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LOOK LEARN LEASE THE DAILY COUGAR YOUR SOURCE FOR APARTMENTS, HOME ACCESSORIES & MORE THE INS AND OUTS OF LEASING FIND THE BEST APARTMENT WITH THESE HELPFUL TIPS

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Page 1: Look Learn Lease 2013

LOOKLEARNLEASE

THE DAILY COUGAR

1

YOUR SOURCE FOR APARTMENTS, HOME ACCESSORIES & MORE

THE INS AND OUTS OF LEASINGFIND THE BEST APARTMENT WITH THESE HELPFUL TIPS

Page 2: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 2

FREE TUTORINGRoom N 109 Cougar Village (Building #563)Schedule available at www.las.uh.edu

Mon–Thurs 9am–9pm

Friday 9am–6pm

Saturday 1–5pm

Sunday 1–7pm

Learning Assessment Services

GET AHEADUniversity Testing Services

• Accuplacer• Credit by exam• Advanced Placement• International Baccalaureate• GRE• Placement tests

STAY ON TARGETRetention Programs

• Challenger Program

CATCH UPLearning Support Services

• Peer tutoring• Learning Strategies workshops/counseling

GET INVOLVEDParent Education Project

ONLINE FACULTY/ COURSE EVALUATIONhttp://accessuh.uh.edu

www.las.uh.edusurvey.uh.edu

HELP US HELP YOU BY GIVING US YOUR OPINION

Page 3: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 3

• No application and administrative fee with this ad• Exquisite faux wood flooring & new carpet combinations• Interiors inspired by new home builders• New/recent GE appliance package• Stunning granite look counter tops• Two inch blinds• Two tone paint• Reserved covered parking• Resident fitness center• Resort–style pool

Villagesat Meyerland

8900 CHIMNEY ROCK ROAD, HOUSTON, TX 77096–2529

FOR MORE INFORMATION: [email protected]

Page 4: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 4

CONTENTS

ROOMMATESEARCHING

8

LEASING LEGALITIES

12

LOCATIONSCOUTING

16

GOING GREEN

20

STAFF

Editor Allen Le

Design Andres Garcia Farah Hasnie

Advertising Michelle Hernandez Gabriela Padilla Paul Vilchez

On the cover Back row: Amanda Scott, Chelsey Watson Front row: Chris Luong, Kevin Orr Cover Design Andres Garcia

ABOUT LLL!Look, Learn, Lease! is a pro-duction of The Daily Cougar, the official student newspaper of the University of Houston.

© 2013 University of Houston Student Publications. No part of this magazine may be reprinted without the permis-sion of the Director of Student Publications. Phone: 713-743-5350 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.uh.edu/sp

To Advertise Call: 713-743-5340

Page 5: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 5

Harvest Hillapartments

• Internet Cafe • Billiards • Entertainment Lounge • Student Business Center • Walking distance to NEW UT

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Students Welcome

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[email protected]

CALL FOR MOVE IN SPECIALS!

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UP TO 4 HOURS FREE MOVING SERVICE Free Apartment Locating/Discounted Moving Service

Our extensive apartment database includes the following regions:

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For more information:1-800-342-4933 [email protected]

1-800-342-4933 [email protected] Apartment Locating

Free Apartment Locating

Page 6: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 6

A lmost any person who’s been asked will agree that moving out

can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t always have to be.

The process will be over with sooner rather

than later with the help of multiple to-do lists, a

great playlist and some helping hands.

UH freshman Christina Smith said the only way

she’ll justify moving without hiring a moving

service is if she has several friends helping her.

“I hate moving,” she said. “I don’t even want to

think about having to do everything myself. I’m

going to get my boyfriend and his friends to

help me out.”

BEFORE YOU MOVE (Tips from the Texas Apartment Association)

• Check to see how much advance notice you

must give before moving at the end of your

term. 30-day written notice is most common.

• Look for security deposit refund restrictions.

• Look for your rental housing owner’s obliga-

tion to make needed repairs. (A requirement for

diligence is common.)

• Be sure to read any cleaning instructions.

(Cleaning costs can usually be deducted

from your security deposit if you fail to follow

instructions.)

• Check on prohibitions against subletting or

keeping animals. (Written permission is usually

required. Also, there is usually a pet deposit.)

• Ask the manager to write in and initial any

oral agreements or changes in the lease

that are agreed to by you and the owner’s

representative.

MOVING OUT

BY AMANDA HILOW

Page 7: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 7

State-of-the-Art Fitness Center

24–Hour Gate Attendant

Exclusive On–Site Convenience Store

Minutes from Medical Center & Universities

Minutes from Galleria Vicinity & Uptown

5402 Renwick, Houston, TX 77081

[email protected] | www.AFApts.com/230451

Text 230451 to AFAPTS (232787) Standard Text Rates Apply

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*In Some Homes

A Galleria address... surprisingly affordable!

Call for current rates. Local & Toll Free

1-888-419-7574

PAVILION PLACE

Page 8: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 8

A SUCCESSFUL MATCH PROVES TO REQUIRE MORE THAN FRIENDSHIP

hen looking for someone to split half

of the rent, the most com-mon advice seems to be search within a circle of friends and acquaintances for potential roommates.

However, evaluating a room-

mate from your friends doesn’t

just require that the two of

you get along well said Don

Yackley, executive director for

UH Housing and Residential

Life.

“We’ve found that the most

important factors are: Do

you smoke or not smoke?

Non-smokers living with smok-

ers — huge issues. Issues are

cleanliness — huge issues. Are

you compatible with that?”

Yackley said. “I think that the

best thing that folks can do is

sort of vision-out what’s most

important for them in a living

situation.”

“First-year students or stu-

dents who have never had a

roommate sometimes come

with their best friend from

high school or their best

friend that they’ve met, and

often they are not the best of

roommates.”

UH senior Sarah Dyer said she

decided to live with someone

she had been friendly with in

high school, but had not been

as close to then.

“My current roommates are

friends of mine from high

school who happened to find

their way to UH after going to

other schools,” Dyer said.

“I didn’t expect to get as

close as I have with one of my

roommates. She and I kind of

drifted apart after high school,

but since we’ve been living

together we have shared a lot

and have ended up really re-

kindling our friendship.”

Those who must choose a

roommate from Craigslist

should make sure they get all

the information, Yackley said.

“I think generally when trying

to find a roommate on your

own for off campus, as much

background as you can about

the person — references, for

example, keeping in mind

that safety is really important.

Usually in an off-campus situa-

tion, you both are in charge of

rent, or sometimes there is a

‘lead’ person on the lease. The

roommate then pays that per-

son and that person pays the

landlord,” Yackley said.

“There are problems with

roommates where they’re not

able to cover their side of the

rent. The lead person is then

responsible for it all. Your is-

sue on how to find a good

roommate is critical.”

“Vet your possible roommate

out as much as possible,”

Yackley said. “Not only should

they connect well with you as

an individual, but financially if

anything goes wrong, you’re

on the hook too.”

W

BY JULIE HEFFLER

ROOMMATE SEARCHING

Page 9: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 9

resort-style

great location on campus + individual leases + fully furnished apartments

cullenoaks.com713.748.3707 | 4600 Cullen Blvd | Houston, TX 77004

now leasingfor summer & fall 2013

facebook.com/CullenOaks

walk to class

Page 10: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 10

hoosing a person who one will spend the next several months — or even

years — is a nerve-wracking process. For those who are moving into a place of their own without the benefit of student hous-ing choosing their roommate for them, selecting a potential roommate out of a list of strangers can be difficult. These questions can make the decision making process a little easier:

1. What’s your schedule like?

It’s important to know what the potential roommate’s schedule for work and school is. For those that go to work and school during the day and sleep at night, a night owl roommate who will be up all night making noise may not be appreciated.

2. What does your past rental history look like?

Landlords will ask this of their tenants, and those seeking a roommate should, too. It’s essential to know if a potential roommate has a history of not paying rent or break-ing their lease.

3. What chores do they like and dislike?

Everyone has a chore they hate doing whether it’s dishes, laundry or vacuum-ing. Finding out what chores each person likes or dislikes can solve future conflicts before they happen and create a satisfying compromises.

4. What are their allergies?

Allergies can run from irritating to poten-tially deadly. It’s important to understand a potential roommate’s allergies and other health restrictions before food, cleaning supplies, and pets are introduced into the scenario.

5. What are their interests?

Similar interests can keep mealtime con-versations lively and forge bonds between two people that might otherwise be strangers.

ROOMMATE QUESTIONSBY LAURA GILLESPIE

?

C

Page 11: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 11

5514 Griggs Road, Houston | (855) 271.1021

5 minutes from Campus! Community is located on Metro Bus Route & future Metro Light Rail Southeast Line.

For more information call 855.271.1021or visit www.liveatskyviewpalmcenter.com

» Under New Management» Gated Community» Courtesy Patrol Officer» Bay Window at Dining Area» Ceiling Fans » Nine Foot Ceilings» Large Kitchen with Spacious Cabinets» Large Utility Room Included with Washer & Dryer

1 Bedroom from $6902 Bedroom from $865

Page 12: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 12

fter what feels like an eternity of search-

ing, checking prices, analyzing locations and wrestling with expenses and unwelcome surprises, finally signing the dotted line on a leasing contract and moving into a new home or apartment is a welcome relief.

However, those few moments

before pen hits paper may

serve as the last moments be-

fore a first-time renter makes a

huge, costly mistake.

“The law does not say that you

have to have a lease in writ-

ing, but there are a number

of things that the owners

require to be put into writing

in that contract,” said Aimee

Arrington, director of commu-

nity engagement and media

with the Houston Apartment

Association.

“Number one: read that lease

contract. It’s a binding contract

between you and the property

owner. You need to know what

their responsibilities are and

what your responsibilities are,”

Arrington said.

“Before you even get to the

stage of getting a contract,

you usually have to put in an

application with the property,

and before you do that ask the

property what kind of criteria

is going to be evaluated.”

According to Arrington,

the biggest reason for dis-

putes between tenants and

landlords lies in lack of

communication.

A landlord who failed to estab-

lish what he wants in a lease

and a tenant who does not

discuss any accidental dam-

age to a property or comes

up short on rent day cause

problems.

That’s why it is important for

a first-time renters to under-

stand not only the property

itself, such as the atmosphere

and safety, but also what the

property owner expects.

“Some properties look at

criminal history. Some look

at credit history,” Arrington

said. “If you have an issue that

may cause you to be denied

that property, you may want to

save your money and go to a

property that better fits your

needs.”

The cost of moving posses-

sions to a new home, seem-

ingly a simple task, can quickly

rack up costs if tenants aren’t

careful.

The cost of hiring movers,

renting trucks, buying packing

material and taking care of

pets for a move takes first-

time movers by surprise. More

problems can arise if one

needs to take leave from work

or purchase food and lodgings

to move across the country.

Moving to one’s first place can

be frightening as the paper-

work, fine print and hidden

fees often seem overwhelm-

ing, but it doesn’t have to be.

Continued communication, re-

search and budgeting are the

keys to keeping costs down

and making sure that nothing

comes across as brand new

information.

A

LEASING LEGALITIESBY LAURA GILLESPIE

Page 13: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 13

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...

CRESCENT CITY APARTMENT HOME IS THE ANSWER TO ALL YOUR LIVING ARRANGEMENTS.

PRICES AS LOW AS $509!APARTMENT FEATURES:•AIR CONDITIONING •BALCONY •CABLE READY •CEILING FAN(S) •DISHWASHER •NEW/RENOVATED INTERIOR •OVERSIZED CLOSETS •SOME PAID UTILITIES

COMMUNITY FEATURES:•EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE •GATED ACCESS •LAUNDRY FACILITY •PLAYGROUND•PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION •SWIMMING POOL •PET FRIENDLY

Crescent City

CRESCENTCITY•8501BROADWAYHOUSTON,TX77061•(713)644-7581

LEASING LEGALITIES

Page 14: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 14

S

UH POLICE LT. BRET COLLIER GIVES ADVICE FOR STAYING SAFE ON, OFF CAMPUS

afety is a main con-cern for future renters,

but how do you go about becoming more aware and ensuring your security?

There are so many bases to

cover. It seems to be an almost

impossible task that takes a

backseat to other things such

as convenience or price.

However, there are many ways

students can stay safe when

looking for apartments and

UH Department of Public

Safety’s Lt. Bret Collier was

generous enough to provide

tips.

• Whether it’s your first or fif-

teenth do your homework.

“Talk to the residents, staff and

on-site security about com-

mon crimes at the residence

hall you are considering,”

Collier said.

Being aware is always the first

step to staying safe.

IF LIVING ALONE • Never give your keys to any-

one who is not listed on your

lease. Never leave a key under

the doormat or on top of the

door frame for a friend.

• Lock your windows and

doors when leaving, even

if only going out for a short

while.

• Look into buying renter’s

insurance. If you’ve been a

victim of a crime, this will help.

• Get to know your neighbors,

and agree to look out for one

another.

A strong network of friends is

useful, and four eyes are bet-

ter than two.

If you witness a crime such as a

burglary, Collier said, “Try to be

a good witness, make note of

every detail possible. Contact

the police as early as possible.

Do not try to engage a suspi-

cious person, let us do that.”

FOR BIKES • Use a bicycle rack, not trees,

fences, or shrubbery.

• Use a quality, U-shaped lock.

• Place the lock through the

front tire and the bike frame.

This will keep your tires from

being stolen.

• Register your bike with the

UH Police Department.

FOR CARS • Lock you doors, talk your

keys, don’t leave valuables in

view. This will prevent most ve-

hicle burglaries,” Collier said.

“Statistically speaking, college

campuses are some of the saf-

est communities in the country.

While we do let students know

about the crimes that are oc-

curring, this doesn’t mean

there are more crimes than

other areas; often, exactly the

opposite is the case,” Collier

said.

SAFETY TIPSBY AISHA BOUDERDABEN

Page 15: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 15

SEE IT. LIVE IT. LOVE IT. Pet Friendly with Dog Park

Free Fitness Membership

Planned Social Events

Close to The Heights/Washington Social Scene

Washer/Dryer Included in Every Home

Easy Access to Major Highwayswww.LiveAtTheGroveAtWhiteOak.com

1710 West TC Jester Blvd, Houston Call (855)263-6267

5514 Griggs Road, Houston | (855) 271.1021

5 minutes from Campus! Community is located on Metro Bus Route & future Metro Light Rail Southeast Line.

For more information call 855.271.1021or visit www.liveatskyviewpalmcenter.com1 Bedroom from $690

2 Bedroom from $865

» Under New Management» Gated Community» Courtesy Patrol Officer» Bay Window at Dining Area» Ceiling Fans » Nine Foot Ceilings» Large Kitchen with Spacious Cabinets» Large Utility Room Included with Washer & Dryer

Page 16: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 16

LOCATION SCOUTING

BY LAURA GILLESPIE

Page 17: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 17

FIND THE PERFECT PLACE THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS

eing a full or part-time student can be

hard and holding down a job on top of that is harder, but trying to find an af-fordable apartment that fits one’s needs perfectly? That task seems nearly impossible.

Taking into account of

Houston’s chaotic and

sprawled out city, weighing

the pros and cons of its many

neighborhoods inside the

loop can make the task less

daunting.

Before a first-time renter

Googles apartment prices, it’s

imperative for them ask what

they want out of their home.

Do they need to be closest

to family, school or work? Do

they want to be close to the

hottest nightlife or a large

library to spend the evenings

studying? Do they want near-

by grocery stores, bars and

restaurants? Do they have a

group of friends to room with

to ease the burden of rent on

an expensive apartment in a

nice neighborhood?

All these questions are crucial

in understanding what student

want from the beginning.

Newly renovated and restored

areas can have surprisingly

low prices and are commonly

filled by students. These areas

include East Downtown, in the

cradle north of UH and east

of the intersection of I-45 and

US-59 and is rapidly devel-

oping a fresh character and

vibrant nightlife.

Cost of housing is also one

of the largest appeals with

this area with two-bedroom

apartments ranging from $500

to $600, but the (improving)

crime rate can be a deterrent.

Despite some homes in

Bellaire and West University

that costs up into the millions,

the apartments in the area are

surprisingly affordable with

two-bedroom apartments that

cost around $700. The lack of

nightlife and distance from the

university can be a significant

disadvantage, but the area’s

safety can be a tempting

choice for those who aren’t

so keen on spending their

Saturday nights at a club.

B

Page 18: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 18

LOCATION SCOUTING CONTINUED

Montrose, largely considered the cul-

tural hub of Houston and rated one of

the “great neighborhoods in America”

by the American Planning Association in

2009, provides a great wealth of dining,

museums and nightlife that can appeal

to just about anyone. Local specialty

shops and grocery stores also make

it easy to get the essentials without

spending money on gas.

Also considered one of the largest gay

neighborhoods in the country, Montrose

can be a safe option for gay, lesbian, bi-

sexual and transgender individuals who

may not feel comfortable elsewhere.

However, the eclectic nature and safety

of the neighborhood comes at a steep

price, as the rent can range from any-

where from $800 to $2,000 a month.

Houston Heights, Upper Kirby, Rice

Village and Pearland all run a similar

price tag to Montrose, but many of

those neighborhoods don’t have the

nightlife and shopping that Montrose

has to offer.

At the end of the day, it’s up to the

individual. Finding the perfect location

comes down to personal preference,

desires and needs.

HEIGHTS

MIDTOWN

MEMORIAL

GALLERIA

DOWN-TOWN

UHMEDICAL CENTER

MUSEUMDISTRICT

HOUSTON GEOGRAPHYI-45

I-45

I-10

61059

59

288

610

I-10

Page 19: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 19

C ome experience Skyview at Palm Center Apartments, a

quiet rental community developed and managed to make your daily living a pleasure. Surrounded by luxurious spaces, you’ll find unlimited possibilities to reflect your lifestyle. When you arrive here at Skyview at Palm Center you’ll know this is home. For your comfort and convenience, Skyview at Palm Center offers many features including over 1000 square feet of living space in all our floorplans and a full sized washer and dryer in every apartment home. We are adjacent to a City Park and centrally located. COMING SOON...Metro Light Rail Line at Palm Center Transit Center will be opening across from the Community.

FEELS LIKEHOME!

Located at 5514 Griggs Road, Houston

For more info:855.271.1021 www.liveskyviewpalmcenter.com

Page 20: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 20

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS PRACTICES FOR LIVING IN APARTMENT COMPLEXES

BY LAURA GILLESPIE & ELLEN GOODACRE

N o matter where you live, it’s easy to stay

green and avoid bad hab-its that waste energy, gas, landfill space and water.

RECYCLE

Collecting recyclable garbage

throughout the week can be

easy, even if a recycling truck

doesn’t come to one’s local

area. Recyclable garbage can

be collected throughout the

week in large bags such as

those from grocery stores,

restaurants or in plastic bins

bought at dollar stores. At the

end of the week, the garbage

can be taken to campus or the

nearest recycling center to be

disposed.

BYOB

Despite the convenience of

bottled water, “roughly 50

billion plastic water bottles

end up in U.S. landfalls each

year —140 million every day”

according to the website of

the recycling organization

Back2Tap. Purchasing a reus-

able water bottle and a water

filter for home faucets can

easily solve the issue. If some

landlords don’t allow the alter-

ing of faucets, a water pitcher

with a filter works just as well.

UNPLUG A LITTLE

Energy can be conserved

by waiting to wash dishes or

clothes until such devices are

full and by unplugging appli-

ances like coffee makers and

cell phone charges that are

only used for part of the day.

Even though these appliances

may not be on, they still draw

energy from the outlet while

plugged in.

Although there may be an

additional cost, compact fluo-

rescent bulbs are also a wise

purchase because they last

almost ten times longer than a

traditional light bulb.

CARPOOL

Carpooling cannot only save

gas costs, but can also reduce

the amount of carbon dioxide

that’s released into the air.

Those that live on or close

to campus can also consider

biking to save on the cost of

transportation and as a means

of exercise.

JUST ASK

Lastly, those who live in apart-

ments should talk to their

leasing offices about sustain-

ability options in their com-

plexes — there may already

be programs in the building

to help tenants preserve the

environment.

Staying green while on a

hectic schedule may seem

difficult, but it may be surpris-

ing how easy and fun it can

be with preplanning and only

little effort.

GOING GREEN

Page 21: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 21

E scape the stress of classes and run to The Heights. The Grove is conveniently

located within walking distance of shopping and minutes from the always fun Washington Avenue. The Grove at White Oak provides residents a free gym membership; the community has an onsite volleyball court with easy access to local jogging trails. The Grove is the perfect place for the active person. Make your home in The Heights today!

CALLING ALL COOGS!

Located at: 1710 West TC Jester Blvd.Houston

For more info:855.271.1021 www.LiveAtTheGroveWhiteOak.com

Page 22: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 22

f the lease requires management to make repairs, inform the manager in writing and keep a dated copy.

The law requires in nearly every instance that

the owner must repair security devices and

conditions that materially affect the health

and safety of the ordinary resident. Give the

manager written notice of the needed repairs,

and keep a dated copy. If you don’t receive a

response within a reasonable time, re-notify the

manager orally and in writing.

If you still don’t get a response, you may have

legal grounds to exercise statutory rights of

lease termination, compulsory repairs, damag-

es, penalties, thirdparty repair and deduct, and

attorney’s fees. (Instead of giving two separate

written notices, you can give a single notice by

certified mail, return receipt requested.)

Specific procedures must be followed for statu-

tory remedies, and disregarding those proce-

dures can expose you to a civil damages suit

against you by the owner. Repairs of problems

resulting in mere discomfort or inconvenience

are not covered by the statute. The city build-

ing inspector’s office or county health depart-

ment can be of some help if the condition

violates state statutes or local housing codes

regarding safety and sanitation.

In the City of Houston, you can contact 3-1-1

(the City’s help line) to reach the Apartment

Inspection Division and request an inspection.

TELL THE OWNER: IF IT’S BROKE, THEY’LL FIX IT

I

TEXAS APARTMENT ASSOCIATION

Page 23: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 23

ore and more people are finding themselves

using their smartphones for just about everything. With more than 775,000 apps currently in the iTunes App Store, they are more than just games and music. They encompass banking, reading and even apart-ment shopping. Below are five free helpful apps to help you hunt for the best apartment:

1. “Rent.com - Find Apartments and Homes” – FreeDeveloped by Viva Group, Inc.

A spin-off of the popular web-

site, the Rent.com app filters

through apartment listings

based on location, rent price,

number of bedrooms and

bathrooms and pet laws. What

makes it unique is its feature

for the user to take notes and

photos and save them for each

property they look at, and its

ability to zoom into listings’

photos and floor plans.

2. “Apartments.com – Apartments for rent”

– FreeDeveloped by Classified

Ventures, LLC

The Apartments.com app,

also a popular website, has

the ability to find nearby

apartments through GPS and

contact landlords on the spot

for easy scheduling. The addi-

tional option of walk-through

videos makes it easy to get a

good look at listings.

3. “Apartments” – FreeDeveloped by Primedia

With a visually appealing,

clean and easy-to use inter-

face, “Apartments” is one of

the best-looking apartment

apps. It allows users to share

their newest property findings

through social media such as

Facebook and Twitter.

4. “Apartment Search by UDR, Inc.” – FreeDeveloped by UDR, Inc.

While it may not have list-

ings everywhere in the U.S.,

Apartment Search does in-

clude listings in Houston. It

has features such as live chat

with UDR, Inc.’s central leasing

office, making reservations on

the spot and the myudr.com

website, where rent can be

made and service requests can

be submitted.

5. “PadMapper Apartment Search”

– FreeDeveloped by PadMapper, Inc.

Another popular site-turned

app, “PadMapper” is an ag-

gregation app that combines

listings from different websites

such as Apartments.com and

local apartment listing sites.

While this can make the in-

formation slightly unreliable,

it means that users get the

chance to find the best deals

on apartments as soon as they

become available.

M

APARTMENT APPSBY LAURA GILLESPIE

Page 24: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 24

W hether from across the U.S. or raised in the heart of Houston,

students starting or con-tinuing their college ca-reers anxiously wait for the day they move into their own space for the school year.

However, before that happy

moment, students must make

looming decisions in regards

to living on or off campus,

renting apartments or houses

and other choices before

they find their perfect living

situation.

“Students should be looking

for what is included in the rent,

where the complex is located,

the amenities and the length

of the lease,” said Robin K.

Myers, vice president of mpm-

Houston Real Estate Services.

“They may want to do some

checking on the reviews for

the units.”

Renting houses is an option

that students may consider,

but qualifications can be strict-

er and rent can be steeper,

Myers said.

“The tenant has more respon-

sibilities with things in a home

than they do in an apartment,

such as the yard, more utilities

and the HOA (homeowners

association) violations,” Myers

said.

Repairs are something else

to consider. Apartments have

offices on site where work

requests can be filed, but

that convenience isn’t present

while renting a house.

“If you are going to be renting

a home, I would suggest that

you rent a home that has a

property manager handling it,”

Myers said.

“The repairs seem to be han-

dled more readily then one

that is an owner handling it.”

Myers suggested using real-

tors to aid in the hectic pro-

cess, particularly if venturing

off campus.

BY NATALIE HARMS

APARTMENT VS. HOUSE

CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE HOUSING OPTIONS OTHER THAN APARTMENT, LOFT LEASING

Page 25: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 25

MONTHLY EXPENSE CALCULATOR

NOTES

Rent

Telephone

Cable/Internet

Utilities

Car/gas/insurance

Groceries

Dining/going out

Miscellaneous

TOTAL

SUDOKU 1

SUDOKU 2

Answers on pg. 30

Page 26: Look Learn Lease 2013

26Look, Learn, Lease! 2013

LOOK. LEARN. LEASE.

EDITOR’S NOTE

ALLEN LE

his edition of “look, Learn, Lease!” focuses on young adults who have never lived

on their own before and are ready to break free.

“Look, Learn, Lease!”

is a comprehensive

guide to finding a

place to live — from

tips for finding the

right neighborhood and apartment to

arranging, moving and working with a

landlord.

Committing to a long-distance rela-

tionship, moving to a new city (the

fourth largest at that) and finally

starting college can be overwhelm-

ing. But searching for a new place to

live doesn’t have to be. The writers

involved with UH Student Publications

have done the hard work already. They

talked to officials, researched neigh-

borhoods and highlighted the essen-

tial information.

Although this magazine is geared

toward college students, urbanites

who want a change of scenery will

also benefit from the 32 pages of this

apartment guide. Articles about the

hidden legalities of apartment renting,

going green at home and the center

spread — location scouting — are

waiting to be read by you.

I would like to thank Student

Publications director Matt Dulin,

advertising manager Delores

Crawford, production assistant Justin

Schneewind and the students involved

with the editorial, design and advertis-

ing departments who helped me with

“Look, Learn, Lease!”

T

Page 27: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 27

Even if you’re lucky enough to have perfect 20/20 vision,

4901 Calhoun Road • Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Corner of Calhoun and Wheeler • patient parking access entrance 2A. Visit uei.uh.edu for more information or please call 713.743.2020

We accept most health and vision plans, including the UH student health insurance.

protecting them against injury or infection is important.

The UEI provides a wide range of services from comprehensive vision examinations to the medical and surgical management of eye disorders.

Comprehensive Vision Care on the UH Campus

Page 28: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 28

ACROSS

1 Bourbon barrel 5 Nuclear power plant units 9 Cause to laugh 14 First word of “The Raven” 15 Toil in the cutting room 16 Barbers shave them 17 Straddling 18 Musical

conclusion 19 Ready to be drafted? 20 Where even grown men

have to go sometimes 23 Some Wordsworth works 24 Longboat propeller 25 Bring ruin on 29 Cold-water diver 30 Home-

builder’s buy 33 Counters with beads 34 Hair

preparations

36 Classic TV clown 37 Healthy

delivery, often 40 Run in place 41 Annoys with constant com-

plaints 42 Worth or Dunne 43 March Madness souvenir 44 Utmost (Abbr.) 45 Walk

unsteadily 46 Mudpack offerer 47 Whitman sampler? 49 Comment from a mom with

rowdy sons 56 “The Lower Depths” writer

Maxim (Var.) 57 “Father,” in toddler talk 58 Orchestral “tuning fork” 59 Seeped slowly 60 ___ and terminer (hearing

or trial) 61 Light quality in music

62 The written word 63 Long and lean 64 Inquires

DOWN

1 Black vein contents 2 Prefix with “bacterial” 3 Aberdeen native 4 Held on to 5 Move back 6 Baked-brick building 7 Mischievous pranks 8 Reprieve from the governor 9 Inuit

outerwear 10 Plantation house 11 Step ___

the plate 12 Baseball part 13 Telepathic gift (Abbr.) 21 Aristotle’s forte 22 March master 25 Israeli Nobel Prize-winner 26 Habitation 27 Place for jewels 28 Teen’s skin woe 29 Clerical robes 30 Like human ears 31 Certain atmospheric layer 32 One who’s not playing seri-

ously 34 Teeny biter 35 One of a dozen at the

grocery store 36 North Pole explorer 38 Eloper’s acquisition 39 Ecological community 44 Encouraging aspect 45 Leave, as

a ship 46 Wanda of comedy 47 ___ Del Rey, Calif. 48 ___ days (yore) 49 Country bumpkin 50 Rice-shaped pasta 51 Pedestal percher 52 Gaucho’s weapon 53 Kimono sashes 54 Albumen adjunct 55 Studio structures 56 U.S. political party

TIME KILL: CROSSWORD

Answers on pg. 30

CROSSWORD 1

Page 29: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 29

ACROSS

1 Fodder housing 5 Acct. ledger entries 9 Delicate pancake 14 Cut the fat 15 All dried out 16 Expands one’s staff 17 “The Godfather” composer

Nino 18 “... with a banjo on my ___” 19 White heron 20 Start of a sage thought 23 Part of F.D.R. 24 Performed badly 28 Preposition in poetry 29 Lacking brightness or color 32 AFC Central player 33 High-end hotel

offerings 35 He played Ponch 36 Second part of a sage

thought 40 Piano

chanteuse Amos 41 Dumbbells 42 Having star quality? 45 Average golf scores 46 Oft-mispunctuated posses-

sive 49 Furthermore 51 Unpopped popcorn 53 Third part of a sage

thought 56 Magazine installment 59 The embryo of an

invention 60 Source of an artist’s inspira-

tion 61 Kind of common stock 62 Baltimore’s McHenry, for

one 63 Winning cards

64 No longer novel 65 Arctic Ocean floater 66 Cozy spot

DOWN

1 Take giant steps 2 One with pressing issues? 3 “Stuart ___” 4 Biggest city in Nebraska 5 Invite

punishment 6 Choice of courses 7 Allowance after tare 8 No-___ (gnat) 9 Romano or Swiss 10 Physical property of inflex-

ibility 11 Commit a faux pas 12 The Carolinas’ ___ Dee

River 13 Wintertime in D.C. 21 Endow, as with a quality 22 BBQ serving 25 Fairy-tale baddie 26 Depilatory brand 27 Fraternal fellow 30 Basic unit for the

elements 31 Jazz genre 33 Concerned with sacred

matters 34 Lyric sung by Doris Day 36 Women hate it when they

run 37 Dinner crumbs 38 Associate on the job 39 Enlarged area on a map 40 Can opener 43 Stick 44 Pasture 46 Bring about 47 Acts the coquette 48 Most like a fox 50 Take a whiff of 52 Circus Maximus attendee 54 Pedestal percher 55 Prefix for “sol” or “space” 56 Elected ones 57 AA candidate 58 Whirlpool site

Answers on pg. 30

CROSSWORD 2

Page 30: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 30

NOTES

CROSSWORD 1 SUDOKU 1

SUDOKU 1CROSSWORD 2

TIME KILL: ANSWERS

Page 31: Look Learn Lease 2013

2013 Look, Learn, Lease! 31

Text “SAVOY”

to 47464

Upgrade yourlifestyle!

Live at Savoy!

5500 Sampson, Houston, TX 77004t 713 630 2900 f 713 630 6525www.savoyapartments.com

COMMUNITY FEATURES• Newly renovated state of the art club house with WI-FI• Detached garages available• Resort style pool with sunning deck• Luxurious outdoor grilling station• Business center with computers, fax, copy & internet access• Pet friendly• Courtesy Patrol Officers• Fitness Center and outside grills

FEATURES OF YOUR NEW HOME• Washers and dryers included• Slated tile entries*• Microwave ovens • Frost free refrigerators with icemakers• Vaulted and 9 foot ceilings*• Built in shelves & computer niches*• Spacious closets and storage• Private patios/balconies• Sprinkler system in each unit

Individual leases available

Page 32: Look Learn Lease 2013

Look, Learn, Lease! 2013 32

University Eye Institute

4901 Calhoun Road • Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Corner of Calhoun and Wheeler • patient parking access entrance 2A.

Visit uei.uh.edu for more information or please call 713.743.2020

Comprehensive Eye Care The UEI has designed a vision program for students. If you do not have medical insurance

Please give us a call for details.

Eye Examination Contact lenses Glasses