apartment guide spring 2012

16
guide Spring 2012

Upload: hne-media

Post on 18-Mar-2016

217 views

Category:

Documents


3 download

DESCRIPTION

Apartment Guide Spring 2012

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

guide Spring 2012

Page 2: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

2 Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Read the news online anytime at TheRepublic.com.

Columbus, Indiana

News Sports Living Fun Community Classifi eds Search Sign-In E-Edition About Us Contact Us Subscribe!

BREAKINGNEWS

Taylorsville, Parkside, Columbus North and Northside Middle schools on 2 hour delay due to ammonia leak. Click for details

Local

Weather View complete weather

36˚ SunnyWind: ESE at 2 mphGusting to 2 mph

www.IUPUC.eduOUR COMPLETE WEATHER COVERAGE IS BROUGH TO YOU BY:

Events View event calendar

• Friday Café• Columbus FFA Chili Supper• Columbus Baptist Church Chili Supper

Zeller Insurance AgencyOUR COMPLETE COMMUNITY CALENDAR IS BROUGH TO YOU BY:

New Sports Around Town ObituariesSearch continues for suspects in anhydrous ammonia leak Updated: Mar-30-10 4:55 pm - Comments

Ivy Tech students chosen for program Updated: Mar-30-10 4:37 pm - Comments

Muscatatuck festival seeks vendors Updated: Mar-30-10 4:29 pm - Comments

U.S. 31 closed, neighborhoods evacuated due to anhydrousammonia cloud Updated: Mar-30-10 6:03 am - Comments

Photos in today's Republic - March 29 Updated: Mar-29-10 6:12 pm - Comments

+ Click for more stories

Site Highlights:SITE HIGHLIGHTS BROUGH TO YOU BY:

• Check out The Republic's video archives

• Play Numbrix from Parade magazine

• Play Sudoku on TheRepublic.com

• Read magazines produced by The Republic

• Customize your front page! Sign up today

• Send us a news tip today

Local news is front and center in tabs for easy

viewing

Click on ourlogo to return to our home page from

anywhere onthe site

Current weather highlighted

View the events in our community

Indiana

Indiana unemployment rate rises slightly to 9.8% Updated: Mar-26-10 10:54 am - Comments

Landmark E. Ind. restaurant closes after 6 decades Updated: Mar-26-10 10:28 am - Comments

Web post of night out linked to S. Ind. burglary Updated: Mar-26-10 11:25 am - Comments

Layoffs start at Ind. Whirlpool plant being closed Updated: Mar-26-10 8:22 am - Comments

New or updated information is

fl agged

Ammonialeak causes evacuations, highway closureClick to see photos and video on this developing news story.

Find breaking news at a

glance

Log on today to check out these features:• Get it here fi rst: local news• Stunning photo galleries• Hundreds of videos

• Up-to-the-minute weather coverage• Comment feature on every story• Links to Facebook, Twitter and other social media

• Home page customization features for subscribers• Font size increase option

www.TheRepublic.com

Each sectionfeatures thelatest news

updated 24/7

See how many

people havecommented.

Join thediscussion.

Opinion

Page 3: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Spring 2012 Apartment Guide 3

Considering a move . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Before you leave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6emergenCy and serviCe numBers . . . . . . . . . 7apartments in demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Buying the right sofa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Choosing paint Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9last-minute reminders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10at your new address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10deCorating in style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11renter’s insuranCe: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12area rugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13how to improve a rental unit . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Contents

Spring 2012

Apartment Guide ©2012, All rights reserved. Comments should be sent to Doug Showalter, The Republic, 333 Second St., Columbus, IN 47201 or call 812-379-5625. Advertising information: Call 812-379-5652. All copy and advertising are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced. Stock images provided by © Thinkstock

Fall 2012 Apartment GuideYour business (rental properties, rental furniture, insurers, convenience stores, Laundromats, restaurants and more) for Bartholomew and the surrounding counties should be in the next informative edition. Call one of our sales representatives at 812-379-5652 to reserve your space in the next edition of the Apartment Guide.

Wedgewood Commons Apartments specializes in

spacious 2 bedroom townhouse apartments with

1.5 bathrooms. Wedgewood Commons is located in

the Flintwood North Housing Addition of Columbus.

Our townhouses have a two story layout. The master

bedroom, second bedroom, full bathroom and linen

closet are located upstairs and the kitchen, dining

room, living room and half bathroom are downstairs.

Utilities are included in the rent.

Welcome home.

Wedgewood Commons Townhouse Apartments ]

]

(812) 376-6810 • (812) 372-9441Office located at 5540 25th Street

forest hills/willow manor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15linColn village Cooperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5loCations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BaCk Cover the repuBliC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4the repuBliC Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6therepuBliC .Com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2wedgewood Commons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Advertisers’ directory

Page 4: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

4 Apartment Guide Spring 2012

List your three most desired amenities:

List your favorite colors/color schemes:

What amenities do you desire:

Considering a move

Efficiency

Studio

1 Bedroom

2 Bedroom/1 Bath

2 Bedroom/2 Bath

3 Bedroom

Furnished

Unfurnished

Downstairs

Upstairs

Pool

Balcony/Patio

Townhome

Handicap Accessible

Autos (how many)

Pets (type, size)

Day Care

Schools

Public Transportation

Shopping

Restaurants

Entertainment

Recreation / Sports

Parks & Walking Trails

Garage or Carport

Other

❑❑❑

❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑❑

❑❑❑

❑❑

What should the location offer:

GET LOCAL, UP-TO-DATE NEWS ONLY IN .

YOUR TOWN...YOUR COMMUNITY...YOUR MEDIA COMPANY

Calendar of Events • Local Columns, Features & Photo Coverage • Regional News Roundup

Saturday Event Coverage • Sports Features & Schedules • School Updates & Calendars

$13.49/mo. Easy Pay* • 7-Day Delivery

$8.50/4 weeks • Sunday Only Delivery

$9/4 weeks • Weekend Delivery

$14.95/4 weeks • 7-Day Delivery

Call us today to begin service immediately!

379-5601 or 1-800-435-5601

M–F 6am–5pm, Sat 6am–Noon & Sun 6am–Noon

www.therepublic.com

Page 5: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Spring 2012 Apartment Guide 5

Startingat $439

Welcome HomeTo the best value in Columbus!

5135 N. Lincoln Village Dr. • Columbus, IN • 812-376-0338 • TTY711

• 1, 2 & 3 BR Apartments & Townhouses• Spacious Floorplans• Pet Friendly• Washer/Dryer Hook-Ups• Private Patios & Entrances• HEAT PAID!• Central Air Conditioning & Microwaves• On-site Laundry Facility• 24/7 Emergency Maintenance• Close to Shopping

Page 6: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

6 Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Before you leaveGive post office your forwarding address.

Change accounts, credit cards at your bank. Transfer funds, arrange check-cashing in new location.

Subscriptions: notice requires several weeks.

Notify friends and relatives.

Arrange credit references.

Notify utility company of new location for coverages.

Transfer memberships; get letters of introduction.

❑ Stop or transfer gas, light, water, fuel, telephone and garbage contracts.

Get refunds or transfer any security deposits made.

Notify laundry, newspaper of change of delivery location.

Ask doctor and dentist for referrals, transfer needed prescriptions, eyeglasses, X-rays. Obtain birth records, medical records, etc.

Ask about regulations for licenses, vaccinations, tags, etc. for pets.

*ITEM MUST BE $1,000 OR LESS. ADS WILL APPEAR IN THE STUFF/MERCHANDISE SECTION OF CLASSIFIEDS. AD MUST LIST ONE PRICE FOR EITHER ONE ITEM OR A VARIETY OF ITEMS SOLD AS PACKAGE. EXCLUDES PETS AND REAL ESTATE ADS. MAXIMUM: 3 FREE ADS PER WEEK, PER INDIVIDUAL.

EXTRA CLOTHES CAN FILL UP YOUR SPACE FAST.SELL THEM FOR FREE* IN THE REPUBLIC CLASSIFIEDS!

VISIT WWW.THEREPUBLIC.COM/CLASSIFIEDScloset full?

(812) 379-5600 • [email protected]

Page 7: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Spring 2012 Apartment Guide 7

By Allison BruceScripps Howard News Service

The future trend in housing, espe-cially in high-end markets, may be in apartments, not single-family homes, some experts say.

The economic downturn has af-fected homeownership — fewer peo-ple qualify for loans even as home prices have declined, and those de-clining values have made some buyers wary of entering the market. Other trends could have an even greater in-fluence in swinging people away from ownership and toward renting.

Both the current generation of young professionals — Generation Y — and aging seniors are looking more at renting as a way to live where they want to, with the services and enter-tainment they want nearby. They can easily leave on vacation or pack up to take a promising job in another state without the headaches that come with

homeownership.But don’t assume either group is

going to settle for your basic apart-ment of 20 years ago. Instead, they are demanding more amenities that suit their lifestyles, whether it be a child-care center next to the laundry room, an eco-friendly building, or an apartment with two master suites, experts say.

Construction has taken a hit with the downturn of the past few years, but the pain has been uneven. Single-family homes have been hit hard and condominiums even harder, said Dawn Dyer, president of Dyer Sheehan Group, a real estate consult-ing firm.

“There is certainly more scrutiny and consideration from the average consumer before jumping into pur-chasing a home,” she said. “People are much more cautious.”

While apartments struggled with a

decline in occupancy and lower rents, they came through the crisis fairly well, despite competition from homes rented out by people who couldn’t af-ford to sell them.

Activity hasn’t picked back up to where it was in 2007, but 2010 was a good year for apartment sales — up nearly 90 percent from 2009, accord-ing to Dyer. She said she receives about three e-mails a day from banks, financial institutions and others look-ing to invest in multifamily loans.

“It’s really viewed in today’s world by financial markets as the safest type of real estate investment,” she said.

The National Multi Housing Council, an association of the coun-try’s large apartment firms, reported rising demand for apartments was creating fewer vacancies and higher rents. That was bringing in more in-vestors and creating greater access to equity capital.

Apartments more in demand

Emergency and service numbers

EMERGENCY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911(Fire, Police, Sheriff, Ambulance)

POLICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911Columbus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376-2600Edinburgh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526-3504Greensburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 663-3131Hope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546-4015Nashville town marshal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 988-0341

SHERIFF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911Bartholomew Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (812) 379-1650Brown Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (812) 988-6655Decatur Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (812) 663-8125Johnson Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (317) 736-5155Shelby Co.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (317) 392-6345

AMBULANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911Columbus Regional Hospital . . . . . . . . . 376-5700Edinburgh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526-5114Greensburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 663-1265Hope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546-4123Nashville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 988-7737

Or Dial “O” (Operator)Stay on the line. If you cannot stay on the line, give the operator the street address and community where help is needed.

Duke Energy (Columbus) . . . . . . . . .(800) 521-2232

Bartholomew Co. REMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372-2546

City Utilities (Columbus). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372-8861

Vectren Energy Delivery . . . . . . . . . .(800) 227-1326

Crime Stoppers (Columbus) . . . . . . . . . . . 376-2632

First Call For Help (Columbus). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

Poison Control Center . . . . . . . . . . .(800) 382-9097Deaf/Hearing Impaired . . . . . . . . . . .(317) 929-2336

Page 8: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

8 Apartment Guide Spring 2012

By Alexia Elejalde-RuizChicago Tribune

Buying a new sofa — one of the largest and most-used pieces of furni-ture in your home, the scene of much reading, TV-watching, snoozing and everything else-ing — is not a task to take on lightly.

You want comfort, style, durabil-ity, fabric that will withstand a spill and color that’ll hide pet hair. And you don’t want to pay too much. But what’s too much?

Prices can vary widely depending on the store and the manufacturer. Some of those differences are cos-metic, but most of what separates the high end from the low end is under the hood.

Pricier sofas generally have goose-down cushions for ultimate softness and are made with the most du-rable materials, including kiln-dried hardwood to prevent warping, dow-eled joints for maximum stability, and eight-way, hand-tied springs to prevent sagging.

Keys to smart sofa shoppingNo matter your budget, a sofa is a

big investment. Here are five tips for shopping wisely. Measure. There’s nothing worse

than buying a dream sofa you can’t get into your home. Go shopping armed with precise measurements of

in the middle of the room rather than against a wall, make sure the back is presentable.

Pick a fabric, any fabricJust because you can get a sofa in

just about any fabric doesn’t mean you should. Interior designer Nick Olsen offers some advice on choosing fabrics.

Microsuede or ultrasuede are un-beatable for stain resistance. Another resilient option is cotton velvet. Don’t forget to try Belgian linen or cotton canvas in summer. Beware gorgeous fabrics like silk velvet: One water stain, and it’s there forever. Trends are moving away from loopy bou-cle fabrics and nubby wool blends. Classic, crisp and tailored is in.

Unless you’re very daring, get a sofa in a neutral color and add col-or with throw pillows or blankets. “Resist the urge to buy a red or blue sofa,” Olsen said. “It could be the gi-ant Smurf in the room.” On the flip side, he said, don’t do a beige sofa with beige pillows.

Dark colors and patterns are best at hiding stains and imperfections, but beware muddy colors, which can look dreary.

If ordering online, always request to have a fabric swatch sent to you. What looks beige online could look yellow or tan in your living room.

your stairwell, elevator, doors, hall-ways, garden gates and any other space your new sofa might have to squeeze through. While in the store, sink into the

sofa the way you would at home. So lie down and put your feet up if that’s how you plan to use it and test its comfort. Make sure the armrests are well-padded: you don’t want to feel wood poking through. The sturdiest sofa frame will be

made of kiln-dried hardwood like maple, poplar, beech or oak, or en-gineered hardwood. Avoid air-dried wood or soft woods, like pine. Joints secured with corner blocking, dowels and screws will last longer than just glue and staples, and it’s best to have a ticking between the foam cushion and fabric cover. Check stitches to make sure they’re even and not bunched. Consider the cushions. The soft-

est, most luxurious cushions are filled with goose down, but they take a lot of regular fluffing to keep their shape. Less expensive cushions made of high-resiliency foam compress dur-ing use and then spring back to shape. A happy medium: An inner foam core wrapped with a down cover. Notice design details. Check

out the sofa’s arms: A roll arm is more traditional, while a square or straight arm looks more modern. If you want the freedom to put the sofa

A guide to buying the right sofa for your room

Page 9: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Spring 2012 Apartment Guide 9

PAINTING TIPS Know your walls. Are they drywall or plaster? Plaster absorbs more paint and the color often changes. Fix the cracks. Take the time to repair the walls. Make sure the surfaces are clean and dry. Try several samples. Spend the money and the time to purchase sample sizes of the paint colors you are considering or different shades of the same color. Prime the walls and then apply a square foot of paint in several places in the room. Or paint pieces of poster board and tack them up. Try the color near the trim. Place the color patches near the trim because that is where the color will “pop.” Check back during the day to see how the paint looks in different kinds of sunlight and at night to see how it looks in artificial light. Take time to prime. Always prime the walls before painting. That ensures an even color. And don’t start a new can of paint in the middle of a wall. Even the smallest difference may be noticeable. Splurge on the paint. Don’t skimp on the paint quality, interior designer Stephanie Chase advises. Even in the same brand, the premium paint will be heavier and made with a different base. It is worth the extra $10 or $15 a can, she says. Powder rooms are for experimenting. A shiny surface is OK in the powder room, where anything goes. But use satin in high-traffic areas — it can be washed. Elsewhere, flat paint is best on walls; semigloss for trim.

By Susan ReimerThe Baltimore Sun

They have been together for 10 years, and they speak in the shorthand of couples who have grown comfort-able with each other over time.

“There are just too many choices. When I get overwhelmed, I know I can call him,” said Linda Forchheimer.

“She knows what she likes and what she doesn’t like,” said Jim Ryan. “That’s makes it so much easier than someone who can’t decide what they like.”

Ryan and Forchheimer, interior de-signer and homeowner, are choosing paint colors for a bedroom in her townhouse that she is converting to an office and a comfortable reading room.

He fans his paint samples the way a dealer might fan a deck of cards, and the two hit on a warm and appealing color combination in just a couple of minutes.

They decide on “Dromedary Camel” for the walls and “Ivory Tusk” for the ceiling in less time than it might take them to order lunch.

“She used to stay up at night and worry,” said Ryan. “Now I do it for her.”

That’s what homeowners need, de-signers agree: someone to take the worry out of choosing what color paint to use.

It seems like such a simple decision. But when there are thousands of hues, picking just one, or two, can seem overwhelming.

“And you don’t know what color it is going to be when it dries,” said Ryan. “That, and people just don’t trust themselves.”

Ryan and his client were choosing paint and fabric for the empty room. They took their cue from the window treatments that would remain: a pair of cornices in an earthy, textured

paisley and solid drapery panels in a brown/clay color that give the room a warm and clubby look. The central pieces of furniture will be a leather chair and fabric ottoman with accent pillows.

“The worst thing you can do is paint a room and then try to find fur-niture to match it,” Ryan said.

Stephanie Besch Chase of Besch Designs said that though paint is the easiest and cheapest element of design to change, people are still afraid to make a mistake. So they call her.

“People think they can’t afford a designer,” said Chase, who charges $100 an hour. “But this is not an ex-pensive thing.”

Ryan charges $150 for a one-hour paint consultation. “Sometimes I make my suggestions, and we never see each other again,” he said. “Some people want to do this themselves, but they need a starting place.”

Chase often works with young families who don’t have a lot of money to spend.

“But they want their space to look nice, clean and well thought-out. They tell me that they want it to look like they thought about it, that they tried to tie it together.”

“Flow” is a popular concept in choosing paint colors, and one that homeowners find most difficult to master. If you are having trouble choosing paint for one room, choos-ing a group of colors that move seam-lessly from room to hall to room to foyer can make you feel like you need to take a nap first.

“You remember the ’70s,” said Ryan, “when every room had a differ-ent color carpet? It was like living in a patchwork quilt.

“Today, homeowners don’t want to feel jolted when they move from room to room. And I think we are helping them accomplish that.”

Choosing a paint color sounds simple, but it’s not

Page 10: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

10 Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Apply for state driver’s license.

Register family in your new place of worship.

Register children in school.

Arrange for medical services: doctor, dentist, veterinarian, etc.

Call local locksmith to have locks rekeyed if necessary.

home!

At your new addressCheck on service of telephone, gas, electricity, water and garbage.

Check pilot light on stove, hot water heater, and furnace.

Have appliances checked.

Ask post office for mail they may be holding for your arrival.

Have new address recorded on driver’s license.

Visit city offices and register for voting.

Register car within five days after arrival in state or a penalty may have to be paid when getting new license plates.

Obtain inspection sticker and transfer motor club membership.

welcome

❑❑

❑❑

❑❑

❑❑

and let us be the first to say…

Last-minute moving remindersEmpty freezer, plan use of foods.

Defrost freezer and clean refrigerator. Place charcoal to dispel odors.

Have appliances serviced for moving and storage.

Remember arrangements for TV and antenna or cable.

Clean rugs or clothing before moving; have them moving-wrapped.

Check with your moving counselor; insurance coverage, packing and unpacking papers, method and time of expected payment.

Plan for special care needs of infants or pets.

Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover cost of moving services and expenses until you make banking connections.

now, you’re ready

❑ Carry jewelry and documents yourself; or use registered mail.

Plan for transporting pets. They are poor traveling companions if unhappy.

Double check closets, drawers, shelves; make sure they are empty.

Leave all old keys with new tenant or owner, realtor or neighbor.

Have a friend or relative act as a message center until your move is completed.

Page 11: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Spring 2012 Apartment Guide 11

Home and Garden TelevisionJust because your home is pint-

sized doesn’t mean you have to live with pint-sized home decor. Try these tricks of the trade on for size, and you’ll find that your small apartment has never looked bigger. You don’t have to live with stan-

dard-issue apartment Venetian blinds. Add a touch of drama and create a more comfortable feel with curtains, and consider the tricks you can do with curtains to make your space big-ger. Hang them outside the window or even where there are no windows. Hang them floor-to-ceiling to create height or have them flow from a cor-nice that hides the curtain rod. Lucite tables or chairs and glass

tops all give the impression of open-ness while still delivering the function you need. Add light up, down and all

around to create interest and the feel-ing of space. Unless you’re trying to make a

statement with a dramatic, overstuffed couch in the room, your small space will probably feel better with mod-erately sized or even slightly smaller furnishings. It’s all about scale. Because most apartments are

boxlike, it’s fun to add some curves. Try round tables, chairs with a curve and rugs that are adorned with shapes like spirals and dots. A light rug can open up your

room and make it feel larger. If your apartment came with stained or dark wall-to-wall carpeting, cover that up with a rug in a lighter hue.

Contrary to what you might think, small spaces don’t have to forgo a bed with lots of linens and fabrics. Layers and an elegant mix of colors, prints and pillows can make a space seem airier and give depth to what is almost always one of the big-gest pieces in the apartment. An old solution for cramped

spaces has come back into style for good reason: Today’s Murphy beds pop out of sight and look great when they’re in use.

Decorating a small apartment in style

Page 12: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

12 Apartment Guide Spring 2012

What it will costA snapshot of Allstate renters’ insurance rates in three cities:The coverage rates below include $100,000 in liability protection and assume the homes have smoke detectors, a fire extinguisher and deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.Coverage Amount — Annual feePortland, Ore.$20,000 — $101$30,000 — $123$40,000 — $148

Minneapolis $20,000 — $99$30,000 — $128$40,000 — $145

Philadelphia$20,000 — $194$30,000 — $255$40,000 — $321

Source: Allstate

By Candice ChoiAP Business Writer

NEW YORK — The population of renters across the country is growing, edged up in part by a slumping hous-ing market.

Yet as graduates and others enter the work force and set up their first apartments, renters insurance prob-ably isn’t a burning issue. It’s often only after a robbery that a policy sud-denly seems like a no-brainer.

Renters insurance typically costs less than $200 a year for around $30,000 in coverage and generally includes items stolen from your car. Perhaps more importantly, most poli-cies from major underwriters such as Allstate Corp. and State Farm Insurance Cos. include $100,000 or more in personal liability coverage. So if someone slips and falls on your property, you’ve got some protec-tion.

Nevertheless, convincing people they need renters insurance remains a big hurdle.

Online tools offered by insurers can help assess your belongings and deter-mine how much coverage you need. Agents can also walk you through the process over the phone.

Taking stock of your possessions is often a wake-up call.

“People are always surprised by how much it would cost to replace ev-erything they own,” said Jake Engle, a certified financial planner with Wealth Planning and Management in Seattle.

It’s a fact that touches on an im-portant consideration in selecting a policy — deciding whether you want a cash value or a replacement value policy. A cash value policy will only pay out the value of the property at the time it was damaged or stolen. Engle recommends a replacement value policy, which will pay out an amount that will allow you to replace

your valuables.As a practical matter, insurers typi-

cally won’t give renters a hard time about claims within reason, Engle said.

But having a written record of your belongings is a good safety measure, particularly if you own a number of expensive items. Without that proof, agents may ask neighbors or friends to confirm that you really did own a $5,000 painting or rare vintage guitar.

A written list with photographs should do the trick. Even better: Take a room-by-room video inventory of

your home, with a voiceover describ-ing the brand and model of major belongings. You don’t need to capture every refrigerator magnet and tell the story behind every stuffed animal, but give a sense of the brands and volume of clothing you own.

You might want to note, for ex-ample, that you own five suits from Jos. A Bank, three pairs of Lucky brand jeans, and eight pairs of Italian dress shoes.

Whether it’s a written or video record, keep the record at a safe loca-tion — away from your home.

“It’s a benefit to you, so you don’t have to rely on your memory after you’ve just gone through a traumatic experience,” Engle said.

Even though awareness of renters insurance is low, there are some signs that it’s starting to grow as more fami-lies and higher income households are renting, said David Funk, director of Cornell University’s program on real estate.

“They have mindsets like hom-eowners and understand the need for it,” he said.

Another reason is that people of all ages now own smart phones, iPods and laptops, which can cost a bundle to replace. Such electronic gear is more likely to be stolen in an apart-ment complex or car parked on the street than in a home. At Allstate, theft accounts for more than 30 per-cent of claims on renters insurance policies, according to Jeff Moree, a company spokesman.

Finally college students heading to a dorm, sorority or frat house, should know they are still considered a resi-dent of their parents’ home and are automatically covered as part of their policy (assuming they have homeown-ers or renters insurance). But anyone opting for an off-campus apartment will need to get a separate policy, as will each roommate.

renters insurance:WHY IT’S ESSENTIAL

Page 13: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Spring 2012 Apartment Guide 13

By Rosemary Sadez FriedmannScripps Howard News Service

If something seems to be missing in an otherwise well-decorated room, chances are an area rug will be your solution.

The least expensive choice is the dhurrie, a thick, flat-woven cotton rug made in India. It comes in a va-riety of color combinations, pastels being the most popular. The designs are geometric, with images of ani-mals, flowers and people woven in a chiseled-looking fashion.

Dhurries are quite charming and fit in well with most any decor. Prices vary from $150 to $1,000, depending on size and quality.

Next is the bordered rug. It can be of any size and shape, starting with a base color in the middle with strips of border added to the edges. The bor-ders can be one strip in coordinating color, or they can be several strips in

two or three colors.The bordered rug’s uses are in-

numerable, such as under a cocktail table or dining table, as a foyer piece or under an entire living room set. Prices will depend on the quality of carpet, its shape and the number of borders tacked on the edges.

Then there’s the inlaid rug. Anything your mind can conjure up, a good carpet designer can manifest. Just doodle on a piece of paper until you come up with a semblance of what you want. Your designer can take it from there.

Geometric, florals, birds, stars and stripes, fans, your name or initials are some seeds of ideas. Dream on. This rug can become a real focal point, a true design statement. Pricing here again depends on the carpet’s quality and the design’s complexity.

Oriental rugs have always been a symbol of wealth, and rightfully so.

To those who can afford them, they are a great investment, because their value never decreases and sometimes actually increases. Most are woven by hand — and are more valuable — though some are machine-made.

All the decorations are meaning-ful, such as symbols for good health, wealth, prosperity, peace, etc. Silk Orientals are often woven with real gold threads, adding to the value. Wool Orientals are less expensive, though still a good investment.

All area rugs can be applied over any other floor covering — over tile, marble, wood or other carpet. If you are building or remodeling, another option is to inset the rug in the tile, marble or wood, so you have a flush floor with no fear of tripping over the rug’s corners and edges.

Rugs are a wise investment, as they will give you years of service and pleasure.

Area rugs add life to a room

Page 14: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

14 Apartment Guide Spring 2012

By Lennie BennettSt. Petersburg Times

Niki Smith has followed a typical residential arc as an adult: marriage and a small house; children and a larger house; affluence and a yet larger house.

But the time came, sooner than she expected, to downsize. And with it came a decision to rent instead of buy.

Smith and her husband Allen re-cently rented a two-bedroom, two-bath house. It was affordable, even if it was half the size of their former digs, and Niki saw a lot of charming, cottage-style potential in it.

Potential is a hopeful word, laden with the possibility but not the prom-ise of results. But potential is Smith’s stock in trade. She is an interior deco-rator and has her own business, Niki Designs.

Her biggest suggestion for improv-ing a rental: “If possible, before you move anything in, clean, clean, clean. I scrubbed years of grime off the kitchen cabinets, washed down the baseboards and uncarpeted areas. I scrubbed the bathroom tile and grout with a strong cleaner, and the differ-ence was amazing.”

She developed a good relationship with her future landlord, discussed what she wanted to do, and he paid for professional cleaning of the carpet and windows.

She installed new blinds and paint-ed living, dining and kitchen areas. She furnished them with upholstered pieces with a mix of antiques and re-productions.

The bedrooms have a tropical feel. The blue in the master bedroom is vibrant but soothing, a color Smith calls swimming pool blue, mixed with furniture in a variety of cream and white. The guest bedroom is lime green, a choice that flouts conven-tional wisdom.

In all, Smith spent about $1,000 on the makeover, most of it in the master

bedroom, because she bought new bedding on sale from Pottery Barn.

The process of culling her large household was not the painful experi-ence she anticipated. She let her three daughters pick some possessions, but they have their own brimming homes and didn’t need much. She consigned the most valuable pieces, had an es-tate sale that cleared out more things and the rest was given to charity.

Tips on decorating your rental:• Negotiate with your landlord,

who should be willing to pay for professional carpet cleaning, for ex-

ample.• Discuss painting in advance.

Some rentals require that you return walls to the move-in color or forfeit a deposit.

• Ask to share expenses of im-provements that will stay with the residence when you leave — blinds for example.

• Little touches make a big differ-ence. New cabinet knobs and a new faucet can perk up a kitchen.

• Spend time organizing the clos-ets. You’ll feel at home right away.

• Unpack storage boxes promptly.

How to improve a rental unit

Page 15: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Spring 2012 Apartment Guide 15

Willow Manor Senior Apartments

Community FeaturesCommunity Center

Library, Business CenterResident Enrichment

Meeting Room, Fitness CenterElevator

Apartment FeaturesWasher & Dryer

Kitchen AppliancesCable TV HookupPatio or Balcony

Pets WelcomeAir Conditioning

Garbage Disposal

Stop in today to see Buddy the Bear and your new Apartment Home.

1 Bedroom - $5992 Bedroom - $699

72 Willow Street, Nashville, IN • 812.720.9400

184 Forest Hills Dr. • Nashville, IN 47448 • 812-988-7800

Forest Hillsof Brown CountyNow Leasing!

This new affordable housing development is nestled in the hills of Brown County in Gnaw Bone, Indiana, conveniently locat-ed between Nashville and Columbus off State Road 46. We offer one, two, three, and four bedroom units. Each apartment is designed with modern kitchen appliances, washer and dryer, walk-in closet, and a covered patio or porch. The communi-ty clubhouse offers a full size kitchen for entertaining, fi tness facility and computer room at no extra charge for residents. A playground and picnic area are situated on the grounds for outdoor enjoyment. Call now to fi nd out more information about Forest Hills of Brown County and get your application in today.

1 bedroom - $5482 bedrooms - $6393 bedrooms - $7294 bedrooms - $799

* There are also a limited number of lower priced apartments for those with lower incomes.

Page 16: Apartment Guide Spring 2012

Bloomfi eld Apartments2410 Sims Court #1Food & Gas/Marathon5750 25th StreetLincoln Village Apartments5135 N. Lincoln Village Dr.Briarwood Apartments2350 Thornybrook DriveWilliamsburg Way Apts.3838 Williamsburg WayCircle K25th & TaylorCentra Credit UnionNational RoadWedgewood Apartments2756 25th Street Suite 300Prestwick Square Apts.420 Wint LaneCircle K17th & NationalSpoon Real Estate1007 Central AvenueMarshState StreetMarathon / SubwayState St. & GladstoneCVS2150 State StreetDonuts N Coffee2222 State StreetDSI (for Rest Stops)2920 10th St.Farm Credit Services2905 State StreetCeraland3989 S. 525 E. Crystal Flash3rd StreetDairy Queen616 3rd StreetColdwell Banker2nd StreetPremier Ag2nd StreetThe Republic Advertising2nd Street

YOUR GUiDE TO DISCOVER Columbus & APARTMENT Guides

DeliveryLocations

Denny’s Restaurant46 WestHoliday InnJonathan Moore PikeCircle KState Road 11Circle KJonathan Moore PikeDays InnJonathan Moore PikeComfort InnJonathan Moore PikeSleep InnJonathan Moore Pike

COLUMBUS

333 2nd Street, Columbus

812-379-5652

Dairy Queen2215 Columbus CtrFC Tucker716 3rd StreetColumbus Board of Realtors430 5th StreetVisitors Center5th & FranklinParks and RecDonner CenterCummins Corp.Mail RoomJackson Street

PNC Bank333 Washington St.

Tipton Lakes Athletic Club4000 W. Goeller Blvd.Courtyard MarriottGoeller Blvd.Westwood Pines Apts.4745 Pine Ridge Dr.Eastlake Woods1020 Thicket Court

Centra Credit Union46 WestCharter FundingTwo Mile House RoadChamber of Commerce500 Franklin St.

Super 8 MotelJonathan Moore PikeCharwood Suites2000 Carr Hill RoadIndiana Bank and Trust4330 Jonathan Moore PikeFirst Financial Bank 4190 Jonathan Moore PikeJayC4790 Jonathan Moore PikeJackson County BankJonathan Moore Pike

American Premier Mortgage404 Washington St., Suite 201-1Papa’s DeliWashington Street

Indiana Bank & Trust501 Washington St.First Financial Bank500 Washington

Century 21 Breeden700 Washington Street

Brad’s Home Furnishings729 Washington

Team Advantage Real Living3820 25th St.Downtown GroceryWashington StreetA New Beginning Realty1535 Washington St.Centra Credit Union601 Union StreetVillage PantryNational & Washington

5th/3rd Bank25th StreetNew Japan3825 25th StreetTexas Roadhouse2508 25th StreetFairOaks Mall25th and CentralApplebee’s1900 25th StreetRiviera Maya RestaurantFairOaks MallKroger3110 National RoadPrompt Med2505 25th StreetFirst FinancialEastbrook PlazaBehavioral Health CarePoshard Dr.Ivy Tech - Student Affairs4475 CentralAirport TerminalCentral AvenueFoxpointe Apartments25th StreetColumbus Health & Rehab2100 MidwayColumbus Regional2400 E. 17th St.Hamilton Ice Center25th & Lincoln Park Dr.SatumaMiddle Road & Brentwood Dr.Jeff Finke Realty2405 Cottage Ave.Home Marketing Specialists2312 Cottage AvenueCVS25th & National Rd.RemaxClover CenterMarshClover CenterJackson County BankClover Center

Bates Key Real Estate 3181 Sycamore Court Indiana Bank and Trust 3805 25th Street PNC Bank 1830 25th Street

333 2nd

8

For EASY LOCATION, match the color of the business with the appropriate color area of Bartholomew County.

Holiday Inn TaylorsvilleUS 31 EdinburghPremium Outlet Mall Offi ceUS 31 EdinburghMax & Erma’sUS 31 EdinburghBest WesternUS 31 EdinburghCVSUS 31 EdinburghCitgoUS 31 EdinburghCircle K46 E. GreensburgCVSLincoln Street/GreensburgCutting Edge Realty503 S. State St. / North VernonCircle KNorth Vernon

CVSNorth VernonCVSSeymour

Abe Martin LodgeNashvilleArt GalleryNashvilleBrown County InnNashvilleBrown County TouristNashvilleChamber of CommerceNashvilleComfort InnNashvilleCornerstone InnNashvilleHotel Nashville ResortNashvilleNashville Town HallNashvilleSalt Creek Golf CourseNashville