Articles by

Amalia Otet

Amalia Otet is an online content developer and creative writer for RENTCafé. She loves all things real estate and strives to live beautifully, one green step at a time.

The Ready Renter has your back

Tips, news, and research curated for renters, straight to your inbox.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
Mask group (1)
Group 50289
Mask group (2)
Group 50288
Roommates

Five tips for a good roommate relationship

You may have heard tons of horror stories with roommates playing the “bad guys” part. And most of them are probably true as we are…

Los Angeles skyline

Advice for first-time renters in L.A.

If you’re planning on renting an apartment in Los Angeles, you’d better get ready for a serious adventure because the city offers an extensive range…

woman relaxing in a clean, tidy chicago apartment

Moving is a good pretext for de-cluttering your life

Moving to a new place can suddenly turn into a fun-filled adventure if you set some things in order beforehand. This should be the most…

fall decorations for chicago apartments

Tips for keeping your décor in tune with the weather

Introducing seasonal décor in home remodeling projects is nothing new to interior designers, yet it might be a troublesome endeavor for beginner design enthusiasts like…

Apartments for rent in Phoenix

Safest Phoenix neighborhoods for apartment renters

If safety tops your list of must-haves, then these neighborhoods should be the first that you visit in Phoenix. I find it hard to compromise…

Love Park, Entryway to the Fairmount

Your dream Philadelphia apartment

Looking for a Philadelphia apartment? Chances are you have a list with a few things that are pivotal for you as you begin your search…

couple exercising in oak park chicago

Oak Park – a convenient, cozy Chicago suburb

Article updated September 2020. I’ve always been a fan of big city life; that’s where all the fun is: lively nightlife, numerous job opportunities, diverse…

Lombard Street

Neighborhood profile: Russian Hill

One of San Francisco’s original “Seven Hills”, the Russian Hill neighborhood is surrounded by Nob Hill to the South, by North Waterfront, Fisherman’s Wharf, and…

best school districts in atlatna

Atlantans’ favorite neighborhoods for familes

Renters with children have come to love these popular Atlanta neighborhoods that offer fun activities, great schools, and safety. Atlanta is one of the nation’s…

Telegraph Hill San Francisco

Enjoy nature at its best by renting in Telegraph Hill

Among San Francisco’s top destinations for apartment renters, Telegraph Hill comes as a breath of fresh air. Whether you’re a young professional working in the…

apartments for rent in dallas

Affordable White Rock rentals offer active lifestyle in beautiful setting

Choosing to live in the White Rock area is a pretty easy choice to make, as long as you don’t work on the other side…

Looking for your next apartment in Phoenix.

The best ASU downtown apartments

Arizona State University has officially outgrown its Tempe location.  They’ve been building upwards, renovating old buildings, and squeezing in new buildings anywhere possible in their…

apartments in chicago with great views

5 Amenities you don’t want to miss living in Chicago

If you’re new to the city or just relocating to another part of town, be sure not to miss the best of urban living in…

Girl in front of fan

Beat the heat in your apartment

For those who failed earth science in first grade, heat is generated from exposure to sunlight, which comes from that giant fireball that skates across…

hip home decor Dallas Design District

Dallas Design District makes its way from up and coming to hip and trendy

The Dallas Design District used to be a “strictly to the trade only” warehouse district for area interior design professionals. Over about the last decade,…

how-to-improve-cell-phone-reception-in-your-apartment

Tips for improving cell phone reception in your apartment

Getting good reception for your cell phone in your apartment used to be a matter of convenience rather than necessity but that is changing: the…

people walking in near their atlanta apartments

Get your green on in Atlanta’s most walkable neighborhoods

Pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods are hard to come by in the South. Check out these gems that make getting around as easy as pie. It’s been said…

Chicago is beautiful even in the heart of winter.

Your Chicago apartment checklist

Looking for a new place to live in Chicago? If you’re in the market for a new apartment, we have a few checklist items you…

Looking in an empty wallet

Apartment shopping? Four things to think about

So, you’re in the market for a new apartment. There’s lots of fun to be had when shopping for a new place to live. But…

Black and white living room design

Design theme ideas for your Chicago apartment

Looking for a brand new look for your Chicago apartment? Consider these design theme ideas as you look for furniture, accessories, paint and more. Chicago…

pine cone garland

Holiday décor for the space challenged

Christmas is a time of presents, lovely decorations and joyous atmosphere. Don’t let the fact that you’re not living in a fancy mansion drag you…

Young couple working on laptop at their home

How many bedrooms do you need in your apartment?

If you’re in progress or about to undertake a search for a new apartment, you might be struggling with how many bedrooms your new place…

college students in their chicago rentals

First plunge into college life and your new apartment

As a young renter, choosing the right type of housing during college comes with its challenges. Not only do you have to work very hard…

moving-checklist

Apartment move-in checklist

  If you are getting ready to move into a new apartment, there are some definite musts that you should make sure to accomplish before…

young-couple-carrying-boxes

Tips for first time renters

If you’re renting your very first apartment, congratulations! This is an exciting time and hopefully you are excited – if maybe a little nervous –…

credit-scores-on-red-dice

What you need to know about your credit score

If you’re renting an apartment, there are two numbers that are essential to the process. The first one, of course, is what your monthly rent…

woman-inside-a-cardboard-box

Decorating ideas for your small Chicago apartment

Creating a comfortable home in a rental can be quite challenging, considering we’re not all living in generous penthouses. There are a few tricks we…

Summer green tips for your home

Did you know you can increase your home’s energy performance while going green? And it’s not rocket science either. Simple actions like turning off the…

Working from home

Getting ready for your first post-college apartment

Leaving behind the convenience of university owned or student-focused housing means it is time to enter the real world of apartment renting. If you are…

Positive Reviews Should be Shared Online

Why, and when, you should write a review about your apartment

Ever been asked by your property manager to write a review about your apartment community? If you haven’t, you probably will be soon.  Apartment ratings…