Author: Mark Laufhutte
New Venterra Community: The Retreat at Lakeland
We have added a new community to our portfolio of properties in Florida!
The Retreat at Lakeland is well positioned on the I-4 corridor in Lakeland, located midway between Tampa and Orlando and has convenient access to various exciting dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
The community offers spacious one, two, and three bedroom apartments. The Retreat at Lakeland’s apartment interiors have been upgraded with high-end features including stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, wood vinyl flooring, and screened-in patios. The property’s amenity package includes a playground, two swimming pools, Pickleball and Tennis courts, Fitness Center, and more.
Each upgraded residence extends hallmarks that make a home a home, such as cozy wood-burning fireplaces, stylish ceiling fans, full-size washers and dryers, Venetian blinds, and whirlpool bathtubs. There is even a screen-in patio or balcony perfect for relaxation.
Whether you’re looking to relax or get a workout in, this community has an exciting amenity package that includes two sparkling pools with an expansive sundeck, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a bark park, a modern playground, and an illuminated tennis court and pickleball court with no shortage of things to do.
Plus, our community members enjoy the benefits of Venterra Living. We’re committed to delivering a world-class living experience and professional on-site management teams.
Looking to move to the Sunshine State or interested in The Retreat at Lakeland? Check out pricing and availability here! If you find something you like, with Venterra’s SMARTLEASING application process all you have to do is 1) complete the 5 minute form; 2) click submit; 3) get approved in 5 minutes – and you never have to pay any fees until you are approved!
Wow Story: Not All Angles Are Blue
Matthew Dobias, Maintenance Manager, Experience Leader
Villa Logo, Ft. Worth, TX
Employee since 2013
At Venterra, we strive to bring joy to our residents every day. When one of our younger residents missed a U.S. Navy Blue Angel flyover, we felt terrible for him and knew we had to do something to bring some joy to his day. Thankfully, our front office team acted in Blue Angel-inspired speed and made it happen for him and his family!
The Opportunity
Back in early May, the Iconic Blue Angels performed a First Responder Appreciation flyover that included several cities. On the day they flew over Fort Worth and Villa Lago Apartments, Maintenance Manager Matthew Dobias ran up to one of our third-floor vacant units and had the perfect vantage point to witness the Blue Angels in action! It instantly reminded him of all the times his dad took me to air shows when he was a kid. About ten minutes after the Blue Angels flew over Villa Lago Matthew was making my way back up to the office when he saw a kiddo sitting on the curb. Ten-year-old Jace was waiting on the Blue Angels, but they had already passed by. He excitedly said, “The Blue Angels are about to fly over us” and Matthew responded, “Aww buddy, you just missed them! They flew over about ten minutes ago.” As Matthew continued on his way, he instantly realized he just crushed a young man’s hope of seeing the Blue Angels. He felt terrible because he had just relived his own childhood and took that feeling away from Jace by breaking the bad news. He knew he had to do something to bring that joy he felt as a child back for Jace.
The Epiphany
As soon as Matthew walked into the office, he immediately told his Manager, Andrea, and Villa Lago’s BLC, Trish, the entire story. They both immediately got to work researching Blue Angel-inspired gift ideas. Matthew thought to himself, is there anything else he could do for Jace? He jumped on the computer and began feverishly trying to find any type of contact information for the Blue Angels. As most organizations do nowadays, Blue Angels have a website with contact information listed. He sent an email to the Blue Angels and told them the story of what had transpired that morning. He begged for anything they could do for Jace. He didn’t have a lot of faith that anything would come to fruition from his email but an hour later, he received a response from someone with the Blue Angels saying they would take care of Jace! He immediately replied back and thanked them for anything they could send Jace to help brighten his day.
The Wow Moment
While he was corresponding with someone on the Blue Angels team, Andrea and Trish ordered a Blue Angels beach towel, poster and a couple of replica jets for Jace. When Jace came to the office to get a surprise package he was so excited to get these items — the smile on his face in the pictures is great! And it didn’t stop there though! About a month later the Villa Lago team received an exciting phone call from Jace’s mom letting them know that Jace had just received a package from the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels sent Jace a calendar, an official Blue Angels uniform patch, several stickers and even a portrait of the Blue Angels flying with the Signatures of the Pilots that flew over Fort Worth that day — with Jace’s first and last name on it! Jace and his family were truly appreciative of Venterra’s efforts and shocked that our team would try so hard to bring joy to someone in our community. Thank you Venterra for allowing these great moments to happen!
Loving these WOW moments? Click here to read more!
Venterra Delivers 1 Millionth Resident Package!
What’s better than coming home to your apartment and having a new package to open? If you ask us, nothing! That’s why we’re so proud to have reached two package delivery milestones – installing our 50th SMARTPACKAGE locker system and safely delivering 1 million packages to our residents.
To celebrate, we gave a $500 Amazon gift card to the lucky resident who received the millionth package!
“Since having the SMARTPACKAGE lockers installed, our residents are now able to conveniently retrieve their deliveries without the limitations of the office hours. Before this amenity, we accepted and held packages in the leasing office, which limited our residents to either waiting until their schedules aligned with our hours, or having it delivered to their door, exposed. With the SMARTPACKAGE system, residents have an increased sense of safety and ease of use,” said Jo Canares, Community Manager at The Vinings in Stafford, TX.
The average American receives 21 packages over the course of the year – that’s almost two packages a month (no judgment). To add to that statistic, during the pandemic eCommerce sales increased by 25% with consumers spending more time at home than ever before and shopping from the convenience of their computers, phones, and tablets.
While witnessing online shopping and package deliveries soar over the past year, Venterra has been hard at work installing SMARTPACKAGE Parcel Pending contact-free package management systems to offer safer, easier ways for residents to retrieve their packages with a touch-less experience and no human interaction involved. Through SMARTPACKAGE, our residents no longer have to come to the leasing office to pick up their packages. They can simply scan a barcode or push a button on Parcel Pending’s mobile app to enable package pickup without even having to use the locker kiosk touchscreen.
Additionally, Venterra’s SMARTPACKAGE lockers offer several additional benefits for residents including:
Security:
In January of 2020,1.7 million stolen or lost packages were reported per day, leading to upwards of $25 million worth of items. When it comes to SMARTPACKAGE, there is maximum security with built-in cameras capturing each and every delivery and pick up. The package is secured in a specific lockbox until it is picked up by the resident, taking out the fear of porch pirates or someone getting the wrong package.
24/7 Access:
Long gone are the days of rushing home to get to the leasing office to grab your package before office hours are closed. Had a long day and the last thing you feel like doing is going to grab your package? Totally fine. The SMARTPACKAGE system provides residents 24/7 access, allowing them to pick up their packages on their own schedule.
Vacation Mode:
When you’re going on vacation, you don’t want to have to worry about not being able to pick up the late package with the bathing suit you ordered being gone when you come back. Within the Parcel Pending App, residents can jot down out of town and return dates to avoid incurring storage fees after 2 days.
Customer Service:
Let’s say for some reason the door to the locker you need isn’t opening, or you find yourself needing to call customer service for some other reason, Parcel Pending provides access to the customer care team 24/7/365 via phone or email – so no need to worry!
Automatic Integration:
We are often asked how long the process will take to set up the locker system. Luckily, the process couldn’t be more hassle-free. Our residents are automatically set up through integration with Venterra’s property management system, making for a frictionless user experience.
Not only are these package systems convenient and useful for our residents, but they are also a design piece that we look forward to creating for our residents as well! Each SMARTPACKAGE system is customized to that specific property, using a design that best represents the city or community to provide a further sense of home for our residents.
Time is valuable – that is something we certainly understand. With the integration of SMARTPACKAGE, our residents and our staff get time back in their day. Packages are now rarely touched by a leasing agent, maintenance crew or any other Venterra Employee. That’s Parcel Pending’s promise: Courier to locker to customer. So now, you can spend more time relaxing at the pool and our staff can focus on creating a better living experience for you.
“The SMARTPACKAGE integrations have automated the last-mile delivery experiences at our communities. We have received positive feedback from our residents, who now are able to pick up their packages at their own convenience, and we look forward to further installing the SMARTPACKAGE systems across the rest of our portfolio,” said Venterra Chairman, Andrew Stewart. “By installing SMARTPACKAGE devices in 50 of our communities over the past year, we are able to meet our residents’ demand for quick and secure package delivery. We are confident in the systems’ ability to streamline the entire package and management process, providing a better experience for residents and package delivery companies alike,” added Venterra CEO, John Foresi.
Click here to find a community equipped with a SMARTPACKAGE locker in your desired location!
WOW-EE Story: Making Exercising Fun!
Celebrated Employee: Amanda Nieves
Experience Maker, Better Living Consultant
Falcon Square at Independence, Orlando, FL
Employee Since 2019
A Venterra employee recently overheard a conversation between two BLC’s, Amanda and Ashley, regarding exercising and chatting about how inspired they were by their AMM who was riding their bike twice a day (before and after work) and eating healthier to work towards his health goals. That’s when Amanda mentioned that she would exercise more if she could find a way to make it fun. Ashley then asked her what she considers fun and Amanda mentioned that she enjoys riding a bike or roller skating and that she would do either activity more consistently and with more enthusiasm and motivation than going to a regular gym.
Not only is Venterra dedicated to offering our residents a “Better Way of Living” but the company is also committed to “Better Living” for its employees in their personal lives, including health. Hearing this conversation, the Venterra team knew it was time to WOW in the spirit of creating a “Better Living” opportunity for Amanda. The next time Amanda came into the office, she was surprised with a new bike! She was so happy, she jumped on the bike immediately and got to cruising!
Do you find yourself like Amanda, looking for ways to make your workouts more fun? Here are a few ideas to get you started!
- Exercise with a Friend – They will help motivate you and keep you accountable throughout your workout!
- Take a Dance Class – Break away from your typical gym workout and dance off those calories!
- Watch Your Favorite TV Show – Catch up on the latest episode on the treadmill instead of the couch, your body will appreciate it.
- Hula Hoop – It sounds silly and something that you would do as a kid, but as an adult, the hula hoop can be a serious workout for your abs.
- Join a Recreational Sports Club – Looking to make new friends while burning some calories? A rec sports league may be a good option. Pick your favorite sport and get out there.
The health and wellbeing of our employees and residents is a top priority of Venterra – that’s why many of our communities are equipped with top-notch fitness centers. Find a community today and get started on your fitness journey!
Our First-Ever Apartment Development Is Coming to The Cypress / Houston Area!
We are thrilled to announce that we will be developing our first garden style multi-family community from the ground-up in Cypress, Texas! This will be our first-ever development from the ground up, and we’re excited to get the project started in the near future!
This Class A state-of-the-art 336-unit community will feature an 8,600-square foot clubhouse that will form the heart of the community and provide a “WOW” factor for anyone who lives at or visits the property.
Community amenities will include:
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- a resort-style pool
- outdoor lounge
- fitness center
- yoga/spin room
- package lockers
- business center
- “WeWork” style workspaces
- property-wide WiFi
- a dog park
- covered parking (garages and carports)
We know that community amenities are key factors of choosing an apartment building – but even more so are the rooms you call home! That’s why we are building out these units with interiors that will feature hard-surfaced counters, faux wood style plank flooring, 9-foot ceilings, stainless-steel appliances, shaker cabinets and Venterra’s SmartHome package.
If you’ve never heard about the SmartHome Package, it’s one of Venterra’s innovations that improves the lives of our residents through the use of renter-friendly technologies that can be centrally and remotely managed using an app on your smartphone. SmartHome technologies include:
- Smart locks. For starters, tenants will have access to fully functional smart locks. Rather than relying on a traditional system of keys, smart locks give you the option to access your apartment with a personalized pin number and/or a mobile phone. You won’t have to worry about accidentally locking yourself out of your apartment again, so long as you have a smartphone with you (or a password memorized). Additionally, your apartment will be more secure, with fewer potential points of entry. The benefits don’t stop there; smart locks allow you to give remote access codes, so you can let your friends and family members into your apartment remotely, without having to give them a key in advance.
- Smart thermostats. One of the earliest smart home appliances to emerge was the smart thermostat, and we’re installing these thermostats at all our properties. Once installed, you’ll be able to remotely control the temperature of your apartment, so you can warm it up while you’re on your way home from work on a cold winter’s day, or simply tweak the temperature to your liking from the comfort of your couch. You can also implement things like timers and strict temperature control requirements, so you can reduce your energy consumption while staying comfortable and minimizing the amount of effort you need to spend adjusting the temperature.
- Smart plugs. Smart plugs are outlets that can be remotely controlled. Depending on the situation, you can remotely turn an appliance plugged into the outlet on or off, enabling you to save energy or start your appliances remotely.
What does our CEO, John Foresi have to say about the project? “What will ultimately be built on this site draws from the aggregate experience of hundreds of Venterra employees and hundreds of thousands of satisfied Venterra residents over our 20 year history,” said John Foresi, Venterra CEO. “Our philosophy in designing this project was to focus on amenities and luxuries that will be memorable, appreciated and will ‘move the needle’, making the completed project a highly desirable place in which to live.”
Not only will this community be innovative, but it is also accessible. Located just 25 miles northeast of Downtown Houston, commuters can easily hop on US 290 to get downtown in half an hour! Cypress also has plenty to do with various restaurants, parks, golf courses, outdoor recreational venues, retail and entertainment centers minutes away.
Want to stay in the loop on the progress of the Cypress community? Subscribe to our newsletter! Or, if you’re in the market for a new apartment in a different location, browse our current availability.
7 Ways To Beat The Summer Heat In Your Apartment
The apartment market is hotter than ever – and so is the heat! An extreme heatwave has shattered temperature records across the southern U.S. with over 30 million people under heat alerts this summer. Roughly 4,000 new temperature records have been set this year, and that list is certain to grow as the summer continues.
For renters, this means fighting the rising heat while battling to keep air conditioning bills from skyrocketing. Below, Venterra’s Maintenance and Operations team put together their best advice on how to keep your apartment cool throughout the rolling heatwaves this summer:
1. Cover Your Windows – When it’s hot, up to 76% of the sunlight that hits windows can enter in the form of pure heat. Keeping blinds closed throughout the sunny parts of the day can help eliminate the amount of heat that enters your apartment. If blinds aren’t cutting it, another option is to purchase blackout curtains to block out the sun’s rays – which have been proven to reduce the amount of heat transferred by your windows by as much as 24%. Both of these methods are particularly helpful for east and west-facing windows.
2. Close the Doors – Keeping doors closed to rooms that aren’t being used allows the air to circulate where you need it most. If you spend most of your time in the living room, make sure all of your bedrooms and bathroom doors are closed.
3. Adjust Your Fans – Many people don’t know this but the direction that your fan rotates can change the way the air is distributed throughout your apartment home. Setting your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise in the summer helps to push the air straight down, creating a cooling effect. If you’re unsure of which way your ceiling fan is rotating, contact your maintenance team and they will gladly get you set up and cooled down.
4. Use Air Conditioning Efficiently – This is where your wallet comes into play. When heat rises, your AC bill will likely follow. But to try and avoid any outrageous bills, being efficient with your air conditioning is key. Venterra’s maintenance team suggests sticking to the following temperatures:
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- Set the thermostat at 76+ degrees while you are in your apartment. In fact, energy.gov recommends 78 degrees.
- Set the thermostat at 80+ degrees while you are away. If you have a Venterra apartment that is equipped with SMARTRent thermostats, the temperature can easily be changed via the app – so you can even change the temperature after you leave for the day or set a temperature schedule based on your schedule.
5. Turn Off Lights: When turned on, light bulbs can impact the heat of a room. Turning them off when daylight is present is a way to easily reduce the heat emitted while also minimizing the cost of your electricity bill.
6. Check Air Filters: Residents should monitor the cleanliness of their hvac filter when possible. If dirty, renters can call in a service request when they would like a filter change. Venterra provides filters free of charge and they are a fundamental component in ensuring hvac systems perform as intended as it ensures airflow through the system into the apartment. Lack of airflow, dirty vents and diminished cooling capacity are all signs that the AC filter could be clogged and need replacement.
7. Avoid Cooking Indoors – What’s better than a summer cookout?
Nothing, if you ask us – and it keeps the heat in your kitchen from rising from an oven or stovetop. Venterra communities have outdoor grills, so take advantage of them! And hey, you may just make friends with a new neighbor while grilling out!
Venterra’s maintenance team is dedicated to delivering industry-leading living experiences that benefit our residents day in and day out. If you’re in the market for a new home, managed by a team of caring employees, check out our available units!
Rentgrata Technology to Connect Future and Current Renters
Have you ever wanted to ask a current resident how they like their apartment? One of the toughest parts of choosing an apartment community is reading through hundreds of reviews and not being able to get real time feedback from residents that actually live at the property – but what if you did have the ability to chat with current residents? Talk about a game changer.
Enter Rentgrata, the only technology on the market that offers prospects the opportunity to message current residents of apartment buildings when considering a new place, helping renters gather feedback
from a resident’s point of view before moving in. Through the Rentgrata platform, real conversations about floor plans, amenities, and other renter questions can easily be answered via SMS text, the Rentgrata app or online.
Venterra has partnered with Rentgrata to test the platform at five properties, with intentions to expand. The fist five properties to have access to the platform will be: Apex West Midtown Apartments, Belterra Apartments, Calais Midtown Apartments, Canton Mills Lofts, The Harrison Apartments.
One may ask, why would a resident have interest in participating? Well, for each lease that is signed, both the new resident and current the resident are rewarded by the property. In short, residents can make money by simply responding to questions and if the person moves in, they get paid! On top of that, it gives residents the ability to connect with potential new neighbors.
For Stephanie Gonzalez, Venterra’s Vice President, Property & Customer Innovation, testing the platform was a no-brainer, “Rentgrata’s platform is quite innovative and is a natural progression for our customer reviews. Now, instead of a prospective renter sorting through reviews for one that matches their concern, they can ask a current resident, gaining real-life insight while potentially making a new friend along the way. We are confident that our communities provide residents with a differentiated living experience that they will feel confident sharing with anyone who asks. Rentgrata’s technology instills first-hand trust with prospective renters who may be thinking, ‘who else lets you speak with their current residents?’”
On top of creating connections, the platform will also provide Venterra with anonymized data extracted from the conversations, reporting on important details including what prospective residents are seeking in a new home and items current residents think could be improved – so that we can make updates accordingly and improve our resident experience in real-time.
By integrating the Rentgrata platform, Venterra will be able to:
- Introduce prospective renters to their peers – Venterra’s current residents.
- Build community and retain more residents.
- Help prospects gain familiarity sight unseen, if leasing virtually or from afar.
- Increase resident sentiment and improve online reputation.
- Improve leasing conversion rates.
“Deciding on where to live can be a difficult choice, especially when decisions are based on evaluating various online ratings and reviews. Through implementing Rentgrata, genuine conversations can be facilitated between current and prospective renters while offering insights on the backend that will help uncover areas where Venterra can improve the lives of our residents,” said Venterra CEO, John Foresi. “Our residents are the sole individuals who can truly speak to the day-to-day experiences of living at a Venterra property. We look forward to providing opportunities for our residents to be a part of our customer experience strategy, sharing their first-hand insights to help guide potential future neighbors,” said Venterra Chairman Andrew Stewart.
91% of Rentgrata renters recently surveyed agreed that chatting with a resident helped them feel more confident in their decision. A solution that not only encourages interactions with real customers, but facilitates it, such as Rentgrata, is a promising tool for a company like Venterra who holds multiple Customer Satisfaction Awards from companies including Kingsley and ApartmentRatings.com.
“Rentgrata is proud to partner with Venterra Realty, a company that shares our vision in providing an enjoyable resident experience through innovation and a people-first culture. Throughout the process of developing Rentgrata, frequent communication with the Venterra team has helped our employees build a technology that leverages resident sentiment through multiple channels,” said Zach Sloan, Co-Founder, and Chief Sales Influencer of Rentgrata.
Venterra is excited to begin the test phase at the first five properties and continue to find ways to further include our residents in the customer satisfaction process!
Looking for an apartment at Apex West Midtown Apartments, Belterra Apartments, Calais Midtown Apartments, Canton Mills Lofts, The Harrison Apartments? Connect with us to learn more.
15 Inexpensive Summer Activities for Budget-Friendly Fun
Sunshine, pool time, sandal season… we’re all anxiously awaiting the official arrival of summer! But let’s get real, those vacations, brunches, and summer activities can sure stack up quickly. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to fully enjoy the sunshine without getting your credit card involved. If you’re already brainstorming ways to fully enjoy the season without breaking the bank, you’re in luck! We’ve rounded up 15 inexpensive summer activities for some budget-friendly fun.
1. Check our your local farmer’s market!
When going to a farmer’s market, not only are you supporting local suppliers, but you’re also ensuring that your produce and other goodies are extra fresh! Make the farmer’s market one of your weekly rituals and spend the morning perusing the booths. Consider using your purchases to prepare a fantastic meal at home with friends! You can also pack everything up for a picnic in the park or even dine al fresco on your patio!
2. Take a hike!
There’s nothing quite like waking up early to enjoy a hike or nature walk — even if it’s only a few blocks away from your apartment! Grab a few nature-loving friends, wear some comfortable, outdoor-friendly clothes, and plan out a day of taking in the great outdoors. You can also pack a film camera for some gorgeous nature photos or even pack a blanket and bring a journal for a relaxing recharge. If you’re looking to venture a little farther, search for state parks near you and plan an entire day around it!
3. Enjoy a lazy pool or beach day!
This is what summer dreams are made of! And honestly, nothing beats a day spent at the pool or beach with friends and family. So get your water essentials together (don’t forget your SPF, some sunglasses, and a good book or magazine) and hit up your local Venterra community pool or beach. Soak up the sun, build a sandcastle, and even channel some Palm Springs energy by getting pool floats together and rounding up your friends for a summery photoshoot!
4. Take a mini road trip to a new place!
If you’ve never taken the time to explore your neighboring towns and cities, now’s your chance! Plan a quick drive or train ride to a new place and spend the day walking around and exploring. Pop into the local stores and coffee shops to get a better feel for the area and be sure and have your camera ready for some impromptu photos. Who knows — you may find your new favorite restaurant, vintage store, or make a new friend that will inspire future visits to a nearby destination!
5. Explore your local orchards!
Nothing tastes quite as good as in-season fruit. Do some research to find local orchards in your area and plan a day to get to pickin’! You can even find some awesome recipes for making your own jam and jellies — a super thoughtful gift to friends and family if you ask us! Many orchards will also host fun local events, so be sure and ask the owners if anything is coming up on the social calendar.
6. Visit a local landmark.
How much do you really know about your city’s history? Spend some time researching your area’s local landmarks and pop by for a visit for an authentic look into your community’s culture. Not only will this give you a better idea of the history of your city, but it’s also a terrific and inexpensive way to learn more about the community that surrounds you.
7. Host a movie night!
Whether you’re a film buff or not, hosting your own movie night is a genius way to save a little cash and still have a ton of fun. Get your friends together, decide on a film and create your own cinema! You can even make this a recurring event, like starting a film club of this year’s Oscar contenders or even working through a list of the greatest films of all time. Encourage each friend to recommend an upcoming film and bring one budget-friendly treat — you can even throw together a snack bar. Popcorn-topping contest, anyone?
8. Take yourself out to the ball game!
Whether you’re a sports fan or not, a day spent at the ballpark ranks pretty high on the quintessential summer activities list! Thankfully, nosebleed seats are relatively inexpensive (some are less than $10 per ticket!) so round up a couple of sporty friends, and don’t forget your hat, shades, and catcher’s mitt! You can also see when your ballpark has a $1 hot dog night — who doesn’t love cheap concession snacks!?
9. Check out a free museum (or visit on a discount day).
When was the last time you spent the day at the museum? Thanks to last year’s events, we’re guessing it’s been a while! Many museums will offer either a free day or a day of the week where tickets are deeply discounted. Check out your local art and history museums and spend the day examining the curated art and inspiring sculptures. (Note that these days may be crowded, so keep that in mind if you’re still trying to avoid larger crowds!)
10. Complete your own version of Chopped.
If you and your friends are cooking enthusiasts, consider using one of the grills provided at your Venterra community to host your own cooking competition! Encourage everyone to bring 1-2 ingredients and then get together to see who can prepare the most delicious dish. Thankfully it won’t get as stressful and heated as it does on the actual show! Instead, it will be a fun, memorable challenge and (hopefully) tasty meal with friends!
11. Attend a free workout class in your area.
If those at-home workouts during quarantine left you feeling a little less-than-inspired, it’s time to join a local class! Check your local fitness groups and studios — many will host a free class for prospects. Whether you’re stretching it out at yoga class or sweating it out with a fun cardio group, you may just find your new favorite workout and make this your healthiest summer yet! (And who says you can’t carry this healthy new habit into fall and winter, too?)
12. Host a game night!
When it comes to inexpensive ways to enjoy the summer, game night is ALWAYS a fun choice. Round up the gang and get your dominos, cards, and board games ready and game on! You can even meet in a summery location, like a park or someone’s backyard to enjoy a picnic or barbecue-style cookout along with it!
13. Take your pup to the dog park.
Your pup wants in on all the summer fun, too! Not only is visiting the dog park a great budget-friendly way to soak up the season, but it will also encourage your four-legged BFF to get plenty of exercise and socialization! Pack them up and take them over to the dog run or your Venterra community dog park for some fun with their friends. Be sure to introduce yourself to the other pet parents at the park and maybe you can even organize a routine walk around the neighborhood, too!
14. Join a walking or bike tour of your city.
Most major cities have free walking tours (based on donation) that take you through the highlights of the city, or maybe even parts of your city that you’d never think to explore on your own! To find these, you can simply google “City Name + Walking Tour” or you can look on Meetup.com or Airbnb Experiences! This is also a wonderful chance to make new friends and perhaps even organize your own bike and walking events in the future. And if you saw some neat pockets of your city that weren’t explored too much on these tours, now’s your chance to take the day and go for it on your own — you never know what you may discover!
15. Volunteer!
Why not put that extra time to some good use? Volunteering isn’t only good for strengthening your local community, but it’s actually proven to have big benefits for you too, like boosting your mental health and even helping advance your career! Check out your city’s local Facebook groups or Voly to locate some volunteer opportunities near you. Whether you’re helping animals or children, specific groups, or just doing your part to keep your community clean, it will be much appreciated and leave you feeling great!
Looking for an Apartment This Summer?
If one of your summer activities involves looking for the perfect apartment, we’d be happy to give you a free tour of one of our communities — and discuss the free and budget-friendly activities that our local area has to offer. Visit Venterraliving.com to see which neighborhood would best suit you for the summer and beyond — we can’t wait to meet you!
How 120+ Pets Joined The Venterra Family in Two Weeks!
At Venterra, we know that pets are family members – and we were so excited to welcome over 120 new fur-ever friends to our communities in just two weeks!
April and May shine the spotlight on our furry friends with National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on April 30th and National Pet Month spanning the whole month of May. National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day was established to help bring awareness to the 1,000’s of pets still in shelters waiting for their forever homes and National Pet Month celebrates the special bond between pet owners and their furry friends while encouraging responsible pet care every day of the year.
We know how important (and cute) pets are so, as a pet-friendly community and in support of these national howl-idays – we waived pet deposits for all new pets moving into a Venterra community. That’s right. Any new pets that moved in a paw-some Venterra apartment from April 15-30 didn’t require a pet deposit!
This two-week offer was available to both new and existing residents, and we were thrilled with the results, adding a paws-itively impressive 129 pets to existing leases! Pets also aren’t just enjoyed by our residents; our staff loves seeing sweet pictures of our purr-fect furry friends too – that’s why we encouraged our residents to share pictures to show off their purr-sonalities! Below you’ll see Obi-Wan who instantly loved cuddling up in the CoHo Apartments in Atlanta and Luke, the curious Kitty in Katy, Texas and the proud new resident at Elation Grandway West!
In addition to waiving the pet deposit, some communities like Park at Wurzbach worked with local shelters to encourage adoptions! To help find a forever home, the San Antonio community partnered with Charming Pet Rescue to feature senior pup Holly who also had her adoption fees sponsored.
Looking for ways you can make a difference in a shelter pet’s life? Petmate has outlined the following options to give back:
- Adopt a Shelter Pet: Before you make this decision, be sure that your home is ready to accept a new furry family member. Visit your local animal shelter to pick your potential new pet and talk with the staff about any special needs or food your new pet may need.
- Volunteer: If you simply cannot adopt right now, consider volunteering at a local pet shelter. Things you may end up doing include playing with the animals and socializing them, getting them some exercise, cleaning up their pens, feeding and watering them, as well as just hanging out with them so they have some type of human interaction.
- Donate: If you just don’t have the time, donate instead! It doesn’t even have to be money. Animal shelters rely on supplies and donations throughout the year. Be sure to reach out to your local shelter to find out exactly what they need. Sometimes, shelters have specific supplies they ask for.
- Become a Foster: Maybe you want a pet but can’t commit to the long-term care of it. If that’s the case, consider becoming a foster! Fostering a dog is when you take in an animal while the rescue group finds the dog a forever home. Most of the time, you’ll be working with a rescue group vs. an animal shelter. There are qualifications you’ll have to meet in order to foster a dog, so be sure to reach out to a local rescue group ahead of time. Becoming a foster not only helps our rescue groups, but also keeps animals out of shelters.
Whether you’re a Venterra resident or looking to become one – just know that you are in the presence of pet lovers galore! Do you have questions about adding a pet to your lease? Check out our outlined Pet Policies.
Spring Cleaning: Ways to Keep Your Apartment Cool, Fresh & Clean
While there’s no better feeling than coming home to a squeaky clean apartment, the idea of spring cleaning your space can be overwhelming. Thankfully, tackling a big spring cleaning and organizing project is entirely doable with a game plan! Keep reading for some great ways to brighten and clean your space, so you can enjoy a productive spring season! We’ll also be sharing some smart ways to stay energy efficient and pet safe during the warmer seasons, so you and your pet can enjoy the warmer seasons (and maybe save a little money, too)!
Cleaning Your Space
Ready to grab your rubber gloves and get to work? Maybe already having second thoughts because it seems like such an overwhelming task? Don’t worry — this section will cover everything you need to do to ensure your apartment is sparkling with minimal stress.
Dusting
Dusting may not be high up on the list of exciting tasks, but it’s essential to maintaining a clean, healthy space. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also lead to allergies and respiratory issues. Did you know that the average household collects more than 40 pounds of dust every year? Yikes. Keep in mind that the best way to avoid a full day of dusting is to make it a regular cleaning habit. Dust at least once each month to reduce allergens and keep your house looking good. Do a deeper dusting every three months — move your furniture around and be sure to hit all of the nooks and crannies. Just be sure to start each dusting session from the higher surfaces like your ceiling fans, as dust will fall and then settle.
Declutter
This spring cleaning step can be tough for a lot of people, so don’t beat yourself up if you find that it’s difficult to clear out your old items! However, following these steps and remaining objective (not too sentimental) may help:
- Consider starting your projects smallest to biggest: If decluttering the largest room in your apartment seems like a daunting, all-day task, start with small projects and work your way up. You may find that the satisfaction of completing each project will motivate you to keep going!
- Start with one room at a time: If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, stay on track by doing one room or part of a room at a time. Start with one dresser, or one side of your closet and then work your way through the entire room.
- Be honest with yourself: Understand that you may find some things that you feel are too
sentimental to donate or toss out. Decide which stays at your own discretion, but also ask - yourself if just a photo on your phone of this item will suffice.
- Organize by keep/toss/donate: Declutter your items and stick to the three piles — no excuses! Keep in mind that while you may not use your items any longer, someone else may be thrilled to have them. Check out this list of Where to Donate Your Clothes!
The “Extras”
While you’re in the midst of spring cleaning, take this time to also make sure you and your maintenance team are squared away on the health and safety items in your space:
- Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher
- Check your air filters and replace if necessary
- Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Wash all windows and notify maintenance if you need your outside windows cleaned
In addition to ensuring you’re good to go on your emergency items, it’s also a great time to hit the refresh button on your frequently-used items:
- Wash your sheets, blankets, and all throw pillows (and inserts, if possible!)
- Flip your mattress or sprinkle the top with baking soda and let it sit before vacuuming it clean
- Disinfect your electronic screens, keyboards and computer mouse, and use compressed air to clear out any debris
Also, don’t forget that natural cleaning products don’t just get the job done — they’re also better for the environment! Check out this list of the Best Natural Cleaning Products, According to Experts.
Bring in Some Brightness
Once your space is looking and feeling clean, it’s time to work on brightening up your home! Good news: this step is typically way more fun than the cleaning phase! Below are a few ways you can give your home a seasonal lift that you and your houseguests will love!
Add More Greenery
Incorporating more houseplants in your space not only instantly adds a homey touch, but it can also be a great boost for your mental health! Before you head to the nursery to purchase your new plants, check out 15 of the best house plants for apartment living.
Incorporate Some Color
No need to completely redecorate and plan an entire style overhaul — sometimes something as simple as a new area rug, bright pillow, or patterned blanket can work wonders. You can also spring for new photo frames or even update the photos!
Bring In Spring Scents and Textures
If you’re guilty of stockpiling your pumpkin-scented candles for fall, be sure and show spring the same amount of love! Burn candles and essential oils with lighter, floral scents and be sure to treat yourself to some in-season blooms!
Vamp Up Your Outdoor Space
If you have a patio or outdoor space, now’s the time to make the most of it! Add some new chairs, decorative items, and some Citronella candles to keep the bugs at bay. This patio revamp will not only look great, but it’ll inspire you (and your guests) to spend more time in fresh air. (We also recommend having a stellar cocktail recipe in your arsenal so you can really WOW your guests on your recently-updated patio!)
How to Conserve Energy
Warmer weather is right around the corner, so it’s vital to make sure your apartment is as energy efficient as possible. Not only will this help you stay more comfortable as the temperatures begin to climb, but it may be easier on your wallet, too. (After all, no one wants to open their energy bills during the spring and summer months!)
Keep Your Apartment Cool
If you’re already dreading your spring and summer energy bills, don’t freak out just yet! Check out these maintenance tips for keeping your apartment cool and comfortable, straight from Apartment Guide:
- Keep your blinds closed whenever possible — sunlight can really heat up a space!
- Find your “number” — this will be a balance between a comfortable air conditioning temperature and one that is more energy-efficient.
- When you leave your apartment, be sure to turn the air conditioning up to around 78 degrees to avoid wasting energy.
- Make sure your air conditioner isn’t working any harder than it has to — close the doors of any rooms that you’re not utilizing.
- Make sure your fan is moving in the right direction — if it’s spinning in the wrong direction, it could be generating more heat!
- If you love to cook, maybe transition some of your food prep to an air fryer or Instapot. Heat from the stove and ovens can cause the temperatures to climb, causing your air conditioner to work even harder.
Keep Your Pet(s) Comfortable, Too!
The warmer spring and summer months don’t just present a new set of needs to us — our pets may need some special seasonal attention, too! Follow these pet safety tips to ensure your four-legged friend has the care and TLC they need.
Don’t Walk Them During Peak Temperatures
A good rule of thumb for walking: if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. Avoid walking your pets during the hottest times of the day and opt for morning or dusk whenever possible. Also note that hot asphalt and tar can burn paw pads, so try and walk on the grass or dirt whenever possible. If you’re wondering if the sidewalk or road is too hot, test it out for yourself using the 7 Second Rule. Place your hand on the ground’s surface — if it feels too hot for you, it’s also too hot for them.
Invest In A Pet Fountain
If filling your pet’s water bowl isn’t your favorite daily task, consider a fountain! Not only will it keep your pet’s water 1-2 degrees cooler than a typical water bowl, but keeping their water fresh will also encourage them to drink more!
Consider Cooling Collars and Collapsible Water Bowls
If you love to take your furry BFF out on hikes and longer walks, consider a cooling collar and a collapsible water bowl! This will ensure your pet stays comfortable and hydrated, and helps avoid the risk of heat stroke and dehydration.
Don’t Forget To Have Fun!
Once you’ve wrapped up your spring cleaning, taken steps towards lowering your efficiency bill, and ensured your pet is ready for hotter weather, it’s time to kick back and enjoy the season (hopefully at one of our many pools)! As always, do not hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance or have any questions!