RISMEDIA, March 17, 2011—(MCT)—So you’re a renter and you want to green your space, but your landlord won’t splurge on solar panels. Don’t fret. There are plenty of low-cost ways for apartment dwellers to be eco-friendly.
You can be a green tenant by unplugging appliances or using chemical-free products. It’s as easy as fixing leaky faucets or installing window treatments to conserve heat in the winter and to keep your place cool in the summer without cranking up the air conditioning.
Keep in mind, living in a Midtown Atlanta Condominium is very much like living in an apartment, so, many of these tips apply as well. We don’t often think of what we are doing to the world for future generations with garbage and all….and this article certainly makes you think about what part you can play! Working together to keep your Midtown Atlanta Condo green is a great thing to do!
Condo Living – New York Times is a great article about condo living in various cities in the U.S. It talks about the various reasons why people buy condos, and what they like about urban living.
The vibrancy of city living — culture, shopping and the finest restaurants — appeals to a broad spectrum of second-home buyers, including aging boomers looking for a getaway and globetrotting jet setters beefing up their portfolios.
Midtown Atlanta
Many of those buying in metropolitan areas may already have a second home or even a third, but their collections are simply not complete without a pied-à-terre in an energetic urban locale. According to the National Association of Realtors, 40 percent of all home sales in 2005 were second homes. And a third of those were in urban areas.
While many American cities offer that type of living and urban amenities, the hottest (and some would argue most prestigious) markets are found in Manhattan, Miami, Las Vegas and San Francisco.
The typical buyer in these cities may be a wealthy executive who counts a city condo as one of many secondary homes that he cycles through over the course of the year, or a baby boomer in her 40’s or 50’s.
So, you’ve decided to move! Great! Congratulations! But as you look for that new place, don’t forget about that all important part of your family…..your PET! For many of us, they are not pets, they ARE members of our family!
This is Nero who unfortunately left us on January 19, 2007. But he was a very important part of our life. Such that, we delayed moving into our new condo for 7 months because of him. (Who do you think ruled THAT house?) Our situation was different…he was going blind, and could not tell the difference between the door of a condo and a door in the house…so he thought he was locked in a room! And so went the howling! So we could not move until he was no longer with us….he just did not understand the difference between a house and a condo.
As you make a move, be it from house to condo, condo to house or a different combination, there are factors you need to consider. Failing to do your research could leave you in a situation like ours, but not as easy to resolve. (We just kept the house!) As sad as it seems to us, pets are not welcome everywhere! But many communities (condo, townhouse or single-family) are realizing they need to consider the four-legged members of the family! And wisely so! According to the 2007-08 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, the number of U.S. households with pets grew from 56 percent in 1998 to 63 percent! That’s a whapping 71.1 million homes!
What ever your reason for a pet, most people have a dog for the companionship they provide. (I use to drive in my driveway and the noise coming from my front door, followed by the wagging tail, jumping, etc was the most welcomed sight of the day!) But when it comes time to take care of them, from walking to grooming and having “friends,” not all places are created equal. But times are changing.
When visiting communities, you and your agent should ask about pet policies. And here are some questions to consider.
1) Are pets even allowed?
While more important to ask in a market like Midtown Alanta with our condos and high rises, even in single-family home communities, there could be limits on breeds or numbers of pets. Some breeds, such as Pit Bulls, or Doberman Pinschers may not be allowed. Many condominium developments limit you to 2 pets.
2) What are the neighborhood, county or city rules and regulations?
What if Fido is use to running in your back yard, and now has to be walked on a leash? Might be an issue in teaching an “old dog a new trick!” For example, Nero always got walked on a leash, but he did not “play well with others.” Could be an issue when riding the elevator! Find out if the community has any special areas where you can walk your dog. Ask if there is any sort of dog walking group you can join…a great way to meet your neighbors! For us city dwellers, check for “dog stations” where you can pick up doggie waste bags, as well as a place to dispose of them.
3) Does your Pet fit with your new home?
Like I mentioned at the beginning, Nero did not understand the difference between being locked in a room in our house, or the front door of our condo! Greyhounds, because of their low body fat and bones, don’t really like to lay on concrete or hardwood floors! Do you have room for a nice bed for him/her? How about rugs? Is it a single story, or a townhouse? Some dogs, such as Dachshunds do not do well with stairs! And imagine a St. Bernard in a 800 sq. ft condo with two people? Hmmmmm……
4) Fences?
Certainly NOT a concern in a high-rise, but if you buy a home, again, you want to check those covenants. Some new communities are now going with only invisible fencing! Again, could be another “new trick” that your dog may not adjust to!
We love our pets! So as we look for our new home, remember…it will be THEIR new home as well!
If you have a four-legged member of YOUR family, I can relate! And can help you find just the right home for both of you!
RISMEDIA, March 17, 2011—(MCT)—So you’re a renter and you want to green your space, but your landlord won’t splurge on solar panels. Don’t fret. There are plenty of low-cost ways for apartment dwellers to be eco-friendly.
So, you’ve decided to move! Great! Congratulations! But as you look for that new place, don’t forget about that all important part of your family…..your PET! For many of us, they are not pets, they ARE members of our family!
