Tag: tips
Tips for Moving with Pets
Tips for Moving with Pets
Moving can be a stressful time for everyone involved. There are a lot of changes that happen when you move, so make sure that you are making the transition as smooth as possible for your furry friends with these 5 tips!
1. Understand the Pet Policy
At Prairie Property Management we are happy to offer over 30 different properties that are pet friendly. Let your agent know before you sign your lease what type of pet you have and how many you will be bringing with you. Some properties have weight and breed restrictions and knowing these before you move will help to ensure a seamless transition into your new home.
2. Talk to your Vet
If you are making a long-distance move, it is important that you find a new vet clinic that is nearby your house or apartment. If you are unsure of what clinic might be close by, ask your leasing agent for help locating one. Before making the trip, have your pet’s medical records on hand so you can give these documents to your new vet. If you have a particularly anxious animal, talk to your current vet about some options to ease their anxiety during the move.
3. Keep Things Updated
Amongst all the hustle and bustle of a move, it is an easy time for a pet to escape or get lost. That is why it is important to keep dog and cat tags as up to date as possible with current addresses and phone numbers. That way if your pet is found, you can be reunited quickly. Another great option to discuss with your vet is microchipping, so you can be assured that your animal is linked to you if tags or collars fall off.
4. Keep Track of your Pet on Moving Day
As mentioned before, it is easy to lose your pets on moving day when people are coming in and out of your home. If possible, have a friend or family member look after your pet until you are done moving your belongings. Keeping a pet locked in a room may be stressful for them but if you must do this to ensure they don’t get out, make sure they have plenty of food and water and put a large sign on the door letting people know there is a pet inside.
5. Give Time to Adjust
When you arrive at your new home, make sure to give your pets time to adjust to their new space. Try to keep their routine as normal as possible to speed up this process. It is also important that you keep dogs and cats on a leash if they are going outside. An animal in a new area may become frightened and not be able to find its way home.
9 winter preparation tips you should know
Winter Guide: 9 Tips You Should Know
As the temperatures get more frigid and the snow falls, it is important to keep a couple of things in mind when preparing for the season.
Change your furnace filter
Furnace filters should be changed on a monthly or bi-monthly basis especially if you live in a newer home. If you’re furnace filter gets dirty, it will not heat your unit properly. For instructions on how to change your furnace filter, visit our FAQs page.
Clear snow from garage door area
It is important to keep your garage door area clear of snow and ice. If snow or ice is present, it could cause your garage door to stick and stop it from opening. If you garage door does freeze to the ground, it could ruin the rubber weather stripping that is along the bottom of your garage door.
Shovel 2 feet out from your garage door
If you live at a property that includes snow removal, be sure to shovel the 2 feet in front of your garage door. The snow removers will not clear this area as it could cause damage to the building or your garage door.
Make sure all windows are closed tightly and correctly
Keep all the heat inside your home by making sure all your windows are closed. Check for other gaps, specifically under your entry doors, that could let in cold air around your apartment and seal those with a towel or door sweep.
Park your car in the garage
In order for snow plows to clear snow from the lots and parking spots, park your car in your garage as frequently as possible. This is important especially after a large snow fall.
Keep your heat on when you leave
Keep your heat on when you leave for a weekend or for vacation. If your heat is turned off, it could cause a pipe to freeze and potentially burst. If you do leave and want to drop the temperature, set it between 60-68 degrees, it will still save you money and will prevent frozen pipes.
Use sand instead of salt
If you live at a property that was built in the last year or two, it is important that you use sand instead of salt on your driveway and walkways. Salt could cause the new concrete to weaken and cause damage.
Store patio furniture
Put all of your patio furniture away so that they don’t get damaged.
Insulate electrical outlets
Surprisingly, electrical outlets can let in cold air. To prevent them from doing so, purchase foam outlet insulators for each outlet.
Visit our FAQs page or our YouTube channel for more tips and tricks.
If you have any questions or are in need of maintenance, fill out a maintenance request or call our office at 701-356-3085. If you are in need of maintenance and it is an emergency, please call 866-955-2337.
11 things to know as a first time renter
11 things to know as a first time renter
Moving into your first apartment is exciting. You have a new sense of freedom, but also a lot more responsibility. When you are looking for your first apartment, there are a lot of pieces to consider. You will have to look at neighborhood, budget, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, utilities, and amenities. If it is your first time renting, do some research and see what is going to be the best fit for you. To start, we have put together a guide of 11 things you should know and do as a first time renter.
Budget
Before looking at apartments, budget how much you are willing to spend and understand that more expenses are involved than just the monthly rental rate. Other expenses include utilities (electric, heat, water, sewer, garbage), cable/internet, pet rent or deposits, application fees, and rental deposits. Some of these items may be included in your monthly rent, while others may not. You may also want to budget for furniture, kitchenware, and decorations.
It is important to set a budget so that you never get yourself into a situation where you can’t pay rent. If you are unable to pay rent, you may be evicted, which can hurt your chances of renting at certain properties in the future.
Utilities
As mentioned previously, some utilities may be included in your monthly rent, while others may not. When you are apartment shopping, ask about what is included. This will hep you figure out what is in your budget.
Additionally, you will want to set up the utilities you are responsible for in your name before moving in. If you are unsure which company to reach out to, contact your property manager or leasing agent.
Tour the Community
Before signing your lease, it is a good idea to schedule a tour to get a better sense of what the property and community is like. When you go on a tour, you can get a better feel for what the dimensions of the space are, plan out what furniture you want where, and scope out the amenities.
Application Process
Usually the application process involves a check of your background, credit, and rental history. Many rental agencies will have qualifications you have to meet regarding these areas in order to rent from them. There may be a fee that goes along with the application, so ask what the requirements are before applying and then determine whether it is worth it to apply or not.
Mailing Address
While you are setting up the big move, update your mailing address. You can do this by stopping at a postal office or by filling out an online application.
Deposit
When you sign your lease, your property manager may require a security deposit in case the lease is broken or damage is done to the property. To get your security deposit back, pay attention to the rules and be sure not to damage your apartment or the property. To read through our ten tips for receiving your deposit back, click here.
Read your Lease
Before signing your lease, read through it carefully. It is legally binding, so you want to be sure you understand what is and is not allowed.
Know the Rules
Read and follow the rules for the community. The rules could include information regarding where guests can park, where you can park, if there are quiet hours, whether smoking is allowed, and what the pet policy is.
Purchase Renter’s Insurance
Renter’s insurance can save you in the event your apartment gets broken into, a fire occurs, a pipe bursts, or something similar happens. Many rental companies will require you to have renter’s insurance, but even if they don’t, it is a good idea to purchase it, as it could save you in the long run.
For more information on renter’s insurance, read our blog post about it here.
Roommates
There is a lot of benefit to having a roommate, including always having someone around to chat, watch movies with, and share the rent with. But sometimes things go awry and one or both of you ends up feeling upset, mad, or annoyed. To avoid this, it is important to be careful when picking who you live with and making sure you communicate expectations prior to moving in together. If you choose to move in with a roommate or significant other, communicate early and often about who is responsible for what so that you can avoid dramatic situations. Here is our guide to solving roommate drama.
Document Everything
While you are moving in, document the state of your apartment. Take photos and videos of what appears to be in bad condition. This will help you make sure that you get your full deposit back since you have proof of what the conditions were. As you are moving out, take additional photos and videos to show what conditions were like on the day you moved out.
If you have any questions about the rental process, our team of qualified experts would be happy to help you through the rental process.
Seven Apartment Workout Tips
Seven Apartment Workout Tips
When you don’t have time in your schedule to go to the gym or don’t want to pay a membership fee, get your sweat on in the comfort of your apartment or townhome. There are a lot of great exercises you can do that require no extra equipment and that won’t annoy your neighbors. Here are a couple of tips to get your started on your workout journey:
1. Choose a Space
Find a space in your apartment or townhome that you feel has enough room to move around in. If you have an extra room in your apartment or townhome, consider dedicating the room entirely to your workout. If you have a garage, consider making it a dual purpose space by creating it into a workout zone.
2. Pick Your Exercise
Test out different exercise routines on YouTube. There are a lot of great (& free!) videos out there that offer everything from yoga and pilates to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) circuits.
3. Try Something New
Try a new workout video collection or test out one of the many workout apps.
4. Set a Schedule
Set up a calendar and block out some dedicated time for your workout.
5. Find a Friend
Have your friends join you! Share your workout and you can help keep each other accountable.
6. Add Equipment
Use use yoga mats, resistance bands, dumbbells, jump ropes, medicine balls, and kettle bells to help enhance your workout.
7. Push Yourself
It is easy to give up when no one is around pushing you to do your best, so push yourself! Now that you have the tips to get your apartment workout started, start finding what workout routine works best for you. Leave a comment and let us know what your routine is like.