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.
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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 ApartmentÂ
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,…
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 ThemÂ
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…
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: 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…
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: 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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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: 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…
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….
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…