Tag: Apartments
Benefits of Moving in the Wintertime
Winter might not seem like the most obvious time to move into a new apartment, but it actually has a lot of benefits. Here are just a few reasons why winter is the best time to make a move:
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Less Competition:
- There is typically less competition for apartments during the winter months. Many people prefer to move in the spring or summer, when the weather is nicer and school is not in session. This means that there is less competition for apartments during the winter, which can make it easier to find a good deal
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Moving Company Availability:
- Moving companies are often less busy during the winter. If you are hiring a moving company to help with your move, you may be able to get a better deal during the winter months when they are not as busy. This can save you money on your move and make it more affordable.
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Easier Physical Moving Process:
- Winter weather can actually make the moving process easier. While it might be cold outside, the dry winter air can make it easier to move heavy furniture and boxes. In the summer, heat and humidity can make it more difficult to move, as everything is more likely to be sweaty and slippery.
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Holiday Sales:
- You can take advantage of holiday furniture sales to make your new apartment feel cozy and festive. Moving into a new apartment during the winter also means that you can decorate for the holidays and make your new space feel warm and welcome.
- You can take advantage of holiday furniture sales to make your new apartment feel cozy and festive. Moving into a new apartment during the winter also means that you can decorate for the holidays and make your new space feel warm and welcome.
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Fresh Start:
- It’s a good time to start fresh. Moving during the winter can be a great opportunity to start fresh and get organized. With the holidays over and the new year beginning, it’s a perfect time to declutter and get your new apartment in order
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Time to Relax and Get Settled:
- You’ll have plenty of time to unpack and get settled. During the winter, there are fewer outdoor activities and events, which means you’ll have more time to unpack and get settled in your new apartment. This can make the moving process less stressful and give you the opportunity to really make your new place feel like home.
Overall, while moving during the winter might not be the most popular option, it can actually be a great time to move into a new apartment. With less competition, lower prices, and the opportunity to start fresh, winter can be the perfect time to make a move. So if you’re considering a move, don’t let the cold weather hold you back – embrace it and make the most of your winter move.
Interested in moving but not quite sure when? Schedule an apartment tour today – we’ll be ready to answer any and all of your inquiries and get you in the perfect space to start off the new year right!
Venterra Residents Added 236 Pets in 10 Days!
At Venterra, we LOVE furry friends. Once you’re a resident at one of our communities, you are family and that includes your furry companions! Walk into any of our communities and you’ll instantly be
greeted with affection and excitement from the many pets that call Venterra communities’ home. However, we know the reality is that there are still tons of amazing pets waiting for their fur-ever homes.
That is why we celebrate National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day and National Pet Month by making it easier than ever for our residents to welcome pets into their homes. To support National Adopt a Pet Day, a day was created to raise awareness for the millions of animals waiting to be paired with families in shelters across the country, we participated by encouraging our residents to adopt an animal, and to support this initiative, we waived all pet deposits for any animals added to leases from April 20 – 30. To maximize the adoption impact, new and current residents were able to take advantage of the promotion!
WE ARE THRILLED TO SHARE THAT OVER 10 DAYS WE ADDED 236 PETS TO HOMES ACROSS THE VENTERRA PORTFOLIO!
We love our four-legged residents and look forward every year to welcoming new furry faces each year. And what’s great about living at a Venterra community is that we are extremely pet-friendly! Most apartment communities only allow for a maximum of two animals. At Venterra, however, we understand that animals are family so we welcome three animals per apartment home! Who else can say that??
Pets add extra value and affection to our world. So, it was no surprise to learn that during the pandemic, more than 23 million American households — nearly 1 in 5 nationwide — adopted an animal during the pandemic, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). These numbers show how many of us have been craving that unconditional love that pets are so genuinely good at as well as that companionship and connection.
Whether you’re a current Venterra resident or a pet parent looking to move into one of our beautiful communities – you are in the midst of so much animal love! We can’t wait to help you find the purr-fect apartment for you and your furry friends! So, if you’re in the market for a new apartment, or are interested in adding an animal to your lease, check out our outlined Pet Policies to learn more!
New Venterra Community: The Villages at Oakleaf
We have added yet another amazing community to our growing portfolio in the Sunshine State, The Villages at Oakleaf!
The Villages at Oakleaf, a 512-unit, garden-style multifamily, located within the Oakleaf Plantation master-planned community consists of Gemstone, Fieldstone, Cobblestone, and Village at Oakleaf Plantation in suburban Jacksonville, Florida.
The Villages at Oakleaf is the only apartment community in Oakleaf Plantation, giving it unique access to the centralized multi-million-dollar community recreational amenity center, which includes swimming pools, a water park, picnic areas, sports fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, and indoor fitness centers. What more could you ask for?
The community is perfect for growing families, with many floorplans offering 3- and 4- bedroom options, as well as many kid-friendly amenities including a playground. The area is known for its desirable school system and all three schools to which The Villages at Oakleaf are zoned are highly rated and within walking distance!
Oakleaf offers excellent connectivity to residents, with First Coast Expressway within 1.5 miles of the property. The Oakleaf Town Center, a 44-acre regional lifestyle center featuring Target, Publix, Walgreens, PetSmart, Starbucks, and Epic Theatres, is located within 2-miles of Oakleaf, providing convenient day-to-day shopping needs.
We know Jacksonville is a popular location for renters, in fact Jacksonville was ranked as the fastest-growing Florida city by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2020, ranking 9th in the country in terms of highest migration in the U.S.
We will implement our resident-focused programs such as the Live it. Love it. Guarantee.™, the 48-Hour Maintenance Guarantee, SMARTHUB, as well as our overall commitment to providing a world-class living experience for which Venterra has become known.
Are you looking to move to Florida or interested in The Villages 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!
10 Ways to Prepare Your Apartment for Winter
Winter Solstice has come upon us which means that the winter season is officially here. While it may not feel like winter in some areas yet, history has taught us that winter weather can strike at any moment. After all, who can forget the great Texas Freeze last year or the Snowmagedon that fell upon many of us? No one was able to fully predict how bad it was going to be. Many were not prepared with tips on getting their homes ready, stocking up on perishable food and bottled water, or having emergency aid kits available. Even the electric companies weren’t prepared for the cold which resulted in more than 4.5 million homes being left without power for days on end. Pipes and hot water heaters burst flooding homes and hundreds of dollars of food spoiled. And tragically, many people died because they did not have the resources available to support this type of winter storm.
I think we can speak for all when we say, WE DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN!
Fear not, though. There are many ways to prepare in advance for these sudden surges of freezing temperatures and blasts of arctic cold air so none of us are left out in the cold wishing we had taken action sooner.
Together, by each of us taking these precautions we can be better settled, prepared, and at ease when the frigid temperatures fall upon us.
What are some of the best ways to prepare in advance for freezing temperatures?
- Test out your heat.
- Make sure it works properly by turning on, adjusting the temperature up and down and waiting for your space to heat up. If you have any issues, contact your maintenance team ASAP.
- Please keep your thermostats set to at least 68 degrees. It’s important when the temperatures begin to dip to cold/freezing to have your thermostat set to at least 68 degrees. This will ensure that your space is warm and acclimating accordingly to the fluctuating temperatures.
- Vacation: If you leave for winter travel, leave the heat on low to keep pipes warm. Even if it’s warm when you’re leaving, it’s important to turn heat on to 68 degrees in the event that the weather changes rapidly.
- Make sure it works properly by turning on, adjusting the temperature up and down and waiting for your space to heat up. If you have any issues, contact your maintenance team ASAP.
- Adjust fans: Set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise in winter to circulate warm air.
- To change the direction on your fan, find the small switch in the center of the fan and switch it to change directions to clockwise.
- Check Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide alarms.
- Press the test buttons on all detectors in your home to ensure that they are working. If you are having any issues or are unsure how to test, put in a work order for maintenance to test.
- Prevent frozen pipes.
- One of the biggest mishaps that occurs during freezing weather is pipes bursting. When pipes burst, they can cause water damage, flooding, and extensive labor to repair and/or replace the pipes. This can be costly, time consuming, and disrupting to your life and damaging to your things.
- If the temperature drops below freezing (32 degrees), Turn all of the faucets in your apartment home on to a slow drip to keep water moving; a good rule of thumb for a slow drip is 1 drop every 3-5 seconds. Water running through the system will prevent the line from freezing.
- Open your cabinet doors to allow heat into the cabinet spaces to heat the walls; this will help prevent your pipes from freezing and possibly bursting.
- Caring for your plants – we know you have them!
- If possible, bring your plants indoors. Plants should remain indoors or covered until the temperature climbs to above 32 degrees.
- If you aren’t able to bring them inside, water them and cover them with a cotton covering, like a bedsheet. This will trap in any ground heat and help protect your plant from wind.
- If you are covering your plants, you’ll want to make certain that the covering is anchored to prevent wind getting in or blowing open a small opening.
- Be prepared for an emergency winter storm by preparing an emergency winter storm kit. Below are the items we recommend having in your kit.
- Flashlight with batteries. Ensure that your batteries are charged or new so that you have full charge.
- First Aid Kid for any unforeseen incidents.
- Bottled Water
- Non-perishable foods
- Car charger for cell phone; you can also include a backup charger that is fully charged and ready
- Candles and matches – large candles in a glass or tin vase are best to shield the candles from open air.
- A cooler for storing food if the power goes out. You can place your refrigerated items in the cooler and place outside.
- Socks, gloves, hats, and extra blankets in case the heat goes out.
- Ice scraper for your car windows.
- Be Careful with Candles and Space Heaters.
- Take extra precautions when using spaces heaters and other warming devices. Make sure that they are not close to any curtains, fabric, water or anything that could cause a fire to spark. It’s best to have space heaters in an open space unobstructed from objects.
- Never leave candles, space heaters, and other lit decorations unattended in your apartment—not even for just a few minutes. It is not uncommon for accidents to occur each year because people forgot and left something plugged in or lit and went away to the store or off on a vacation.
- Do not keep candles lit at night or leave space heaters on. Be sure to blow all candles out before you go to sleep and turn off space heaters.
- How to support your furry friends during the cold:
- Please make sure that your pets are kept indoors at all times, with the exception of necessary bathroom breaks for our canine friends, of course. Just because animals have coats of fur does not give cause to leaving them outside unattended during frigid weather.
- Take care of yourself.
- Please be aware that walkways and roadways may be covered with ice. Make sure to take care when walking or driving within the community.
- Check in with family and friends when a storm hits or temperatures drop to let them know your status and how you are.
- Keep your phones charged and ready for an emergency.
- Have some activities like coloring books, games, and books available so that you can save the batteries on your devices for emergencies.
- Check on your neighbors to make sure they are okay and have what they need. Remember, we’re all in this together!
- Notify your maintenance team of any issues as soon as possible.
- Keep tabs on your apartment and put in a request for any issues with frozen pipes or issues with the heating system ASAP.
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- To easily submit a maintenance request, download the Venterra SMARTHUB App in the Apple App or Google Play Stores.
We care first and foremost about you, our residents, and your neighbors. We want to ensure that you are physically safe and prepared for unexpected shifts in weather. We also care about your homes and maintaining routine checks of your heaters, water pipes, and water heaters so that you are prepared for freezing temperatures. Keeping our homes in order by being proactive and prepared will support everyone in ensuring that homes and buildings are stable and ready for any storm.
Start your routine check of your home today by getting the supplies needed for your emergency kit as well as checking to ensure your heater is working and ready to go for temperatures as they begin to drop.
Call the office or put in a work order for any support you need.
Stay safe. Stay warm.
Together we can protect ourselves, our neighbors, our pets, and our apartments from reliving the events that took place during the Snowmagedon last year.
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.
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!
Sit Back & Relax While We Innovate
Let’s face it, many apartment communities nowadays are updated and have beautiful amenities. When walking around a property, you may see lush greens and sparkling pools. Those features are undoubtedly pleasing to the eye, but what’s really driving the current multifamily industry – and potentially even your apartment tour through the community – are innovative technologies and ideas.
Lately, the multifamily industry has been faced with a challenge: how to enable potential and current renters with ways to complete their apartment search on their own terms. That’s where technology, as you may know, has become the most popular kid in school. Not to mention, where Venterra’s Core Value of the Never-Ending Pursuit of Excellence truly shines. We take pride in what we do and our pursuit of a “better way” is never-ending – especially when it comes to innovation and new ideas that will help create positive experiences for current and potential residents.
Below are a few innovations we launched to meet the needs of renters when they needed us the most.
Self-Guided Tours
Moving is stressful. That’s when we asked ourselves, what can make this experience better? Renters were are now looking for options that allowed them to shop for their next home on their own, while maintaining their own standard of comfort. To help create a positive apartment touring experience, Venterra was one of the first property management companies to launch self-guided apartment tours. Through a partnership with SmartRent, a provider of smart home automation products, Venterra integrates its tour process with SmartRent’s platform, which allows prospective renters to tour a community on their own terms, without contacting the office, using only their smartphone. SmartRent’s Self-Guided Tour options help to offer convenient alternatives for renters with busy lifestyles who want to see a space before they rent.
“Self-Guided apartment tours are a necessity in this environment,” said Stephanie Gonzalez, Vice President of Property and Customer Innovation at Venterra Realty. “The space and opportunity for a future resident to be able to arrive at a community, scan a QR code, select the apartment type they want to tour, and take the tour independent of the office staff sets everyone up for success. We are meeting the needs and wants of our customers and creating the personalized experience Venterra is known for.”
Engrain SightMap
Imagine going on your first self-guided tour and not knowing the property – trying to find the elevators, the pool and even the unit could be frustrating. To enhance the prospect experience for renters, Venterra partnered with Engrain to implement their tool, SightMap. SightMap’s interactive map shows exactly where available apartments are located within the property relative to amenities, parking, and wayfinding. Now, residents can get a better idea of where the specific units they are interested in lie on the property through our Community Stage Touch Screen.
Looking for a new apartment and using these technologies first hand? View our properties list, find a complex near you and schedule a self-guided apartment tour through your favorite unit!
SMARTLEASING
Once you have found the perfect apartment through a self-guided tour, next comes the leasing process. Lucky for you, this once dreaded item has been innovated for a seamless quick and easy process. Through Venterra’s SMARTLEASING innovation, it only takes 5 minutes for you to fill out the paperwork, and you’ll pay nothing until you are approved and decide to reserve an apartment. Yet another way to save time and headaches throughout your day spent on the hunt for that perfect place.
Future Innovations:
Venterra is always looking for ways to innovate and improve the rental process and living experience. A few innovations taking place in the near future include:
- A fully integrated resident app, allowing residents to be untethered from their computer and stay in contact with their community
- Visual representations of what garage, storage units and parking spaces are available when leasing
- Interactive 3D site maps to property websites.
Venterra is leading the way in multi-family innovation – and not only at the property level, but throughout the company as a whole. In fact, Venterra employees helped rank Venterra’s innovation in the top 6% of the thousands of companies that participate in the Great Place to Work Institute’s annual anonymous employee survey sponsored by FORTUNE magazine. In the survey, an Innovation Velocity Ratio (IVR) is calculated based on employee responses, with companies receiving an IVR ratio of 11:2 or higher defined as being in an “Accelerated” state. Venterra Realty received an IVR of 15:2, meaning for every 15 Venterra employees willing and able to innovate, there are only two who are not. This unusually high ratio highlights Venterra’s ability to quickly harness, mobilize and respond to new information and ideas.
New ideas don’t have to come from Venterra employees either – we love hearing from our current and future residents on how we can improve! Do you have a suggestion? Tell us! If we implement your idea, we’ll send you $100!
Venterra Realty applies LAST™ advanced disinfectant at communities
As apartment community managers reassess cleaning protocols to ensure the health and safety of our residents, the adaptation of intensive disinfecting and cleaning methods remains a high priority. With a strong focus on high-touch surfaces in common areas, such as door handles, mailboxes, desks, vending machines, and more, anything that gets touched frequently in common areas is a prime candidate for disinfecting.
Venterra Realty uses LAST™ from Dis.In.Fx. LAST™ to aid in protection from COVID-19 in common areas and apartment amenities. Going beyond our gold standard of cleanliness, applying LAST™ disinfects hard surfaces and provides protection for up to 90 days.
Venterra is now offering LAST™ treatments to our residents at specific communities. Sign up for your LAST™ treatment on the Venterra SMARTHUB.
Sign Up for LAST™
See our teams in action!
“93% of residents would prefer their new unit to be sanitized when they move in.” “90% of residents would feel safer knowing that common areas and amenities are regularly sanitized by a certified company with approved equipment and chemicals.”
– RentReady.com
At Venterra, we have applied LAST™ disinfectant at our properties in the following cities:
Georgia – Alpharetta, Atlanta, Newnan, Peachtree City, Canton
Florida – Clearwater, Fleming Island, Jacksonville, Orlando, Orange Park, Tampa, Winter Garden
Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Cypress, Richmond, Stafford, Houston, The Woodlands, Humble, Kingwood, Katy, La Porte, League City, Pearland, Pasadena, Fort Worth, Dallas, North Richmond Hills, The Colony
Tennessee – Nashville
North Carolina – Cary
Dis.In.Fx. have served the following clients: San Antonio Spurs; Dallas Cowboys; Houston Texans; various Day Care Services; Various Schools Districts; Various Fitness Centers; Various Medical Facilities and US Military Training Centers. To learn more about Dis.In.Fx. and their disinfectant visit their website or see the below testimonials on how LAST™ works.
Testimonials:
Cure Your Stay at Home Blues with Fur-Baby Love
Find a pet friendly apartment
Over the last few weeks, many of us have been mandated to stay home to help ease the spread of coronavirus. Family gatherings have become Facetime and Skype calls, work has shifted to a 100% remote environment, and social events have been either postponed or canceled. The inability to see family, friends and even coworkers during this time can result in feelings of isolation and loneliness. Finding moments of joy during challenging times is the best way to combat your quarantine blues – and adding a furry friend to your family can provide companionship and enhance those moments! There are several benefits to having a pet, including making us happier, and keeping us in better shape. Dogs have loyal, loving and lively personalities, offering playful spirits that make them great companions. Our feline friends make purrfect companions as well! Their comforting purrs and gentle cuddles melt the stresses of the day away, making them the ideal roommate in our pet friendly apartments. Who wouldn’t want a friend like that?
According to the Humane Society of the United States, now is a great time to adopt a pet to help reduce the potential strain on shelters. Due to the effects of COVID-19, there are increased opportunities to help individuals who are currently facing hardships and unable to care for their pet. According to the World Health Organization, there is no supporting evidence that companion animals, such as dogs or cats, can be infected with the coronavirus – making the decision to foster an animal that much easier. Fosters can serve as caretakers for animals who are in need of being nursed back to health or simply unable to adapt to shelter life. For those having to make the tough decision to give their pets up for adoption, animal shelters, such as The Humane Society, make sure those animals are placed in loving homes where they can receive the care they need.
If you’ve been thinking about adding another pet to your family, Venterra has your back! We offer pet friendly apartments that allow up to three pets per apartment home. In hopes of helping you and your new furry friend transition into apartment living during the COVID-19 pandemic, Venterra is waiving all pet deposits and reducing the pet fee by 50%*! To start your search for your new companion, check with your local animal rescues and shelters or visit petfinder.com. Not ready to add a new pet to your home but still want to help? Check with your local shelter or rescue to learn more about how you can support.
Looking for a Venterra Community near you? See Our Available Apartments!
Texas: Katy, LeagueCity, Kingwood, Pasadena, Webster, Stafford,
The Woodlands, Pearland, Richmond, Humble, Cypress,
La Porte, Humble, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, North Richmond Hills, The Colony Tennessee: Nashville North Carolina: Cary Kentucky: Louisville Georgia: Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Flowery Branch, Newnan, Peachtree City Florida: Clearwater, Fleming Island, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Orlando, Tampa, Winter Gardens
*Valid for new paws only