Sometimes There Really Is No Place Like Home
Posted: Wednesday, September 28, 2011
by Gerry Charbonneau
http://nibblednews.typepad.com
If you are an apartment dweller actively seeking a new place to live seriously consider embracing this one important concept that many real estate brokers always stress to their clients: location. The word has a wide range of meanings and in this context connotes a lot more than the obvious dictionary definition.
The term "location" includes the nearness of amenities, schools, parks and libraries. A western or southern exposure guarantees you a sunny but very warm suite in the summer.
Consider also bringing along a trusted friend, spouse or significant other to help you evaluate your new potential digs. The friend helps to distract the customer service representative. While they are busy chatting you are actively examining your future residence for flaws , discrepancies and other shortcomings beyond the cosmetic.
Ten years ago I moved into my current three bedroom apartment. The passage of time has been swift but the effects of time on the place has been thorough. The carpeting has gotten threadbare. The cabinets in the kitchen can use a new coat of paint.
The ceiling in the bathroom is developing its own strain of encroaching, unsightly green mold. This was caused by a non functioning bathroom exhaust fan not removing the excess moisture from the room. This situation was reported several times to the onsite management team.
The place is still attractive but would be a lot more so if the current management of the building would allocate the necessary funding to get the work completed. I have noticed over the past year that the work orders needed to get the job done have either been misplaced or been placed on the corporate back burners due to budgetary restraints.
I have begun actively searching for a new apartment. After searching the internet for suites in my immediate vicinity I discovered a few rental properties available for immediate viewing. I booked my appointments and was eager to view the suites. The online photos of the properties made the sites interesting. The onsite reality was far from pleasing.
The first apartment , described as a spacious three bedroom unit, was nothing more than a glorified prison cell. It was a concrete re-enforced unit with a specially constructed noise suppression ceiling. The noise dampening material resembled the old fashioned cardboard egg crate and was installed in every room of the unit.
The windows were placed high about the apartment and the only view outside faced towards a concrete enclosed patio. The carpeting and the linoleum were recently replaced but the exterior of the building was in dire need of repair. This was not the suite for me.
The next apartment , a two bedroom walk up, boasted an open air concept. It was a third floor suite with new carpeting, spacious storage areas and a more than adequate outdoor balcony. It was a well constructed suite.
The entrance to the building was the problem in this scenario. The steps leading up to the suite prohibited prospective tenants from bringing large pieces of furniture to the suite. The stairwell was winding, twisted and difficult to negotiate. This type of suite would qualify as an ideal residence for either students or younger couples with a minimun of possessions.
These units I inspected offered only one bathroom. I find this puzzling. There are two bedroom units offering one and one half baths. My current suite offers me the luxury of one and a half baths. But, I would be willing to trade down to a two bedroom suite with less bathroom capacity if the amenities were appealling.
Sometimes it seems architects get caught up in their own egos and create residences that are more like pigeon coops than suites for human beings. Bathroom accomodations ought to be more suitable to the needs of tenants. Concrete bunkers and noise suppression add ons would appear to a lot more suitable near missle launching hangers and not in metropolitan centers.
After having viewed a fair number of similar rental units I decided to approach my current landlord and once again request that a number of upgrades and modifications be made to my suite. By being both persistent and a long time tenant in good standing I am hoping that my landlord management team will approve the much needed work needed to upgrade my residence. I know when I have it good. I just want to make what I have even better for me.
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