Painted Mural Arches: Give Them Something to Talk About!
Move Over, Arches: This Is The Throwback Painted Mural Trend Design Nerds Will Be Talking About All Year Perhaps you’ve noticed a return to more conventional, opulent rooms in interior design, as evidenced by the abundance of homes with board-and-batten walls, grand Persian rugs, classic plaid upholstery, and crown and picture frame molding in your social media feeds and favorite magazine pages. Homes with original character have long been prized, but the property market and many of the home improvements right now on Instagram and TikTok seem to be reflecting a newfound regard for historic elements. Renters are joining the trend in various ways, and homeowners who have upgraded to more contemporary homes are also copying these exquisite features to breathe life into otherwise boring areas. This mini-design movement’s DIY projects have primarily been focused on incorporating traditional architectural details. What if I told you that individuals are turning to paint cans and brushes rather than their toolboxes for the newest (and perhaps most budget-friendly?) iteration of the adding vintage character trend? That’s right; trompe-l’oeil architectural beauty is a popular, old-meets-new paint technique. Trompe-l’oeil is French for “to mislead the eye.” People are beginning to paint moldings and picture frame trim rather than hanging them. Consider Calvin Hrezik‘s 500-square-foot studio as an illustration. The flat has plain white walls, wood floors, and little living space, which is par for the course in New York City. Despite this, Hrezik has furnished and decorated the house to give it a sumptuous, Parisian-style air. She also cleverly used paint. Being an interior designer by trade, he used creativity to infuse personality into an otherwise bland abode. “I collaborated on trompe-l’oeil paintings throughout with my incredibly amazing muralist friend Colton Ackerman, but in a cartoonish, campy, ‘Mary Poppins’ way,” he adds. For a unified, encompassing appearance, a row of closets in the entry hallway are painted fully in Benjamin Moore’s San Antonio Rose (027). The pair added creative, almost doodle-like renditions of picture frame molding in a contrasting red tone on top of that peachy-orange base. The living room is decorated in Benjamin Moore’s Coastal Cottage (1164) and features painted drapes and garlands that hang from the ceiling. As she continues, Hrezik describes how “the tassels dance on the tops of the Benjamin Moore Coastal Cottage walls around the main area, tying off a faux curtain into the entrance and closet hallway, complete with a painting of my cat, Disco Stardust, engaging in her favorite activity of pawing at pigeons.” You can find additional deceiving visuals in the bathroom, this time in the form of “wallpaper.” Hrezik requested that Ackerman paint “frames filled with a handful of my favorite things, inspired by the thought of flooding all of the bathroom walls with my queer art collection” for this project. These wacky outlines were painted in Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray (2062-20), and they are located above the shower’s towering wainscoting of blue tiles. There’s no disputing that the painted mural trend may be moving from abstract geometric patterns and arches into this trompe l’oeil realm. These painted features may be more stylized than your standard crown molding or box panels. Although following this trend may take some time and effort, it is a very cost-effective method to give your house personality and charm. If you feel comfortable, you can create these graphics by hand, or you can collaborate with a pro as Hrezik did. However, when it comes to picture frame molding specifically, the look may be effectively achieved with a few colors and some deliberate measuring, painting, and tape to produce the shadows that actual molding pieces would cast. Because 2023 is still a new year for paint ideas, there will be even more eclectic ideas this year! Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
How Much Square Footage Do Couples Need To Be Happy?
How Much Square Footage Do Couples Need To Be Happy? Moving in together is a significant and frequent life-or-death decision for couples. But how much does the size of your apartment actually affect how content you and your partner are when you live together? It appears to be a lot. Recently, 900 people were polled by the lighting company, Sofary, regarding the expenses and advantages of moving in together. The results revealed that when it comes to square footage, couples do need their space – 1,800 square feet, to be exact. According to Sofary, those who were content in their romantic partnership typically had 12.8 percent more living space than those who weren’t. According to the study, the size of a home—even just 100 square feet—can determine whether a couple is happy or unhappy. The average home size for baby boomers was 1,835 square feet, compared to 1,733 square feet for miserable couples. The square footage to happiness ratio was far less constrained for millennials, though. Happy millennial couples shared an area of 1,810 square feet on average, while dissatisfied millennial couples only had 1,566 square feet to call their own. 1. Break up the stay However, despite the skyrocketing rent prices, most couples aren’t moving in together just to save money. 73.6 percent of surveyed couples decided to move in together because they felt ready to advance in their relationship. However, 45.7% of couples chose to live together because it was more convenient for them to see one another. While 20% of couples did so to save money on living expenses other than rent, just over one-fourth (28.1%) of couples moved in together to do so. So, while sharing a small apartment shouldn’t completely deter you from doing so with your spouse, remember that everyone occasionally needs their own space. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
5 Things Everyone Should Clean in January
5 Things Everyone Should Clean in January Everyone, happy January and welcome to the peak of the cold and flu season! The gloomy January days are the ideal time to clean your house because Covid is still around, and other infections have crept in. You may then start the new year clean and new. After holiday parties, January is a fantastic time to deep clean. This will prevent you from having to search for a hidden champagne glass beneath a table three months later as in previous years. A house cleaning expert discussed the finest items to clean in January. What she said was as follows. “Bid farewell to the holidays!” The parties are over, the revelers went home, and the holiday decorations are starting to droop. Take this opportunity to clean all your holiday swag and stash it away for next year. According to Jennifer Rodriguez of ProHousekeepers, “January is the time to pick up and organize Christmas decorative objects in preparation for a new year cleaning.” Wash any pillows, throws, or other soft goods you have for the holidays that can be washed by hand or machine. Thoroughly clean the bathroom The bathroom needs a thorough cleaning as well. After all, it is flu season, and over the holidays, the bathroom was probably one of your house’s most frequently visited rooms. For toilets, I suggest Microban, and for bathtubs, showers, and sinks, I suggest Clorox bathroom cleaning. “Microban says that for 24 hours following application, their solution keeps surfaces clean.” Put away gifts (and declutter) Another recommendation? To reduce clutter, make sure you’ve stored all your holiday presents. If you received brand-new clothing as a present, think about giving similar items that you no longer wear. Tackle hard surfaces Clean and sanitize all the hard surfaces in your home and other public areas to start the new year off right. Consider items such as countertops, tables, doorknobs, computers, faucets, and even items you might not think of, such as cell phones and laptops. Some germs can remain on these items and the likelihood that you will become ill increases if someone in your immediate vicinity coughs or sneezed and subsequently touched anything. Do annual maintenance tasks Every home needs maintenance work done at the beginning of the year. Because you won’t forget to do it, the timing is very wise. A fresh start and maintenance updates. In addition to inspecting your HVAC system’s filters for potential cleaning or replacement, Rodriguez advises checking your water filters to determine if they need to be changed. Additionally, pay attention to any dirty electronics, windowsills, curtains, and dryer vents, as well as fridge problems. After the holidays, “[these items] are typically disregarded since everyone is focused on their New Year’s resolutions and starting work again,” according to Rodriguez. Start the new year off properly by maintaining a clean and healthy house and avoiding illness. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
How Often Should a Landlord Make Repairs?
How Often Should a Landlord Make Repairs? A major advantage of renting a property is that you don’t have to worry about making and paying for repairs that arise from daily wear and tear. While not every component of your rental home will be replaced during your stay, you can expect your landlord to make basic repairs regularly. Here, we share the common repairs that landlords may make to a rental property, and how often they are expected to complete them. Carpets Some carpets are made from higher quality materials, and therefore, have a longer expected lifetime than others. Because of the variability in the type of carpet installed in your rental home, how often it will be replaced will also vary. According to Diana Valin, owner, and broker of The Rental Xperts, “rental grade” carpet will typically have a life expectancy of five years. However, top-grade carpets with lifetime warranties against wear and tear may only need to be replaced upon significant damage. If damage to the carpet like a large stain or hole occurs before the recommended replacement period is up, landlords should replace the carpet before the next tenant moves in. In pet-friendly rentals, landlords may be less strict on the replacement rule when it comes to stains; however, carpets should always be cleaned and sanitized before the next tenant. Paint Typically, a property receives a fresh coat of paint in preparation for a new tenant to move in. Paint will cover those nicks, scrapes, and scratches that come with moving in and out of the home, and provides a clean start for the new renters. If a property has fewer move-ins and move-outs, as a general rule the walls should be repainted every three years. Quality paint jobs from professionals may last longer, but tenants expect that small touch-ups will be made throughout their stay. In addition, if a landlord wants tenants to renew their lease, offering a free paint job may be useful as one of the incentives. Extermination No tenant wants to live with unwanted guests, especially creepy crawly creatures and pests. To keep tenants happy and healthy, landlords should conduct routine pest prevention services. In many cases, communities will have contracts with pest control companies to conduct extermination services weekly or monthly. However, some situations will require more specialized extermination services, and quickly. Landlords should be prepared to call pest control technicians at any moment to spare their tenants from unexpected infestations. Leaks Leaks that are ignored have the potential to wreak havoc on any home. Any plumbing problem should be addressed quickly to avoid large-scale damage. The exact time frame for a leak repair varies on the type of leak, however, most repairs should be fixed within one-to-two days. More significant leaks and plumbing problems will require an outside contractor, meaning the repair will take longer to complete (and will cost more). Repair Requests Not all repairs are equal in size and intensity, so the time landlords should fill a repair request can differ. However, it is important to remember the laws that surround maintenance and repairs for rental properties. In the state of South Carolina, when tenants submit a written repair request, landlords will have fourteen days to start the requested repair and finish it in a reasonable period. However, if a landlord wants to stay in good standing with their tenant, he/she should work to restore the property within one-to-two days. In the event of an emergency, like a burst pipe, landlords are expected to act immediately. When a property is vacant, the landlord is also expected to continue regular maintenance to ensure habitable conditions; routine inspections are important in determining maintenance and repair responsibilities as they arise. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
6 Tips for Surviving a Stay with Family
6 Tips for Surviving a Stay with Family Are you spending the holidays at someone else’s home this year? If so, you may be dreading sleeping on a lumpy pull-out bed or the countless hours of small talk with the in-laws. But staying at a family member or friend’s house doesn’t have to be that bad. In fact, we’ve put together six tips to help you survive the entirety of your stay (without going insane). 1. Break up the stay Want to enjoy the holidays closely with family, but don’t want to have a bad backache the entirety of your trip? Consider splitting your overnight stays between family and a hotel or Airbnb closeby. Start off staying with family so you don’t miss those important holiday festivities and finish in a cozy hotel so you are well-rested for your travels back home. 2. Bring your own pillow If you do stay your entire trip at a family member’s, you can alleviate some of that impending back and neck pain by bringing your own pillow. Experts agree that you can enjoy a better night’s sleep, simply by sleeping on your own pillow. Flying travelers who can’t bring their own should ask their host for an extra pillow or two for comfort. 3. Offer a host gift While you may have some complaints about the stay, you should still be grateful for your hosts to invite you in during the holidays. What better way to express your gratitude than by bringing a thoughtful host gift. Ideas include a bottle of champagne or wine, breakfast pastries, their favorite snacks, or a delicious bag of coffee. In addition to a physical gift, bring your best self and give the gift of engaging conversation! 4. Layer up Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to the warmth of a home, especially if you both live in strikingly different climates. Out of preparation for your hosts keeping the house either too toasty or quite chilling, pack clothing that you can layer. Consider bringing a bathrobe, a thin pair of long underwear, fuzzy socks, and a cardigan or sweatshirt in addition to your regular trip-taking attire. 5. Don’t be afraid to ask We’ve all experienced the dread of jumping in the shower to come face-to-face with a confusing and complicated faucet handle. Don’t be afraid to ask your hosts the ins and outs of the home during your stay! We promise, they don’t mind giving you the Wi-Fi password or telling you how to work the microwave. 6. Keep busy Being around the same people 24/7 can make you go a little stir-crazy, and even the best host can’t prevent you from having cabin-fever during your stay. Ease your boredom by taking a daily walk or visiting attractions in the city you’re located. Even better, ask your host what you can do to help them out, whether that’s offering to run errands or helping with the housekeeping and cooking. End your stay by cleaning up after yourself (make those beds!) and thanking your family members or friends for allowing you to visit. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
8 Things You Should Avoid as a First-Time Renter
When Can You Evict Your Own Roommate? 1. Not Checking Your Credit Score With a low supply of available rentals, landlords and property managers are stricter than ever on applicant creditworthiness. According to real estate professional, Denise Supplee, “Since there are more and more applicants to choose from, the one with a strong job, good credit, and income will get an apartment over someone with little to no credit.” Making sure you meet the credit score requirement before applying will allow you to have a higher chance of scoring the property. You can easily check your credit score through free services online that provide tips for improving your credit. 2. Not Having Paperwork Ready In the world of rentals today, things move fast. For this reason, it’s important to have all your paperwork completed and ready to go. This includes a filled-out application form, six months’ worth of pay stubs, tax returns, references, and all your co-signer’s forms. Real estate experts recommend carrying a scanned copy of required documents for any showings you go to so you’ll always be prepared. 3. Assuming You’ll Get the Rental Just because you apply for a rental, that does not mean you are guaranteed to win the unit. Even if you have amazing credit and your finances are in order, the competitive market makes it difficult to predict whether or not you’ll land the lease. Keep your options open as you apartment hunt, and have a few backup units in mind as you wait to hear from the landlord. If you have your heart set on a particular property, mention that you would be open to paying a little more in rent; stating your willingness to pay may be just what your application needs to get noticed. 4. Paying More Than What You Can Afford Renters should be careful to not become eager and sign a lease for rent that is higher than they can afford. Just because the rent fits within your budget now, does not mean that it will after you account for other expenses. To avoid making this mistake, financial adviser Micheal Cannivet recommends using the 30% rule, which states that you cannot afford rent that costs more than 30% of your monthly income. 5. Panic Renting Due to the low volume of available rentals, renters may be tempted to take any property they can get. This is not the wisest decision, as you could end up stuck in a lease for a unit that is impractical to your lifestyle. Oftentimes, renters will settle for units smaller than what they need, but real estate experts warn against this unless you are looking to downsize considerably or pay extra money to have your leftover belongings kept in a storage unit. To avoid making hasty decisions, put together a list of features you are seeking, making sure to identify the must-haves. This will allow you to carefully analyze each property to make sure it’s right for you. 6. Having Too Narrow of a Search While some renters may have the problem of signing for whatever is available on the market, others have the opposite problem. When renters cling to a specific idea of what they envision in their head, they are quick to become disappointed with the rental hunt. Keep your options open as you search, and consider what really matters to you within a property. 7. Not Clarifying All Costs When first-time renters hear the monthly rent cost, they sometimes assume that rent includes utilities. Landlords today will write terms in the lease that outlines what the tenant is responsible for paying. This can include trash pickup, parking, amenities, Wi-Fi, electricity, gas, sewer, and pet fees. Before agreeing to a lease, read through the fine print to understand what you will be responsible for, and budget accordingly. 8. Not Doing a Walk-Through Once you have signed the lease, you are likely eager to get into your rental as soon as possible. However, before you move in, it’s important to conduct a walkthrough with the landlord or property manager and take photos of the property to assess and record current conditions. This will allow you to protect yourself against damage that was incurred to the unit before you moved in. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
When Can You Evict Your Own Roommate?
When Can You Evict Your Own Roommate? Sometimes rent costs too much for one person, and other times you don’t want to live on your own quite yet. No matter the reason for choosing to live with a roommate, sometimes they become too hard to handle. So what do you do when your roommate won’t pay his/her fair share for the month, or simply makes your living environment unbearable? Can you kick them out – or will you have to leave it to the landlord? Here are some instances where you may be able to evict a poor roommate. When They’re Not Paying Rent Evicting a roommate who does not pay rent is clear-cut if the terms are correctly spelled out in the lease. However, eviction becomes more difficult if the lease does not break down the rent payment among the tenants, leaving both to be jointly responsible. If you pay your half, but your roommate does not, you may both get evicted since the full payment was not made. To prevent this issue from occurring, legal experts recommend asking the landlord to give separate leases to each tenant so each person is responsible for their own determined amount. If your roommate does not pay according to their lease, you will likely be able to negotiate with the landlord regarding their eviction. When They’re On the Lease Taking care of a roommate eviction is easy if they are partaking in illegal behavior, such as drugs, violence, or threats. In these instances, you can file a police report and restraining order, which results in removing them from the lease. However, if your roommate is simply annoying, it is much more difficult to evict them. Keep note of complaints and potential lease violations and bring them to the landlord’s attention. While you likely can’t kick someone out for not doing their dishes, you may be able to evict someone if their significant other or family member is practically living at the unit rent-free. When They’re On the Sublease If you are the primary leaseholder and want to accept someone as a roommate, it is a good idea to ask if you can draft the sublease with the landlord. By doing this, you can establish the parameters you want, including a security deposit, whether pets are allowed, how many guests allowed and for how long, what alterations they can make, fees for late payments, and utility fees. You should also make sure you can terminate the sublease and evict your roommate by taking the same steps your landlord would during the eviction process. Once the sublease has been drafted, have a lawyer look over it and get it notarized. When They’re Not On a Lease Trying to evict a roommate that is not on a lease may be the most difficult situation of the three, since you cannot simply kick them out and change the locks. Anyone who moves into an apartment acquires homestead rights, meaning if your roommate goes to the police, they can help him/her regain access to their living quarters. Instead, you will need to enlist the help of the landlord to conduct an eviction, since you don’t have the rights of a property owner to evict tenants. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
Pros and Cons of Renting a Studio Apartment
One-Story Homes vs. Two-Story Homes What is a studio apartment? Studio apartments, also known as studio flats, contain a bedroom, living room, and kitchen all in one open space. There are no barrier walls in a studio apartment, requiring you to live, dine, and sleep in the same room. Depending on the size and layout of the space, a studio apartment can be quite spacious to live in. Some residents add dividers and curtains to create a sense of separation, while others fully embrace the open concept lifestyle. Studio apartments are a popular option for single renters who want to live on their own with a tight budget. To help you decide whether studio apartment living is right for you, we share both the advantages and disadvantages. What are the pros? Studio apartments typically cost less than the average one or two bedroom apartment, which is a great option for young people who want to live entirely independently for the first time. Rental experience expert Niccole Schreck says, “Moving into a studio apartment can be a great way to save money on rent without getting a roommate or settling for a less-than-desirable neighborhood.” In addition to more affordable rent, studio apartments will also likely have lower utility bills. Small units are more cost efficient to heat and cool, and the amount of needed lighting sources will be fewer with only one main room to illuminate. Furnishing a studio apartment is also cheaper than furnishing a typical apartment, since you only need to purchase a few items to fill up the smaller space. Cleaning and maintenance is also quite simple due to little room for extra clutter and only one main living area to deep clean. What are the cons? While studio apartments are ideal for the single lifestyle, if you are married or have children, the lack of space might just drive you crazy. Without storage closets and spare bedrooms, living in a studio apartment can make you feel cramped and overwhelmed and may force you to part with some of your belongings. If you enjoy entertaining guests, you will also find some challenges in a studio apartment since your once private bedroom is now exposed as guests sit in the open living room. With a smaller space, finding functional furniture that will fit is also a challenge. Finally, though the low cost of utilities may sound appealing, when living in a studio apartment, you will have to carry your laundry back and forth from the communal laundry room or a public laundromat. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
Preventing Holiday Mishaps to Your Home
Preventing Holiday Mishaps to Your Home Stuff happens to your home, especially during the holiday season when temperatures drop, packages are delivered, and decorations are hung with glee. While all the festivities of the holiday season are enjoyable, the potential hazards that come with them are not. According to a survey conducted by SimpliSafe, fires, frozen pipes, and porch pirates (package thieves) are among the most dreaded holiday mishaps. Despite these concerns, only 35% of American adults are worried about one of these incidents happening to their home, resulting in a large amount of vulnerable homes. Here are some easy tips to prepare for the holidays to prevent these mishaps, allowing you to focus on what really matters this holiday season. Fire Hazards Old appliances, unattended stoves, and holiday decorations are all common sources of fires during the holidays. In fact, more than 70% of the Simplisafe survey respondents said they have set off a smoke alarm while cooking a holiday meal! It is important to never leave gas or electric stoves unattended while cooking meals and to always keep an eye on food in the oven. If you decide to deep-fry a turkey or ham for your holiday meal, it is critical to make sure it is properly thawed. If meat is not thawed before being placed into a deep fryer it can explode and cause oil burn injuries and an oil fire. In addition to cooking, holiday lights, candles, wreaths and tinsel should all be placed around the house in caution. It is recommended to keep all decorations at least 3 feet away from heat sources, and all electric decorations should be unplugged at night. Another crucial element is to make sure your Christmas tree is watered everyday. Be sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working condition as well. Frozen Pipes Drops in the temperature can cause serious pipe damage, which can result in a burst or leak. While older homes are more at risk for frozen pipes, you should keep an eye on indoor pipes in cold garages, attics, and basements. To prepare for potential mishaps, experts recommend installing a temperature sensor to monitor for low temperatures and a water sensor to immediately identify leaks. Though temperatures may not quite reach low enough to freeze pipes along the Grand Strand, it is better to be safe than sorry this holiday season. Porch Pirates Between Thanksgiving and New Years, the USPS estimates it delivers more than 13.2 billion packages! More packages means more opportunities for porch pirates to strike, especially with an increase in online shopping. According to the Simplisafe survey, almost half of respondents said they have had a package stolen from their front porch or home. To prevent package thieves from ruining your holiday spirit, experts recommend installing a doorbell camera to monitor your front porch. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on packaging delivery updates, and plan to be home when large, expensive items will be delivered. If you can’t be home to watch for deliveries, have packages delivered to a trusted friend or neighbor’s house, or schedule an in-person pickup at the store. These practices will help prevent porch pirates, but in the event that your packages do get stolen, you can submit a stolen package claim with companies like Amazon and FedEx. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.
Your Guide to Renters Insurance
Your Guide to Renters Insurance Homeowners insurance is required by mortgage companies and allows homeowners to have protection over their property and belongings in the event the home becomes damaged. But what about people who rent a property? Shouldn’t they have protection for their belongings and protection against liability for property damage? That is where renters insurance comes into play. What is Renters Insurance? Renters insurance covers the loss of personal property and protects the renter from liability claims in the event of a damage-inducing event to the home. This also includes injuries that occur in the rental that are not caused by the home’s structure (injuries that are caused by structural concerns are the landlord’s responsibility). Obtaining renters insurance is the smartest decision you will ever make as a renter, especially because it is the least expensive and easiest type of insurance to get. What Does Renters Insurance Cover? There are three essential areas that renters insurance covers: personal possessions, liability, and additional living expenses. Personal possessions coverage is for your owned contents of the rental. These belongings are protected from named perils, which typically include fire, theft, vandalism, plumbing and electrical malfunctions, and weather-related damage (not including flood and earthquake damage). The standard HO-4 policy for renters covers personal property losses due to hail, explosions, riots, and damage caused by aircraft, vehicles, and vandalism. Liability coverage protects renters in the event they get sued for injury and damages incurred at the home by other people. This covers court judgments and legal expenses up to a certain amount, which is typically between $100,000-300,000; any coverage over the determined amount requires an umbrella policy. Additional living expenses coverage will provide renters with money for temporary housing due to inhabitable living caused by one of the named perils. This coverage will pay hotel bills, restaurant meals, temporary rentals, and any other costs incurred while the property is being repaired. How Do I Get Renters Insurance? When applying for renters insurance, renters should take pictures of everything they own and write down serial numbers that will help verify the insurance claim. Renters should also enter these items into a spreadsheet with the actual or estimated value of each item, which will help in better proving the value of their possessions. This is also important to prevent renters from underestimating personal goods, which in turn, prevents them from under-insuring themselves. After renters have determined how much insurance they will need, they must then choose an insurance company. Gather opinions on local companies from friends, family members, and neighbors and compare rates. Once the renter has chosen a company, they should then start the application process. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, renters insurance will cost an average of about $15 per month; however, these rates vary based on the state, company, and amount of insurance purchased. Once the new policy has arrived in the mail, renters should read it to confirm their coverage and understand what is and is not included in the policy. Contact Us We would love to hear from you! So let’s set up a meeting today. Please fill out the form and you will receive an email from us. If you do not get the email in the next 5 minutes, check your spam/junk folder. We will make sure that someone gets in touch with you as soon as possible.