Rent-to-own furniture company expands with new store in Spring Hill

SPRING HILL — Wind through the artfully appointed, staged living rooms, the topically styled five-piece dinette sets, the bunk bed to queen-size bedroom suites, and it still likely will be the 75-inch Sony LED television that blows shoppers away.

"We actually already delivered one," said muscle man Fabian Cooper at Great Rooms on the day after the furniture rental store snipped its grand-opening ribbon Aug. 1 at Mariner Crossing plaza.

It is the seventh store for the Tampa-based company, which opened its first store in Tampa in 2011.

TVs and computers will be most in demand, said owner Frank Rutkowski of Holiday, based on his four years of experience operating a Great Rooms store in New Port Richey, which continues under his ownership.

The Spring Hill store's lineup includes more than a dozen television choices, including the latest concave screens. Computer selections range from desktop to laptop.

"Most customers rent to own," Rutkowski said. "That's my ultimate goal. We do everything to help them do that. We're not the type of rental for a weekend party. We're more in the line of you're wanting to own this merchandise."

While customers can rent an item for as little as a week, contracts are normally for 12, 18 or 24 months. The longer the contract, the less the per-month charge. For instance, a living room suite that rents for $200 monthly over 12 months may cost $150 monthly over 18 months, Rutkowski explained.

"We'll write that all out for you, all cards on the table, so you can see what's best for you," he said.

Outright cash sales are also offered, as well as three- to 12-month buyouts with no interest or finance charges. That 75-inch TV rents for $69.99 per week for 24 months, or can be purchased for $3,399.

Rutkowski defined rent-to-own customers as ages 20 to 45, middle income, "families that really like beautiful merchandise, and I make it affordable for them."

And beautiful are the room settings Rutkowski himself designed.

Early in his career in the furniture field, Rutkowski said, "I learned from an interior decorator. I followed her around for six months. Every time she moved something, I asked her why."

"I set this up," he said of a particular living room arrangement in coordinated colors and complementary styles. "You may not like the tables with it. Whatever you like, we'll put together a package that you like."

Brand names are a focus for the store's merchandise, with some 300 items on display, from sofas to candlesticks and wall art, maybe 10,000 more units available through vendors' catalogs. They include Ashley and Crosley furniture, Whirlpool and Amana appliances and Mitsubishi, LG, Sony and Apple electronics, to name a few.

"We're the next biggest store for Ashley Home furniture next to Ashley HomeStores themselves," Rutkowski said. "And we're cheaper than them because I'm not sitting down on (U.S.) 19," with higher overheads "and lots of charge accounts."

Another plus, as he sees it, is there are no credit checks.

"Not everybody has the best of credit," he acknowledged.

As a business protection, the store asks for driver's license identification, a copy of a pay stub and personal references.

In Hernando County, Great Rooms will compete with similar rental outlets — Aaron's on Commercial Way and Buddy's Home Furnishings on Spring Hill Drive, for example. "We are very price conscious as well as aware of our competitors," Rutkowski said. "Most times we can beat them."

He also points to a Great Rooms business philosophy of giving back to the community. Last week, he was in talks with Springstead High School about a local fundraiser.

Rutkowski himself will manage the Spring Hill store and its four employees for at least the first year. The company has a five-year lease at the plaza with extension options.

"We plan to be here for a long, long time," Rutkowski said.

Contact Beth Gray at graybethn@earthlink.net.

.IF YOU GO

Great Rooms

What: Furniture, appliance rental service

Where: 4195 Mariner Blvd., Mariner Crossing, Spring Hill

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays

Phone: (352) 556-2764

Website: mygreatrooms.com
Resource :http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/retail/rent-to-own-furniture-company-expands-with-new-store-in-spring-hill/2288950

Home, but not alone

 It was just another day at work. The Gurgaon sky was colourless. The routine edit meeting was unremarkable. My lunch looked the usual. And I had no exciting after-work plans to look forward to. It didn’t look like a day that would change my life — temporarily. During a coffee break at the small round table in the one-room office, my colleague sowed the seeds of that change in my head: “Shweta, why don’t you become my flatmate?” The suddenness of the suggestion drew nothing but a blank stare from me. Move in with her, but why? She is not a close friend... Just a colleague with whom I am cordial, I thought.

Thirty minutes later, after another cup of strong coffee, the idea took root. From ‘but why’, I graduated to ‘why not’. During the metro ride home — the spacious Model Town apartment I shared with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and a niece — I thought some more. By the time I entered the house (to the welcoming fragrance of my mom’s chicken curry), I was ready for the experiment.

A couple of weeks later — in July 2012 — I broached the topic at home. I took my mother into confidence, knowing fully well her strong views on the importance of girls being self-reliant. Her response was positive. I quickly assigned her the task of breaking the news to the rest of the family. My father was next in queue. “But why do you want to leave us? You have everything you need. You have your room, your TV, your reading corner... How much more space does one need?” he asked over dinner one night. It’s not about space, I replied. “I am going to be 30 soon and I want to be in charge of my life. Pay rent, do groceries, cook and clean, make my own budget.” What I didn’t add to the list I rattled off was ‘stay out till late with friends and not worry about missing the last metro’. The word ‘freedom’, quite strangely, didn’t figure in the discussions that followed. I harped on the importance of discovering self-worth. And managed to connect it to having a separate address.

It took less than a week for my father to give his nod. By August, I’d moved into my new oyster — a windowless, dingy room in a modest two-bedroom apartment near Saket in south Delhi. I had to share a bathroom. There was no room for my winter clothes in the steel almirah, so I left them in the safety of my old wardrobe. Instead of a table laden with fresh, homemade food, I often returned to an empty refrigerator. Evening plans for movies, beer and pizzas slowly lost ground to buying veggies and doing laundry. And phone calls to my mother became more about quick recipes for dinner than the latest wedding in the extended family.

From an early-to-bed, early-to-rise person, I transformed into a night owl. I accompanied my flatmate to gigs, house parties, movies and pubs. My TV, which I had installed in the living room, started to look lonely and unwanted. In less than two months, I was ready to give anything to be able to sleep before prime-time TV hours. The drudgery of household chores was taking the wind out of my sails. And keeping up with my highly social and energetic flatmate proved tougher than remembering Chaucer. I started to miss the long metro rides to work and back. The comfort of being driven around — by my flatmate in her new car — did little to ease the headache of being stuck in traffic during peak hours.

Very soon, I started going back to Model Town almost every day of the week. My parents looked both puzzled and happy, but they spared me the questions. All I could think of in those days was my sunlit room, the one I had lived in for more than 12 years, and home food. At the end of a tiring day, I was happy to come home and play with my niece. The drinks, the disco, the music, the excitement of meeting new people — everything paled in comparison with the rest and relaxation I was craving.

I bid goodbye to the new home in less than a year. Back in my own corner, I realised I was lucky to have my personal space in a house filled with people. In fact, my family, after my return, went out of their way to give me more space. This doesn’t mean that I am shy of having my own pad someday. But it won’t be on the pretext of being self-reliant or experiencing complete freedom.

Shweta Andrews works with a publishing house in Delhi NCR
Resource :http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/cover/home-but-not-alone/article8978805.ece

Aurora resident wants out of rental home following 'nasty' sewage problem

AURORA, Colo. -- An Aurora man wants out of his rental home after dealing with a sewage leak inside his home for the past eight days.

The man asked we not use his last name, fearing retaliation from his landlord.

Joe said representatives from his landlord company, American Homes 4 Rent, say the home is still livable and have yet to fix the broken sewage pipe.

He said last Saturday he found sewage water flooding into his basement through the shower drain and washing machine pipe.

“It's nasty,” he said.

While the landlord company has sent several plumbers to scope out the problem, he said nothing is being done.

“I've been so frustrated for so long,” he said, “I've been so tired, I don't even know if I can be frustrated anymore.”

Denver7 contacted the company, but hadn’t yet heard a response at the time of publication.

Joe said his renter’s insurance company is covering costs for him and his wife to stay at a hotel until September.

He’s now hoping the company will let him out of his lease so he can move to another home.

Resource: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/front-range/aurora/aurora-resident-wants-out-of-rental-home-following-nasty-sewage-problem

Rent a high-flying lifestyle

 Have you ever dreamt of making it to your friend's birthday party in a limousine? But just held onto the dream because you can't spend so much on a car? Well, now luxuries are available to you at a reasonable cost. Read on to know more...


Over the past few years, there has been an explosion in the number of rental sites for premium products such as luxury cars, fashion wear, designer shoes, designer furniture and essentials like home appliances, study tables and even a bean bag! It almost seems like renting is the new buying, especially for those between 20 and 40 year olds.


"I had to attend my friend's wedding for two days in Udaipur. She belongs to this really rich family from Surat and I had no clue as to what should I wear on her big day. There were going to be celebrity guests coming in for her wedding and my friend wanted me to look the best. I couldn't figure out how and from where I could buy dresses which wouldn't pinch my wallet. That's when I came across some online sites from where I could rent wedding lehengas by renowned designers for a nominal charge! Shoes, bags and even accessories were all taken care of. I finally made it to the wedding looking like a princess," says Vinya Datta, a 27-year-old advertising professional.


Just like Vinya, there are many who have rented other commodities without having to worry about burning a hole in their pocket. Sudeep Mudanna, a 32-year-old marketing professional says, "I moved in from Lucknow a couple of months back and a big project required me to go out and socialise with my clients. Since I work for a start-up, it is impossible for my company to pay for my cab expenses and thereby I had to take one on my own. Because I was responsible for their commute, I wasn't sure whether I should take a normal kaali peeli taxi. That is when a colleague told me to rent a vehicle from a website. They had a great collection of hatchbacks, SUVs and even luxury vehicles and that too at a reasonable charge. I ended up renting a car for a month for `14,000."


Gardish Naik, a manager of one such online rental site which categorically deals with wedding clothing says, "Gone are the days when people would buy expensive attires for weddings and then pass it onto their children and grandchildren. These days, youngsters prefer renting even their wedding outfits. To make it available to our customers, we make sure that they aren't charged the same as they would pay if they had to buy from a store. So, a wedding sari can be rented for `500, a bridal sari for `1,500 and a wedding lehenga for `1,000." These products are available only on a refundable deposit amount, to make sure they are taken good care of.
Stay updated on the go with Times of India News App. Click here to download it for your device.

Resource:   http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/Rent-a-high-flying-lifestyle/articleshow/53667722.cms

Renting Vs Buying Property: The Pros and Cons

Many of us have a deep affinity with home ownership. There's the idea of the 'great Australian dream' some of us have drummed into us from a young age.

In some countries, renting is preferable to owning your own home, but Aussies tend to hold the concept of home ownership in high regard.

House prices in Australia's capital cities have generally risen, driven hard by supply and demand. A major argument for home ownership is to 'get in to the market' for fear that delaying a purchase might make it more difficult to do so further down the track.

Rent only goes toward the landlord's investment earnings and a renter has no participation in the upside that their rented property may have.

So what is the case for home ownership? What advantages does this have over renting?

Obviously, without a suitable deposit and finance, you have no choice -- your only option is to rent.

Real estate expert and author George Astudillo told The Huffington Post Australia if your deposit and access to finance is limited then you might not be able to afford to buy the property you would consider suitable to live in..


If this is your situation, weighing up your priorities to decide which would be the better option for you will depend on what you can actually afford to buy," Astudillo said.

"Another option at this level is 'rentvesting'. This is where you remain a tenant, enjoying a level of comfort and lifestyle that you wouldn't be able to afford, and buy a property within your budget that you then rent out.

"This is a great way to start the home-buying process, minimising the wait to save up for the necessary deposit."

However, if you can afford to buy a property that you are comfortable with, there are certain advantages.

Since the mid 1980's, Australia has had a tax on capital gains on most investments. Tax is paid by the investment owner based on the change in valuation from the point of purchase to the point of sale (losses can be offset against other gains). Your main residence is exempt from capital gains tax.

Gavin Fernando from Prosperity Advisers told HuffPost Australia this is a key tax advantage of purchasing a home versus any other type of investment.

"Purchasing a property provides the owner the investment opportunity to participate in capital gains at no tax cost," Fernando said.
The case for buying

Astudillo: In Sydney, generally, demand for housing exceeds supply. And although there will be many new apartments coming online over the next few years this situation is likely to continue. This is one of the main forces that drives property prices up resulting in steady capital gains. Owning your own property takes advantage of this growth and benefits from being capital gains tax free.

Fernando: A home owner also has the flexibility to improve their property for either a lifestyle benefit or investment improvement (or both), Renters can only do so at the landlord's tolerance and any such improvements are for the landlord's benefit.

Astudillo: You don't need to worry about the landlord wanting the property back. You are free to make whatever plans you wish safely knowing your home will always be your home.

Astudillo: You have utmost control in how you wish to live: colours, layout, finishes, appliances -- if you can afford them you can have them. Your living space can become an expression of who you are.

The case for renting:

Fernando: Renting allows a potential purchaser the chance to 'try before they buy' in a particular area. You might think city apartment living is for you but have you thought about all aspects of living in such an area/environment? Rather than sink a large amount of cash and buy, renting affords the opportunity to experience the lifestyle without the long term commitment. Renting is also flexible particularly after the initial rent period (6 to 12 months) when most rental contracts move to a fortnightly or monthly notice period.

Astudillo: This is the one area that renting wins: it is much easier to enter and exit a lease than it is to buy and sell. The 'neighbour from hell' moves in next door; move. You realise you don't like the suburb; move. Want to travel the world, put your things in storage and terminate your lease? Move.

Fernando: Renters have no investment risk. Any negative impact to property values does not affect the tenant (arguably they may benefit from pressure on rents). This is often discounted as an issue however risk exists in any investment. An example recently is the expected negative impact on inner city apartment prices (particularly Brisbane) as a result of capital flow restrictions on overseas investors.

A big portion of most mortgage payments, particularly in the early stages of the loan, comprise interest payment to the lender. Interest paid to a lender for a home owner's mortgage is not deductible. Interest to a renter does not have the on cost outlay of stamp duty, legal fees and conveyancing.
Resource:  https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8192276392255071795#editor/target=post;postID=2502089734277618204

New Furniture Rental Company Launched

Albert and Debbie Moura, owners of real estate company Moura & Associates, saw a gap in the furnished rental market and decided they could fill it. The couple, alongside their son Justin, have launched a new company named TurnKey Furniture Rentals.

Furniture rental companies, which are popular across North America, have never really been introduced to the Bermuda market and this furniture rental business was established to give both landlord and tenants another option for their long and short furniture needs.

Albert, Debbie and Justin Moura

Mr. Moura states, “In our line of business, we see a lot of people moving to the island for only 1-5 years, and because of their relatively short stay, a lot are less than eager to purchase new furniture or go through the expense of importing their own furniture and paying duty on it.

“To help alleviate the stress of finding furniture, Turnkey provides the opportunity for new residents to have their homes or apartments completely furnished quickly and cost effectively.” While this saves on the hassle of finding furniture, it also means that home décor and style is achieved. TurnKey Furniture Rentals is useful to renters, landlords and real estate agents.

Turn Key works by offering rental packages for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and studios. The pre-coordinated packages, which are named after popular beaches across the island, have been put together by Mrs. Moura, who has a background in interior design.

Mrs. Moura states: “The packages are fixed to include the pieces of furniture deemed necessary to fill a space. There is a level of flexibility through different rental options, with the option to ‘add-on’ a tv and tv stand if needed.”

Justin Moura, who will run the day to day operations of the company, plans to expand the business, in the not too distant future, to rentals of small kitchen appliances and kitchen accessories as well as outdoor furniture.

The owners said they “will ensure that TurnKey Rental Furniture provides quality, attractive, furniture and home essentials at reasonable rates. Turnkey will also arrange delivery and pick-up to make the transaction as hassle free as possible.”

For more information about TurnKey Furniture Rentals and their products and services, please visit turnkey.bm, email info@turnkey.bm or call 535-1505.

Resource: http://bernews.com/2016/01/dd-new-furniture-rental-company-launched/

What You Should Get To Go With Your Rental Furniture

When it comes to outfitting your apartment or house, there’s only so much rental furniture you can lease to get yourself set up to live comfortably.

Renting bedroom, living room, and kitchen/dining room furniture and rugs is all well and good, but there are some things you may want to buy to complement or go with your rentals. Here’s what you may want to look into getting to go with your rental furniture.

1. Place mats. Whether you rented your kitchen or dining room table or bought it, place mats are a great investment. Firstly, they’re easier to clean off than a real tablecloth (which would require you do laundry to clean it) or a plastic one (which is more likely to get rips in it and have to be replaced more often).

Secondly, they protect the table — which you’ll definitely want to do if you rented your table, but is also a good idea if you bought it since you don’t want to ruin it — and add some fun and color to the room. They’re also cheap to buy, so buying a bunch won’t break the bank and will ensure that you’ll always have a clean one to use or enough to put out if you’re having friends over.

2. Storage bins/containers. Renting a dresser and or nightstand should give you some drawers to put your clothing in but depending on how much clothes you have and the size of your closet and room, you may need more storage space. Buying storage bins or containers will help you keep your room neat and give you what to put your clothes, school supplies, shoes, etc. into.

Additionally, if you have to move at the end of the year or semester, storage containers make it easy for you to get your stuff home as you can keep whatever you’ve stored in them inside the bins to move.

3. Free-standing lamps/lights. Some rental packages will offer desk and table lamps as part of their parcel but you may want to invest in a few free-standing floor lamps for your apartment or house.

Depending on the room sizes and what sort of lighting your home comes with, floor lamps can help you get more light in your space and may be more useful or brighter than the light desk lamps offer.

4. Door mats. When you first come into your home, whether you have carpeting or floors or have rented rugs for the entryway, buying door mats is a good idea, especially if you live somewhere that gets snow and a good amount of rain. Door mats will collect the dirt, pebbles, and other grit and stuff that gets on the bottom of your shoes.

Plus, if your shoes or boots are wet when coming inside, you won’t potentially ruin the floor or carpet and create a mess since you can place your shoes on the door mats to dry.

5. A Mattress Pad. While you can rent your bed rather than buying one, one thing you can’t rent is a mattress pad for that bed. Buying a mattress pad or foam topper will make your bed more comfortable and ensure a better night’s sleep.

Also, if you feel a little weird about renting a bed other people have slept on, putting a mattress pad on it will give you an extra layer between your sheets and the bed.

6. Bookshelves. Most rental packages don’t include bookshelves, which is probably a necessity as a college student taking classes and having books to read.

Most courses require at least one textbook, if not more, and rather than piling them up on the floor or having them take up room on your desk and dresser, a bookshelf  is a worthwhile purchase. Besides textbooks, you can also put picture frames, extra school supplies, random toiletries, etc. on your shelves.

7. A Coat Rack. I bought one of these while in college and it was super handy to have. You can hang up your coats and jackets, scarves, and bags, and if you have something that’s damp from the laundry or got wet from outside, it’s really convenient to have a coat rack to hang them on.

An added benefit is that it adds some character to your entryway or room, depending on where you decide to put it, and it also provides a place to put things that you may otherwise throw or drop on the floor.

So if you’ve rented your furniture, look into these great and handy complements to your rentals — they’ll help keep you, your home, and your rental furniture clean, organized, and looking good.

Resource: http://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/177457/What-You-Should-Get-To-Go-With-Your-Rental-Furniture

Pune: Rented furniture peps up living spaces of new-age city residents

The trend of hiring furniture on rent seems to be catching up among Puneites, especially the youngsters, who stay on rent or have a transferable job.

Sometime in 2015, when Mehtab Khan and his wife were planning to shift from their house in Kolkata to a rented apartment in Pune, his wife didn’t want to sell their furniture and other goods due to sentimental values attached to them.

Instead, she started looking for options that allowed her to take the furniture on rent and she stumbled upon a firm catering to her requirement. Once the couple shifted to Pune, they ordered the entire furniture for their living room and bedroom as well a television on rent. The couple pay around Rs 4,000 a month on rented furniture and appliances. The option, they say, is hassle-free and keeps them away from the worry of shifting furniture from one city to another or one apartment to another.

The trend of hiring furniture on rent seems to be catching up among Puneites, especially the youngsters, who stay on rent or have a transferable job. This is why firms are tapping the growing trend and are looking at the city as an emerging market in the furniture rental industry.


RentoMojo, which began catering to Puneites in October 2015, has been recording a steady 30 per cent month-on-month growth. Geetansh Bamania, CEO and Founder of RentoMojo, attributes it to the fact that population of those aged between 22 and 35 years is higher in Pune. “The city sees people, especially students and young IT professionals, migrating to Pune from different cities. Besides, the difference in the amount one spends on an unfurnished and furnished flat is huge. And thus, renting comes as an economical option. In Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500, one can not only take furniture for the entire house but also appliances like TV, fridge and washing machine,” said Bamania, adding, the most rented items in the city are beds, mattresses, wardrobe, bedside table, wardrobe, bean bags, study table and dressing table.

While most customers rent minimum for a year or more, there are also customers who prefer changing it every six to eight months. Anantpal Singh Saluja (28), who stays in a rented apartment in the city, is a wedding photographer and travels a lot. Pointing out another benefit of rented furniture, he says, “Other than being a convenient and economical option, this concept also offers me a choice to change my furniture anytime I want.”

Furlenco, an online furniture rental company, which started operating in Pune in April this year, rents out an array of award-winning designer furniture that is high on quality and comes with matching furnishing and decor for a minimum subscription fee of Rs 999.

Ajith Karimpana, CEO and Founder of Furlenco, a firm that designs and curates its own furniture, says, “What attracts customers to our concept of renting furniture is that it’s hassle free. We don’t want our customers to be tied down by contracts of any kind. We have affordable premium furniture, which makes setting up a home really easy. What works for us is a subscription model, which allows customers to avail facilities such as free relocation of furniture, damage waiver of up to Rs 10,000, cleaning and interior services.”

Siddhant Jajodia, a 24-year-old bachelor, says that in the last seven years, he has shifted five cities for his education. Presently, he is in Pune for his job. “Buying luxury furniture is a costly affair. Besides, when one shifts from one place to another, there’s a possibility of damage to the goods. Hence, I feel renting makes it convenient. The kind of luxury furniture I have taken on rent is not something that I can afford with my current salary,” he says.
Resource:http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/pune-rented-furniture-peps-up-living-spaces-of-new-age-city-residents-2904696/

Rentals for Millennials: Housecleaning, Furniture and Friends Included

KIPS BAY —  There’s been a rise in real estate companies focused on millennials and the reality that New York City’s rental landscape means roommates are a necessity.

But they're also trying to add value to the equation by making other aspects of the moving experience more affordable and manageable. That often means trying to cushion the landing for renters by helping them with everything from decorating and cleaning to filling their social calendar.

“Our generation is so used to an on-demand lifestyle,” said Lia Wayman, 27, co-founder of Room Ring, which uses online dating-like tactics to match roommates via their Facebook profiles. “I used to say to my mom that I needed someone to do my errands.”

Room Ring recently partnered with 20 other hip startups to give users discounts on everything from meal planning (Blue Apron, UberEats, Drizly) to fixing up your new home (Paintzen, Cleanify) and decorating it (Casper, Aptdeco, Laurel & Wolf).

Having a furnished apartment was a big draw for Jason Kim, a 35-year-old finance worker, who wanted to move somewhere quieter than his Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.

That’s why he checked out co-living set-ups — when you have a private bedroom but shared kitchen, bathroom and lounges — like Common Living in Crown Heights and WeLive in Lower Manhattan, as well as Carmel Place, the high-design micro-unit building in Kips Bay that is part of the brand Ollie.

He moved into Carmel Place on East 27th Street last month because he thought it had more privacy than the other developments, but he’s still getting a healthy dose of social activities and other add-ons.

Renters in an Ollie-branded building, for instance, not only are greeted with sleek multi-purpose furniture that help a small living room double as a bedroom, for instance, they also get high-speed Wi-Fi, cable, housekeeping services and a butler service called Hello Alfred, which has home managers who pay weekly visits to water plants, make beds and wash dishes.

"I'll probably use the laundry service when I'm very busy and don't have time to do it, but I'm the kind of person who's used to doing things for myself,” Kim said.

On the social side, Ollie renters get the benefits of Magnises, a members-only club providing an entry into a series of curated events and nightlife spots. The building also has a “living community manager,” who’s tasked with programming the fitness club and will focus on things like nutrition as well as organize something called “Ollie Talks,” modeled after TED Talks, said Christopher Bledsoe, co-founder of Ollie, which is a phonetic play on an all-inclusive living experience, he noted.

“There are certain values we want to promote, like lifelong learning,” Bledsoe said. “We’ll bring in expert guest lecturers, maybe an NYU professor with a specialty in astronomy, or artists to talk about their work or inspiration.”

Though it sounds very collegiate, Bledsoe said, “Dorm is a four-letter word for us. It connotes a certain quality of design that’s the antithesis of what we’re achieving.”

The goal, he explained, is to find smart solutions for the things that cause the greatest “pain points” for renters, like having housekeeping since roommate disputes often are over whose dishes are clogging the sink or whose food is rotting in the fridge.

“Everything is about saving time, money or helping [renters] have more fun,” Bledsoe said.

“There’s a preference for acquiring experiences rather than acquiring stuff,” he added. “It’s less about nesting inside their homes than about engaging in the world around them. That inherently changes their space and need for space. They’re not trying to stockpile stuff in home.”

The company is in the midst of building a project in Long Island City that will have micro-suites or micro-units for about 425 people, making it the city’s largest co-living project to date, according to Bledsoe.

While the market-rate micro-units at Carmel Place start at $2,400 a month before a free month concession — which Bledsoe noted is on the higher end of the spectrum since it’s in pricey Manhattan — the Long Island City project is expected to have rents starting at about $1,500 a month for a private bedroom.

The Long Island City project will also have 20,000 square-feet of space for amenities like a roof deck, pool and fitness center that residents in Los Angeles Ollies will be able to use when visiting New York.

Sharon Zukin, sociology professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center, and the author of books on cities and consumer culture, wondered if young people “who are used to being served” — from middle class families — are the ones embracing these offerings.

“These ‘life-management’ services respond to the extended adolescence people have been talking about for years — through college and postgraduate education followed by low-paying jobs — and are enabled by the digital revolution,” she said. “Remember, that if you live in a college dorm, your parents pay for room, board, and a minimum of housekeeping services. If the rental housing market is rough, too, as it is in New York, co-living arrangements wrap everything up in one package.”

She added, “Digital natives have already got used to ordering food and other necessities online.  They don't seem to feel embarrassed about hiring ‘butlers’ and ‘maids’ from housecleaning apps, or ‘chauffeurs’ from Uber and Lyft, in contrast to hiring them in person and dealing with both the shame of hiring a servant and the hassle of negotiating the contract.”

At Carmel Place, where 22 of the 55 micro-units were reserved for affordable housing, Ollie offered those residents to opt in and pay a fee for the additional services at less than cost.

About one-third signed up, Bledsoe noted. 

Amir Ahmdy, 32, who moved there last month after winning a housing lottery, chose not to do so.

"Maid service and cable for $180 a month? It doesn't seem worth it,” he said.  "We have laundry, a nice roof, and really there's plenty of space."

Resource: https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160802/kips-bay/rentals-for-millennials-housecleaning-furniture-friends-included

Outfit your apartment on a budget

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich (WOTV) – Décor that represents you, your lifestyle and tastes can be temporary and inexpensive, yet make a big impact on how YOU feel while living in a rental apartment, home or condo.  Interior Remodeling Crew expert Jan Lehman gives you 7 budget-friendly “remodeling ideas” to try and make difference in your space.

1. Get to know your landlord so you know your limits up front. If the property is owned by a professional corporation, your options may be limited so always ask PRIOR to leasing what you can and cannot do. Impress on them that the décor will be temporary and inexpensive and you’ll return the space to its original condition when you leave. Once it’s clear, and you get everything in writing, get ready to have some fun and energize your space.

2. Wallpaper is making a comeback and I’ll bet you thought you could never use it in a rental.  Do a Google search for temporary wallpaper and you’ll find some very cool and inexpensive products available.  Adding it to one accent wall will be a big WOW factor for relatively little cost.

3. Even though you may have to re-paint to its original neutral color, this is far and away the most bang for your buck to personalize your space.  Just make sure you have written approval prior to picking up that paintbrush!  Experimenting with different colors in your rental space will help you figure out what colors you’ll want when you own your home too.  And don’t forget that your furniture or an area rug can be the color if you can’t paint your walls!

4. Art work and photos are another great WOW factor, but what if your landlord won’t let you put any holes in the walls?  There are several ways to get around that.  3M’s Command hanging products are great for hanging artwork or lightweight curtains/rods.  A tension rod could be used for heavier curtains.  “ReadyHang” no-drill drapery hardware is an innovative product that attaches to your window frames with a spring mechanism and is available up to 76”.  Many rental apartments are so close together, ReadyHang could be the answer for privacy as well as energy efficiency. Easy enough to take with you to your next home.

5. It seems we never have enough storage and in rentals that’s probably even more true.   There are a variety of storage solutions from book cases (which can also help define different spaces) to natural wicker baskets to colorful fabric boxes.  A storage ottoman not only gives you extra storage and seating, it could even serve as a cocktail table too!  (I live in a condo with only three small closets. I raised my bed frame so I could fit storage boxes under the bed – stuff I don’t use that much but don’t want to part with. And I purchased a wardrobe for my clothes.)

6. As with painting, you may have to return to its original condition– but swapping out lighting fixtures and hardware can make the space more you.  Measure twice before making your purchases as you probably can’t drill any new holes.

7.Just because you’re renting doesn’t mean you can’t look at magazines or HOUZZ for inspiration!  Many rooms you’ll see have been staged, meaning a lot of what you see– especially accessories – don’t belong to the homeowner but were brought in to jazz up the space.  Think big and bold here because all you need is one statement making WOW piece.

With these tips, you’ll be able to feel comfortable in your home space and feel that it reflects your lifestyle and tastes.  Always check with your landlord and get it in writing so you won’t lose your damage deposit or violate your lease.  Share your “Rental Remodeling on our Facebook page.

Resource: http://wotv4women.com/2016/08/20/outfit-your-apartment-on-a-budget/

5 easy apartment upgrades to make your rental feel like home

The place you call home should feel like home, even if it's an apartment rental. That's why interior designer Blake Padgett Wilkie of Canton recommends apartment dwellers make some easy upgrades as soon as they move in. "If you surround yourself with things you love, you'll be happier," she said. "Adding your own touches makes you want to be at home."
In general, the upgrades don't have to be top of the line materials. "And they don't have to be small scale, either!" said Wilkie. "One of the best upgrades you could make, for example, are drop panels that run almost ceiling to floor. They can really pull together a wall or liven up your living space."
Here are five other upgrades she suggests for personalizing any rental apartment:

1) Paint: Even if you have to pay for it yourself, you want your walls to be a color you love and enjoy. "Paint a nice neutral color, particularly if you don't have a lot of natural light," said Wilkie, who owns Magnolia Interiors. "Even a wall or two helps." She specifically recommends the currently popular shades of gray, especially Sherwin Williams' Agreeable Gray 7029.

2) Decorate with a functional wall shelf: A cubby or shelf with hooks below can help you make a space more cozy and get more organized at the same time. "Display a few of your favorite books on top or an eclectic mix of china finds," said Wilkie.

3) Splash some color around: Strategic dashes of a color that pops makes an apartment more cheerful, particularly against neutral walls or furnishings. Wilkie likes the idea of painting the backside of an inexpensive bookcase with a lively color and setting it up as a separator in a living space. "That's an easy way to punch up your decor," she said.

One good color to use is Sherwin Williams' Lagoon 6480. "It will go with khakis or grays, and you can pop pillows in to the design from the blue family or that are coral or yellow," she said.

4) Display family photos: You'll feel more at home surrounded by tastefully framed or matted family photos. Wilkie suggests hanging them on the wall, down a hallway or up a staircase. "That way you can start with a few and add to the length of the display as your schedule and budget allow." If you're concerned that a landlord would object, display the photos on an anchor piece of furniture, like a side table or chest.

5) Change up the cabinet hardware: You can personalize your kitchen simply by changing out the dull pulls and knobs that come with the standard apartment. Wilkie suggests Top Knobs as a go-to for up-to-date and fun hardware, or ferreting out vintage knobs at a flea market or antique store. The hardware you purchase doesn't have to be pricey, just something you would like to look at when you come home to fix dinner. "And the nice thing is, if you really like it, you can take it along to your next place," said Wilkie

Resource:http://www.ajc.com/news/classifieds/homes/5-easy-apartment-upgrades-make-your-rental-feel-ho/nsHj9/

How Renting Furniture Lowers Your Stress Levels

The term “renting” is something that all students have heard of. Whether you are renting textbooks or renting a car, the term is well-known around the campus sector.

One of the most well-known “renting” options for students is more recognized when it is called a loan. You borrow and then have to give it all back at some point. Renting can be stressful, but still an easy way of going about things when you are a college student. You have enough on your plate with classes, jobs, and especially if you are dealing with moving into a new apartment from the dorms.

You have a whole new set of issues to look into. Your main focus and the main focus of most people is furniture. Where are you going to sleep? Eat? Sit in your living room? All very good questions.

You may not have all the time in the world to go out furniture shopping or you may not have the money at the moment to buy any good furniture pieces. All of these concerns can cause your stress levels to go up and we don’t need that whatsoever.

Have you ever thought about renting furniture? Yes, I said renting furniture. Oh, you didn’t know that was a thing? Well neither did I until I did some digging. It is very much a thing and people do it all the time. It saves them time and money tremendously. Of course, just like everything in the world, not everyone is going to jump on the bandwagon for this idea, but majority rules on saying this one is a good idea.

Stress doesn’t need to be a factor when it comes to furniture rentals and here are a few reasons how that works out to be true:

•You have zero furniture? Rent. Simple. It gets done in 48 hours max, so you won’t be in a furniture-less place for long.

•Depending on the contract you sign at your apartment complex you could get good deals on furniture rentals. Companies give good rates to students depending on the type of contract they sign for. It saves you time and money in the long run.

•It works if you are living somewhere for a set amount of time. Technically that is the ultimate best setting for renting furniture. Get it in, then get it out. Simple as that. If you know your end date somewhere, renting furniture might be your best bet, that way you won’t be stuck with unnecessary furniture that you don’t need or want.

•Do you hate moving furniture? Yeah so do I. When you rent furniture you won’t have too. That is what the moving furniture rental people get paid to do! So if you move again, don’t worry about trying to gather all your friends and family to help you move out — they will not be needed.

•Is there something you have seen and wanted to try, but don’t know if you actually want it in your house or apartment for a good amount of time? Never fear, you can actually rent pieces of furniture before you fully commit. You can rent for a month or two and then send it back.

•Redecorating can be a cool experience if you want something new to wash out the old, yet, redecorating with furniture that you have to sell to make room for new pieces is a harder task than people let on. When you rent furniture, certain sets can have different expiration dates, so the movers come in and clean you out and then you get a whole new set that they move in for you. No hassle, no worry; and you get a whole new décor.

•There are rent-to-own programs, meaning that if you don’t have the money to buy furniture right then and there you can enroll in the program which requires you to make monthly payments up until the time the furniture is paid off.  Although doing this may cause you to be paying more for the furniture than if you had just paid for it outright in the beginning.

•You can coordinate what you want. You can have a full-on living room set if you want it and not waste time picking out every little piece of furniture. Each set is most likely for a flat rate price each and you don’t have to worry about picking out things that match and then being upset if nothing works. Just have the rental company get a good set to you.

Renting is something that will be in society forever, so just take a breath and let it ease your mind. Don’t hassle yourself too much when you don’t have to; take the easy road, it is better on your stress levels.
Resource: http://www.uloop.com/news/view.php/210078/How-Renting-Furniture-Lowers-Your-Stress-Levels

Why Rent-to-Own Is a Bad Idea

Rent-to-own plans may seem like a good idea at first. But once you look into the total cost, it is apparent that these plans are just too good to be true. In fact, according to Dave Ramsey, it is "one of the worst moves you can make with your money."
How the Plan Works

With a rent-to-own plan, you can enjoy the freedom of making a large purchase with smaller weekly or monthly payments, over a prolonged period of time. The payments include the interest charged and a portion of the principal. Repaying this obligation is similar to repaying a credit card obligation.
It'll Cost You in the End

The problem with these programs is the finance charge. Even using a credit card with a 20% APR would save you money compared to a rent-to-own program, which you will need to pay off over a significant amount of time (on a weekly, semimonthly, or monthly basis). The longer your contract is, the more you will pay in finance charges.

Rent-to-own plans are significantly more expensive than outright purchases. By paying the purchase cost and effective interest rate over time, you can expect to spend significantly more than the retail price. In fact, according to Consumer Affairs, "Even in the best-case scenario, you'll pay at least twice the standard retail price." (See also: This Is How Much a "Rent-to-Own" TV Really Costs)
Rent-to-Own Programs Are Unregulated

Rent-to-own programs do not require credit and are not a form of credit, so they are excluded from regulation by federal law. While some states do effectively regulate the purchase agreements, there are other states that have no regulations at all, which means that the buyer is taking on all the risk.
What About Missed Payments?

Some rental centers are lenient about missed payments and might just charge a late payment fee, but will allow you to keep the item. However, there are some rental centers that will repossess the item should you miss a payment. In this case, you will experience the worst of both worlds. You will lose the money that you invested toward the purchase of the item, and the item will be repossessed.

Unexpected Additional Fees

If you will only be using the item for a short amount of time, such as for a prolonged business trip, make sure the rental center you choose offers free repairs, delivery, pick up, and set up. This should be standard because the last thing you want is to be paying additional fees on top of the already exorbitant prices. These unexpected additional fees can really add up, so make sure to inquire about them before signing any agreements.
Is It Ever a Good Idea?

The only time rent-to-own may be a good idea (for the short-term) is in the following situations:

    You are traveling for business and need furniture and appliances for a short period of time. The benefit of rent-to-own programs is you only pay for the item as long as you need it, and you can stop making payments once you are ready to return the item.
    
    You need appliances or furniture right away and you can't wait until you have the money to purchase them.
    
    You frequently get bored with your appliances and like to upgrade often. Some rental centers will allow you to upgrade to newer products and technologies at no extra cost, as often as you want. In this case, you can think of it almost like leasing a car.

Bad Credit or No Credit?

Rent-to-own will allow you to buy items without credit, so if you have bad credit or no credit, it will be much easier to sign up for a rent-to-own program rather than trying to get your new TV financed. With a rental center, they will not check your credit or base their decision on mistakes you've made in the past. This also means that it won't show up on your credit, so the plan won't hurt or help your current situation.

Certain rental centers, like Rent-A-Center, will allow you to purchase the item within 90 days or less with no interest charges. This means you can purchase an item with 0% APR over three months. If you can pay off the item within three months, then this may be a good idea for you.
What About Large Purchases?

If you can't qualify for a mortgage loan, a rent-to-own agreement will allow you to live in your dream home today, with the option to purchase it down the road. However, this can be a pitfall for renters and may end up costing you more in the end. (See also: 5 Things You Need to Know When Renting-to-Own a Home)

Rent-to-own can apply to vehicles as well. The agreement is similar to a leasing agreement, except the money you pay every week or month will go toward the eventual purchase price of the vehicle. Whereas with a leasing agreement, your payment does not go toward the purchase price and you need to return the vehicle at the end of the term.
Consider Layaway Plans Instead

Instead of signing on to a rent-to-own agreement, consider a layaway plan. With a layaway plan, you can split the cost up into payments that meet your budget until it is paid off. Generally, you will need to make a down payment (usually 10%–20% of the purchase price) and can then arrange payments on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis.

A layaway plan is almost identical to a rent-to-own plan, except you won't have to worry about the high finance charges, and with layaway, your item will stay in the store until you have paid it off. There is generally a small service fee involved, but it is nothing compared to the finance charges you would face with rent-to-own.

Do you have any positive or negative experiences with rent-to-own programs? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

Resource :http://www.wisebread.com/why-rent-to-own-is-a-bad-idea

Design Recipes: How to furnish a vacation home

You just purchased the perfect vacation or weekend home, while the excitement is great, furnishing it may be a bit overwhelming.

Oftentimes the weekend home becomes the dumping ground for a hodgepodge of excess furniture or whatever may be collecting dust in storage. Instead, why not make that vacation home a showpiece in design? And there is no need to break the bank.

Getting started

Think about how the home will be used. Will it be used for solely you and your family to enjoy, or will it be rented out and used partially as an investment property?

Homes used for rental purposes will receive more wear and tear than one used just for you and your family. As a result, materials such as hospitality- or commercial-grade fabrics should be considered along with leather or Naugahyde as opposed to lighter or more fragile fabrics. Hospitality- and commercial-grade fabrics are also great solutions for everyday residential use, especially for those who have pets and children.

Furniture

Vacation and weekend homes are often places to bring and invite guests, so how you plan to entertain may also play a role in your furniture selections.

An investment in a good quality sofa should top your list.

■Choose a sofa made of kiln-dried hard wood as opposed to a soft wood such as pine.

■Learn about how the foundation of the sofa is created, as the sturdiness of the frame will impact its longevity. In general, the more springs, ties and reinforcement, the better.

■Feel the back of the sofa. You should not feel staples or wood — these are indications of a poorly wrapped frame.

■Choose partial down- or foam-filled seat cushions as opposed to those filled with pure down. While down is cozy and soft, down eventually begins to flatten and will not look as plump as it once did.

Beyond your sofa selection, the next important selection should be the flooring material or floor covering.

Flooring for an investment property should be durable, so be sure to select a low-maintenance flooring solution such as porcelain tile or hardwood that is well-protected. In general, carpeting may not be the ideal solution due to potential staining and odor.

Colors

Why not consider those that are soft and soothing? As this is a home in which to get away from it all, creating an inviting oasis will help increase your enjoyment.

Some colors to consider include:

■Charcoal gray. Charcoal gray pairs well with light and bright colors and will also hide potential stains.

■Blue. Blue is a calming, soothing, cool color that helps to relax a space.

■Yellow. Yellow is a bright, happy color that can help perk up potentially dark spaces.

■Green. Green is a color that can add a lot of interest to a space and serves as a great accent color.

How much should you spend?

Furniture, lighting and accessories can be little or big ticket items depending on your budget and taste. Expect to pay the most for your larger items such as sofas and beds.

When making your purchasing decisions consider how long you plan to keep the home. Buying furniture that will be long-lasting has its advantages. However, if you only plan to keep a home short term, you may wish to consider furnishing your home using a blend of pieces that are high and low.

Keep in mind, however, that just because an item isn’t expensive doesn’t mean it isn’t well-designed, so be sure to pay attention to construction quality.

Don’t forget to include artwork and accessories, as this can help create a home that feels finished.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at cathyhobbs.com.
Resource :http://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/home-garden/2016/08/11/vacation-home-furnishings/88587470/

Boyhood chums find market ready for Uberlike mover

When Hunter Riley decided to help his brother out by hauling art from his North Little Rock gallery to Chicago in his pickup, he didn't anticipate it would lead to an entirely different career path.

While there, someone heard Riley had a pickup and asked for help moving a credenza. Something soon became clear to Riley and his childhood friend John Goodwin, a fellow Arkansan working in advertising in Chicago at the time.

Growing up on Topf Road in North Little Rock, the two childhood neighbors always had a friend with a pickup. Not so for many people in places like the Windy City, they realized.

So they founded Schlep to match people with large vehicles and brawn to customers who had bulky items too big to be easily moved but too small to justify hiring a moving service.

"You're going to call on anyone with a truck and an extra set of muscles if you have something heavy to lift across town," said Riley, who has a background in international development and nonprofit and startup consulting. "We really formed a vision around that ... anyone with a pickup truck, a cargo van or SUV could utilize them in a way to make extra money."

"We consider ourselves part of the 'gig economy,' the idea that anyone can plug in through our platform and our marketplace, the vision that individuals with these resources could make extra money." Short-term rental company Airbnb and ride-sharing service Uber are examples of this kind of marketplace, providing platforms for part-time income to independent contractors.

Schleppers, as the movers/drivers are called, go through three levels of vetting before they can claim jobs: personality, professionalism and full background checks.

"The screening process is the most important part and the reason we've grown in such a particular way," Riley said. "It really boils down to 'are you comfortable with this person? Would you be comfortable with them in your home?'

"We're offering an independent contractor network for people to make extra money with the neighborliness from Arkansas, the idea that the person delivering your things is someone you'd want to have a conversation with," Riley said.

The company's tagline, "Your Neighbor with a Truck," encapsulates this.

"We're just two Arkansas boys bringing Arkansas values to a Chicago-based company," Riley said.

Once the pair started digging into the issue, it became clear that there were individual and business needs for this service. Event planners, interior designers and furniture stores previously had to rely on expensive and large moving companies and courier services often unable to handle quick turnarounds.

"We still Schlep for consumers who have a one-off need like for a move, but we primarily plan to make ourselves part of the local logistical business, insert ourselves into this ecosystem," Riley said.

"Prior to using Schlep, we would contract out our Chicago-area moves to different providers. This was costly and not scalable," said Schlep customer Michael Stone of Interior Define, a Chicago furniture store. "Partnering with Schlep provides us with the security and efficiency to handle any type of move and has really made a huge impact on our business in Chicago."

"Everyone wants to associate our business as the Lyft or Uber of," Riley said. "But we never saw that as the end-all, be-all of the company. We've adopted a hybrid model."

Independent contractors range from people with seasonal jobs and students to Crossfit instructors. These "Schleppers" get first dibs on jobs posted on the Schlep app, planned generally a week in advance, unlike the instantaneous Uber or Lyft. However, also unlike the popular ride-sharing services, Schlep has six full-time employees who do deliveries, promote and work events, and train independent contractors. Full-timers are relied on if no one is able to take a job.

All contractors are paid per move. Each delivery's price is determined based on how far something has to go and how many "obstacles" are involved, like a staircase or elevator. Riley estimates a typical Schlep is a sectional sofa moving about four miles with one obstacle, which costs about $75-$80.

"Honestly, I think it's one of the best workplace environments, because we [Schleppers] create it," said Josue Barrera, who has replaced two part-time jobs with a job with Schlep on his own schedule. "Yes, the standard set by Schlep is high in regard to quality, but I'm practically working for myself. I'm my own boss.

"I think of Schlep as a broker providing customer leads. I just show up and do the easy part -- lift couches, etc."

Since their first Schlep delivery on Sept. 1, 2014, the company raised investment capital and has now set a goal of $1 million. They currently handle hundreds of jobs per month.

"It is a great idea -- simple and beneficial for the community, especially on short notice," said Aaron Wolf, a part-time contractor and full-time outfitter and wilderness guide. "People love it."

Riley and Goodwin hope to expand the company nationwide.

"The ultimate vision is to really define the Schlep niche," Riley said. "We think this is a niche that doesn't yet have a solution. It's too often defaulted to people doing it themselves or having to spend way more money than they should."

SundayMonday Business on 08/14/2016

Print Headline: Boyhood chums find market ready for Uberlike mover
Resource: http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2016/aug/14/boyhood-chums-find-market-ready-for-ube/?f=business

How to furnish a vacation home

You just purchased the perfect vacation or weekend home, while the excitement is great, furnishing it may be a bit overwhelming.

Oftentimes the weekend home becomes the dumping ground for a hodgepodge of excess furniture or whatever may be collecting dust in storage. Instead, why not make that vacation home a showpiece in design? And there is no need to break the bank.
Getting started

Think about how the home will be used. Will it be used for solely you and your family to enjoy, or will it be rented out and used partially as an investment property?

Homes used for rental purposes will receive more wear and tear than one used just for you and your family. As a result, materials such as hospitality- or commercial-grade fabrics should be considered along with leather or Naugahyde as opposed to lighter or more fragile fabrics. Hospitality- and commercial-grade fabrics are also great solutions for everyday residential use, especially for those who have pets and children.
Furniture

Vacation and weekend homes are often places to bring and invite guests, so how you plan to entertain may also play a role in your furniture selections.

An investment in a good quality sofa should top your list.

When looking for a sofa, here are some aspects to consider:

— Choose a sofa made of kiln-dried hard wood as opposed to a soft wood such as pine.

— Learn about how the foundation of the sofa is created, as the sturdiness of the frame will impact its longevity. In general, the more springs, ties and reinforcement, the better.

— Feel the back of the sofa. You should not feel staples or wood — these are indications of a poorly wrapped frame.

— Choose partial down- or foam-filled seat cushions as opposed to those filled with pure down. While down is cozy and soft, down eventually begins to flatten and will not look as plump as it once did.

Beyond your sofa selection, the next important selection should be the flooring material or floor covering.

Flooring for an investment property should be durable, so be sure to select a low-maintenance flooring solution such as porcelain tile or hardwood that is well-protected. In general, carpeting may not be the ideal solution due to potential staining and odor.
Colors

Why not consider those that are soft and soothing? As this is a home in which to get away from it all, creating an inviting oasis will help increase your enjoyment.

Some colors to consider include:

— Charcoal gray. Charcoal gray pairs well with light and bright colors and will also hide potential stains.

— Blue. Blue is a calming, soothing, cool color that helps to relax a space.

— Yellow. Yellow is a bright, happy color that can help perk up potentially dark spaces.

— Green. Green is a color that can add a lot of interest to a space and serves as a great accent color.
The budget

Furniture, lighting and accessories can be little or big ticket items depending on your budget and taste. Expect to pay the most for your larger items such as sofas and beds.

When making your purchasing decisions consider how long you plan to keep the home. Buying furniture that will be long-lasting has its advantages. However, if you only plan to keep a home short term, you may wish to consider furnishing your home using a blend of pieces that are high and low.

Keep in mind, however, that just because an item isn’t expensive doesn’t mean it isn’t well-designed, so be sure to pay attention to construction quality.

Don’t forget to include artwork and accessories, as this can help create a home that feels finished. Artificial blooms and succulents can serve as the icing on the cake.

Resource :http://www.winonadailynews.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/how-to-furnish-a-vacation-home/article_0a54483e-867f-5438-91f5-308c41bb3c0a.html

Rent a lifestyle

Live your dream life without spending much. NAVEENA VIJAYAN speaks to companies that offer clients the chance to experience luxury at a fraction of the cost

Dream this up: a limousine (around Rs. one crore) drops you at your friend’s 21st birthday party. You step out, wearing an Anita Dongre lehenga and top (close to Rs. 54,000), a matching diamond necklace set (around Rs.1,50,000) and ALDO stilettos (around Rs. 8,000). Now, just turning this part into reality can cost you a little over a crore. Unless you win a jackpot or acquire a mountain of wealth from your parents, this dream would remain one until you are too old to attend birthday parties. Or, would it?

As it turns out, there is a way around the issue of not being able to afford one’s ideal lifestyle — don’t buy, just rent.

Now, let’s go back to the dream and apply this. Rent a Chrysler limousine from Eco Rent a Car for Rs. 15,000 (basic package), an Anita Dongre lehenga from Swishlist for Rs. 5,500, a diamond necklace from Eves24 for Rs. 8,500, and ALDO stilettos from The Clothing Rental for Rs. 1,000. Your total expenditure works out to a fraction of what it would if you bought them.

The concept of renting, which is quite established in the West with popular online rental sites such as Rent the Runway (which has a whopping five million members, including celebrities and billionaires), Gwynnie Bee, Bag Borrow or Steal, and more, is now creating a buzz in the country.

Over the past few years, there has been an explosion in the number of rental sites for premium products such as luxury cars, fashion wear, designer shoes and designer furniture, and essentials like home appliances, study tables and even a bean bag! It almost seems like renting is the new buying, especially for those between 20 and 40 years.

Besides being a choice made for economical reasons, renting fashion wear makes sense, given “most of today’s fashion trends are defined by Snapchat, Facebook or Instagram. They usually change in a short period. And today’s fashion-conscious youngsters like to keep pace with it. So, why would they buy a Rs. 50,000 worth label, if they cannot repeat it for more than one event”? asks Vedika Oberoi, co-founder of Mumbai-based Swishlist that gets between 100 and 300 requests per month, and rents out labels such as Manish Malhotra, Ridhima Bhasin and Amit Aggarwal for just around Rs. 5,500. Fashion rental sites such as The Clothing Rental started off renting out high-end gowns to stylists and celebrities, but later opened to the public because of demand. Be it for a wedding or a weekend party, there are at least a dozen sites such as TheDuffl, Secret Wardrobe and more, where you can browse for the perfect dress.

“When it comes to jewellery, two reasons why people buy it are indulgence and investment. If a woman buys a necklace worth Rs. five lakh, she might not want to wear it more than once, as most family functions tend to have a similar crowd. The piece is then sent into the locker. And, buying a necklace is not a good investment if you consider the making and wastage charges. A better option would be to buy a gold bar. Even if you put that money in a deposit, you’ll still get Rs. 5,40,000 in a year. On the other hand, renting jewellery worth Rs. 5 lakh from us might cost you Rs. 20,000, just a fraction of your returns from the savings,” explains Rahul Banka, founder, Eves24.com, which runs a ‘Jewellery Library’ for people to borrow jewellery from, with some pieces costing as much as Rs. 10 lakh.

The wiser lot among the millennials are shedding the idea of ownership — not just on houses or cars, but also on fashion wear, jewellery, and articles of everyday use, such as a vacuum cleaner or bedside lamp. The attitude has shifted from owning the best to experiencing it. “One of the reasons for this trend is that in most metro cities (where a majority of the e-commerce sites are functional), the population is constantly migrating. According to a survey, Delhi has the highest migration rate of 43 per cent, followed by Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai. People stay for, probably, three months in a city, before moving to another, or even abroad. Ninety per cent of our customers stay in rented flats. During their stay here, it doesn’t make sense for them to buy a new refrigerator, television or furniture. That’s when we come into the picture,” says Shubham Jain, co-founder of GrabOnRent, which has served over 4,000 customers since it began in September 2015.

Then, there are sites such as Furlenco which focus on providing high-end designer furniture for those capable of buying it, and are not migrating, but simply do not want to own it. The site rents out designer furniture, and packages include everything from pillow and table covers to beside lamps and beds. “The idea is to help people who do not want to be forced to stay committed to a piece of furniture. Those who want a change in the look of their room can swap the furniture settings every six months!” says Ajith Mohan, founder and CEO, Furlenco.

“People are warming up fast to the idea of renting. In about five to seven years, the industry will touch the $20 billion mark. We had 150 subscribers when we started out last year; now, the number stands at 6,000. That’s a good indicator!”

***

Luxury cars

Chennai-based Luxury8 and its sister concern Travel Point rent cars along with chauffeurs for business meets, weddings, and more. They rent out cars on an ‘eight-hours, 80-km’ package, and prices vary depending on the cars. Other options include Eco Rent a Car, Luxury Limo, MylesCar, Zoomcar.

Home appliances and furniture

Hire anything from a recliner, book shelf, table and a plush bed to designer furniture, refrigerator, TV and bean bag from Furlenco, GrabOnRent, Rentmojo.com, RentOne.com

Fashion wear

Rent high-end labels and celebrity gowns from Swishlist, Secret Wardrobe, Flyrobe, Klozee, Liberent, stylebank.in, wrapd.in

Camping and trekking gear

Get a hiking pole, trekking shoes, walkie talkie and Go Pro on Shoes on Loose

Art

Popular sites include Hang Art, Rise Art and Artsicle in the West. In India, sites such as ArtEnthuse are picking up
Resource: http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/rent-a-highflying-lifestyle/article8942915.ece

Home, but not alone

You don’t always need a pad of your own to enjoy complete freedom

It was just another day at work. The Gurgaon sky was colourless. The routine edit meeting was unremarkable. My lunch looked the usual. And I had no exciting after-work plans to look forward to. It didn’t look like a day that would change my life — temporarily. During a coffee break at the small round table in the one-room office, my colleague sowed the seeds of that change in my head: “Shweta, why don’t you become my flatmate?” The suddenness of the suggestion drew nothing but a blank stare from me. Move in with her, but why? She is not a close friend... Just a colleague with whom I am cordial, I thought.

Thirty minutes later, after another cup of strong coffee, the idea took root. From ‘but why’, I graduated to ‘why not’. During the metro ride home — the spacious Model Town apartment I shared with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and a niece — I thought some more. By the time I entered the house (to the welcoming fragrance of my mom’s chicken curry), I was ready for the experiment.

A couple of weeks later — in July 2012 — I broached the topic at home. I took my mother into confidence, knowing fully well her strong views on the importance of girls being self-reliant. Her response was positive. I quickly assigned her the task of breaking the news to the rest of the family. My father was next in queue. “But why do you want to leave us? You have everything you need. You have your room, your TV, your reading corner... How much more space does one need?” he asked over dinner one night. It’s not about space, I replied. “I am going to be 30 soon and I want to be in charge of my life. Pay rent, do groceries, cook and clean, make my own budget.” What I didn’t add to the list I rattled off was ‘stay out till late with friends and not worry about missing the last metro’. The word ‘freedom’, quite strangely, didn’t figure in the discussions that followed. I harped on the importance of discovering self-worth. And managed to connect it to having a separate address.

It took less than a week for my father to give his nod. By August, I’d moved into my new oyster — a windowless, dingy room in a modest two-bedroom apartment near Saket in south Delhi. I had to share a bathroom. There was no room for my winter clothes in the steel almirah, so I left them in the safety of my old wardrobe. Instead of a table laden with fresh, homemade food, I often returned to an empty refrigerator. Evening plans for movies, beer and pizzas slowly lost ground to buying veggies and doing laundry. And phone calls to my mother became more about quick recipes for dinner than the latest wedding in the extended family.

From an early-to-bed, early-to-rise person, I transformed into a night owl. I accompanied my flatmate to gigs, house parties, movies and pubs. My TV, which I had installed in the living room, started to look lonely and unwanted. In less than two months, I was ready to give anything to be able to sleep before prime-time TV hours. The drudgery of household chores was taking the wind out of my sails. And keeping up with my highly social and energetic flatmate proved tougher than remembering Chaucer. I started to miss the long metro rides to work and back. The comfort of being driven around — by my flatmate in her new car — did little to ease the headache of being stuck in traffic during peak hours.

Very soon, I started going back to Model Town almost every day of the week. My parents looked both puzzled and happy, but they spared me the questions. All I could think of in those days was my sunlit room, the one I had lived in for more than 12 years, and home food. At the end of a tiring day, I was happy to come home and play with my niece. The drinks, the disco, the music, the excitement of meeting new people — everything paled in comparison with the rest and relaxation I was craving.

I bid goodbye to the new home in less than a year. Back in my own corner, I realised I was lucky to have my personal space in a house filled with people. In fact, my family, after my return, went out of their way to give me more space. This doesn’t mean that I am shy of having my own pad someday. But it won’t be on the pretext of being self-reliant or experiencing complete freedom.

Shweta Andrews works with a publishing house in Delhi NCR
Resource  : http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/cover/home-but-not-alone/article8978805.ece