Articles by

Irina Lupa

Irina Lupa is a creative writer for several Yardi publications, where they cover real estate market trends and industry news. Their work has been cited in Forbes, Globe St. and CNBC, among others. Irina has an academic background in journalism and media theory. You can connect with Irina via email.

Don't Miss Out On The Latest Renting Tips And Tricks!

Straight in your inbox, twice a month.

Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
college apartment checklist

The Ultimate College Apartment Checklist: From Finding a Place to Moving In

If you’re getting ready to look for your first college apartment to live off-campus, you’re probably feeling a mix of joy, excitement and even a…

What to Do After College: The 2021 Expert Guide to Job Hunting

If you’re a fresh grad and you’re figuring out what to do after college, you already know that both the hiring process and the employment…

10 Free (and Easy!) Ways to Redecorate Your Apartment 

If you’re one of the spontaneous apartment dwellers who feel the need to switch their place up more often than they have the budget to,…

hottest rental markets in the u.s.

The Hottest Rental Markets in the U.S.: Mid-sized Hubs Take the Lead in Competitivity

As the U.S. apartment market is showing signs of growth, RentCafe ranked the most competitive rental markets in the first quarter of the year. Central…

8 Modern Bedroom Decor Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of decorating the perfect new place or just revamping one of your favorite spots in your home. But when…

12 Interior Design Experts Share the Hottest Apartment Trends of 2021

The start of a new year comes with renewed energy and the drive to achieve new and bold things. This is especially true after a…

disputes with neighbors

How to Handle Disputes With Neighbors Like a Pro

One problem every renter faces during their apartment-dwelling years is the dreaded annoying neighbor. Whether we’re talking about too much noise, people parking in your…

balcones-woods-austin

Balcones Woods, Austin: Live the Downtown Lifestyle Without the Downtown Rents

Balcones Woods, Austin is an attractive and friendly community in the northwest side of the city that is also close to some of the area’s…

Barton Hills Austin

A Renter’s Guide to Barton Hills, Austin: The Perfect Mix of the Big City Life and the Great Outdoors

A centrally located neighborhood with unparalleled access to green space, Barton Hills, Austin, is the place to be if you want to get outdoors and…

north-lamar-austin-featured

North Lamar, Austin: An Affordable Neighborhood With an International Atmosphere

Looking for a friendly community with international appeal? That’s what you’ll find in North Lamar, Austin. In this little community, you can find Mexican, Vietnamese,…

diy-christmas-decorations

8 Cheertastic DIY Holiday Decorations for Your Apartment

If you’re also a huge fan of Christmas, you’re already in full holiday season mode. The tree has been decorated for weeks, your apartment smells…

Year-End Report 2020: Rental Season Delayed and Cut Short, Gen Z Renters Overtake Gen X, and Big City Rents Drop

Highlights: Renting activity was 10% slower in 2020, with a shorter rental season that started with a two-month delay  Gen Z overtook Gen X and…

south-congress-austin-featured

Living in South Congress, Austin: The Shopping and Entertainment Heart of the City

Of Texas’ many growing neighborhoods, South Congress, Austin has seen one of the most radical transformations in the past few decades. Once the home of…

onion-creek-austin

Living in Onion Creek, Austin: A Family-Friendly Neighborhood With Plenty of Space

Named for the small waterway that winds its way through the neighborhood, Onion Creek, Austin, is a peaceful residential community in the south of the…

working from home with kids

Experts Share 23 Strategies for Working from Home with Kids who are Learning Online

This year, many parents around the world have faced an unprecedented situation: working from home with kids who are learning online. And, without access to…

old_apartment_building_alley

Renters vs Owners: Renting Dips Over the Decade, But Claims Majority in 23 Cities, Including Seattle & Pittsburgh

Highlights: The U.S. renter population sank to 107 million in 2019, after a mid-decade peak of 111 million. Despite the national decline, renting rose in…

hyde-park-austin

Living in Hyde Park, Austin: A Young Professional’s Dream Neighborhood

Hyde Park, Austin, is filled with charming, historic homes. Its convenient location and friendly neighborhood atmosphere make it one of the most desirable places to…

diy-pet-toys

7 Easy DIY Pet Toys for Your Fluffy Roommate

Does your pet go through toys faster than you can get new ones? You’re not alone. Buying new toys every other week can be a…

wells-branch-austin

A Renter’s Guide to Wells Branch, Austin’s Most Popular Family-Friendly Suburb

The Wells Branch, Austin neighborhood is a suburb located in the northernmost part of Travis County. This friendly community gives residents the feeling of small…

mueller-austin

Living in Mueller, Austin: A Neighborhood Defined by Community and Sustainability

Planned with community and sustainability in mind, the mixed-use Mueller, Austin, district has quickly become one of the city’s most desirable areas.  This lively development…

8-thanksgiving-decor-ideas

8 Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas for the Perfect Holiday Dinner

Thanksgiving is the holiday of gratitude, friendship… and going all out while entertaining loved ones with spectacular dinners. But while the food is undoubtedly the…

south-lamar-featured

Living in South Lamar, Austin: The Perfect Homebase for Trendy Urbanites

Just south of downtown, the vibrant South Lamar, Austin, neighborhood is one of the up and coming renter hotspots in the city. This wide boulevard…

downtown-austin

Downtown Austin: High-end Living in the Heart of the Action

If you’re looking for a combination of high-tech industry, exciting dining and entertainment options and a sprinkling of the great outdoors, you can’t do better…

halloween-diy-ideas

8 Spooktacular Halloween DIY Projects for Your Apartment

Halloween’s right around the corner, and we’re definitely going to make the best of it even if we can’t be as social during these times….

Best cities for millennials - general image

The Best Cities for Millennial Renters: Austin Challenges Seattle for the Throne

Highlights: Seattle, San Francisco and Austin were the best cities for Millennial renters in the past five years. San Francisco attracted the largest share of…

10-fall-diy-projects

10 Beginner-Friendly Fall DIY Projects to Decorate Your Apartment

Fall’s slowly starting to settle in, and if you’re like us, you definitely want to capture some of its crisp yet cozy magic in your…

small-living-room-ideas-header

8 Small Living Room Design Ideas for Any Apartment

The living room is truly the heart of the home. It’s where we relax, entertain, and, for many of us, it’s also where we work…

featured-image

Swimming Among Skyscrapers: 6 Stunning Apartment Community Pools Around the U.S. [Editor’s Picks]

Imagine diving in the pool on a bright weekend morning or a warm afternoon, after a week or a day’s work. There’s nothing quite like…

chicago-best-neighborhoods-for-renters

Top 10 Best Neighborhoods in Chicago

Chicago needs no introduction. Whether you’re already living in the city or are planning on moving here, you certainly know what to expect from one…

ways to reduce waste

10 Simple Ways to Reduce Waste in Your Home & Life

Waste reduction is one of the most important steps we can take as individuals to cause less harm to the environment. But living in a…