Tag: Community

10 Ways to Prepare Your Apartment for Winter

Posted on by Mark Laufhutte

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?

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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.
  1. 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.

  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.

 

 

 

  1. 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!
  1. 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.

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.

 

WOW Story: Starting On The Right Foot

Posted on by Mark Laufhutte

Rocio Ferrera, Better Living Manager, Experience Maker
Valencia at Westchase, Tampa, FL
Employee since 2018

 

Sometimes our WOWs are inspired by literally thinking about being in the shoes of our renters. That’s just what happened in this WOW Story. Kyle, a resident at Valencia at Westchase, happened to come into the office and notify our team about a loose dog on the property and ended up chatting with Rocio, the Better Living Manager, about how excited he was about starting a new job. While Kyle spoke about how thrilled he was to help his mother with their bills, Rocio couldn’t help but notice the state of Kyle’s sandals — his feet were almost touching the pavement. As Kyle continued to speak about helping his mother and working two jobs, our team was secretly planning a way to WOW him with comfortable, new kicks to start his job on the right foot!

The Opportunity

Kyle had found a loose dog on the property and kindly called the office to see if we could help him find the owner. After our team met him in the leasing office and were waiting to hear back from a few residents that owned similar dogs, a lighthearted conversation started. During the discussion, Rocio, the BLM in the office, noticed Kyle’s sandals were extremely worn out, with the bottoms almost paper-thin. Kyle was busy explaining how excited he was to finally be able to work and help his mom with the bills. Kyle had just turned 18, graduated high school, and now had 2 jobs to help provide income for this family. Looking at Kyle’s shoes during their talk, Rocio immediately had a light bulb moment! And luckily in their conversation, he was able to get Kyle’s shoe size: a 14, Wide! Kyle even mentioned how difficult it was to find shoes that fit him (challenge accepted!), and also said he didn’t have much money left over after bills. Our team knew they wanted to get him a nice pair of sandals to enjoy for his days off, but also a comfortable pair of sneakers since he walks to work.

The Epiphany

Kyles New Shoes

Rocio brainstormed with the office staff to figure out a way to gift Kyle the shoes with both him and his mom in attendance, it was important that our team was able to share that moment with the both of them together! they knew getting them to the office to “sign a document” would create urgency, and they were right!

The Wow Moment

On the day of the gifting, the Valencia team told Kyle and his mother they had to come to the office to sign new paperwork for their lease, since he turned 18 and was now considered an adult. A few minutes later, they were in the office! Rocio presented Kyle with his gift and he was so confused! He asked why the Venterra team would do something like this for him and Rocio explained to him that it’s what we do — it’s a Venterra thing! We love to WOW our residents. Kyle was so excited for his new shoes, and they fit perfectly! Ms. Nadia was extremely grateful to our team for our attention to detail. The Valencia team frequently sees Kyle hanging around the community wearing his new shoes and it always brings a big smile to their faces.

Have you experienced a WOWMatters experience at your property or did we WOW you in some way? Let us know by sharing a Google Review here! Who knows, you just may be featured on our blog one day!

Venterra Begins Community Wide Wi-Fi Roll Out

Posted on by Mark Laufhutte

At Venterra, our goal is to make living at our communities simple and seamless, and we have been cooking up the newest integration to make the lives of our renters even better.  

One of these areas is Wi-Fi. We know just how frustrating spotty internet service can be. That’s why we have started rolling out our latest innovation: Community Wide Wi-Fi. 

With Community Wide Wi-Fi, our renters will no longer need to worry about switching on and off to different Wi-Fi services based on their location at a Venterra community, as this new system will provide residents with fast, reliable, and accessible internet throughout all areas of a property – whether it be at the dog park, gym, or relaxing by the pool.  

With 98% of residents having between one and 20 online devices in their apartments according to a 2020 NMHC/Kingsley Apartment Resident Preferences Report, we understand that devices are important to our renters so we want to make sure they can use and access them whenever and wherever they want at the community.  

Enter our partnership with Comcast Xfinity. This partnership will help to install Fiber-Optic Internet services in our properties, and through the placement of an access point and ethernet port inside each apartment as well as in common areas, a Community Wide Wi-Fi network will be created that not only helps renters have internet access in any space within the community but will also offer a significant savings over the standard retail rate! So, no longer will renters have to worry about:  

  • Long buffering times 
  • Restricted internet access based on location 
  • Limitations on hours or types of services accessible  
  • Unpredictable connectivity
  • High internet bills

The first implementation of the Community Wide Wi-Fi was installed at The Preserve at Colony Lakes in Stafford, TX and the results were successful, with 90% of residents opting into the new service during just the first week. The install took only 8 weeks with little to no renter disturbance to those residents who requested to opt-in received instant access to a private Wi-Fi network inside their apartment as well as the ethernet port with download and upload speeds of up to 500 Mbps for just $60 per month. 

“Installing a true ‘Community Wide’ Wi-Fi network has always been a crucial factor in truly making a community ‘Smart’. With this innovation, we are thrilled to finally be able to provide efficient mobilization and Wi-Fi access to the employees, residents, and visitors the second they step foot on our properties,” said Venterra CEO, John Foresi.    

While innovative in of itself, the Community Wide Wi-Fi implementation is part of a larger focus of Venterra’s, which is creating a SMARTCOMMUNITY, which includes SMARTHOME optimized technologies including smart locks, thermostats and lighting that can be controlled via an app and SMARTPACKAGE lockers allowing for fully automated package delivery notifications and contactless pickup.  Also, renters at Venterra’s SMARTCOMMUNITY can take advantage of SMARTMOVE, Venterra’s contactless move-in process, SMARTRENT, a location-driven experience where future renters can complete self-guided tours of the community using Wi-Fi connectivity.

Speaking of moving in, how nice is it to think that you could move into an apartment with a managed Wi-Fi solution where there is no need to call a service provider to install your Wi-Fi? We think that sounds pretty ideal.  

The Preserve at Colony Lakes was just the beginning of the rollout. “We will now be rolling out the upgrade to our infrastructure across the rest of our communities, allowing our residents and employees to stay connected no matter where they are on the property and ensuring our communities are well prepared with the technology infrastructure they will need in the future,” said Venterra Chairman, Andrew Stewart.  

Interested in living in a SMARTCOMMUNITY? Check out Venterra’s technology-enabled apartments here! Or, if you’ve experienced Venterra’s SMARTHOME technologies, leave us a google review telling us how much you loved them!  

WOW Story: The Gift of Time

Posted on by Mark Laufhutte

Terry Luckett, Assistant Maintenance Manager, Experience Maker
Villas at Newnan Crossing, Atlanta, GA
Employee since 2015

This past year has reminded us all that nothing in life is certain or guaranteed. Fortunately, the silver lining of this lesson is to make the most of the time we are all given! That also includes never losing our sense of gratitude. When a beloved resident’s health took a turn for the worse, Terry Luckett stepped up for a WOW moment and gave the gift of his personal time, and ended up learning a valuable life lesson in the process.

The Opportunity

Morris Tolbert, age 56, was a retired military veteran from California who chose the Villas at Newnan Crossing three years ago to be his forever home. He lived alone and his family lived out of state. This past summer, Morris was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He expressed to the Villas staff that his condition was worsening and that he was beginning to get a bit scared. Everyday activities that we take for granted like breathing, walking, doing errands became more and more difficult. This was the moment Terry knew he had to do something for Mr.Tolbert to bring a smile to his face and decided to WOW him!

The Epiphany

In his final days, the Villas staff had asked Morris if he wanted them to contact any friends or family for him. He stipulated that under no uncertain terms that he wanted anyone to know he was dying. It was disheartening to the Venterra team that he was alone. He gave Terry permission to visit him at the hospital multiple times. During Terry’s last visit to the VA Hospital, Morris, hooked up to heart monitors and multiple tubes, managed to express how truly grateful he was to Terry and our staff at Venterra. He was so appreciative that he requested that Terry make a video of him with his cell phone so that others could see how he really felt about our staff and how wonderful the Villas had been to him. At first, Terry felt uneasy recording his testament, but he insisted. During his final days, Morris was persistent in showing his gratitude. After filming the video, Terry could barely contain himself with my emotions, he held Morris’ hand and played his favorite music. It was at this moment that Morris found peace. He was no longer scared.

The Wow Moment

As Morris’s health quickly deteriorated, he was in and out of hospitals until he finally was under hospice care. In the waning days of his life and one of his many hospitalizations, Terry delivered flowers, a card and a balloon for his WOW gift, a token to express his Venterra family’s care and concern. Terry wanted to let him know that the Villas staff and himself were here for him and would assist him with any needs that he may have. The true gift though, was the “Gift of Time”. Knowing the physical hardship that Morris was enduring, Terry was trying to help him out any way he could. There were days  Terry would take Morris’ trash out, help him with his groceries, push him in his wheelchair so that he could enjoy the great outdoors and pick up his packages. In Terry’s services to help Morris, he truly began to form a deep friendship with him. In a way, Terry views this friendship as a WOW to himself! Morris thanked the Villas team for the flowers, balloon and card, but was even more appreciative of the time and fellowship that was given. In the end, it was Morris that WOWed us! This dying man gave Terry and the Villas his parting gift: the “Gift of Gratitude.” Terry paid my final respects by attending his funeral and visiting his gravesite. Morris will forever be in Terry’s memories not only as being a resident from our property, but as an endearing friend who taught him that in the end gratitude is one of our greatest gifts!

Have you experienced a WOWMatters experience at your property or did we WOW you in some way? Let us know by sharing a Google Review here! Who knows, you just may be featured on our blog one day!

15 Inexpensive Summer Activities for Budget-Friendly Fun

Posted on by Mark Laufhutte

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!