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About Rental Insurance

Many renters don’t stop to think about what happens if there is a fire, someone breaks in and steals their new TV or stereo, or a visitor slips and falls on their property. The sad truth is; you will be responsible! While your landlord has insurance that covers the actual building, that coverage does not include your personal property or liability for injuries which occur in the space you rent ~ be it an apartment or a house and yard.

If a fire should destroy or damage your home, your landlord’s insurance will cover the structure. It won’t cover damage or loss of your belongings. Neither will it provide for the cost of temporary housing for you and your family.

You may think you don’t own enough personal property to make the cost of insurance worthwhile. You’re probably wrong! If you sit down and add up the cost of everything you own, you may be in for a big surprise. Consider what you have invested in such things as:

• Furniture and accessories • Electronics like TV, stereo, computers • Small appliances like microwaves, toaster ovens, etc. • Clothing • Art work like paintings or prints • Dishes, silverware and cookware • Sporting equipment • Books • Jewelry

Could you afford to replace all of these things?

Even worse, what would you do if a friend is injured on your property and decides to sue you for medical costs and more? It’s a scary thought, isn’t it?

Are you beginning to see why rental insurance may be a very wise investment?

The cost of rental insurance is based on several factors:

• The dollar amount of your coverage

• Deductibles

• Whether you choose to be reimbursed for Actual Cash Value or Replacement Costs (more about that in a minute)

• Where your rental property is located and the number of previous claims made, not only by you, but by others living in the same area.

Let me explain the difference between Actual Cash Value (ACV) and Replacement Costs. ACV is the value of your property at the time a loss takes place. For example, if your television set is five years old, it’s valued at much less than if it were brand new. The lesser amount is what you are reimbursed.

However, if you opt for Replacement Cost, you’re paid whatever it costs to go out and buy a new TV with similar features. Insuring for replacement cost raises the amount of your premium so it’s a good idea to get quotes for both ACV and Replacement Cost policies. Then you can decide which option fits your needs and budget.

Another thing to keep in mind is that jewelry, valuable collections, and guns are usually covered under a separate policy or “rider”. If you own these kinds of items, be sure to tell your insurance agent. You don’t want to find out after disaster strikes that they aren’t covered or that they aren’t covered for their true value. One way you can reduce the cost of your rental insurance is to check with whichever company insures your car. If they provide rental insurance you may be eligible for a multi-line discount.

Rental insurance may be worth the investment just for the peace of mind it offers you.

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What’s In Your FICO Score?

Obtaining copies of your credit reports from the three major credit reporting bureaus is a must for all American consumers. If you order your copies directly from each bureau, you can get yours for free [once per year per bureau]. That is the law. There is, however, one piece of information not included with your credit reports and that is your FICO score. Your FICO score can determine several things, including what interest rate mortgage lenders will charge you and the rate you will pay for your credit cards. For just a small fee you can order your FICO score and get a hold of a piece of information that is critical to you fully understanding and improving your credit rating.

FICO, or Fair Isaac Corporation, is a score that helps determine what interest rate creditors will charge you. The higher your score, the lower your interest rate will be resulting in lower mortgage payments and more money for you. Indeed, when you apply for a new cell phone account, purchase a car, or make just about any type of credit application, your FICO score is obtained by creditors. Unfortunately, you typically do not know what that score is unless you get the information yourself. Don’t count on creditors sharing that information with you!

Your FICO score is based on five determining factors. According to the Fair Isaac Corporation, these five factors are weighted differently and each one is assigned a percentage figure based on their importance. Specifically, they are:

1. Payment History – 35%

2. Outstanding Balances – 30%

3. Length of Credit History – 15%

4. New Credit – 10%

5. Types of Credit Used – 10%

Obviously, if you have made several late payments and owe a large amount of money to your creditors, your FICO score will be much lower than the person who pays what they owe on time, has a manageable level of debt, and possesses a solid credit history.

Coupled with your credit report, your FICO score can help you determine the plan of attack you need to take to improve your credit standing. This is very important step to take especially if you anticipate making any sort of credit application within the next year. If there are errors in your credit report than these will lower your FICO score. Make certain that the three credit reporting bureaus correct each error now and, once amended, run your FICO score again to determine if it has been adjusted upwards.

Remember, the higher your FICO score, the lower your monthly payments will be on virtually everything you finance through a creditor. Order your free credit report today and pay a little extra to obtain your FICO score.

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Visiting Popular Summer Vacation Destinations While on a Budget

If you are like most other individuals and families, your finances may be tight.  There are many families who are just scraping by and others are the on the border of debt.  If this situation sounds all too familiar, a summer vacation may be the last thing on your mind.  If you and your family are interested in taking a summer vacation, you can, no matter what your financial situation. 

When selecting a summer vacation destination on a budget, it is important that you do not limit yourself.  There are too many individuals who search for a vacation destination solely based on price.  Instead of first searching for low-cost vacations, you are encouraged to find the vacation destination of your dreams.  Once you closely examine the hotels, restaurants, amusement parks, or beaches that your selected destination has to offer, you can easily learn how and where to save money. 

If the beach sounds like the perfect summer vacation destination, you have a number of options.  Popular beaches, that are designed for those on a budget in the United States may include, but are not limited to, Virginia Beach, Pensacola Beach, Long Beach and Don’t forget all of the wonderful places in SW Florida ( Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Estero, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island to name a few )   . You can plan a beach vacation in the Caribbean or overseas; however, the cost of travel will likely increase the cost of your vacation. 

Virginia Beach, Long Beach, Daytona Beach, Myrtle Beach, and Long Beach are all known as vacation “hotspots.”  Many individuals automatically assume that the most popular beach destinations are too expensive. While some facilities and activities may be high-priced, there are ways for you to vacation there on a budget.  Instead of staying at an ocean-side resort, you could save a large amount of money by booking an inland hotel. The same can be said for restaurants, bars, and event centers.  Almost everything is more expensive on the shoreline.

If you are more interested in spending your vacation golfing, you may want to examine the golf resorts in and around the Untied States.  Many popular golf courses are located in Myrtle Beach, Newport Beach, Scottsdale and many wonderful golf courses in SW Florida.  If you are on a budget, you can easily benefit from purchasing a resort package.  Many popular golf resorts, in the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean offer packages that offer accommodations that may include travel, hotel stays, golf course visits, and dining. 

Golf resorts are popular vacation destinations for many individuals, but many can be expensive.  If you are unable to obtain a discount vacation package, but you still want to your vacation to have a focus on golf, you have a number of options.  Many golf resorts allow vacationers to play on their courses, even if they are not staying at the resort.  It is also possible to golf at well-known golf courses that are not considered resorts.  As with a beach vacation, you may be able to save a large amount of money by staying at a hotel or dinning away from a golf resort.

Theme parks and amusement parks are popular vacation destinations, especially for those with children.  If you and your family are interested in vacationing at a United States theme park, you have a number of options.  Theme park resorts are similar to, the above mentioned, golf resorts.  A large number of well-known theme park resorts, including Orlando Studios, Disneyland, and Disney World can be selected, even if you are on a budget. Many of these resorts offer vacation packages that include hotel stays, theme park use, on site dinning, and much more. 

Theme park resort packages are a great way to save money, but you could save even more by not paying for services that you will not use.  If you do not have to fly to reach your destination you should not have to have travel accommodations included in your package. You may also be able to find cheaper hotel accommodations that are located a short distance away from the theme park of your choice.  In addition to theme park resorts, you can find days of fun at smaller parks, such as Six Flags, Sea World, and Bush Gardens.

You may recognize many of the above mentioned summer vacation destinations.  Popular vacation destinations do not have to be financially out of your reach.  Simply by cutting a few corners, you could be vacationing alongside the rest of America, even while on a budget. 

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Rent to Own

Some potential homeowners who are not able to purchase a home right away consider rent to own options instead. A rent to own option, often referred to as a lease, is essentially a rental contract for the rental of a property which includes the stipulation that the renter will be given the option of purchasing the property at the conclusion of the lease. This type of rental agreement may not be worthwhile for all renters but there are some who will find this type of agreement to suit their needs quite well. In particular renters with bad credit who might be unable to buy a home otherwise and renters who aren’t quite sure they really want to buy a home. It can also be a worthwhile agreement for homeowners who are planning to sell their home buy may not want to sell it immediately.

When Your Credit is Bad

Potential homeowners with bad credit may find a rent to own situation may be just what they are looking for to help them purchase their dream home. There are a variety of financing options currently available and it is likely even homeowners with poor credit can find a financing option but it is not likely this option will be favorable. Homeowners with poor credit are often shackled with unfavorable loan terms such as higher interest rates, requirements to pay points and adjustable rate mortgages instead of fixed rate mortgages. In these situations, it might be worthwhile for the renter to repair his credit before attempting to purchase a home.

One of the best ways to repair credit is to maintain good credit in the present and into the future. Most blemishes on credit reports are erased after a certain period of time. Renters who have poor credit can work on repaying their current debts in a timely fashion and with time their credit score will improve. During this time participating in a rent to own program allows the renter additional time to repair his credit and may also allow the renter to accumulate financial resources which will enable him to purchase the home when the lease period is over.

When You Just Aren’t Ready to Buy a Home

Some renters opt for a rent to own program when they aren’t quite sure they really want to own a home. In these types of agreements, renters are given the option of purchasing the home at the end of the agreement period but they are not obligated to purchase this home. This allows the renter to see what it is like to own a home without having to commit to homeownership.

Renters who are renting a home may learn a great deal about homeownership during the rental period. This may include information about maintaining the landscaping of the property and dealing with conflicts with neighbors. It may also entail caring for and maintaining a significantly larger domicile than most apartment renters have to maintain. Some renters are not quite sure they are ready to handle all of these issues and may use a rent to own agreement as a trial period to determine whether or not homeownership suits them.

When the Homeowner Just Isn’t Ready to Sell

Some homeowners offer a rent to own option when they plan to sell their home but do not want to do so immediately. Some homeowners may be hoping for property values to rise before they sell their home so they can either regain the amount they have invested in the house or profit from the purchase price of the home. These homeowners might choose to rent out their home during this time and offer the renter the option of purchasing the house after a set time period. This enables the seller to earn an income from rent while they are no longer living in the home. The rent they charge to the renter is often enough to cover the mortgage and yield a profit making it a financially wise decision for the seller.

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Pool Alarms: More than Just a Pool Accessory

Throughout the United States, there are a large number of storefront retail locations and online retail stores that sell pool accessories.  Many of these pool accessories can be considered fun, but others can literally be lifesaving.  If you are a pool owner, regardless of whether or not you have children, you may want to consider purchasing a pool alarm.

One common misconception, when it comes to pool alarms, is who should have them. There are many individuals who mistakenly believe that pool alarms are only necessary for households with small children. While, families with small children may benefit the most from a pool alarm, they are not the only ones who may.  Even if you do not have children, you may want to at least consider purchasing yourself a pool alarm. Not only could that alarm help to protect guests, but it could also protect children that just wander into your yard.

As with most other pool accessories, you will find that pool alarms come in a wide variety of different styles. Despite the different styles, all pool alarms have the same goal. That goal is to keep young, unattended children away from a swimming pool.  In the event that they do make it near a pool, the pool alarm will alert you, and other adults, right away. This is why pool alarms are not just a pool accessory, but a lifesaving device.

If you are interested in purchasing an alarm for your pool, you will have to decide on an alarm style. By visiting your local pool supply store or by reviewing the available merchandise online, you should be able to familiarize yourself with the pool alarms that are currently on the market.  In your search, it is likely that you will find underwater pool alarms, above water pool alarms, or gate alarms.

In a way, gate alarms are the most popular of all pool alarms. While the alarms are not actually installed in or around your pool, they are still considered pool alarms.  This is because the alarm is positioned on the gate of your pool fence. Depending on the model you purchase, most gate alarms will sound when someone passes through the gate unnoticed or if the gate door was accidentally left open.  In a way, gate alarms are the most effective pool alarms on the market.  By properly installing and using a pool gate alarm, your child may never even make it to the pool.

As popular as pool gate alarms are, not everyone can use them.  If you do not have a fence installed along the exterior of your pool, you will want to examine other alarm types. One of these types may include a surface alarm, otherwise known as an above water alarm.  An above water pool alarm is designed to sound when someone comes too close to the pool.  Many of these alarms come with a preset barrier. That barrier may only be a foot, but it may also be up to four.  Above water alarms, or surface alarms, are ideal because they can alert you before your child actually makes it into the water.

The only problem that you may find with above water alarms, or surface alarms, is that they tend to be easily setoff, especially if your pool area is not gated in. Whether the wind blows debris past the alarm or an animal enters the area, it is likely that the alarm will sound.  If you are looking for pool alarm that is less likely to produce error, you may want to consider purchasing an underwater pool alarm.

Underwater pool alarms are similar to surface alarms.  Instead of detecting motion on the exterior of the pool, they detect motion in the interior. This means that if your pool alarm is set, you will be notified whenever something enters the water. Therefore, if your child happens to fall into the pool, your pool alarm will automatically sound; thus allowing you to rescue them.

As much as we would like to be able to keep an eye on our children all the time, that is something that is just not possible. In a single instant, your child could be out of the house and underwater, unable to swim. For a reasonable price, a pool alarm could prevent you from having to make that horrible discovery.  

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Vegas Basics

If you’re planning a trip to Vegas in the near future there are a few basic things you should know. First things first, walking shoes are a must for any trip to Vegas. You will probably be spending a lot of time on your feet and will need shoes that can handle standing in lines and walking quite nicely.

Second, the weather in Vegas is fairly predictable. You are likely to experience rather cool nights, particularly during the months between October and April so bring some warm clothes. You should also be prepared for a lot of sunshine and pack copious amounts of sunscreen in order to protect your skin.

Remember that the times around holidays are often the busiest times in Vegas if you want to avoid the higher prices and larger crowds you should avoid booking during these times. And if those are the times you absolutely wish to stay and play in Vegas you should make plans and book well ahead of time to make sure you have your first choice in accommodations.

It is important to remember that Vegas is indeed a desert town and that you will need to drink plenty of water and moisturizer more than you might be accustomed to. This is a much drier climate than many people experience in their day-to-day lives and the heat and dryness can sneak up on you for a double whammy if you aren’t prepared.

If you’re a golfer, you’ve found heaven and should come prepared. This means you should bring your best clubs along with you and be prepared to play a few rounds. You should probably also bring a nice set of dress clothes in order to catch some of the great shows that are always playing in Vegas.

While Vegas is famous for big spenders, it is quite possible to spend thrifty and have a nice vacation for two at around $100 per day. At the other end of the spectrum, big spenders can drop thousands on one meal very easily. Pay attention to the places you are considering before you enter if you are on a limited budget.

If you’re planning to stray far from your hotel or resort, it’s a good idea if you plan to rent a car or drive your own. The distances here can be quite conceiving and you can easily lose track of time while enjoying yourself inside the many casinos.

Vegas is almost as famous for weddings as it is for Casinos. If you are hoping to get married Vegas style you have a lot of styles from which to choose and you are not by any means alone. More than 122,000 couples apply for marriage licenses in Vegas each year. The licensing fees for marriage in Vegas is around $55 (this is the current rate, keep in mind that this rate is subject to change) and then there are the fees involved for the chapel you use, the services offered, etc. You can choose to go as informal and small or as bold and lavish as you can afford.

One of the most important things to remember about Vegas is like the new commercials claim, “What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas”. So let your hair down and have some fun during your time here and be sure to make plans for your return trip.

This can be a wonderful vacation experience for you whether you are planning marriage, a golf smorgasbord, a gambling festival, to see your favorite act, or just to spend time with the family hanging out around the pool. Your trip to Vegas is what you make of your trip to Vegas. I suggest you have as much fun as possible. Enjoy the sights, watch the shows, enjoy the many great buffets, and spend some time at the hotel spa relaxing and rejuvenating as you prepare to go back home and face the outside world yet again.

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How to Learn More about Your International Airport

When scheduling a flight, whether that flight be domestic or international, all passengers are advised to familiarize themselves with the airport that they will be flying out of, as well as the airline that they will be flying with.  Unfortunately, not all air travelers know how to go about doing this. If you are looking to familiarize yourself with international airlines or airports, namely the ones that you will be using, you will find that you have a number of different options.

Perhaps, the best way to learn more about an international airport is to use the internet to your advantage. You can do this by performing a standard internet search. You will want to search with the name of the international airport that you would like more information on.  For instance, if you are looking for more information on Des Moines International Airport, you will want to search with the words Des Moines Airport or International Airport. Whichever international airport you search for, it is likely that your search will return a number of results. One of those results should be the online website run by the airport in question.

Once at the online website for an international airport, you will find that you now have access to an unlimited amount of information; information that you were likely looking to obtain. Although all online websites will vary, you will find that most airline websites display the same information. This information may include, but should not be limited to, information on incoming and outgoing flights, air travel rules, shops and other dining establishments, parking, airport directions, and terminal locations.  You are advised to examine all of the information on the site, regardless of whether or not you feel that you need to know it.

As previously mentioned, it is likely that your internet search will return a number of different results. In addition to the airport’s online website, you will also find sites that discuss the airport in question.  Many times, these websites are operated by travelers who frequently use the international airport being discussed. You may be able to find detailed information on low-cost dining or information on quick and easy ways to maneuver around the airport.  While this information may be useful to you, it is important to remember that it is not guaranteed. For the best information, you are advised to examine the online website operated and monitored by airport staff.

In addition to using the internet, you should also be able to obtain information on the airport in question by directly contacting them. If you are researching a local international airport, you should be able to find the contact information for that airport in your local phone book.  When contacting an international airport for general information on their services and features, you will want to try to reach the customer service department. Customer service representatives should be willing to answer your question, where as the maintenance department will likely be unable to assist you.

Although not all international airports recommend it, you could also learn more about the international airport that you will be using by visiting it. If you live within a reasonable driving distance to the airport or if you are in the area for another reason, you may want to quickly stop by. While this is a great way to familiarize yourself with the airport, you will not have access to all areas. All airports have restrictions when it comes to security checkpoints, passengers without boarding passes are not allowed past them.  Stopping by the airport, may enable you to scope out the parking situations, as well as obtain informational brochures on the airport, if they are available. 

When it comes to international airport shopping, parking, or dining, you may also be able to receive recommendations or tips from those that you know, especially those that have flown out of the international airport in question before.  Regardless of where you get your information from, you will find that are an unlimited number of benefits to knowing everything that you can know about the international airport that you will be using.

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The Benefits of Staying Up-To-Date on All Air Travel Rules

Have you flown within the last year?  How about within the last month?  Even if you have, there is there is a good chance that things have changed since the last time that you were at the airport. While you may be thinking about the airport layout, it is actually the air travel rules that have likely changed. As more security issues arise, often on a daily or weekly basis, the airlines decide to enforce new travel rules.  In the event that these new enforcement do go into effect, do you know how to go about finding what they are?

Before you can learn to familiarize yourself with new air travel rules, if there are any, you will want to understand the benefits of learning those rules. Unfortunately, too many travelers are worried about having the proper forms of identification that they don’t always worry about the items that they pack.  If you are one of those individuals, there is a good chance that you may, unintentionally, pack items that are prohibited past airport security checkpoints.  Depending on the prohibited item, you may be required to make additional accommodations, discard of the item, or turn it over to airport security. 

In addition to prohibited items, there are also new air travel rules that apply to security screening procedures. For instance, all air travelers are now required to remove their shoes. Your shoes will be scanned along with the rest of your carry-on luggage. While this may pose an inconvenience, it is a requirement.  Failing to comply with this requirement, as well as others, may lead to you being detained by airport security or local authorities.  In addition to missing your flight, you may even face prosecution for your actions.  However, this can all be prevented by knowing and understanding the new air travel rules, as well as the old ones.

Perhaps, the best way to familiarize yourself with air travel rules is to go directly to the source. That source is the organization that makes and essentially enforces those rules, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can obtain valuable information from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including information on air travel rules, by directly contacting them or by visiting their online website. That online website can be found at www.tsa.gov.  You are advised to fully examine this online website. You will find that it has a large amount of information that you need to know.

In addition to using the internet to examine the online website of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you can also use it to perform a standard internet search.  By searching with the words new air travel rules, you should be provided with a number of different results. Those results are likely to include websites or news reports with information on air travel, including the rules that are enforced aboard all airplanes or in all airports.  When doing this, it is important to keep your source of information in mind.  A large number of websites with inaccurate, misleading, outdated information can be found online.

It may also be a good idea to contact the airline or airport that you plan on using. This contact can be made over the phone or the same information can easily be obtained online. Whether you visit the online website of a particular airline or airport or contact their representatives directly, you should be able to familiarize yourself with newly implemented air travel rules.  It is also advised that you contact each airline or airport directly because they tend to have different rules. Airport screening procedures may vary from one airport to another, as well as rules aboard particular airlines. 

With a small amount of time and research, you should easily be able to learn all of the rules of air travel, including the ones that were recently implemented.  Not only will doing so make your flight more pleasant, but it will help to reduce wait times and ensure that you will make it to your intended destination.

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Rental Swaps

Some vacationers find a rental swap to be an ideal situation when they are traveling. Homeowners, especially in desired locations, may find there is a great deal of interest from others who would like to rent their home for a short period of time. Typically this is about one to three weeks although it may be longer or shorter in some cases. A rental swap is essentially where a homeowner in one location offers the use of their home to another homeowner in exchange for use of the other homeowners home. Ideally these swaps will take place concurrently but in some situations swaps are organized at different times of the year.

A Rental Swap Saves You Money

For many a rental swap is worth considering because it can result in a tremendous financial savings. Lodging often accounts for a large portion of a vacationers travel expenses. By eliminating these costs the vacationers may find they are able to add additional aspects to their vacation. For example, by eliminating lodging costs, a vacationer may have money left over in the travel budget to see a few plays, eat dinner at extravagant restaurants or purchase tickets to sporting events.

A rental swap, however, does not always automatically translate to a financial savings. Consider the cost of staying in a hotel within walking distance to major attractions as opposed to participating in a rental swap 10-20 miles away from most major attractions. In the case of the rental swap, the vacationers will most likely have to rent a car during their stay but might not have to do so when staying in a hotel. The need for a car, whether or not the kitchen in a rental swap will be utilized to cook meals and other factors should be considered in determining whether a rental swap or hotel stay is more financially logical.

A Rental Swap is More Comfortable than a Hotel

In most cases a rental swap usually results in a more comfortable stay than a visit to a hotel. Of course there will always be situations in which the quality and even the size of the hotel may be superior to the conditions of the rental shop but for the most part, vacationers usually feel more comfortable in a rental swap situation. Staying in a home typically provides the vacationers with more privacy as well as the ability to spread out a little more. This can be very beneficial for keeping the peace especially for large families who may quickly feel overcrowded in a hotel situation.

There are Risks to a Rental Swap

While a rental swap may certainly seem appealing, there are some inherent risks to this type of lodging situation. First of all the possibility of the rental property not being exactly as described is a very real risk. Homeowners may exaggerate the appeal of their property either intentionally or unintentionally. Regardless of the intent of the homeowner, the vacationers may still find themselves in a situation where they are disappointed with the accommodations. This may be because the house is not as large or well-appointed as described or because the house is older and less well maintained than depicted.

Another risk to a rental shop is the possibility of the other homeowner not noting the correct dates. Although this is also a possibility with a hotel, it can be more troubling when the vacationers was counting on the rental swap for their accommodations during the stay. While a hotel might make every effort to accommodate the hotel guests when there is a mistake, homeowners in a rental swap may not have the available resources to find an alternate place for the vacationers to stay.

One final risk which exists in a rental swap, is potential damage to your own property when you allow others to use the property. Homeowners can work to minimize the trouble in these situations by screening those who they are considering for a rental swap carefully. Additionally, homeowners can take security measures by alerting the police as well as neighbors that a stranger will be staying in the home. This will help everyone to be more vigilant and aware of the potential for problems.

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Do Not Let the Furnishings Fool You

Renters who are viewing apartment complexes are often led to furnished models which have been tastefully decorated. Although the furnishings in these model apartments are usually very aesthetically appealing they also usually serve another purpose as well. This other purpose is to make the room appear larger than it is. There are decorator and furnishing techniques which can make a room in an apartment appear considerably larger than it really is. The size of the bed, the amount of furniture and the layout of the furniture are all items which should be carefully considered when viewing model apartments. This article will cover these three items and will provide useful information for renters who are trying to evaluate furnished apartments.

The Size of the Bed

Determining the size of the bed in a model apartment is important for the purposes of evaluating the apartment. If you are unsure of the size of the bed used in the model, ask the leasing agent for clarification. This is important because if the bed used in the model is a full size bed and your own bed is a king size bed, it will be difficult to make assumptions about the size of the bedroom. The differences in a full size bed and a queen size bed may not be as noticeable but renters should be aware a queen bed will result in less free space in the room. If the bed used in the model is not the same size as your own bed, take measurements to determine how well your own bed will fit in the room.

Is There Enough Furniture?

When viewing a furnished, model important it is important to note whether or not there is enough furniture in the room. For example there may be a kitchen table and only two chairs instead of four. This may make the room appear larger to those who are viewing the apartment but they are likely going to be disappointed when they move in.

Consider the furniture in other rooms as well. For example a bedroom which only has a bed and a nightstand will be decidedly less crowded than a bedroom which has a bed, two night stands and a dresser. Your furniture may not be exactly the same size as the model furniture but there should be comparable items in each room.

Does the Layout Make Sense?

Renters should also carefully consider the layout of the furniture when visiting a furnished apartment. An apartment may feature all of the pieces of furniture the renter expects to see in the room but may position these pieces of furniture in a way that is not logical. Consider the family room as an example. There may be a couch, an entertainment center, a television set, a coffee table and two end tables but if these items are positioned strangely it can be deceiving. Most renters arrange their living room furniture in a manner which makes the area conducive to conversations as well as viewing of the television. If the television is positioned where it is not viewable from any of the seating options, the layout of the room is somewhat unnatural. It is not likely to be similar to the layout used by the renter and therefore does not offer an accurate representation of how the space will likely be used.

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