Creek Apartments.

Original article The Daily Beast

Charlotte boasts beautiful weather as well as local events and happenings throughout the year. If you are looking for an apartment in Charlotte, NC be sure to visit us at Auston Woods.

Our unique apartment homes combine convenience, comfort, and technology for today’s lifestyle. We have beautiful one, two, and three bedroom apartments that are designed to optimize the way you live, work, and play.

At Auston Woods Apartment Homes each apartment features unique details.  Our one, two and three bedroom apartment floor plans are beautifully finished.

As a resident of Auston Woods, along with beautiful apartment amenities, you will have a Cyber café with a coffee bar, two cutting edge fitness centers with advanced cardio machines, two executive style business centers with separate conference facilities, and two resort-style swimming pools that include wireless internet, grilling stations, lounge seating and expansive sun decks.

Charlotte offers many diverse neighborhoods and Northeast Charlotte is second to none. With its proximity to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, UNC Charlotte, Carowinds and the Lowe's Motor Speedway, Auston Woods is THE place to be! Contact us.

Who hasn’t heard of the tv show, "The Biggest Loser?” Of all the reality shows this one is up there on top, challenging and encouraging overweight contestants to lose weight in a safe manner through comprehensive diet and exercise.

Well, this popular NBC show will be in Charlotte on Aug. 6 holding casting calls as part of a 13-city cross-country search to find new contestants.

Casting producers will be at the Planet Fitness at 10215-B University City Blvd. in Charlotte that Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Individuals and teams of two, at least 18 years old, and who have at least 85 pounds to lose are encouraged to apply for the new season that will begin airing in January, 2012. You’ll be competing for a grand prize of $250,000.

So if you are done with talking about losing weight to others in your apartment in Charlotte, NC, your opportunity to lose that weight for real is here! Grab one of your friends or neighbors in your apartment community and head on down to the casting call.

The show provides the contestants with challenges, temptations, weigh-ins and eliminations until the final contestant remains to claim the title of "the biggest loser."  Season 12 will have contestants work out under the supervision of Bob Harper, Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quince.

Good luck and make everyone in Charlotte and Auston Woods proud!

Charlotte is one of the top 10 fastest growing cities in the country with new residents coming to town daily. At Auston Woods, we’d love to help you get settled into this sprawling, growing area.

There are many options when it comes to finding a home too. From apartments in Charlotte, NC to old historic homes, there is something for everyone. With the many career opportunities this growing city offers, many people continue to move to Charlotte. There is much to see and do, and exciting night-life, and so far, the city has remained affordable.

If you are just moving to Charlotte and you don’t know too much about the area, it might be smart to consider renting. With a ready-made community, fitness and pool facilities on-site to assist you in making friends, an apartment community might be just what you need to quickly make Charlotte your home.

Tornadoes are very quick and usually come without much notice, having your plan in place will protect you and the items in your apartment. First and foremost, once you hear that there is a possible tornado near your apartment, or that the conditions are right for a tornado, head to shelter immediately.

If you live in an apartment that is on an upper floor, get to the lowest possible level of the building immediately. This could be an underground parking garage, a community room, or a neighbor’s first floor apartment. If you live in a high-rise apartment building, you may not have enough time to get to a lower level, so picking a place in the hallway in the center of your building is the best idea. If you are in your apartment during a tornado, a closet, bathroom or interior hall without windows is the safest spot to be.

Also ask your apartment leasing manager if there are any storm shelters in your apartment community.

Tornado Safety: Other Apartment Safety Tips

Once you have relocated to a safe place, lie down on the floor and cover yourself up with pillows, blankets and even mattresses for protection from falling objects and debris. If your apartment’s safe place has a heavy piece of furniture, such as a large table, get under that for extra protection. Wearing a bike helmet or other helmet will help protect your head from injuries caused by flying debris.

It is also a great idea to keep an evacuation kit handy. This kit should include a portable radio, flashlight with extra batteries, credit card and cash, first aid kit, spare set of keys, personal identification and anything else of importance or value to you. Having all of this together near your apartment safe place or near your door will save you time and worry during a tornado threat.

Tornado Safety: After the Tornado
If a tornado does come near your apartment, please use extreme caution when exiting your home. Watch out for fallen utility lines and tree limbs that may not have fallen yet. Make sure that everyone is alright and provide assistance to your neighbors that may need attention. Finally, remember to take pictures of your property damage for an insurance claim, if necessary.

Apartments.com is searching for America's BEST roommate. Right now they are holding the 3rd annual Roommate of the Year Contest. Guess what the lucky winner will receive? The outstanding roommate will be the winner of FREE Rent for a Year plus $10,000 cash.

Could the next Roommate of the Year be living at Auston Woods? We think so because the best apartment home communities have the best residents! But, you only have until June 13, 2011 to submit your video entry to www.RoommateOfTheYear.com for a shot at living rent free! For the third year, Apartments.com is searching for acts of roommate excellence. Submit a video of 2 minutes or less, illustrating what makes you America's most desirable roommate and you could walk away with FREE Rent for a Year, $10,000 in cold, hard cash, a year membership to FreeCreditScore.com and the coveted title of Roommate of the Year.

Calling all Auston Woods residents! To register, visit www.RoommateOfTheYear.com for full details on the Contest and to view previous Hall of Fame entries for inspiration like the one below from 2010 !

A good apartment home staff can make the difference between an ordinary rental and a dream home. A very crucial part of the apartment-finding process is talking with the manager and office staff about the property. Most people don't realize what the manager does within an apartment home community.

A good manager and staff is one who has their resident's well-being and comfort in mind. When renting and you have a maintenance task; a stopped up toilet, a leaking sink, or your carpet needs to be re-stretched, the apartment home manager has to take care of it.
 
Before you commit to a place, talk with the on-site manager at Auston Wood Apartments and ask us some questions about our maintenance.

Ask questions and, when you tour Auston Woods, be sure to look over the general cleanliness. With our 9 foot ceilings, crown molding and various homes with sun rooms, we know you will love the floor plans, the property and the neighborhood. We are very proud of our exceptional customer service, and inviting lush landscape.
 
When you decide to live in an apartment home in the desired Charlotte area you need to know you've made the right choice about your living space. You need to know your interests are taken care of; that you won't be left stranded should there be a problem in your building or in the complex. When you find this type of satisfaction you will feel confident in making a lasting commitment and a pleasurable rental experience.

Finding your new apartment is just the first step in creating your home. Decorating makes your apartment feel like a home. It is important to create a space to come home to after a long day at work. It’s a good idea to start with a focal point for each room like a piece of furniture that can multitask. For example, in your living room, use a chest which could be used for storage and as a coffee table. Pick a piece of furniture you love or a color palette that feels inviting, and the rest will begin to fall into place. You can find affordable furniture at a number of stores as well as by asking around your new apartment community.

Once you've got the furniture in, it is time to make the space feel comfortable. There are several things you can do to warm up the space. Pay extra attention to lighting, which can make a room feel larger and increase the ambiance. You can use both natural and artificial light to make your apartment feel big and bright. Along with windows for natural light, lamps and ceiling lights can bring the effect you are looking for to your apartment.

Along with light, think about color selection as well. Use a fun and interesting color on the wall which will accent the quality craftsmanship, crown molding, or cathedral ceilings. Lighter colors on the walls and white ceilings with a darker floor, carpet, or throw rug will make the room look and feel larger and taller. For bright colors, you can use toss pillows with exciting and bold colors.

Accessorize your space with mirrors, plants, vertical pieces and lamps in vertical shape. Also, be sure to keep your eyes open at flea markets and garage sales for interesting items with character. If you keep the color, texture, and feel consistent in the items you buy, they're sure to look great in a room together. Greenery is a simple and inexpensive item that can enhance any room. Plants not only help to clean the air, they give your new place a splash of color and life. Enjoy your new apartment home.
 

The Charlotte North Carolina area has a lot to offer.   Whether you want exciting city life or the quiet country living, Charlotte has something for everyone. Charlotte's population has been growing anywhere from 5% to 10% the past few years, and shows no signs of slowing down. Charlotte has also been voted one of the ten best places to live. The city has many different neighborhoods, and there is no shortage of great food and fun night life. If you are relocating to Charlotte, you couldn’t have found a better place to live.

10 Reasons to live in Charlotte North Carolina:

1. It is a perfect destination. The Appalachian Mountains are only a two hour drive to the west and the sun filled beaches are only three hours to the east.
2. Charlotte N.C. was selected as one of the "10 Best Places to Live" by Money Magazine.
3. "Best Cities For Black Families", the city ranked #4 of 20. Bet.com compiled data on African Americans in the cities with the largest Black Populations.
4. Second largest center of financial transaction in the United States.
5. Some of the best known fortune 500 companies are located in Charlotte.
6. There are very good schools in and around Charlotte.
7. The cost of living in Charlotte is relatively low compared to the national average.
8. The weather is mild in the winter and warm in the summer.
9. There are numerous Pro Sports teams: Carolina Pathers, Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Sting, Charlotte Checkers, and of course, it is the home of NASCAR's Lowes Motor Speedway.
10. Last year, the city created 12,000 new jobs.